RARDINY YESSEL AND
Year: 1880

page_text: TOR RARDINY YESSEL
AND OTHER
"
BODIES PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES bearing
date the 28th day of May 1880.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered and filed by William Cowell Brown the above named Patentee to
portions of the Specification of the said Letters Patent according to the
Statutes in that case made and provided
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I WILLIAM
COWELL BROWN of Sheffield in the County of York Gentleman Send Greeting.
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Royal Letters
Patent bearing date the twenty eighth day of May One thousand eight hundred
and eighty did grant unto me my executors administrators and assigns the
privilege to make use exercise and vend the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND CONNECTED WITH APPARATUS FOR RAISING VESSELS AND OTHER BODIES PARTS
OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES" within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man during the
term of Fourteen years then next ensuing And whereas upon the twenty seventh
day of October One thousand eight hundred and eighty within the time prescribed
by the said Letters Patent I caused a Specification in writing under my hand and
seal to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office And whereas after the date of the
application for the said Letters Patent and since the filing of the Specification in
pursuance thereof I have ascertained and been advised that the description of the
said Invention therein contained is too broad and also that some of the claims in
the said Specification are couched in too general terms and might be construed to
cover natter which was not new and original at the date of the application for the
said Letters Patent, particularly the claims numbered first and fifth in the said
Specification And in order to render the said Specification more definite clear and

page_text: distinct I propose to make the several alterations erasures and corrections therein
as hereinafter contained NOW KNOW YE therefore that I the said William
Cowell Brown by and with the leave of Her Majesty's Solicitor General do bereby
for the reasons aforesaid and in order more clearly to define and limit the true
nature of the said Invention and the means for carrying into practical effect make
the following alterations erasures and corrections in the said Specification that is
to say
I strike out at line 16 page 4 of the Blue book of my said Specification as printed
by Her Majesty's Printers the words or of equivalent materials" and insert the
word "such" making the said line 16 read when thus amended "as those hereafter
described such compositions being
22
I strike out at line 22 of the said page 4 of the said Printed blue book of my
said Specification the words "for instance
"
I strike out at lines 4 and 5 of page 5 of the said printed Blue book of the said
Specification the whole of the sentence "I have found the forms hereafter described
to work well but they may be indefinitely multiplied"
I strike out at line 38 page 5 of the said printed blue book of my said
Specification the words "for example" and strike out the words "and other
submerged structures and engines" from the following line 39 and I strike out
at the following lines 40. 41. 42. 43. and 44 of the said page 5 of the said printed
Blue book the words "and it may be utilized for the production of Gas" and all
the words following down to the words "under pressure in suitable holders " being
the whole of the remainder of the Paragraph in which the said words occur after
the words "in the place of compressed air as now used" in lines 39 and 40 and I
strike out the stop or comma following the said words in line 40 and insert instead
thereof a full stop-The Paragraph in which the said lines 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
and 44 of Page 5 now occur will read when so amended as follows "combustible
"materials such as those hereinbefore described for the production of gas may also
"be used for other purposes than those hereinbefore referred to-1 propose to
employ it for the driving and propulsion of torpedoes in the place of compressed
"air as now used."
"f
I strike out at line 48 of page 5 of the said printed Blue book of my said
Specification the word "may" and instead thereof I insert the words "is to" so
that the said line 48 when thus amended will read " of the flexible bags or pontoons
is to be effected"
"
In line 30 of page 6 of the said printed Blue Book I strike out the word "third
and instead thereof insert the word "next" so that the clause of the said line when
so amended will read "The next part of my Invention "
At line 25 of page 7 of the said printed Blue Book I finish the Paragraph with
the words "displace the water in the dock chamber (or hull of a Lighter ") I strike
out the words "my Invention" in the said line 25 and insert them in the following
line beginning a fresh paragraph-and at lines 29 and 30 of the said page 7 I
print the words "The Torpedo is directed" which now appear in line 30 in line 29
immediately following the words " or other exploding charge" without any break
so that when thus amended a new paragraph will be commenced by the words at
lines 25 and 26 "my Invention as applied to the propulsion of torpedoes" and will
continue without break down to the words " similar to that of a rocket and at a
very great speed " in line 37 and 38 of the said page 7 of the said printed Blue
Book.
