Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 19th June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th July, 1888
GEORGE THORNE of 16 Maiden Lane Strand in the county of Middlesex, a Super-
numerary in the Adelphi Theatre do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
Three cylinders or pontons, the two outer ones C being rigidly connected together
by steel framework K the inner one A being hollow, and destined to supply the place
for cabin and engine-room. The two outer pontons are built of steel, or any other
material, 38 ft. in length by 3 feet in diameter, gradually taper about 3 ft. from
forward end, so as to form egg-shape bows, the stern end being slightly rounded;
they have keels top and bottom, the inner sides toward the centre ponton heing flat.
Also hinged to middle of outer sides of each outer ponton is a bulwark or weather-
board made of wood or steel with projecting wooden boards perpendicular to them.
These bulwarks can be drawn up parallel to the keels and the wooden projections P
which are equal in length to semidiameter of ponton thus form seats. The middle or
principal cylinder A is 23 ft. in length by 8 ft. in diameter, is double-bottomed, the
It is connected
bottom gradually sloping upwards about 9 ft. from the fore-end.
with the steel-work K connecting the two outer pontons at each end of its axis, but
not so as to interfere with its power of rotation in any direction round that axis. In
addition two bolts pass from it, one through each side into the adjoining outer ponton,
thus holding the whole system rigidly together. In cases of necessity these bolts can
be withdrawn by means of a self-acting machinery, thus restoring to the middle
cylinder its power of rotation. This machinery consists of a pendulum, 5 ft. in length
having a semi-circle R at its upper end rigidly attached to it. Attached to semi-
circle at distances about circumference, and at equal distances from top of
pendulum are two wires or ropes Z. These wires gradually approach one another,
and are coupled together J on the line of the pendulum about 2 feet below the
circumference of the circle. They then gradually diverge, and after passing each
under a wheel U, they are carried in straight lines to the bolts Q. At lower extremity
of pendulum is a circle, G' to which, the bob E, is rigidly attached. The bob consists
of a triangle, the vertex A, being at the centre of the circle, and the base being

page_text: circular. Wound round the circle is a rope or wire, B. attached to an ordinary spring-
bolt D. The middle cylinder is hollow, and divided into two partitions, the forward
one being used as a cabin, the rear as an engine room, the coal being stored in lockers
which serve as seats for the passengers. It is entered from the top, a small vent hole
being made forward in order to serve as an additional ventilator. The funnel is
situated at the rear extremity of the axis of the middle cylinder, and is rigidly
connected with it. On either side of the funnel is a screw-propellor, which propellors
can be used in cases of necessity. When not used they are hidden from view.
Attached to fore-part of the framework connecting the two outer pontons, is a circular
frame-work K1 consisting of a turn table E containing paddle, self-acting reversable
paddle-box, and small engine. This engine is worked by steam passing from the
boiler in engine-room through a steam-pipe in bow of middle cylinder. The turn-
table is worked by means of a screw (as shewn in drawing) I 0 thus dispensing with
the use of a rudder or steering gear. Attached to the turn-table E is an escape H
resembling a fire-escape but with netting instead of wooden steps. This netting is
packed at foot of the escape, but can be hauled out when wanted. Attached to
furthest extremity of the escape is an electric light, which can at pleasure be lighted
by means of wires running down the escape, and communicating with a storage of
electricity in the cabin. The outer pontons Care hollow, and are filled with cork.
The advantages of this machine are as follows. In ordinary cases when the three
pontons are bolted together, it sails along as an ordinary boat, but when a heavy sca
arises which causes the machine to roll so as to bo in danger of capsizing, the bolts Q
connecting the middle to the outer pontons are released by means of the pendulum,
both the middle cylinder and the rest of the machine recover their independant
powers of rotation, the middle cylinder is immediately restored to a state of
equilibrium, the outer pontons either fall back or perforin a complete revolution. In
both cases owing to the bolts Q connecting them to the middle ponton being spring-
bolts and consequently yeilding, the whole machinery again becomes rigidly
connected as before, the upper and lower portions of the outer pontons exactly
resembling one another. To prevent the swinging of the pendulum before it is needed,
it is attached as before recited to a bolt, D, which fastens it down to the bottom F
of the middle cylinder: thus in ordinary cases, the bob goes through small oscillations,
but when the oscillations become too large, the bolt D, is released by means of the
slackening and tightening of the rope before mentioned, B, the pendulum immediately
begins to oscillate, the bolts Q connecting the outer to the middle ponton are released
owing to the slackening and tightening of the wires Z connected with the upper
portion of the pendulum and consequent raising of the coupling of the wires J but
when the machinery returns to position of equilibrium the pendulumi locks itself
owing to the yielding of the lower bolt D. In case of failure of steam attached to
fore-part of each outer ponton, and on each side of them are ratchet-wheels, the spindles
of which are perpendicular to surfaces of ponton, and pass through them. A rope
passes round each wheel, and wheii heaved puts the spindle in motion, which spindle
works an air or water pump situated in interior of each outer ponton.
