Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 23rd Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 27th Apr., 1888
I, SAMUHL ALBERT JOHNSON Marine Engineer 8 Wharf Road Millwall Poplar E.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
A certain formation of Steamer having the usual hull and bow at entrance to the
water, but at midships or any suitable point in her length, she is divided into two rear
hulls of sufficient width, leaving between them a waterway proportioned to the require-
ments of the vessel. Within this water space there will be a propelling paddle wheel
or if preferred screw propellers, of suitable dimensions, and revolved by the usual
method of compound Engines and crank propulsion. By this arrangement I get rid
of the objectionable projection of two separate wheels at the sides of vessel, gain
perfect stability, and overcome the rocking and swaying motion which any ordinary
steamer invariably has. For passenger traffic especially this is a great desideratum.
In the case of river boats, calling and stopping at wharfs, piers or floating barges,
I have a broad strip of hard wood or other suitable material running all along the
outer sides of the hull, which will effectually prevent any injury to the vessel by
abrasion. The lower or main deck will be flush with the landing stage, and con-
sequently every facility will be afforded for landing or embarking passengers with
ease. The main deck will cover the whole width of the vessel from stem to stern,
and at the height of 7 feet will be closed in, and fitted with suitable doors and
windows. Above this, a second or saloon deck, of the same height, will be carried
from near the stern to a few feet from the bow, and will be closed in to front
of paddle wheel box, and fitted with doors and sliding windows. From there to
the bow it will be an open promenade deck, covered over with an awning. Above
this again there will be a promenade deck from stern to paddle wheel box, also covered
with an awning. At each side of the propelling power space, and on each deck there
will be the requisite wash up cabins and lavatories for men and women. As regards
the hulls I divide them into numerous watertight compartments by strong bulkheads,
thus rendering the vessel perfectly safe in the event of an accident happening to one
or more of the compartments, and making her practically unsinkable.
I also provide a special safety compartment at the stem, filled with closely
packed bales of cotton, jute, or other suitable material, so that if she should
strike an obstacle or come into collision with another vessel the blow would be

page_text: rendered harmless to her. The plates in front of this compartment will be thin
and allow the cotton or other bales to act as a buffer, whilst the bulk head behind
will be of an ample strength to withstand the deadened blow. The Engines of the
vessel will be fixed at the rear of the wheel or propelling screws, and be direct
acting on the compound principle of high and low pressed cylinders-The Boilers
will be placed side by side in the mid-portion of hull in front of wheel, and the
coal bunkers arranged at their sides so as to form an equilibrium of weight with
the engines at the rear. Special fore and aft bulkheads will be provided for
strengthening the vessel and for shutting off the engine and boiler spaces from the
rest of the vessel.
The Steering Gear will consist of two powerful rudders working at the inner
sides of the hulls in the rear of the waterway between them. These rudders, will
when inactive, be in a recess of the hulls, shewing no resistance to the backwater of
the propelling power, and will be brought into action for steering purposes by the
usual method of chains and pullies-They are also arranged so as to be brought
together at an angle of 45° acting then as a drag or brake upon the speed of the
vessel when required.

page_text: I, SAMUEL ALBERT JOHNSON Marine Engineer 8 Wharf Road Millwall, E.
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
following statement :-
A certain formation of steamer having the usual hull and bow at entrance to the
water, but at midships or any suitable point in the length, being divided into two
rear hulls of sufficient width, leaving between them a water-way proportioned to the
requirements of the vessel. Within this water space, there will be a propelling
paddle wheel, or screw propellers, of suitable dimensions, and revolved by the usual
method of compound engines and crank propulsion. By this arrangement I get rid
of the objectionable projection of two separate wheels at the sides of vessel, and gain
perfect stability, and overcome the rocking and swaying motion which any ordinary
steamer invariably has.
For passenger traffic especially this is a great desideratum. In the case of River
Boats calling and stopping at wharves or floating barges, I have a broad strip of hard
wood or other suitable material running all along the outer sides of hull which will
effectually prevent any injury by abrasion. As the lower or main deck will be flush
with the landing pier, every facility will be afforded for landing or embarking
passengers with safety. The Main Deck will cover the whole width of the vessel from
stem to stern, and it will be a covered-in deck, 7 feet high, arranged with suitable
doors and moveable windows. Above this a second or saloon covered-in deck, of the
same height, will be carried from near the stern to front of paddle wheel box, with
similar doors and sliding windows. This deck is also continued to nearly the Bow of
vessel as an open promenade deck covered by an awning.
The roof of the second or saloon deck also forms another promenade deck, covered
with an awning from stern to wheel Box.
At each side of the paddle Box, and on each deck, will be the requisite lavatories
and wash up cabins for men and women.
As regards the hulls, I divide them into numerous watertight compartments by
Bulkheads, totally separate from each other, thereby rendering the vessel
perfectly safe, and practically unsinkable in the event of an accident happening to
one or more of the compartments.
-
I also provide a special safety compartment at the stem, filled with closely packed
bales of cotton, jute, or other material, so that if she should strike an obstacle, or
come into collision with another vessel, the blow would be rendered harmless to her,
or the object struck.
The plates of this compartment will be thin and easily broken, thus allowing the
cotton or other bales to act as a buffer, whilst the bulk head behind will be strong
enough to resist any pressure of blow transmitted to it through the buffer.
·