I strike out the whole of the words contained in lines 54 55 and 56 of page 7 of
the said Printed Blue Book being the first claim of said Specification which
begin First the application of carbon compounds"
and ends with the
words as setforth
"
$6
"
XXX
"
I strike out at line 1 of page 8 of the said printed Blue book word "second
and substitute for it the word "First " so that the said line when thus amended
will read "First-The combination of parts forming my improved submerged gas
charging
"

page_text: At line 6 of the said page 8 of the said Printed Blue Book I strike out the word
"Third" and instead thereof insert the word " Secondly "so that the said line 6
when so amended will read "Secondly-The combination of parts forming my
improved rigid pontoon, buoy "
raising."
At line 11 of the said Page 8 I strike out the word "Fourth" and instead
thereof insert the word "Thirdly" so that the said line 11 when so amended will
read "
Thirdly-The means described with reference to figures 8 and 8ª for
I strike out the whole of the words contained in lines 13. 14 and 15 of the said
Page 8 of the said printed Blue Book of my said Specification being the whole of
the Fifth claim of my said Specification and instead thereof I insert the following
words "Fourthly the application of the gases evolved from the carbon compounds
"herein before described to the propulsion of Torpedoes substantially as herein-
"before described and shewn in figures 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying
Drawings
"
"
And I do hereby declare that the said Specification as amended by the present
Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration shall read as follo:ve.
.
CIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Cowell Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th November 1880.
WILLIAM COWELL BROWN of Sheffield, in the County of York, " IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND CONNECTED WITH APPARATUS FOR RAISING VESSELS AND OTHER BODIES
PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
My present Invention chiefly relates to the mode or means and apparatus
provided for raising submerged structures, all substantially as hereinafter
described.
It has been heretofore proposed to use air proof bags under water to be inflated
by air, and in some cases by gases generated in the bags themselves by bringing
together certain chemical substances or by the adinission of a small quantity of
fluid down a tube leading to the bag or vessel containing the chemicals or by
liquifying the gas and liberating the liquified gas into the vessels.
Now according
to my Invention I make use of chemical compositions composed of materials such
as those hereafter described, such compositions being placed in apparatus such as
those hereafter described, and utilized to form gas or gases for expanding bags
balloons pontoons and other structures or for displacing the water in rigid buoys
or caissons which may be sunk for such purposes or for altering the specific
gravity of pontoons, ships, torpedo boats, torpedoes, and other floating or floatable
bodies.
A suitable composition for my Invention is, gunpowder or an intimate mixture
of nitrate of potash, or nitrate of soda, or nitrate of baryta or other suitable
oxygen bearing substance and carbon, together with some such substances as red
ochre or whiting or glycerine, which compound mixture is then moulded into any
suitable shape and fired in a suitable receptacle as hereinafter described.
The nitrate of potash and carbon, for instance, coming in contact with each other
under these circumstances, that is by combustion, the carbon will give off a definite
volume of gas, which is used for inflation.-The purpose of the whiting or red
ochre, or glycerine in the composition is to regulate the speed of combustion.
Water may also be used for the same purpose or any other suitable agent, or the
chemicals themselves may be so proportioned as to need no retarding ingredient.
If 4 parts of nitrate of potash, one of carbon and one of whiting, be used, the
resultant gas is mainly carbon monoxide which is lighter than air, and has not
been liquified, and the speed of combustion is not too quick.
If sufficient nitrate of potash is employed the resultant gas is principally carbon
dioxide. But carbon monoxide is preferable because 1, it is lighter than the other;

page_text: 2, its evolution is accompanied by less heat;-3, it can be used under great
pressure without liquifaction. Four parts of nitrate of potash with 1 of carbon
slightly moistened with glycerine is also a suitable compound, likewise gunpowder
ground into a stiff paste with glycerine.
