IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Henry Tucker, of 6, Southampton Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Lock Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS."
Sealed the 26th February 1864, and dated the 9th September 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Henry Tucker
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th September 1863.
I, WALTER HENRY TUCKER, of 6, Southampton Street, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Lock Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF PROPELLING AND
STEERING VESSELS," to be as follows:-
The first portion of my Invention consists of means for establishing an
effective steering control over vessels by means of their propellers, to which
end I use a propeller mounted on a shaft, which possesses in addition to its
rotation on its longitudinal axis, a horizontal movement around a vertical
line or axis, of such a kind that the propeller may be made to revolve at any
required angle to the vessel's length, and thus to direct its course with rapidity
and precision. Propellers having a horizontal movement around a vertical
axis have been before proposed for the same object, but the plans hitherto

page_text: designed for giving them the desired movement have not been found
satisfactory, and the present improvement is introduced for the purpose of
effecting it in a manner which shall be practically useful. At the rear of the
stern post I place a vertical hollow cylinder which has a pivot or axis at its
lower end working in a bearing in a bracket attached to the stern post, and is
also secured to the stern post higher up by casings or bands in such a way as
to admit of its free rotation on its axis. Through or across this cylinder (near
the bottom), and working in bearings in it, I place a short horizontal cranked
shaft, to the outer end of which the propeller is fixed, the cranked portion of
the shaft being inside the cylinder. A vertical crank rod inside the cylinder
having its lower end connected with the crank is pivoted or jointed at its
other end to a collar frame attached to (so that it can be turned freely upon
it) the lower end of a vertical rod which slides through a hole in the top or
cap of the cylinder. Above the cylinder cap this sliding rod is made of the
required size and form to enable a crank pin or eccentric at the end of the
driving shaft from the engine to carry it up and down, when through the
connexion existing between the various parts the propeller shaft is caused to
revolve on its longitudinal axis, while through the collar frame being free to
turn round on the end of the sliding rod the cylinder may (by suitable means)
be turned round. so as to carry the propeller to any required angle with the
length of the vessel, without in any degree interfering with its rotation on its
longitudinal axis.
In another mode by which I produce the same effect I use a hollow
cylinder (connected with the stern post as before described), but having a
projection or foot near its lower end, through the length of which foot and
working in bearings in it, I place a straight shaft having a pulley or 'drum
attached to it, to the outer end of which shaft the propeller is fixed, the drum
mentioned being inside the foot across the foot usually over the propeller shaft,
and at a right angle to it is a second or cross shaft also carrying a pulley, while
a vertical shaft receiving its motion from the engine and carrying a pulley near
its lower end passes through what may be termed the leg of the cylinder;
finally, a strap or chain from this pulley passes over that on the cross slfaft
to the pulley on the propeller shaft, by which arrangenients it will be found
that the propeller will be kept in motion, and if the cylinder be turned round
the propeller shaft may be made to assume any desired angle to the vessel's
length without hindrance to its rotation on its longitudinal axis. In order to
place this horizontal movement of a propeller around a vertical axis under the
control of the helmsman I fix to the upper part of the vertical cylinders

