AN IMPROVED LIFE SAVING RAFT OR APPARATUS to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I, Colonel, The Honorable OLIVER GEORGE LAMBART, of 10 Cliffe Parade
Southend on Sea in the County of Essex do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "AN IMPROVED LIFE SAVING RAFT OR APPARATUS to be as
follows:-
"
I construct a life saving raft or apparatus of a flat framework preferably of an
oval form having a large rectangular opening formed through it at the centre and
carrying at its two ends air tight cases to serve as floats. In the central opening
I fit a jointed cage or basket capable of being folded up so as to lie flat within the
central opening when the raft is not in use and also capable of opening and
hanging downwards from the body of the raft if the raft be thrown into the water
whichever side up the raft may happen to be floating. The cage I form of three
rectangular frames jointed one to another. The frame which is to form the
bottom of the cage has the two other frames which are to form the sides of the
cage jointed to its two opposite sides. The outer sides of the side frames are
jointed to the two sides of the rectangular opening in the body of the raft. All of
the three frames are of less width than the width of the rectangular opening and
preferably also the central frame which forms the bottom of the cage is made of less
width than the two side frames.
The ends of the rectangular opening in the body of the raft have also jointed to
each of them a frame of a suitable form for closing in the ends of the cage-They
are made to fit loosely between the two opposite sides of the cage so that they may
readily enter between these sides when they are hanging downwards. Each end
frame carries a bolt or bolts to drop into holes in the bottom frame of the cage.
The ends when so locked to the bottom keep the cage opened out and prevent it
from swinging or collapsing.
All of the joints are made to turn freely either way so that whichever side of
the raft may happen to come uppermost if the raft be thrown into the water the
sides and ends of the cage can turn downwards through the central opening.
One end frame is also made to carry a rudder by which the raft may be steered.
Preferably I make the bottom frame of the cage of galvanized iron and the side
frames partly of wire netting and partly of galvanized iron to act as lee boards-the
end frames also I make either solid or of strong iron rods sufficiently close together
Price G2 1

page_text: to prevent persons from being washed out through them from the cage.-Provision
is made for stepping a mast into the body of the raft just in front of one end of the
rectangular opening in it.
The oval framework composing the body of the raft may be formed of two
planks set edgewise and joined at their ends to two chocks the planks are bent
to make the framework of the shape required and are kept at the required distance
apart by cross beams and tie bars-The spaces between the cross beams I fill in
with metal air-tight cases embedded in cork and then with thin planks deck over
the upper and under sides of the two ends of the framework where these air cases
are carried. The outside of the framework I also surround with slabs of cork held
to it by suitable lashings-preferably also I first surround the framework with a
strong band of galvanized iron. At each end of the rectangular opening in the
body I provide a provision locker which can only be opened from the inside and
which cannot therefore be got at without previously letting go and opening the
cage the provision lockers therefore cannot be robbed.
Side lanyards are provided for hauling up the cage when it is to be folded up.
The mast with the sail rolled around it may be tied loosely to one side of the
raft so that it may float whether the raft be floating with one side uppermost or
the other.
1
1
100

page_text: I, Colonel The Honorable OLIVER GEORGE LAMBART of 10 Cliffe Parade
Southend-on-Sea in the County of Essex do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "AN IMPROVED LIFE SAVING RAFT OR APPARATUS" and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
I construct a life saving raft or apparatus of a flat framework preferably of an
oval form having a large rectangular opening formed through it at the centre and
carrying at its two ends air tight cases to serve as floats. In the central opening
I fit a jointed cage or basket capable of being folded up so as to lie flat within the
central opening when the raft is not in use and also capable of opening and
hanging downwards from the body of the raft if the raft be thrown into the water
whichever side up the raft may happen to be floating. The cage I form of three
rectangular frames jointed one to another. The frame which is to form the bottom
of the cage has the two other frames which are to form the sides of the cage jointed
to its two opposite sides. The outer sides of the side frames are jointed to the two
sides of the rectangular opening in the body of the raft. All of the three frames
are of less width than the width of the rectangular opening and preferably also the
central frame which forms the bottom of the cage is made of less width than the
two side frames.
The ends of the rectangular opening in the body of the raft have also jointed to
each of them a frame of a suitable form for closing in the ends of the cage. They
are made to fit loosely between the two opposite sides of the cage so that they may
readily enter between these sides when they are hanging downwards. Each end
frame carries a bolt or bolts to drop into holes in the bottom frame of the cage.
The ends when so locked to the bottom keep the cage opened out and prevent it
from swinging or collapsing.
All of the joints are made to turn freely either way so that whichever side of the
raft may happen to come uppermost if the raft be thrown into the water the sides
and ends of the cage can turn downwards through the central opening.
One end frame is also made to carry a rudder by which the raft may be steered.
Preferably I make the bottom frame of the cage of galvanized iron and the side
frames partly of wire netting and partly of galvanised iron to act as lee boards-the
end frames also I make either solid or of strong iron rods sufficiently close together
to prevent persons from being washed out through them from the cage. Provision
is made for stepping a mast into the body of the raft just in front of one end of
the rectangular opening in it.
The oval framework composing the body of the raft may be formed of two
planks set edgewise and joined at their ends to two chocks-the planks are bent
to make the framework of the shape required and are kept at the required distance
apart by cross beams and tie bars. The spaces between the cross beams I fill in
with metal air tight cases embedded in cork and then with thin planks deck over
the upper and under sides of the two ends of the framework where these air cases
are carried: The outside of the framework I also surround with slabs of cork held
to it by suitable lashings preferably also I first surround the framework with a
strong band of galvanised iron.-At each end of the rectangular opening in the
body I provide a provision locker which can only be opened from the inside and
which cannot therefore be got at without previously letting go and opening the
cage the provision lockers therefore cannot be robbed,