In addition to serving as a life-boat or raft the whole machine can be used as a
war-vessel and the middle cylinder when disconnected as a steam launch.
Dated this 10th day of Santanshan 1407

page_text: 1, GEORGE THORNE, of 16, Maiden Lane, Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
lo 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 and accompanying drawings, (that is to say):
My invention relates to rafts used for the preservation of life at sea, and it has for
its object novel methods of construction and arrangement by which the raft is perfectly
safe in whatever position it may be thrown, provisions and water are conveniently
and easily stored in it, and it affords ample accommodation to the persons using it,
it can be propelled by hand, by sails, or by steam or other power, and may be used as
an independent vessel either alone or forming one of a train of similar vessels for
war or other purposes, and when used as a life raft it is readily disengaged and
launched at the proper time from the vessel by which it is to be carried.
My improved raft consists of three pontoons, preferably cylindrical in cross section,
and arranged parallel to one another the centre one being of considerably larger
diameter than those upon each side of it. The two outer ones are rigidly connected
together near their ends by a framework of iron, steel, or other sufficiently strong
material, and the central one is suspended between them by pivots or trunnions at its
ends and serves as a chamber to receive the passengers, provisions and other stores
or articles which it is required to carry.
The ends of the outer pontoons are preferably made tapering or conical, and they
have keels attached to them both at the top and bottom. The central chamber is
preferably formed with a strong double bottom, which may be flattened the flat
bottom sloping gradually up at the front end. In its normal condition it swings
freely upon the end pivots or trunnions which turn in the frames connecting the two
outer pontoons as already described, but it is also provided with lateral projecting
locking bolts which when desired are made to enter the sides of the outer pontoons
and so prevent it from turning upon its pivots and holding the whole system rigidly
together.
In case of necessity, these locking bolts can be withdrawn by hand or by means of
the self acting apparatus hereinafter described, thus restoring to the central chamber
the power of rotation upon its pivots.
The central chamber is provided with an opening above, through which it is
entered, and this opening may be left open in fine weather or it may be closed
by a moveable cover when desired, only leaving one or more small openings for
5 ventilation.
It is provided with seats, and lockers for stores, and it may also be divided into two
or more parts, one of which may be used as an Engine room for a steam or other
engine driving one or more screw propellors or a paddle wheel, a supply of fuel for
which is stored in the chamber.

page_text: Attached to the back part of the frame work which connects the two outer pontoons
is arranged a horizontal circular turntable turning in guides and carrying a paddle
wheel and shaft turning in bearings upon the turntable, a reversible paddle box
covering the paddle wheel and if desired a small engine driving the latter and supplied
with steam from the boiler in the chamber by a steam pipe passing through the hollow
pivot or trunnion upon which the chamber is suspended, and having a suitable stuffing
box to allow the latter to rotate. The turntable itself can be turned as desired round
its vertical centre by means of a tubular spindle also passing through the same pivot
or trunnion and having an endless screw or pinion gearing with a wheel upon the
turntable, the end of the tubular spindle in the chamber being provided with a hand
wheel, by which the turntable is turned in either direction, the raft being in this way
steered when the paddle is working. Or a central vertical rudder of the kind herein-
after described may be attached to the turntable in the same way and used for
steering the raft.
The turntable also carries an apparatus resembling a fire escape, and consisting of a
frame or mast hinged to the turntable at its lower end, so that it can be raised or
lowered to any desired angle.
When not in use the netting can be lowered to the foot of the mast, but can be
hauled up when required for persons using it to gain access to the raft from a vessel.
The niast can be made telescopic so that its height as well as its angle can be
varied as required, and its different movements may if preferred be regulated from
the interior of the chamber by means of a sufficient number of concentric tubes
passing through the pivot or trunnion of the chamber, the inner end of each being
provided with a wheel by which it can be turned and worked, and its outer end being
connected by suitable gear to the part of the escape arrangement which is to be
worked by it.