page_text: mentioned a toothed wheel which is acted on by a pinion at the bottom end
of a vertical shaft reaching to the vessel's deck, where by means of a second
pinion attached to the vertical shaft, and an endless screw on the axle of the
steering wheel, the propeller's movement, can be directed, or the effect may be
produced by somewhat similar arrangements to those ordinarily in use for
moving a ship's rudder, or by any other suitable means.
The second portion of my Invention consists of an arrangement for diffusing
or transfering the friction caused by the thrust of submerged propellers, which
I effect by enlarging or attaching a subsidiary piece to the end of the pivot
or trunnion, which projects from the rear of the propeller boss, and by so
shaping the said trunnion, and the bearings in which it works, that the whole
or a portion of the propeller's thrust shall be taken by such bearings.
This arrangement can be used in conjunction with the first portion of my
Invention, but as it is also applicable to all kinds of submerged propellers,
and is especially necessary for such as have shafts changeable in direction, where
their change of direction is effected by the use of ball-and-socket joints or
universal joints, I wish it clearly understood that I.claim the arrangement
described for the purpose mentioned, whether applied to propellers having
axes changeable in direction or otherwise, and whether the whole or a part only
of the propeller's thrust be sustained by the bearings in the rear of the propeller
boss, and whether the said bearings be contained in the rudder itself or be
otherwise situated.
.
The third portion of my Invention consists of arrangements for reversing
the action of submerged or other propellers without reversing the engines
which impel them, by which means the headway of a vessel may be arrested
or her course reversed with much more promptitude than hitherto, and I
effect this purpose by so arranging the shafts, or other mechanism by which
motion is conveyed to the propellers, that two portions of such mechanisın
shall revolve in opposite directions to each other to either of which parts a
belt or chain from the driving shaft of the engine can be shifted as desired,
with the result of reversing the propeller's rotation while the engine is driven
continuously in one direction; or I produce the like effect by the use of two
straps (one flat and the other twisted) on the driving shaft so arranged that
either of the two as desired can be made to convey motion to the propeller,
the flat or straight strap or chain to carry it in one direction, and the twisted
strap to carry it in the opposite direction without the engine being reversed
for the purpose.
The fourth portion of my Invention consists of new descriptions of rudders

page_text: applicable to all kinds of boats or vessels, and which can be used simultaneously
with a steering propeller, or otherwise as desired. The ordinary pintled rudder
being difficult of control in a heavy sea, it is advisable to provide one which,
(whatever the force of the waves) may be under command; it is also desirable
that a vessel should be more rapidly steered than has hitherto been the case.
In order to effect these purposes I use a rudder which protrudes at a suitable
angle from the side of the vessel, across which it runs in slides or guides in
place of turning on axes as hitherto, by which arrangement the rudder glides
into and from the water edgewise, encountering a mimimum of resistance to
its movements from the water, while producing from the unyielding broadside
it presents to the water before it a maximum of steering effect upon the vessel;
one or more of such rudders may be used on each side of a vessel, or one only
may be used, so arranged as to protrude on either side as required. Or in
place of upright rudders sliding horizontally as the foregoing, I use two or
more, running in vertical guides, so that they shall slide into and from the
water edgewise, or I use one or more rudders mounted on horizontal shafts in
such a manner that they shall project laterally from a vessel, and move into
and from the water edgewise,
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Walter Henry Tucker in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 5th March 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J, WALTER
HENRY TUCKER, of 6, Southampton Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
Lock Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Walter Henry Tucker, Her special licence that I, the said Walter
Henry Tucker, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Walter Henry Tucker, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention

page_text: for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said Walter Henry Tucker;
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Walter Henry Tucker, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, and accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
The first portion of my Invention consists of means for establishing an
effective steering control over vessels by nieans of their propellers, to which
end I use a propeller mounted on a shaft which possesses, in addition to its
rotation on its longitudinal axis, a horizontal movement around a vertical line
or axis, of such a kind that the propeller may be made to revolve at any required
angle to the vessel's length, and thus to direct its course with rapidity and
precision. Propellers having a horizontal movement around a vertical centre
have been before proposed for the same object, but the plans hitherto designed
for giving them the desired movement have not been found satisfactory, and
the present improvements are introduced for the purpose of effecting it in a
manner which shall be practically useful. At the rear of the stern post (in
a vessel constructed with one) I place a vertical hollow cylinder which has a
pivot or axis at its lower end, working in a bearing in a bracket attached to
the stern post, and is also secured to the stern post higher up by casings or
bands in such a way as to admit of its free rotation on its axis. Through or
across this cylinder, and working in bearings in it, I place a short horizontal
cranked shaft, to the outer end of which the propeller is fixed, the cranked
portion of the shaft being inside the cylinder. One or more vertical crank-
rods having their lower ends connected with the cranked shaft inside the
cylinder, are pivoted or jointed at their other ends to collar frames (that is,
swivel joints) attached to (so that they can be turned freely one upon or
within the other) vertical rods or tubes, which may slide through a hole, in
a top or cap to the cylinder, or in other suitable guides beyond the cylinder.
These sliding rods or tubes are made of the required form to enable cranks or
eccentrics at the end of the driving shaft from the engines, by means of crank,
connecting rods, or otherwise, to drive them up and down, when, through the

