Improvements in Life Boats.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1899
Improvements in Life Boats.
A communication by MARIUS PETER HOY, of Rosedale, in the County of Pierce
and State of Washington, United States of America, Gentleman.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M,E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement: --
This invention relates to improvements in life-boats and consists in a boat
made in cylindrical shape having bulk-heads for dividing it into compartments,
means in one compartment for propelling the boat, and means in another com-
partment for steering the same, the central compartment being provided with air
tubes for supplying sufficient air for the occupants thereof.
It also consists of certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrange-
ments of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a life-boat constructed in accordance with
this invention.
Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section through the same.
Fig. 3 represents a vertical transverse section through the central portion of
the said boat.
Fig. 4 represents a detail sectional view showing how oars may be applied for
propelling the boat.
Fig. 5 represents a detail view showing the means of bracing a mast in place.
Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of a grapple for raising the anchor.
Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of one of the air tube supporting brackets.
1 in the drawings represents a life boat constructed in accordance with this
invention; 2 a central chamber for the occupants of the boat; 3 and 4 chambers
for those who are handling the anchor and steering the boat, respectively.
This improved life-boat is designed to be so enclosed that water cannot enter
the same, even in an exceedingly rough sea, and it is so constructed as to be
buoyant even though one or more of the compartments should become filled
with water.
In carrying out the invention, my correspondent constructs the boat proper 1
preferably of a cylindrical casing, tapering toward a sharp bow and stern as
illustrated in the drawings. The casing of the boat may be made of any suitable
substance, but is preferably made of metal. At suitable intervals in the interior
of the structure, bulk heads are mounted as 5, 5, and 6, 7. The bulk heads 5, 5,
enclose the central chamber, which is the largest one in the boat, occupying
about two thirds of its size and affording sufficient space for a number of occu-
pants. The bulk head 6 divides the bow portion into two compartments, the
compartment 3 of which is adapted to be used by the person who operates the
anchor. The other compartment is further divided by a horizontal partition 8
into upper and lower compartments which may be used for storing food or other
articles. The bulk head 7 likewise divides the stern of the boat into two com-

page_text: partments, of which the compartment 4 is adapted to be occupied by
the party steering the boat. The other compartment is further divided
into upper and lower spaces as 9 and 10, which may be used for
storing food or other articles. Each of the bulk heads is provided
with a sliding door as 11, which is adapted to close doorways in the said bulk
heads. These door-ways form means of communication between the different
compartments of the boat and are ordinarily kept in a closed condition to prevent
the chance of all the compartments being filled with water in case one of them
should have an accident. The boat 1 is provided with a keel of considerable
size as 12 which preferably extends the whole length of the boat and at the rear
end is provided with recesses to accommodate the propeller 13 and the rudder 14,
the said keel completely protecting the said propeller and rudder. Around the
sides of the boat a fender is preferably constructed as 15 which affords protection
to the sides of the boat. The boat is also provided with a large central hatchway
as 16, leading into the central compartment 2, said hatch-way being provided
with hatches or covers 17 which slide apart to open the said hatch-ways as
clearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings. When the hatches 17 are opened, the
boat is practically converted into an open one. The hatches are made to fit
snugly into position and may have rubber packing around their edges if necessary
and may be held in place by means of clamping screws operated from the inside
to make them entirely water tight. The compartments and 4 are also provided
with sliding hatches as 18 and 19 which may be closed when the said compartments
are not in use. When it is necessary for a person to work in the hatch ways 18
and 19 as when handling the anchor or steering the boat, it is desirable to pre-
vent the water entering the compartments 3 and 4 and for this purpose flexible
aprons are provided as 20, 20 which are secured to the edges of the said hatch-
ways at one end and at their other ends are provided with draw strings or other
means of securing the said aprons snugly about the waist of the person in the
said compartments. This will be found a very convenient means of preventing
water from entering the compartment 3 when it is necessary to have the
hatches 18 and 19 open. In order to supply suitable ventilation and sufficient air
for the occupants of the compartments 2, my correspondent provides air
tubes 21, 21, said air tubes being made of two telescoping sections, the lower
section 22 of which tube is braced with respect to the bulk-head 5 by means of
any suitable bracket as 23, said tube being open at its lower end and opening
directly into the chamber 2. The outer tube 22 is preferably corrugated as illus-
trated and adapted to slide up and down in the bracket 23 and set screws 24
mounted in said bracket engage the corrugations of the said outer tube so as to
hold it in place in its adjusted positions. The upper end of each tube 22 extends
through the top of the boat and may be adjusted to suitable heights with respect
to the same. Sliding in the tubes 22 are the upper telescoping tubes 25 which
are provided with air collecting funnels 26 at their upper ends, preferably of
thick rubber, secured at the base to a metal ring 31. The ring may be threaded
or screwed on the upper end of the tube. The tube 25 is provided with a valve
as 28 which is normally held closed by any suitable spring means not shown.
