Year: 1888

page_text: I, HENRY THOMAS WRIGHT, of the town of Walden, County of Orange and State of
New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention has for its object to produce a covered lifeboat which shall be
thoroughly water-tight and at the same time well ventilated, shall be thoroughly safe
under all circumstances, always ready for use, and which shall be so constructed that
when used from a vessel, the passengers may take their places within it, and the boat
be closed before it is launched.
With these ends in view I have devised the novel construction, of which the follow-
ing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification,
numbers being used to denote the several parts.
Fig. 1, is a vertical longitudinal section, the line being indicated by yy in Fig. 4,
looking toward the right.
Fig. 2, is a horizontal section on the line a in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, a plan view of the boat closed as in use.
Fig. 4, a transverse section on the line pp in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5, an enlarged elevation of one of the ventilators; and
Fig. 6, a detail section on the line in Fig. 5.
In building my improved lifeboat I follow substantially the lines shown in the
drawings, although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to any special
lines of contour. The entiro hull and deck are preferably made continuous, as shown
in the drawing, although if preferred, the deck may be made of wood. It is an
important feature of my invention that, with the exception of the bow which is of
course made sharp, all angles are avoided in the contour of the boat, both above and
below the water-line, so that the blows of the waves in a rough sea are deflected and
their full force is not felt by the boat. I preferably form the hull from sheets of
metal, ordinarily copper, an important feature being the use of an inner shell, denoted
by 1, an outer shell, denoted by 2, and an intermediate layer 3, of rubber, or other
suitable elastic waterproof material. 4, denotes ribs of either metal or wood, which

page_text: extend upward in the usual manner from the keel 5, and give strength and rigidity to
the hull. The keel, see Fig. 4, extends upward within the hull, forms a support for
the floor 6, of the main compartment 7, and also divides the space under the floor into
longitudinal compartments 8. These longitudinal compartments are subdivided into
any number of independent air-tight compartments by cross walls 9, preferably of
metal. 10, denotes the walls of the main compartment, and 11, longitudinal air-tight
compartments between the main compartment and the sides of the boat. Compart-
ments 11, are sub-divided into any number of independent compartments by cross-
walls 9, in the same manner as the longitudinal compartments under the floor. In the
construction of my improved lifeboat, I ordinarily make the side compartments 11,
without connection with each other or with the main compartment, although air-tight
doors may be provided into the main compartment if preferred. Compartments 8,
under the floor; are provided with air-tight doors 12, which may be made in any suit-
able manner, either to lift or slide. These compartments are intended for the storage
of provisions, water. and any other material that it may be desirable to place on board.
Porcelain lined water tanks are provided in one or more of these compartments, which
should be kept constantly filled, and from which water may be drawn by a simple
pump or by a spigot extending into the next compartment. These are details of
construction that are wholly within the province of any skilful boat builder.
13, denotes the water-line of the boat when moderately loaded, and 14, seats in the
main compartment for the occupants. The placing of the weight below the water
line is an important feature of my invention, and preserves the equilibrium of the boat
under all circumstances. In building the boat, a suitable lead or other ballast is
placed in the keel, and additional ballast is placed in compartments 8, as may be found
necessary, dependent of course upon the special use for which the boat is intended. It
will of course be understood that these boats are equally well adapted for use from
vessels in mid-ocean or from life-saving stations, and that the details of ballast and
loading the boat are matters that must be regulated to a certain extent by the circum-
stances of the use. 15, denotes solid projections at the bow and stern, which receive
the force of the blow when the boat is driven on shore. 16, denotes a screw which is
provided for use when necessary. I have shown no motive power, as it may be
operated by compressed air, an electric motor, or by hand power. In use a mast is
provided which may be rigged in the usual or any preferred manner, and from which
signals may be displayed. I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate this feature in
the drawing, as the details of arrangement are matters wholly within the province of
the builder. 17, denotes look-out compartments at the bow and stern of the boat
which are wholly above the water line and are intended for the storage of nautical
instruments, for making observations, steering, and the general use of those having
charge of the boat, the rudder denoted by 17, being manipulated in any suitable
manner from one of these compartments. 18, denotes other air-tight compartments
under the floor of compartments 17, which may be used in the same manner as com-
partments 8, or for any purpose for which they may be required. Passengers enter the
boat from the deck through doors 19, which lead into compartments 20. These doors
may either swing or slide as may be preferred, but are necessarily made water-tight.
In order to give sufficient height in compartments 17, for making observations and for
convenience in entering compartments 20, I preferably raise the deck at both ends
of the boat, as clearly shown, sloping it off on each side and toward the center of the
boat. 21, denotes water-tight doors between compartments 20, and 22, stairs which
lead down to the floor of the main compartment. 23, denotes windows which may be
suitably placed in the deck and sides of the boat above the water-line. 24, denotes
ventilators which may be suitably placed in different parts of the boat, the special
construction of which I will now describe.
25, is a plate having suitable perforations, which is secured in the hull of the boat.
26, is a dish-shaped inner plate, somewhat larger than plate 25, which is provided
with similar perforations and is secured on the inner side of the hull, a chamber 27,
being formed between said plates. Air enters this chamber freely from the outside
through the openings in plate 25, and passes into the vessel through the openings in