The gas bearing composition may be in the form of fine powder or moulded
into a solid mass of any suitable shape, in which case the addition of a little gum
is useful or it may be filled into a flexible tube; but as the rate of the evolution of
gas is dependant upon the area of combustion, as well as the rate at which the
mixture burns where large quantities of the gas are needed it is as well that the
sectional area of the cartridge should be small in comparison with its mass.
form of a fuse or flexible tube filled with the composition which can be coiled in a
suitable drum will fulfil these conditions.
The
I am not particular as to the form of the vessel used for this purpose so long as
it serves the end of holding the mixture in the form in which it may be employed
and of allowing it to be fired when required, and of cooling the effluent gas and
delivering it safely into the articles to be inflated. The mixture may be fired in
any convenient way as by electricity, percussion, or time fuze.
According to one arrangement a cartridge, made as before described, is inserted
in a metal tube closed water tight, and at one end plugged with wood, vulcanite,
or some other suitable material non-conducting to electricity, conducting wires
pass through the plug into the cartridge. The metal tube, where the cartridge
and its holder terminate, is connected to a spherical or other conveniently shaped
vessel having an aperture or apertures through same for the passage of water;
the other end of the spherical vessel is connected to a nozzle in communication with
the bag or other vessel to be inflated, and provided with a safety valve, or the
safety valve or other contrivance for the purpose of releasing the gas as the
pressure alters may be attached to the article to be inflated. To use the apparatus
a cartridge is inserted in same, and the apparatus is connected by wire to a suitable
generator of electricity, whereby, when required, the cartridge is ignited and the
evolution of gas therefrom immediately commences and proceeds at the rate
regulated, as aforesaid, which gas passes into the spherical or other shaped chamber
provided with an aperture or apertures for passage of water as aforesaid. The gas
is thus cooled before going to the bag; pontoon, or other vessel to be inflated.
A modification of the apparatus is by placing around the vessel of, say cylindrical
shape, containing the combustible material, a coil of pipe from one end to the other
of the cylinder, that is, from the gas chamber to another chamber in connection
with the outlet leading to the bag or other vessel to be inflated. The cylindrical
vessel is provided with a plug made of non-conducting material, through which the
wires necessary for electrical firing pass.
The gas passing through the coil surrounding the cylinder is effectually cooled
by the water in which the apparatus is placed. The action in other respects is
similar to that before described. Another modification is accomplished by making
a cylindrical vessel with an annular chamber, in which a coil of this combustible
material is placed; it is fired electrically or otherwise, and the gas generated
passes through a coil of piping in the cylinder, and through the cylinder the water
circulates; the action is similar to the other arrangements.
Combustible materials, such as those herein before described, for the production
of gas may also be used for other purposes than those herein before referred to; I
propose to employ it for the driving and propulsion of torpedoes in the place of
compressed air as now used.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understoed I will now proceed
to more fully describe the same by reference to the accompanying drawings.
At Figures 1 and 2, 3, 4 and 5 are shown various modes by which the inflation
of the flexible bags or pontoons is to be effected.
In Figures 1 and 2 the apparatus consists of a spherical vessel or chamber a with
a metal tube b screwed therein, shown in section at Figure 2. This tube b contains
the combustible charge, and is closed water tight by a cap e.

page_text: d is the plug of non-conducting material through which the wires pass; it is
secured by a cap e' which screws on to a hollow projection f on the tube b.
The bag or flexible pontoon to be inflated may be connected to this apparatus
directly or by a hose, one end of which fits on the nozzle g, the other end being
connected to the or pontoon.
On the ignition of the charge the evolution of the gas instantly commences, and
the hot gas evolved is rendered perfectly cool by coming into contact with the
inside surface of the spherical vessel a and with the water tube passing through
the spherical chamber a.