page_text: connection existing between the various parts, the propeller shaft is caused to
revolve on its longitudinal axis, while from the collar frames being free to turn
round upon or within the sliding rods or tubes, or the sliding rods or tubes
being free to turn round upon or within the collar frames, the cylinder may by
any. suitable means be carried round so as to convey the propeller to any
required angle with the vessel's length without interference with its rotation
on its longitudinal axis.
In another mode, by which I produce the same effect, I use a hollow
cylinder, connected with the stern post as before described, but having a
projection or foot at its lower end, through the length of which foot, and
working in bearings in it, I place a straight shaft having a pulley or drum
attached to it, to the outer end of which shaft the propeller is fixed, the drum
mentioned being inside the cylinder. Across the foot transversely and usually
over the propeller shaft at a right angle to it, is a second or cross shaft, also
carrying a pulley, while a vertical shaft, receiving its motion from the engines
by gearing or otherwise, and carrying a pulley near its lower end, passes
through what may be termed the leg of the cylinder; finally a strap or chain
or other suitable belt from this pulley passes over that on the cross shaft to
the pulley on the propeller shaft; by which arrangements it will be found that
the propeller. will be kept in motion, and if the cylinder be turned round the
propeller shaft may be conveyed to any desired angle with the vessel's length
without hindrance to its rotation on its longitudinal axis.
In order to place this horizontal movement of a propeller around a ver-
tical centre under the control of the helmsman, I, at times, fix to the upper
part of the vertical cylinders mentioned, a toothed wheel which is acted on by
a pinion at the bottom end of a vertical shaft, reaching if wished to the
vessel's deck, where by means of a second pinion attached to the vertical
shaft, and an endless's
screw on the axis of the steering wheel, the propeller's
movement can be directed. Or the effect may be produced by somewhat similar
arrangements to those ordinarily in use for moving a ship's rudder, or by any
other suitable means.
The second portion of my Invention consists of arrangements for transfering
or diffusing the friction caused by the thrust of submerged propellers, which I
effect by enlarging or attaching a subsidiary piece to the end of the pivot or
trunnion which projects from the rear of the boss in some propellers, and by so
shaping the said trunnion and the bearings in which it works, that the whole,
or a portion of the propeller's thrust shall be taken by such bearings. Or, I
sometimes modify the foregoing arrangement by causing (in the case of pro-

page_text: pellers having shafts which are changeable in direction) the thrust to be taken
at a point between the propeller and the joints or other contrivances which
render the said shafts changeable in direction, the shafts and the bearings in
which they work at the point indicated, being suitably formed to sustain the
propeller's thrust.
I wish it clearly understood that I claim the use of the arrangements described,
whether applied to propellers having their shafts changeable in direction or
otherwise, and whether the whole or a part only of the propeller's thrust be
sustained by the bearings in the rear of the propeller boss or by bearings
between the propeller and the joints or other contrivances which may render its
shaft changeable in direction, and whether the said bearings be contained in.
the rudder itself or be otherwise situated.
The third portion of my Invention consists of arrangements for reversing.
the action of submerged or other propellers without reversing the engines which
impel them, by which means the headway of a vessel may be arrested or her course
reversed with much more promptitute than hitherto. And I effect this purpose
by so arranging the shafts or other mechanism by which motion is conveyed to
the propeller, that two portions of such mechanism shall revolve in opposite
directions to each other, to either of which parts a belt or chain from the
driving shaft of the engine can be shifted as desired with the result of reversing.
the propeller's rotation while the engine is driven continuously in one direction.
Or I produce the like effect by the use of two straps (one flat or straight, and
the other twisted or crossed) on the driving shaft, so arranged that either
of the two, as. desired, can be made to convey motion to the propeller; the
straight strap or belt to carry it in one direction, and the crossed strap to
carry it in the other direction, without the engines being reversed for the
purpose.
The fourth portion of my Invention consists of new descriptions of rudders
applicable to all kinds of boats or vessels, and which can be used simultaneously
with a steering propeller or otherwise as desired. The ordinary pintled rudder
being difficult of control in a heavy sea, it is advisable to provide one which,
whatever be the force of the waves shall be under command; it is also
desirable that a vessel should be more rapidly steered than has hitherto, been
possible by a rudder.
In order to effect these purposes I use a rudder which (while in action)
protrudes at a suitable angle from the side of a ship, across which it runs
in slides or guides, in place of turning on external axes at the stern, as has
hitherto been the case, by-which arrangement .the rudder is caused. to glide