page_text: The Engines of the vessel will be direct-acting and on the compound principle of
high and low pressed cylinders.
The Boilers will be placed side by side in the mid portion of the hull in front of
the propelling wheel, or screws, and the Coal Bunkers arranged at their sides so as to
form an equilibrium of weight with the engines at the rear of wheel.
The Steering Gear of the vessel will consist of 2 powerful rudders secured at the
inner sides of the Hulls in the rear of the Waterway between them.
These rudders will, when inactive, will be in a recess of the hulls, shewing no
resistance to the back lash of the paddle wheel or screws, and will be brought into
action for steering purposes by the usual method of chains and pullies.
These rudders are also so arranged that when occasion arises, they can be brought
together at an angle of 45° and act as a drag or brake upon the speed of the
vessel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Fig. I. shews a sectional plan of the vessel.
Fig. II. is a longitudinal section through her centre line.
Fig. III. is a side view as she appears in the water. Fig. IV. is a view looking
on her stern. Fig. V. is a cross section in front of Boilers looking from the bow.
A. is the Main Hull of the ordinary formation from bow to front of paddle wheel
box. B. B. are the two rear hulls separated by the water space C.-D. is the
propelling wheel in or about the centre of the vessel's length-E. E. are the direct
acting compound Engines F. F. are the Steam Boilers.
G. G. are the Coal Bunkers-H. H. are the rudders for steering, and when
required act as a drag on the speed of vessel, by being drawn together, at an angle
of 45°, against an upright beam I. in centre of waterway C. The rudders can be
worked either by the steam cylinders J. J. or by the usual hand steering wheel on
the upper deck. K. K. are the buffer strips on each side of the vessel's hull.
M. is the main deck of vessel covering the hulls from stem to stern, and over the
water space C. between the 2 rear hulls. On this deck there will be an excellent
Saloon N. abaft the paddle wheel for 2nd class passengers, and convenient fore
cabins O. for 3rd class. P. is the second deck having on it at rear a grand saloon Q
for 1st class passengers, and the forward end will be an open promenade deck R,
covered with awnings for the use of 2nd and 3rd class passengers.
On the roof of the grand -saloon Q there will be an open promenade and garden
deck S. for the 1st class passengers only.
T. T. are the watertight compartments of the hulls. U is the special safety com-
partment at bow, filled with cotton or other bales to act as a buffer in case of collision.
V is the steering wheel house on upper deck.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Improvements in steam vessels, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. A construction of Steam vessel for carrying passengers or other freight
whereby perfect safety is obtained, whether from colliding with another vessel or any
obstacle Stem on, being provided with a safety buffer at the bow as specified and
shewn on my drawings; or from being run into in any part of her hull, the numerous
separate compartments of which are water-tight, thus rendering her practically
unsinkable.
2nd. The advantage of perfect stability, with no rocking or swaying motion.
3rd. The ease in getting alongside piers or wharves, and consequent facility in
landing or embarking. The side Buffer strips allowing her to glide past or rub against
barges, or other craft, without injury to herself or them.
4th. The Powerful Steering Arrangement and quick stoppage of the speed of
vessel.
5th. The Propelling power being at or near the centre and axis of vessel, makes her
very sensitive to the action of the rudders, and as nearly as possible she will turn in
her own length.

page_text: 6. The Complete protection of the propelling Wheel or screws, as well as the
rudders, all being within the water space between the Hulls.
7th. The Improved large accommodation for passengers in Saloons or Cabins
divided into First, Second and Third Class, and each having all the conveniences
required for the separate classes.
8th and Lastly. I claim a Construction of Steam Vessel, consisting of Two Hulls,
throughout her whole length, each having numerous watertight Compartments, and
all being hermetically sealed, thus rendering the vessel perfect in flotation, and in
the event of collision or damage happening to one or more of the compartments, the
remainder will prevent her from sinking.
These Hulls are connected together at the forward end by a central chamber
towards the Bow. This Chamber, in addition to connecting the two hulls, is solely
for carrying the Boilers, Coals, and the Collision Buffer at stem as described in the
specification.
I do not confine my claim to Steam Vessels alone, but it also applies to Launches,
Barges, Rowing and other Boats. Substantially and for the purpose hereinbefore
described.