page_text: Side lanyards are provided for hauling up the cage when it is to be folded up.
The mast with the sail rolled around it may be tied loosely to one side of the
raft so that it may float whether the raft be floating with one side uppermost or
the other.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is a plan of my life saving raft or apparatus to which I have given the
name of the "Utrinque." It is shown in this figure as it appears when prepared
for stowing away.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same with the deck planking removed.
Figure 3 is a plan of the three folding parts constituting the cage-they are here
shown detached from the vessel and spread out.
Figures 4, and 6 are vertical transverse sections through the cage and part of
the raft with which it is connected.
Figure 7 shows separately the after or rudder frame of the cage.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the raft under sail.
a a are bent planks of wood secured at their ends to the blocks bb. c c is an
inner framing of planks on edge so arranged as to leave a clear rectangular space
in the centre of the raft. d d are cavities which receive air tight cases of sheet
metal to give the requisite power of floatation to the raft.
ee are spaces for stowing provisions in water tight tins, the doors by which
access can be had to the spaces ce open into the cage and consequently the provisions
cannot be got at whilst the raft is stowed as in Figure 1. ff is a cork fender
surrounding the raft and secured by lashings. Within the rectangular space at
the centre of the raft the strong staples g g are fixed and from them the cage is
suspended.
The cage consists of three metal frames hi and k. The side frames h and k are
filled in at the upper part with strong wire netting but at the lower part with
sheet metal; this sheet metal serves as a lee board and ballast when the raft is
sailing. The lower frame i is of sheet metal and serves as a foot board on which
the persons on the raft stand. The joints between the frames hi and k are formed
by means of rings inserted through holes in the frames; these joints allow the
frames to fold together as the drawings represent. x is a lanyard employed in
raising the cage when preparing the raft after use for restowing on shipboard.
I and m are the two end frames, when in place they protect the ends of the frames
sufficiently to prevent persons or goods being washed out of the raft and they also
carry bolts and m¹ which by entering holes i* ix in the lower frame keep the
parts of the cage in place. The end frames at their upper parts have pivots 1³, 12,
and m², m², which enter corresponding sockets in the body of the raft. The
bolt m¹ carries a plate m³ which serves as a rudder and the top of the bolt is forked
and forms a crutch in which an oar n may be worked. The mast o is stepped into
a socket prepared for it in the body of the raft and is rigged in the manner the
drawing indicates. When the mast is unstepped it is lashed alongside as is seen
in Figure 1. Sometimes I provide a waterproof bag for use with this raft, the bag
is placed in the cage and its edges are supported all round some distance above the
deck of the raft by an iron frame. The persons then stand in the bag and are
protected from the water. A pump may be employed to keep the bag free from
water.
The "Utrinque" presents the following advantages:—
1.The "Utrinque" requires no davits or other apparatus for lowering, but has
simply to be thrown or shoved overboard like an ordinary life belt. It is easily
stowed. If triced up on the uprights of a boat's davits it will form a rest and
fender for the boat, and in no way interfere with the hoisting or lowering of the

page_text: same, standing out only 9 inches from the davit, and from which its lashings can
be instantly cut, when it falls into the water. It can also be stowed along the
bulwarks, on top of the round house, hatches, or under the transom; a heavy warp
coiled on it would not injure it, or anything that could be easily thrown off, should
an emergency occur. Two men can carry it from one part of the ship to another,
or one can drag it to the most convenient spot for launching.
2. The "Utrinque" needs no time to prepare, nor is its efficiency dependent on
the guidance of a cool head, so often lacking in a sudden emergency. In the midst
of the confusion and hurry of a panic stricken crowd, it needs only to be thrown
overboard to render it available at a moment's notice; it is immaterial on which
side it falls hence its name.
3. The "Utrinque" cannot be upset in any way, nor its inmates washed out,
however rough the sea may be; but by its handiness; allows its already rescued
ones to pick up others overboard, thus soon restoring confidence for the navigation
and safety of its passengers.
4. An almost exhausted swimmer would have little or no difficulty in getting
or being lifted into the "Utrinque."
5. The "Utrinque" affords protection against Sharks, and could therefore be
used as a bath in open sea with perfect safety.
6. The "Utrinque" carries a mainsail and jib, under which she is very handy in
turning or running, and steady when hove to, also an oar for steering or sculling,
and is fully provisioned with spirits, water, and tinned meats,-so stowed that no
thirsty or hungry soul can rob her till she touches the water.
7. The "Utrinque " is inexpensive to construct.
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
First. A raft with an opening in the centre and cage therein to receive the
persons on the raft substantially as described.
Second. A raft with an opening in the centre and frames therein jointed
together and forming a cage capable of folding up within the said opening
substantially as described.
Third. A raft constructed as herein described and represented by the annexed
drawings.
Dated this 1st day of Dotahan 1884