I provide the tube k with a safety valve m, so that the unnecessary gas may
escape without fear of the bursting of the bag or pontoon.
Figure 3 shews another modification; b is a cylindrical vessel containing the
combustible composition ignited by a fuse as before described; the cap e is
secured on the top of the chamber b and the wires pass through the plug d
as before.
The chamber b at its lower end is provided with a second chamber a, which is
in communication with the upper part of the chamber b by a coil of pipe passing
around the chamber b, and through which the gas passes to the second chamber a,
and thence away through the nozzle g. The chainber b and coil are exposed
to the water acting as the cooling agent, and on account of the length of the pipe
through which the gas has to pass the cooling is better effected.
in
A
Instead of the combustible composition being a mass it may be in the form
of a coil shewn in Figure 4 where b is an annular chamber containing the coil of
composition.
The annular chamber is closed at both ends, and the gas in this case passes out
through a coil of piping situate in the interior of the annular chamber, so that
when submerged the exterior of the annular chamber b and the pipe are exposed,
so that the gas passing away at g is most effectually cooled.
Figure 5 Sheet 2 is a sectional elevation of another modification, b is the
chamber containing the composition, and to which is connected the firing wires
in a precisely similar manner to those before described. This vessel is somewhat
like a bottle, having a long neck b' terminating in the upper part of the gas
receiving chamber a, which is connected to lower chamber by bolts and flanges.
The outlet from chamber a is through the nozzle g to which a flexible pipe may be
connected in any convenient manner.
The next part of my Invention relates to the displacement of water contained in
submerged rigid buoys or caissons or pontoons, to which my apparatus is connected
for the purpose of raising submerged bodies, the pontoon or chamber being firstly
connected to the vessel (for example) by chains or ropes.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of such an apparatus; a is the gas chamber,
b is the tube or vessel containing the combustible composition and secured to the
cover of the chamber a in any convenient manner, so that it may be readily
removed therefrom for recharging. This buoy and its attachments are lowered
or caused to descend to the submerged object by the opening of a cock or valve n
on the top of the vessel a whereby the air is released from the chamber a and
water enters therein at the lower part, and so the apparatus sinks; the descent
of it may be regulated by ropes or chains from the surface. The water is prevented
from entering the perforations v, by a waterproof band 62, passing around, but
which gives way on the firing of the charge. The buoy being connected and
coupled to the submerged structure which is to be raised, the cock n is closed and
the current from the battery is transmitted and the composition ignited, the gas
now being evolved passes out through the perforations v. in the tube b, and at the
upper part of the chamber a displacing the water and consequently the buoy or
pontoon will raise itself and the structure to which it is coupled. The superfluous
gas (should there be any) escapes at the lower end by the water. The buoys are
constructed of various sizes proportionate to the weights to be
lifted, that is

page_text: to
to say, for example, affording a displacement of about thirty six cubic feet to
every tonbe lifted; but where a vessel of great tonnage is to be raised several
of my apparatus may be employed and fired simultaneously from one battery by
one circuit.
Figure 7 is a similar vessel, but the gas generating apparatus is here connected
to the lower part of the chamber a and the gas is evolved through an outlet b₁
in the top of the case by the blowing out of a plug or disc 63, (which may be
of wood) directly the composition is fired. The plug after being inserted in the
tube b' is covered with pitch; the firing is effected by the wires passing through
the plug.
This plug is also shewn in Figure 8 which is a part section of an apparatus
containing a combustible charge and made of cylindrical form. It is applied
to the underside of capsized ships for the purpose of lifting them, the generator
filling the interior of the capsized ship, displacing the water, and so raising
the ship.
The firing is effected through the plug b³, as before, but in this case lengths of
insulated wires k, are coiled in the short projecting tube or box on the one end
of the cask or cylinder after the electrical connections have been made, and then
covered by a thin metallic cap z which is removed by the diver when the apparatus
is in position and the wires drawn out, as shewn in Figure 80 and taken to the
battery.