page_text: into and from the water edgewise, thereby encountering a minimum of
resistance to its movements from the water, while producing from the unyielding
surface it presents to the water before it, a maximum of steering effect upon
the vessel. One or more such rudders may be used on each side of a vessel,
and at either or both ends of it or one only may be used if desired, so arranged
as to protrude on either side as required. (Figure 6 in the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings represents such a rudder as the last mentioned.) Or
I use one or more rudders mounted on horizontal shafts, so that they shall pro-
ject laterally from a vessel, and move into and from the water edgewise; either
of the before-named rudders may by any suitable means be actuated either
from the vessel's deck or otherwise as desire.l.
Figure 1 in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a sectional elevation
representing a manner in which I apply the first-mentioned portion of my
Invention to a vessel constructed with double keels or keelsons, and without
a sternpost. A, A, being the moveable vertical cylinder mentioned in the
description, the pivot of which works in a plate C, supported on brackets
inside a fixed cylindrical casing B, B, which casing is bolted down to a strong
base plate N, the said base plate being firmly secured (in a manner not shown
in the Drawing), to the keelsons, and to the frame of the ship; D, D, is the
horizontal cranked shaft, to the outer end of which the propeller F is fixed.
This shaft which works in bearings in the moveable cylinder A, A, carries in
addition to the crank shown, two eccentrics H, H, to which the lower ends
of connecting rods I, I, are attached, the lower end of a connecting rod G
being attached to the crank. The upper end of this rod G, is pivoted or
jointed to a collar frame or swivel joint J, which is free to move round in a
bearing or socket in the vertical hollow rod or tube K, the connecting rods
I, I, having their upper ends jointed or pivoted to the hollow rod L, which is
free to move round in the collar frame or swivel joint M, M; P, P, are con-
necting rods attached at their upper ends to eccentrics Q, Q, on the driving
shaft R, R, their lower ends being pivoted to trunnions on the collar frame or
swivel joint M, M, by which means the vertical sliding tube L, (which is
connected by jaws to the collar frame M, M,) is carried up and down as the
driving shaft revolves, the sliding tube K, being at the same time carried by
the connecting rod O, by which arrangement it will be seen that as the shaft
R, R, revolves, the crank on it, and its eccentrics Q, Q, (which are so disposed
as to be most effective when the crank is at its dead points), will by means of
their respective connecting rods O, P, P, convey the power from the engines
to the vertical sliding tubes L and K, and through them and the connecting

