IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS APPLIED TO STEAM AND OTHER VESSELS FOR PROTECTION IN CASES OF COLLISION WITH OTHER VESSELS OR OTHER OBJECTS
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Cattarns at the Offico
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th
October 1874.
:
I, RICHARD CATTARNS, the younger, of No. 33, Mark Lane, in the
City of London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS APPLIED TO STEAM AND OTHER VESSELS
FOR PROTECTION IN CASES OF COLLISION WITH OTHER VESSELS OR OTHER OBJECTS,"
to be as follows:-
-
The object of the Invention is to reduce as much as possible the
injurious effects arising out of collisions of steam and other vessels with
other vessels or other objects.
In cases of collision of one vessel with another or of a vessel with another
object, the effect in too many instances is serious injury to one or both,
and this danger arises increasingly, not only from the increased speed
attained, but from their increased length and size, and the fineness of
their bows, especially in iron built vessels.
At present the only protection against the effects of such collisions is
by the use of loose fenders or fendoffs of small and light construction,
hung by a rope or ropes over the ship's bows, but which at the time of

page_text: need are too often by the act of collision, wind, or the water, or by the
difficulty of placing them, removed out of the way of service, and they
have to be so constructed as to afford little or no protection below the
water.
According to my Invention I provide the stem or other part of the
vessel with a strong metal groove or other guide extending as far up
and down it as may be desired, with the edges of the metal overlapping
such groove or guide. I then stretch a thick fender or fendoff, which may
be constructed in the usual way, of cork, gutta percha, india-rubber or
other yielding substance, over several strips of strong flat metal or other
suitable material bent to such angles or forms that they fit over the
front and sides of the ship's stem or other part, and provided with strong
metal buttons attaclied in the centre, and of such a size that they will
work freely with their grooves or such like guide. These pieces of
metal or other suitable material I connect together, so that if the fender
or fendoff be cut or broken it will not fall to pieces. I then attach to the
fender or fendoff one end of a rope or chain, the other end of which is
fastened to the ship, and which is of such a length that the fender or
fendoff can be raised by the ship's crew to such a height or lowered to
such a depth above or below the surface of the water as may be wished,
and when so heightened or lowered the fender or fendoff may be
retained in its place by the said rope or chain being fastened on the deck
or side of the ship to a hook or other fastening constructed so that the
rope or chain may be quickly and easily let go.
•
The fender or fendoff is weighted or formed of material such that
when lowered it will be capable if desired of sinking below the surface
of the water. By not carrying the groove completely up to the top of the
deck or otherwise the fender or fendoff may be removed altogether and
taken in or on board, and replaced when required.
I do not confine myself to this method of constructing the fender or
fendoff and parts connected therewith, as any of those generally adopted
may be employed, so long as it is formed capable of covering the front
and side edges of the stem or other part, and of sliding thereon and
sinking below the water.
The advantages, amongst others, attained by these improvements
are, that a stronger and more complete fender or fendoff can be used ï
that when lowered the protection afforded may be extended below.the-

page_text: surface of the water; that when lowered to an extent for the time
suitable no more attention to it is necessary; that when applied it cannot,
unless some part give way, be displaced by the action of the water or
the wind, or by coming in contact with another body, whether in a
direct or sliding direction; that it may serve to protect the whole stem or
other part of the ship; that it is easily repaired; that it affords increased
protection in collisions with barges and other like craft in crowded rivers
and narrow navigable channels, either when the vessel is lying at anchor
or under weigh; that it is no impediment to the ship herself, as upon
leaving a river or harbour, as before stated, it may be raised from the
water and lowered again when re-entering a river, harbour, or channel;
that when raised from the water it may be readily fastened so as to be
always ready for use; and upon a sudden emergency arising it has simply
to be let go, when aided by its own weight it may be at once placed in
position to act between the colliding bodies.