A convenient apparatus specially adapted for the raising of sunken ships is
shewn in transverse section at Figure 9; a is the shell of the vessel, preferably of
iron, and in the form of a boat or lighter; b is the combustible composition
chamber having perforations at the upper part, which may be closed against the
admission of water in any convenient manner, such as pitched or waterproof
canvas.
o. are doors or clacks at the bottom opened by rods p and when the divers are
ready to descend with the vessel the clack or valve n on the top is opened; when
connected to the submerged vessel the firing is effected, and the water displaced, as
in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 9a shews a vessel b, closed below and open above,
containing a charge of say, nitrate of potash and coal dust, and placed in a
chamber a on one of the sides of a floating deck (or on the deck of such a lighter
as is shewn in Figure 9) When the charge is ignited the gas descends through the
grating y and displaces the water in the dock chamber (or hull of a lighter).
My Invention as applied to the propulsion of torpedoes by means of combustible
carbon compounds is illustrated in Figure 10, which is a view of a torpedoe partly
in section; b is the hind part containing the composition; o is the fore part
containing the dynamite or other exploding charge. The torpedo is directed by a
guide tube 7, connected to the side of the vessel by a ball and socket joint, as
shewn at Figure 11 (or it may be in a line with the keel), the said guide tuber is
provided with a projection or shoulder S, shewn to a larger scale at Figure 12.
The hind part b of the torpedo fits into an annular chamber T which contains
gun powder or other explosive, which when fired by means of the wires ignites the
propelling charge b in the torpedo, the torpedo is then discharged from the tube?"
and the gas evolved passing out by the opening at the rear of the chamber b
propels the torpedo in a similar manner to that of a rocket and at a very great
speed.
The torpedo is provided externally with screw vanes to cause the rotation of the
projectile round its axis, as is well known, and has also a pole or tail rod. It is
provided at the fore part with a detonator p, so that on striking the object, the
dynamite is exploded, but the explosive charge at o is also by slow match or time
fuze connected with the propelling charge b, so that the torpedo if it should miss
the aim in the course of a definite time explode of its own accord. The dynamite
is separate from the hind part b, by an air or other buoyant chamber or part q
through which the tube t, containing the time fuze passes.

page_text: It will be seen that a partial vacuum would be created in the chamber b after
the propelling charge therein is consumed, and water entering at the rear would
impede the progress of the torpedo just at the critical moment, and to prevent this
I form a few small holes a, through the fore end of the chamber band plug them
up lightly with some plastic water resisting material,-which is then blown out by
the gas, after which the water enters there as well as at the back.
I claim-
First. The combination of parts forming my improved submerged gas charging
or inflating appliance, consisting mainly of a part containing the gas producing
charge; a part for receiving and cooling the gas as it is evolved; a pipe or aperture
to the bag or other article to be inflated, and means for igniting the charge all
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.
Secondly. The combination of parts forming my improved rigid pontoon, buoy
caisson or lighter, consisting mainly of a part containing the gas producing charge,
a part for receiving the gas as it evolves, and which gas displaces the water in
such part, and means for igniting the charge substantially as described with
reference to Figures 6. 7 and 9 and 9a.
Thirdly. The means described with reference to Figures 8 and 8ª for raising
sunken vessels.
Fourthly. The application of the gases evolved from the carbon compounds
herein before described to the propulsion of torpedoes, substantially as herein
before described and shewn in Figures 10. 11 and 12 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said William Cowell Brown have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twentieth day of November in the the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
The application for leave to file this Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration
having been advertized in accordance with my directions
I hereby grant my Fiat giving leave to the above-named William Cowell
Brown, to file in the Office of the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions, with
the Specification to which the same relates, the above written Disclaimer and
Memorandum of Alteration.
Dated this twenty seventh day of November 1882.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Cowell Brown, of Sheffield, in the County of
York, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH
APPARATUS FOR RAISING VESSELS AND OTHER BODIES. PARTS OF WHICH ARE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Cowell Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th May 1880.
