AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE DISCOVERY OF LEAKAGE IN THE HULLS OF SHIPS, BOTH 'AT SEA AND ON SHORE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Anthon Steenberg, Patent Agent, of Copenhagen, Den-
mark, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE DISCOVERY
OF LEAKAGE IN THE HULLS OF SHIPS, BOTH 'AT SEA AND ON SHORE." A
communication by Johannes Brevig, Shipbuilder, of Frederikshald, Norway.
Sealed the 19th June 1877, in pursuance of an order of the Lord Chancellor, and
dated the 20th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Anthon Steenberg at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 20th November 1876. A. communication
from Johannes Brevig, Shipbuilder, of Frederikshald, Norway.
ANTHON STEENBERG, Patent Agent, of Copenhagen, Denmark. "AN IMPROVED
METHOD FOR THE DISCOVERY OF LEAKAGE IN THE HULLS OF SHIPS BOTH AT SEA
AND ON SHORE." A communication.
This Invention relates to a method of discovering leakages on board vessels either
ashore or at sea, and for taking vessels off the ground.
1st. The vessel being ashore, all the hatchways of the deck are first barred and
stopped so that the deck is rather tight; then a centrifugal pump is placed outside
of the vessel, either worked by hand or by steam, and placed either ashore or on a
large flat boat or any suitable vessel. From the centrifugal machine a leather pipe
extends; it has a 'diameter of about 8 inches and is provided with a stop valve
that by a scrèw is fixed to the bow or other convenient part of the vessel that is to
be'examined. A tube from the said centrifugal machine leads to an iron retort in
which so much smoke is produced that the vessel very soon is quite filled with
smoke. The pressure may without danger be increased to 3 or 4 pounds pr square
inch. When such a compression of the air is obtained inside, each leakage of the
vessel may be discovered by the smoke that escapes from it, and at the same time a
hissing noise is heard at a distance of half the length of the vessel from the spot
where the leakage is' to be found.
+
T

page_text: 2nd. The vessel being at sea, the same process is used in this case if leakages
above water are to be discovered. As to the discovery of leakages below water the
vessel must be keel-hauled, and I proceed in the above described manner with the
part of the vessel that is turned upwards, and any leakage that may happen to be
in this side may easily be perceived.
3rd. By the above-described centrifugal pump and its accelerating power, but
without the use of any smoke, only by the aid of the compression of the air, the
water may be driven out of a vessel that has run aground and whose bottom has
been so injured that she is full of water and has remained on the spot with part of
her bulk above water. A diver is sent down to tighten the hatchways and the
parts of the deck that are below water, and then by a pressure of 2 or 3 pounds
pr square inch between the lower part of the deck and the water the vessel with
its ballast may be lifted.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Anthon Steenberg in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
June 1877.
"AN IMPROVED
ANTHON STEENBERG, Patent Agent, of Copenhagen, Denmark.
METHOD FOR THE DISCOVERY OF LEAKAGE IN THE HULLS OF SHIPS BOTH AT SEA
ON SHORE." A communication by Johannes Brevig, Shipbuilder, of
Frederikshald, Norway.
AND
This Invention relates to a method of discovering leakages on board ships or
vessels either ashore or at sea, and for taking ships or vessels off the ground.
1. The vessel being ashore, all the hatch ways of the deck are first barred and
stopped so that the deck is rather tight; then a centrifugal pump is placed outside
of the vessel, either worked by hand or by steam, and placed either ashore or on a
large flat boat or any suitable vessel. From the centrifugal machine a leather pipe
extends; it has a diameter of about 8 inches, and is provided with a stop valve that
by a screw is fixed to the bow or other convenient part of the vessel that is to be
examined. A tube from the said centrifugal machine leads to an iron retort, in
which so much smoke is produced that the vessel very soon is quite filled with
smoke; the pressure may, without danger, be increased to 3 or 4 pounds per square
inch. When such a compression of the air is obtained inside, each leakage of the
vessel may be discovered by the smoke that escapes from it, and at the same time a
hissing noise is heard at a distance of half the length of the vessel from the spot
where the leakage is to be found.
2. The vessel being at sea the same process is used in this case if leakages above
water are to be discovered. As to the discovery of leakages below water the vessel
must be keel hauled, and I proceed in the above-described manner with the part of
the vessel that is turned upwards, and any leakage that may happen to be in this
side may easily be perceived.
3. By the above-described centrifugal pump and its accelerating power, but with-
out the use of any smoke, only by the aid of the compression of the air, the water
may be driven out of a vessel that has run aground, and whose bottom has been so
injured so that she is full of water and has remained on the spot with part of her
bulk above water. A diver is sent down to tighten the hatchways, and the parts
of the deck that are below water, and then by a pressure of 2 or 3 pounds per
square inch between the lower part of the deck and the water a vessel with its
ballast may be lifted.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim, the improved method of discovering

page_text: leakages in ships or vessel, and of getting the same off the ground, as above set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Anthon Steenberg, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
ANTHON STEENBERG. (LS.)