page_text: plate 26, the foul air passing out in the same manner. 28, is a valve in this chamber.
which is adapted to cover closely the openings through plate 26; a spring 29,
however, acts to hold the valve away from the plate under ordinary circumstances.
Should a wave strike the ventilator, and water pass through the openings in plate 25,
instead of passing through the corresponding opening in plate 26, it strikes the valve
and closes said openings. 30, is a drainage pipe leading from the bottom of chamber 27,
which carries the water off into one of the lower compartiments or through the
sides of the vessel. If the latter construction is adopted, as shown in the drawing, a
suitable flap valve 31, is used, which closes the pipe effectually against the entrance
of water from the outside. It should be understood of course, that the windows are
made to open when it is safe to do so, so that ample ventilation is provided at such
times. The ventilators are used at all times, but are not depended upon to furnish the
entire supply of air except in very rough weather. The external air at such times of
course enters the ventilators freely, but the entrance of water is effectually cut off, as
already explained.
The operation of my improved lifeboat may be briefly explained as follows. The
passengers enter at doors 19, and pass into compartments 20. Doors 21, are of course
open at this time so that the persons entering can pass down stairs 22, into the main
compartiment, denoted by 7. After the passengers have all taken their places in the
main compartment, and the provisions, water, instruments, &c., have been placed on
board, doors 19, and 21, are closed, and all of the windows are of course closed. The
boat is then ready to be launched, which may be effected in any manner, as by
lowering it from davits or shoving it off from the deck. The passengers of course
have to hold fast when the boat is launched, but it is a matter of no consequence
whatever whether it goes under water or not. Even if it passes entirely under water
when launched, it is impossible for any water to enter the boat. It comes to the
surface in an instant, and is perfectly balanced at all times by the adjustment of the
weight and ballast at or near the bottom of the boat. As already stated, the vessel
may be propelled either by sails rigged upon a mast, or by a screw, or it may be left
to float in the path of passing steamers, suitable signals being exhibited both by day
and night for the purpose of attracting attention. Boats made in this manner are
very light in proportion to their size. The use of an intermediate layer of rubber
between the inner and outer shells of the hulls gives the greatest possible strength
combined with lightness, buoyancy, and the ability to stand rough usage and pounding
upon rocks; and the longitudinal air-tight compartments on opposite sides of the main
compartments render the boat able to ride the heaviest waves without danger.
It will of course be understood that the details of construction may be widely
varied without departing from the principles of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
1st. In a lifeboat a hull shaped as described, having a narrow and deep central
portion for carrying the weight and bulging outwardly at the water line, said
outwardly extending portions being provided with air-tight compartments, as set
forth.
2nd. The berein described lifeboat having the floor 6, below the water-line, in com-
bination with the keel 5, extending up within the hull, meeting and supporting said
floor, and forming therewith and with the hull the two air-tight compartments 8, 8,
substantially as set forth.
3rd. In a lifeboat the hull constructed as described with the central longitudinal
compartment 7, having its floor below the waterline and enclosed above by the rounded
deck, and the forward and after compartments 17, extending above said deck enclosed
by the raised and inclined portions of the hull and provided with the entrance doors 19,
substantially as set forth.
4th. A lifeboat having the central longitudinal compartment or cabin 7, enclosed
by the rounded deck and having its floor 6, below the water line, the two series of
seats 14, having their tops below the water line, and the side air-tight compartments 11

page_text: said parts being arranged substantially as set forth for combined buoyancy and
stability.
5th. In a lifeboat the hull enclosed by the rounded deck substantially as described,
said hull and deck being constructed of the inner and outer shells 1, and 2, of metallic
plates, and the interposed elastic stratum 3, substantially as set forth.
6th. In a lifeboat the combination with a hull and a perforated plate 25, secured
therein, of a perforated dish-shaped plate larger than plate 25, which is secured to the
inner side of the hull, a valve between said plates adapted to cover the openings in the
inner plate, and a spring acting to hold the valve away from said openings, so that air
is permitted to pass freely, but water from the outside acts to carry the valve against
the inner openings, thereby preventing the entrance of water into the boat.
7th. The combination with the hull and a perforated plate 25, secured therein, of a
perforated disli-shaped plate larger than plate 25, which is secured to the inner side of
the hull, a valve between said plates adapted to cover the openings in the inner plate,
a spring acting to hold the valve away from said openings so that air is permitted to
enter but the passage of water through the inner plate is prevented, and a drainage
pipe, whereby water entering between the plates is conducted away.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1888
HERBERT J. ALLISON,
Agent for the Applicant.