WILLIAM COWELL BROWN, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
" IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH APPARATUS FOR RAISING VESSELS AND OTHER
BODIES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
My present Invention chiefly relates to the mode or means and apparatus
provided for raising submerged structures, all substantially as hereinafter
described.
It has been heretofore proposed to use air proof bags under water to be inflated
by air, and in some cases by gases generated in the bags themselves by bringing
together certain chemical substances, or by the admission of a small quantity of
fluid down a tube leading to the bag or vessel containing the chemicals, or by
liquifying the gas, and liberating the liquified gas into the vessel. Now according
to my Invention I make use of chemical compositions composed of materials such
as those hereafter described, or of equivalent materials, said compositions being
placed in apparatus such as those hereafter described, and utilized to form gas or
gases for expanding bags, balloons, pontoons, and other structures; or for displacing
the water in rigid buoys or caissons, which may be sunk for such purposes; or for
altering the specific gravity of pontoons, ships, torpedo boats, torpedoes, and other
floating or floatable bodies.
A suitable composition for my Invention is, for instance, gunpowder, or an
intimate mixture of nitrate of potash, or chlorate of potash, and carbon, and some
such substance as red ochre or whiting, or glycerine, which is moulded in any
suitable shape, and fired in a suitable receptacle, as hereinafter described.
The nitrate of potash and carbon, for instance, on coming in contact with each

page_text: other under these circumstances, give off a definite volume, which is used for
inflation. The purpose of the whiting, or red ochre, or glycerine in the com-
position is to regulate the speed of combustion; water may also be used for the
same purpose, or any other suitable agent; or the chemicals themselves may be
so proportioned as to need no retarding ingredient. If 4 parts of nitrate of potash,
one of carbon, and one of whiting be used, the resultant gas is carbon monoxide,
which is lighter than air, and has not been liquified, mixed with a little nitrogen,
and the speed of combustion is not too quick.
If sufficient nitrate of potash is employed, the resultant gas is carbon dioxide.
But carbon monoxide is preferable; 1, it is lighter than the other; 2, its evolution
is accompanied by less heat; 3, it can be used under great pressure without
liquifaction.
The gas bearing composition may be in the form of fine powder, or moulded
into a solid mass of any suitable shape, in which case the addition of a little gum
is useful; or it may be filled into a flexible tube. But as the rate of the evolution
of gas is dependent upon the area of combustion, as well as the rate at which the
mixture burns, where large quantities of the gas are needed it is as well that the
sectional area of the cartridge should be small in comparison with its mass. The
form of a fuze or flexible tube filled with the composition which can be coiled in
a suitable drum will fulfil these conditions.
I am not particular as to the form of the vessel used for this purpose, so long
as it serves the end of holding the mixture in the form in which it may be employed,
and of allowing it to be fired when required, and of cooling the effluent gas, and
delivering it safely into the articles to be inflated.
I have found the forms hereafter described to work well, but they may be
indefinitely multiplied. The mixture may be fired in any convenient way, as by
electricity, percussion, or time fuze.
According to one arrangement a cartridge made as before described is inserted
in a metal tube closed water tight, and at one end plugged with wood, vulcanite,
or some other suitable material non conducting to electricity; a conducting wire
passes through the cartridge, or at any rate into same. The metal tube, where the
cartridge and its holder terminate, is connected to a spherical or other convenient
shaped vessel, having an aperture or apertures through same for the passage of
water; the other end of spherical vessel is connected to a nozzle provided with
safety valve for the reception of bag or other vessel to be inflated (or the safety
valve or other contrivance for the purpose of releasing the gas as the pressure alters
may be attached to the article to be inflated). To use the apparatus a cartridge is
inserted in same, and the apparatus is connected by wire to a suitable generator
of electricity, whereby, when required, the cartridge is ignited and gas is imme-
diately liberated therefrom, which gas passes into the spherical or other shaped
chamber provided with an aperture or apertures for passage of water as aforesaid.
