IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR PROPELLING THE SAME
Year: 1884

page_text: We, JOHN LAWSON of Hotham Brough EDMUND LAWSON of Cottingham and
HARRY LAWSON of Hotham Brough aforesaid all in the County of York Joiners
do hereby declare the nature of our Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR
PROPELLING THE SAME to be as follows:-
The object of our invention is to effect certain improvements in steam and.other
vessels in order to propel and navigate the same in an improved manner.
In carrying out our invention we fit such vessels with one or more central paddle
wheels in a line with the keel the vessel having one or more openings through her
bottom, in order that the water may gain access to the floats of the wheel or
wheels.
By the term "central paddle wheels" we intend it to be understood to mean
wheels which are inboard and built into the hull of the vessel between the sides
thereof, as distinguished from ordinary paddle wheels which are fitted outside the
vessel to port and starboard; and such our central paddle wheels may be fitted as
follows: 1st One central wheel immediately in a central position with the keel
removed to accommodate the same 2ndly With a pair of wheels, one on each side
of the keel, leaving the keel itself intact and 3rdly With a pair of wheels in line
with each other, the keel being removed to accommodate the same
In each case,
however, the keel may be kept intact at a suitable depth, if desired.
We suitably encase each paddle wheel in a paddle box which is built into the
vessel and rendered watertight-The axle of each paddle wheel is mounted in
suitable bearings and passes through the paddle box, stuffing boxes being usually
necessary-The two ends of the axle are fitted with cranks or other appliances for
driving the same by steam electrical or manual power.
We construct the paddle wheels (by preference) of metal and place the paddle
floats at an angle of 20 degrees or thereabouts from the radial lines, in order that
the water may readily fall from the floats as they rise from the water.
We also place guards, or short keels, on each side of the opening or openings in
the vessel's bottom to strengthen the vessel and to protect the vessel from injury.
We also curve the bottom of the vessel fore and aft of the wheel to facilitate
the admission of the water and the escape of the driven water to the run of the..
vessel.

page_text: In fitting our said improvements to small pleasure boats such as water velocipedes
the wheel or wheels is or are driven by cranks and pedals operated by the feet of
the rider or riders a seat being provided on each paddle box, and a steering handle
and lines leading to the rudder is also fitted on the paddle box.
Our improvements in the construction of vessels do not extend beyond those
necessary for carrying into practice our improved mode of propelling the same and
are necessary for that purpose.
Our improvements are applicable to vessels of all sizes and the paddle floats
being always in solid water are more efficient than screws or side paddle wheels,
which are frequently raised out of water in rough seas, and our improved paddle
wheels escape the dangers arising from ice floating timber and other obstructions.
Also our improved vessels are especially suited for canals, locks, and shallow
waters; the keels enabling them to touch the ground without damaging the paddle
wheels.
In the application of our invention to pleasure boats each rider who propels'the
boat is able to see clearly the course of the vessel and to direct the same with
certainty and precision.

page_text: We JOHN LAWSON, of Hotham Brough, EDMUND LAWSON, of Cottingham, and
HARRY LAWSON, of Hotham Brough, aforesaid, all in the County of York, Joiners,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR
PROPELLING THE SAME," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of our invention is to effect certain improvements in steam and other
vessels in order to propel and navigate the same in an improved manner.
In carrying out our invention we fit,such vessels with one or more central paddle
wheels in a line with the keel the vessel having one or more openings through her
bottom, in order that the water may gain access to, the floats of the wheel or
wheels.
By the term "central paddle wheels" we intend it to be understood to mean
wheels which are inboard and built into the hull of the vessel, between the sides
thereof, as distinguished from ordinary paddle wheels which are fitted outside the
vessel to port and starboard; and our central paddle wheels may be fitted as.
follows:-1st One central wheel immediately in a central position with the keel
removed to accommodate the same. 2ndly With a pair of wheels one on each side
of the keel, leaving the keel itself intact, and 3rdly With a pair of wheels in line
with each other, the keel being removed to accommodate the same. In each case,
however, the keel may be kept intact at a suitable depth, if desired.
We suitably encase each paddle wheel in a paddle box which is built into the
vessel and rendered watertight. The axle of each paddle wheel is mounted in.
suitable bearings, and passes through the paddle box: stuffing boxes being usually
necessary. The two ends of the axle are fitted with cranks or other appliances
for driving the same by steam, electrical or manual power.
We construct the paddle wheels (by preference) of metal and place the paddle
floats at an angle of twenty degrees or thereabouts from the radial lines, in order
that the water may readily fall from the floats as they rise from the water.
We also place guards, or short keels, on each side of the opening or openings in
the vessel's bottom, to strengthen the vessel and to protect the wheel from injury.
We also curve the bottom of the vessel fore and aft of the wheel to facilitate the
admission of the water and the escape of the driven water to the run of the
vessel.
In fitting our said improvements to small pleasure boats, such as water velocipedes
the wheel or wheels is or are driven by cranks and pedals, operated by the feet of
the rider or riders; a seat being provided on each paddle box and a steering handle
and lines leading to the rudder is also fitted on the paddle box.
Our improvements in the construction of vessels do not extend beyond those
necessary for carrying into practice our improved mode of propelling the same, and
are necessary for that purpose.
Our improvements are applicable to vessels of all sizes, and the paddle floats
being always in solid water are more efficient than screws or side paddle wheels,
which are frequently raised out of water in rough seas and our improved paddle
wheels escape the dangers arising from ice, floating timber, and other obstructions.
Also our improved vessels are especially suited for canals, locks, and shallow
waters; the keels enabling them to touch the ground without damaging the paddle
wheels.

page_text: In the application of our invention to pleasure boats each rider who propels the
boat is able to see clearly the course of the vessel, and to direct the same with
certainty and precision.
And in order that our said invention may be clearly understood, reference is
hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts TACTER 48 ET J'MOD
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of our invention, as applied to a small vessel, with
one central paddle wheel, driven by treadles.
Fig 2 is a transverse section of the same, and Fig. 3 is an external elevation.
a is the hull of the vessel. bis the paddle wheel, enclosed in a watertight paddle
box c, and driven by, the treadle cranks d. è is the steering handle, which has
lines attached and leading to the rudder head 9, as shewn. hh are seats
passengers is the driver's seat.
U
for
In Fig. 2 the paddle wheel is shewn occupying a central position.
The water has free access to the paddle wheel, by means of the opening, i.
Fig. 4 shews. the application of our invention to a larger style of vessel, in which
steam or other motive power may be used. Or the same may be used in small
vessels as in Fig. 1, but with two drivers instead of one. In this figure two paddle
wheels are shewn, in a line with the keel and with each other. *.
F:
Fig. 5 shews the modification of our invention, with a paddle wheel on each
side of the keel, is the deck of the vessel, a is the hull, and cc are the paddle
boxes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said,
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
"
1. The method of constructing navigable vessels, for the purpose of being driven
by enclosed paddle wheels, substantially as described, and shewn on the drawings.
2. The method of propelling navigable vessels by means of enclosed paddle
wheels, driven and operating substantially as described and shewn on the drawings.
3. The general construction and arrangement of navigable vessels, and the means
and appliances for propelling the same, substantially. as and for the purposes herein
before described and shewn on the drawings.
Dated this 28th day of November 1884