The upper end of the mast may be provided with an electric light operated from
electrical storage batteries contained in the chamber, which may also drive a motor
for propelling the raft.
The two outer pontoons are hollow and are preferably filled with cork in order that
they may retain their buoyancy in case of their being injured.
One or more suitable masts and sails may be provided by which the entire raft can
be sailed as an ordinary boat.
In the accompanying drawings, which are in illustration of my invention, figure 1
is a plan shewing the entire raft.
Figure 2 is a side view of the same, figure 3 is a transverse section through the
centre and figure 4 an end view.
Figures 5, 6, and 7, illustrate the automatic unlocking and releasing apparatus in
different positions, and figure 8 shews the whole unlocking apparatus upon a smaller
scale.
Figure 9 illustrates a method of carrying the raft on board ship and of disengaging
it when required.
Figure 10 illustrates the raft used as an independent sailing boat. Figure 11 is a
front view shewing a somewhat modified form of the connecting frame, and figure 12
shews a transverse section. through the entire raft, the two outer pontoons being
rectangular instead of cylindrical on their inner sides.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures. In
figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12, a is the central chamber or pontoon, and c, c the
two outer ones connected together by the rigid framework k, l, and provided with
keels p, p, above and below. In figure 4 à bulwark or weather board of wood or
metal is shewn hinged to the middle of the outer side of each of the pontoons c, c,
the outer edges of these bulwarks having boards or plates hinged to them which
serve as seats when their ends are carried by the keel p as shown. If the pontoons c, c,
and frame are inverted, the bulwarks and seats are also inverted and are
carried by the keels p¹ which will then be uppermost.
The central chamber a has a flat double bottom as shewn, and preferably inclined up at
its front end as shewn at a figures 1, 2, and 4. The chamber a turns upon pivots or

page_text: trunnions, , but is ordinarily locked to the frame by bolts which are released when
required by the automatic apparatus shewn in figures 5, 6, 7, and 8. This consists of
a pendulum hanging from the centre m fixed in a convenient position in the
chamber a, so that it swings across the chamber in which it is arranged.
To its upper end is rigidly fixed the semi-circle r, to which are fastened two wires,
ropes or chains z,, which are joined together at j some distance below the semi-
circle r, and then gradually diverge, passing under the guide wheels u, u', and thence
to the two opposite locking bolts 7, 9, which pass through the sides of the chamber a
and engage in catches or recesses in the pontoons c, c. At the lower end of the
pendulum is pivotted a circle or wheel g to which the pendulum bob or weight e
(shewn in dotted lines) is rigidly fixed at its upper or smaller end. A flexible wire,
cord, or chain o is fitted round and fixed to the wheel g, the ends of this cord or chain
hanging loose and being fastened to the bolt d which is pressed down by a spring so
as to engage with a catch or fastening at d fixed near the bottom of the chamber a.
Ordinarily when the three pontoons a and c, c, are bolted or locked together, the
entire raft can sail along as an ordinary boat (as illustrated in figure 10) but should a
heavy sea cause the machine to roll so as to be in danger of capsizing the bolts q, 7',
connecting the middle pontoon a to the outer ones c, c, are withdrawn by means of
the pendulum as illustrated in figures 6 and 7 and the chamber a swings freely and
in a state of perfect equilibrium upon its pivots or trunnions i, . The outer pontoons c, c,
either also come back to their horizontal position, or they may perform a complete
semirevolution, their keels p, p, being then uppermost, and the spring bolts 7,7,
yielding as they pass their catches, then become locked and the whole apparatus is
rigidly connected together as at first, the upper and lower sides of the outer pon-
toons c, c, and the framework k, k¹, being exactly similar.
In order to prevent the too ready disengagement of the locking bolts q, q', by any
slight oscillation of the pendulum l, the latter is held by a bolt d as already described,
the chamber a being then held, but if the oscillation of the heavy weight or bob e
becomes too great the bolt d is withdrawn by the cord or chain o as illustrated in the
lower part of figures 6 and 7, and the pendulum 7 can then swing and release the
locking bolts q, q', setting the chamber a free from the pontoons c, c, as already
described. When the pendulum and bob return to their normal position, the bolt d
becomes again fixed.
figure 1, is the turntable in the frame. This turntable may carry a paddle
wheel t, as illustrated in figure 13, actuated in any of the ways already described, and
this paddle wheel may be covered by a paddle box or cover t¹ balanced by a weight
and turning on centres so that if the raft be inverted it turns half round, and covers
the paddle on the other side.