Said valves are provided with cords 29 which extend downwardly through the
telescoping tubes into the chamber 2 so that the said valve may be easily opened
by the occupants of the said chamber when desired. Each of the telescoping
tubes 25 is provided with a projection or pin 30 which is adapted to move in the
corrugations of the outer tube 22. The pin may engage any of the corrugations
in the outer tube, so that the inner tube 25 may be turned so as to turn the hood
in any direction desired. It will be seen that in ordinary water, the tubes need
not be raised to their highest positions in order to keep the water from entering
the funnels but in exceedingly rough weather, it may be needful to raise the
funnels of the air tubes so that they will be out of reach of the water and make
it possible for the occupants of the compartment 2 to receive a sufficient supply
of fresh air. By examining Fig. 5 it will be readily understood how a mast as 32

page_text: may be secured in the air tube and braced with respect to the boat by means
of guy rods 33, 33. If desired, the air tubes when in their extended positions
may also be strengthened in this manner, although my correspondent does not
think it will be necessary to do so usually.
In order to anchor the boat, the same is provided with an anchor 34 of any
suitable design, said anchor being attached to the end of a chain as 35, which
passes around the bow of the boat and along a groove as 36 formed in the lower
edge of the keel 12 and into the lower end of a pipe or tube 37 which passes
up through the keel and the boat to the top thereof, as seen in Figure 2. At
the upper end of the pipe 37 an enlargement as 38 is formed in which is mounted
a sprocket wheel or pulley 39 over which the chain 35 may be drawn. The
inner end of the chain 35 may be secured in boxes or lockers formed in the
chamber 2. The anchor 34 when not in use preferably lies upon the bow of the
boat and may be supported in place by a hook or any other suitable contrivance.
When the anchor is to be used, it is released from the said hook and dropped
from the bow of the boat, the chain being permitted to pay out from the tube 37
until a suitable anchorage is obtained. It will be noticed that an anchor thus
connected with the boat will pull upon the same at a point about midway
between the bow and the middle of the boat so that the anchor will not have
sufficient leverage upon the bow to pull it under the water. In order to take
up the anchor and return it to its proper position on the boat, the chain 35 is
pulled in to a proper extent and a double grapple as 40 having a chain or rope
secured to each end thereof is lowered beneath the bottom of the boat until
it engages the chain when it may be used to pull the anchor up and hook it in
place on the bow of the boat. In order to steer the boat the rudder stem extends
upwardly into the stern of the boat and is engaged by a handle or lever 41 which
projects into the chamber 4 and may be operated by the occupant of the said
chamber. To propel the boat, it is preferable to use a hand operated propeller
as 13 said propeller being provided with a suitable shaft 42 which extends
through proper packing glands into the body of the boat and carries at its inner
end a sprocket wheel 43 which is connected by means of a sprocket
chain 44 with a sprocket power wheel 45. The sprocket power
wheel 45 is secured to a shaft 46 mounted in suitable bearings in the chamber 2,
said shaft being provided with suitable cranks as 47, 47. The cranks are pre-
ferably operated by means of long rods or bars which are socketed at one end
in recesses in the cranks 47 and at the other end are socketed or pivoted to suit-
able supports as at 49, 49, in the said chamber. By the use of these bars a
larger number of people can operate the cranks and drive the propeller with
considerable power. In order to operate a pump the shaft 46 is also provided with a
crank 50 which is connected with a pump piston by a pitman 51, the pump 52
being mounted upon the bottom of the chamber 2. It will be apparent that
rigid handles could be secured to the cranks 47 47 for operating them, the
handle being made of different lengths as may be found desirable without de-
parting from the spirit of the invention. A large fly wheel as 53 is secured to
the central portion of the shaft 46 to give the machinery a balanced movement.
As seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, the said fly wheel 53 is preferably provided
with only four spokes, so that large openings are afforded between the spokes
through which persons may pass from one end of the chamber 2 to the other
end thereof without inconvenience. The propeller 13 is preferably a two
bladed propeller and when not in use should be held in such a position that its
blades will be in the same plane as the plane of the keel and thus offer the least
resistance to the water. It will be apparent that a propeller having any number
of blades can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. In
the bottom of the boat a series of compartments as 54, 54, are preferably formed
which may be used for storing drinkink water or containing a ballast or both.
These compartments afford a standing platform for the occupants of the
chamber 2. Seats as 55 may be mounted on the tops of these compartments and

page_text: on cach side of the vessel for those in the said compartments to rest upon. As
seen in Figures 1 and 3 the buoyancy of the boat and the power to right itself
is increased by means of cork belts as 56 which extend almost the entire length
of the boat and on each side thereof. A row of lights or windows as 57 are also
provided on each side of the boat so that the occupants can look out. These
windows are preferably made in the usual manner with rubber packing and set
screws for holding them tightly in place and making them perfectly water tight.