The gas is cooled as it passes by same before going to the bag, pontoon, or other
vessel to be inflated. When only one cross tube is used, I have placed the same
near the end of the gas chamber next to the article to be inflated, in order to
obstruct or retard the passage of the gas, as it were to a certain extent, and so to
render the cooling of the same more effective than it otherwise would be.
A modification of the apparatus is by placing around a vessel of, say, cylindrical
shape, a coil of pipe from one end to the other of the cylinder, that is, from the gas
chamber to another chamber in connection with the outlet leading to the bag or
other vessel to be inflated. The cylindrical vessel is provided with a plug made of
non-conducting material, through which the wires or wire necessary for electrical
firing pass or passes. The gas passing through the coil surrounding the cylinder
is effectually cooled by the water in which the apparatus is placed. The action in
other respects is similar to that before described. Another modification is accom-
plished by making a cylindrical vessel with annular chamber in which a coil of the
combustible material is placed; it is fired electrically or otherwise, and the gas

page_text: generated passes through a coil of piping in the cylinder, and through the cylinder
water circulates; the action is similar to the other arrangements.
Another modification is in providing means for the ignition of the composition
or combustible material by a fulminate and percussion; for this purpose the
cylinder or cylinders, or other vessels, is or are in connection with, say, an ordinary
gunlock, and the cylinder is provided with a tube or tubes leading to the vessel
to be inflated; by exploding the fulminate the ignition of the combustible material
is effected.
Combustible materials, such as those hereinbefore described for the production of
gas, may also be used for other purposes than those hereinbefore referred to; for
example, I propose to employ it for the driving and propulsion of torpedoes, and
other submerged structures and engines, in the place of compressed air as now
used; and it may be utilized for the production of gas for still other purposes, such
as for working what are now known as air guns, and for the working of many
kinds of engines where the employment of steam or compressed air is difficult, or
too expensive, or impossible.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Cowell Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
November 1880.
"IMPROVE
WILLIAM COWELL BROWN, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH APPARATUS FOR RAISING VESSELS AND OTHER
BODIES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
My present Invention chiefly relates to the mode or means and apparatus
provided for raising submerged structures, all substantially as hereinafter
described.
It has been heretofore proposed to use air proof bags under water to be inflated
by air, and in some cases by gases generated in the bags themselves by bringing
together certain chemical substances, or by the admission of a small quantity of
fluid down a tube leading to the bag or vessel containing the chemicals, or by
liquefying the gas and liberating the liquified gas into the vessels. Now according
to my Invention I make use of chemical compositions composed of materials such
as those hereafter described, or of equivalent materials, said compositions being
placed in apparatus such as those hereafter described, and utilized to form gas
or gases for expanding bags, balloons, pontoons, and other structures, or for
displacing the water in rigid buoys or caissons which may be sunk for such
purposes, or for altering the specific gravity of pontoons, ships, torpedo boats,
torpedoes, and other floating or floatable bodies.
A suitable composition for my Invention is, for instance, gunpowder, or an
intimate mixture of nitrate of potash, or nitrate of soda, or nitrate of baryta, or
other suitable oxygen bearing substance and carbon, together with some such
substances as red ochre, or whiting, or glycerine, which compound mixture is then
moulded into any suitable shape and fired in a suitable receptacle, as hereinafter
described.
The nitrate of potash and carbon, for instance, coming in contact with each other
under these circumstances, that is by combustion, the carbon will give off a definite
volume of gas, which is used for inflation. The purpose of the whiting, or red
ochre, or glycerine in the composition is to regulate the speed of combustion.
Water may also be used for the same purpose, or any other suitable agent, or the
chemicals themselves may be so proportioned as to need no retarding ingredient.
If 4 parts of nitrate of potash, one of carbon, and one of whiting be used, the
resultant gas is mainly carbon monoxide, which is lighter than air, and has not been
liquefied, and the speed of combustion is not too quick.