page_text: rods G, I, I, to the crank and eccentrics on the propeller shaft D, D, while from
the collar frame J, being free to to turn round in the vertical tube K, and the
tube L, being free to turn in the collar frame M, M, the cylinder A, A, the
propeller F, and its shaft D, D, together with the collar frame J, the tube L,
and the connecting rods I, I, and G, (which parts are all shown shaded in
Figure 2) may be carried round a vertical line or centre, so as to enable the
propeller to be shifted to any desired angle with the vessel's length, without
hindrance to its continued rotation on its longitudinal axis; S, S, are bearings
for the driving shaft R, R; T, T, is a vertical shaft carrying a wheel or
pinion at its lower end, the teeth of which engage in a wheel attached to or
forming the upper circumference of the cylinder A, A; U, a wheel at the
upper end of the shaft T, T, is acted on by an endless screw V, on the shaft
of which a drum W is fixed, a chain from which communicates with another
drum X, on the axis of the steering wheel Y, by which arrangement the
cylinder A, A, carrying with it the propeller F, is turned round on its axis in
the bearing plate C by any movement of the steering wheel Y; Z is a
strong plate surrounding the top of the cylindrical casing B, B, and fastened
firmly to the framing of the ship. It should be understood that the whole of
the machinery shown is surrounded by the water-tight case or framing of the
ship, and is so arranged as to be at all times accessible by the engineers.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on a larger scale, showing the arrangement
of the vertical tubes, the collar frames, and the connecting rods depicted in
Figure 1 (the same letters of reference being common to the Figures 1, 2,
and 3) the parts which are shaded in the Drawing being those which turn
round with the cylinder A, A, Figure 1, when it is set in motion by the
steering wheel Y. Figure 3 is an elevation showing the tube K inside the
outer tube L, which serves as a guide to keep it in a vertical line, the tube L
itself being kept in position by guides not shown in the Drawing; M is the
collar frame, within which the tube L turns when the cylinder A, A, Figure 1,
is set in motion.
Figure 4 is a plan view, showing a manner in which I apply the rudder,
of which Figure 6 is an elevation, to a ship, and Figure 5 is a vertical section
of the same, showing the casing or guides in which the said rudder works, the
same letters of reference serving for all three Figures. .
A is an arm to which the blade of the rudder B, B, is attached; P is a
vertical shaft to which the arm A is fixed, which shaft by suitable means is
set in motion by a steering wheel of the ordinary description. D, D, is a
horizontal casing in which the arm A moves, E, E, being a vertical portion of

page_text: the same casing forming guides in which the rudder blade B, B, moves or glides.
F is a short arm attached to the rudder, and carrying a friction roller, which
supports a part of the rudder's weight, and enables it to slide freely in the
guides E, E.
Having now described my Invention, and explained the various Figures
relating thereto, in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, I wish it clearly
understood,―
First, that for the purpose of effecting the steerage of vessels by means of
their propellers, I claim the use of one or more collar frames or swivel joints,
so arranged as to admit of the propeller being moved around a vertical centre
or line without hindrance to its rotation on its longitudinal axis, whether such
collar frames be arranged and formed in the precise manner shown in the
accompanying Drawings, or be in any other manner disposed or constructed
for the purpose.
I claim, secondly, for the same purpose the arrangement and combination
shown in the Drawings (or any mere modification thereof) of the vertical
sliding rods or tubes with the collar frames and the connecting rods, berein-
before described and specified, whether the said connecting rods be attached
to a combination of a crank and eccentrics, or to cranks or to eccentrics alone,
on the driving and the propeller shafts, before mentioned, or be in any other
manner attached to the said shafts.
I claim, thirdly, as another mode by which I carry the first portion or
purpose of my Invention into effect, the peculiar combination of shafts and
pulleys with straps, belts, or chains (or any mere modification of the same)
herein-before described and specified for the purpose.
I claim, fourthly, the modes, herein-before specified, for diffusing or
transfering the friction caused by the thrust of screw or submerged
propellers.
Fifthly, I claim the methods, herein-before described, for reversing the
direction of the action of propellers without stoppage or reversal of the engines
which impel them.
Sixthly, I claim the several arrangements and descriptions of rudders (for
vessels) herein-before specified and described (and one kind of which is
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings) whatever be the angle to the keel
at which such rudders are set, or may be caused to assume, and whatever be
the mechanical means by which the said rudders are placed under the control
of the helmsman.
And I also claim generally the use for vessels of all such rudders as are so

page_text: arranged and constructed as to move from the said vessels into and from the
water edgewise in a lateral direction, or in a line transverse to, or at an angle
to the keel; but I make no claim to the use of rudders which are con-
structed so as to move into and from the water edgewise in a vertical line or
direction.
And, lastly, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the use of
the precise details only, herein-before described and set forth, as it is evident
they may be varied without departure from the essential principles and
character of my Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Henry Tucker, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight bundred and sixty-four.
5
Witness,
WALTER TUCKER,
26, Colebrooke Row,
Islington, N.
(L.S.) WALTER HENRY TUCKER.