If it is desired to employ oars to row the boat, when its hatches are opened,
oar locks as 58 may be suitably mounted upon the fenders 15 which may be
engaged by oars 59 made of suitable length.
If desired, straps may be secured to the inner surfaces of the hull as seen in
Figure 2 of the drawings, or may be secured to the seats 55 to afford a means
for the occupants of the boat to steady themselves.
It will be evident also that if more air is desired in the compartments 3 and 4
a rubber hose with a funnel may be passed through the aprons 20 to collect
and admit the air required.
It will be apparent from the above description that this improved life-boat is
simple in its construction and yet capable of being manipulated in all kinds of
weather. It will also be apparent that a number of people can occupy the life-
boat and can assist in propelling it from place to place.
On account of the shape of the life boat it can be successfully launched from a
carriage placed on central pivot, and can be thus launched on either side of a
vessel merely by releasing it so that the boat would slide into the sea with its
occupants.
The life boat may also be launched as usual from davits with tackle hooked into
rings on the upper part of the boat in reach of the operative hatches.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is: -
1. A life-boat comprising a cylindrical hull, bulkheads mounted therein for
dividing it into compartments, air tubes for admitting air and ventilation to the
central compartment, and means for propelling and steering the boat, substan-
tially as described.
2. A life-boat comprising a hull made cylindrical and tapered at its ends, bulk
heads mounted in the said boat for dividing it into various compartments, water
tight doors in the said bulk-heads for establishing communication between the
compartments of the boat, an anchor for holding the boat in place when desired,
said anchor having a chain extending through a tube which passes into the boat,
and a pulley over which the chain may be pulled from the interior of the boat
to raise or lower the anchor, substantially as described.
3. In a life-boat, the combination with a hull having hatchways in its upper
portion, sliding doors adapted to slide each way for closing the said hatch-ways
and aprons secured to some of the hatch-ways and provided with means for
attaching them around the waist of the individual using the compartment and
preventing the entrance of water and means for propelling the boat, substan-
tially as described.
4. In a boat, the combination with a suitable hull, of means for propelling
the same, comprising a propeller a shaft mounted in the interior of the boat
and connected by means of suitable gearing with the propeller, cranks for turn-
ing the said shaft and long rods or bars for operating the cranks, whereby a
number of persons may actuate the mechanism simultaneously, substantially as
described.
5. In a boat, the combination with a closed hull having compartments in it,
of means for propelling the same comprising a propeller, the shaft of the said
propeller extending into the hull of the boat, a sprocket wheel carried by said
shaft, a sprocket chain connecting it with a sprocket wheel on the power shaft,

page_text: cranks for operating a power shaft, a pump also connected to a crank on the
power shaft, and a fly wheel for balancing the movement of the parts, substantially
as described.
6. In a boat, the combination with a suitable hull, of a propeller for operating
the same, a propeller shaft mounted in the main compartment of the boat and
connected to the propeller by means of suitable gearing, cranks for operating
said propeller shaft, and a large fly wheel of a size nearly the diameter of the
boat being provided with few spokes in order that persons may pass through the
same from one end of the compartment to the other, substantially as described.
7. In a boat, the combination with a suitable hull, of compartments therein,
air tubes connected with the main compartment, said air tubes being formed of
telescoping sections, the lower section having suitable openings for admitting
air into the compartment and the upper section sliding in and out and having
an air collecting funnel at its upper end, and a valve for preventing water from
flowing into the said pipe, said valve being adapted to be operated from the
interior of the compartment, substantially as described.
8. In a boat, the combination with a suitable hull, of a heavy keel secured
thereon, said keel protecting the propelling and steering mechanism, fenders
extending around the sides of the boat, and cork belts secured to the sides of the
boat to help it right itself under all conditions, substantially as described.
9. In a life boat, the combination with a closed hull having a series of hatch-
ways formed in the top, sliding hatches adapted to slide away from each other
centrally for closing the said hatch-ways, cork belts mounted below the hatch-
ways for righting the boat, and a series of windows below the cork belts for
admitting light to the boat, and permitting persons to look out, substantially as
described.
10. In a boat, the combination with a suitable hull of compartments formed
therein, air tubes entering the main compartment of the boat, guy rods for sup-
porting a mast in one of the tubes should it be necessary to use a sail substan-
tially as described.
11. A boat comprising a cylindrical hull having compartments formed therein,
means for propelling the boat, comprising oar locks secured to the fenders on
the sides of the boat and oars for operating in the said oar-locks, substantially
as described.