The turntable itself may be turned round by a tubular spindle passing through the
trunnion i¹.
Or, a plate acting as a rudder may be carried by the turntable s, this plate
dropping through a slot in the turntable so that it operates whichever side of the raft
and frame k, k¹ is uppermost.
w is a telescopic mast carried by the turntables, and fitted with a netting which
can be raised upon the mast so as to serve as an escape. y is an electric or other
light upon the mast w.
Where a screw propellor or paddle wheel is used for propelling the raft as already
described, the manual power of the passengers in the chamber may be employed to
drive them, an endless rope or ropes or other equivalent device being used for the
purpose.
Where steam or other mechanical power is used as first described, the central
chamber may in some circumstances be disengaged and separated from the outer
pontoons, and used as an independent steam or other launch. If used for war purposes
the raft would be little liable to injury from the fire of rifles, and it would be impos-
sible to board it, and the hinged bulwarks described would fall outward and carry
sandbags or extra quantities of cork to stop shot and give additional buoyancy.
The improved rafts may be coupled together in any number, so as to form a train,

page_text: each central chamber having a sufficiently wide longitudinal opening on its upper
side, through which a proper look out can be kept. Fresh water can be stored in the
double bottom.
The raft is ordinarily kept on the deck of the ship which carries it, preferably in a
vertical position inside the ship's rail, as illustrated in figure 9.
A lever or disengaging handle is arranged on the bridge of the ship, by pulling
which at a favourable opportunity when the ship is listing to leeward, the raft is
disengaged and launched overboard, the passengers having previously entered it and
the ship's bulwark or rail having been turned outward upon its hinges as shewn, at
the same moment.
The raft is then kept away from the ship's side by manual labour, or steam or
other power, as already described, and forms a perfectly complete and independent
vessol.
A small gas engine may be used to drive the propellor or paddle wheel, being itself
actuated from a store of gas compressed in a suitable vessel.
Should the central chamber turn bottom upwards between rocks upon a shore
surrounded with water, the passengers can escape through an opening in the bottom
normally closed by a door.
In fine weather oars may be used to row the raft by men from the seats which rest
upon the keel as described and shewn.
It is evident that in some cases, or in emergency, wooden spars might be used in
place of the two outer pontoons c, c, or if the latter be made of sufficient length, two
or more central chambers a may be used, transverse frames being arranged to carry
the inner pivots or trunnions.
The front part of the frame connecting the two outer pontoons may be made
somewhat in the shape of the bows of an ordinary ship, as illustrated in figure 11.
In order to give more room for steering the raft on board ship as shewn in figure 9,
the upper part of the frame may be hinged at or near the centre to the remaining
part so that the upper pontoone may be turned outward. When the raft is to be
used, the frame is brought to its proper shape as shewn and rigidly fixed by a bolt or
other fastening.
I do not confine myself to any precise form, size, and relative dimensions, or
arrangement of the several parts which may be varied more or less as may be found
advisable according to the circumstances in which the apparatus is to be used,
but having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of the two outer pontoons c, c, with the central pivotted
pontoon or chamber a and frame k, k¹.
2. The method of locking the central chamber a to the outer pontoons c, c, by
means of moveable bolts q, q.
3. The automatic device for withdrawing the moveable bolts q, q³, consisting of the
pendulum, semicircle r, and cords or chains z, ¹.
4. The apparatus for fixing and releasing the pendulum 7, consisting of the
suspended bob or weight e, the wheel g, cord or chain o, spring bolt d, and catch or
fastening d'.
5. The turntables, carrying a paddle wheel t, or steering plate v, and operated
from the interior of the chamber a, through the trunnion .
6. The paddle wheel t, for propelling and steering the raft, carried by the turntables,
and driven by manual or other power.
7. The paddle box t¹, carried by the turntable s, and reversible when the raft is
inverted.
8. The steering rudder », fitting in the turntable s.
9. The adjustable mast w, and netting a forming an escape, in combination with
the turntable s.
10. The hinged bulwarks 6 and seats fin combination with the outer pontoons c, c.

page_text: 11. The method of using two or more central chambers a, between the outer
pontoons c, c, in combination with the frames k, k¹.
12. The method of connecting the front ends of the outer pontoons c, c, by a frame
resembling the bows of a ship, substantially as described and shewn in figure 11.
13. The method of stowing and launching the raft from the deck of the vessel
which carries it.
All substantially in the manner and for the purposes described and shewn in the
drawings.
11
1011 1
T1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Patentee.