If sufficient nitrate of potash is employed the resultant gas is principally carbon
dioxide. But carbon monoxide is preferable, because, 1, it is lighter than the
other; 2, its evolution is accompanied by less heat; 3, it can be used under great
pressure without liquefaction. Four parts of nitrate of potash with 1 of carbon
slightly moistened with glycerine is also a suitable compound, likewise gunpowder
ground into a stiff paste with glycerine.
The gas bearing composition may be in the form of fine powder or moulded into
a solid mass of any suitable shape, in which case the addition of a little gum is
useful, or it may be filled into a flexible tube; but as the rate of the evolution of
gas is dependent upon the area of combustion, as well as the rate at which the
mixture burns, where large quantities of the gas are needed it is as well that the
sectional area of the cartridge should be small in comparison with its mass. The
form of a fuze or flexible tube filled with the composition which can be coiled in a
suitable drum will fulfil these conditions.
I am not particular as to the form of the vessel used for this purpose so long as

page_text: it serves the end of holding the mixture in the form in which it may be employed,
and of allowing it to be fired when required, and of cooling the effluent gas and
delivering it safely into the articles to be inflated.
I have found the forms hereafter described to work well, but they may be
indefinitely multiplied. The mixture may be fired in any convenient way, as
by electricity, percussion, or time fuze.
According to one arrangement a cartridge, made as before described, is inserted in
a metal tube closed water tight, and at one end plugged with wood, vulcanite, or
some other suitable material non-conducting to electricity; conducting wires pass
through the plug into the cartridge. The metal tube, where the cartridge and its
holder terminate, is connected to a spherical or other conveniently shaped vessel
having an aperture or apertures through same for the passage of water; the other
end of the spherical vessel is connected to a nozzle in communication with the bag
or other vessel to be inflated, and provided with a safety valve, or the safety valve
or other contrivance for the purpose of releasing the gas as the pressure alters may
be attached to the article to be inflated. To use the apparatus a cartridge is
inserted in same, and the apparatus is connected by wire to a suitable generator
of electricity, whereby, when required, the cartridge is ignited and the evolution
of gas therefrom immediately commences and proceeds at the rate regulated, as
aforesaid, which gas passes into the spherical or other shaped chamber provided
with an aperture or apertures for passage of water as aforesaid. The gas is thus
cooled before going to the bag, pontoon, or other vessel to be inflated.
A modification of the apparatus is by placing around the vessel of, say
cylindrical shape, containing the combustible material, a coil of pipe from one end
to the other of the cylinder, that is, from the gas chamber to another chamber in
connection with the outlet leading to the bag or other vessel to be inflated, The
cylindrical vessel is provided with a plug made of non-conducting material, through
which the wires necessary for electrical firing pass.
The gas passing through the coil surrounding the cylinder is effectually cooled by
the water in which the apparatus is placed. The action in other respects is similar
to that before described. Another modification is accomplished by making a
cylindrical vessel with an annular chamber, in which a coil of this combustible
material is placed; it is fired electrically or otherwise, and the gas generated passes
through a coil of piping in the cylinder, and through the cylinder the water
circulates; the action is similar to the other arrangements.
Combustible materials, such as those hereinbefore described, for the production
of gas may also be used for other purposes than those herein before referred to;
for example, I propose to employ it for the driving and propulsion of torpedoes
and other submerged structures and engines in the place of compressed air as now
used, and it may be utilized for the production of gas for still other purposes, such
as for the working of many kinds of engines where the employment of steam or
compressed air is difficult, or too expensive, or impossible. The gas may, for these
purposes, either be used as fast as it is generated or stored under pressure in
suitable holders.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I will now proceed to
more fully describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawings.
At Figures 1 and 2, 3, 4, and 5 are shown various modes by which the inflation
of the flexible bags or pontoons may be effected.
In Figures 1 and 2 the apparatus consists of a spherical vessel or chamber a
with a metal tube b secrewed therein, shown in section at Figure 2. This tube b
contains the combustible charge, and is closed watertight by a cap e.
d is the plug of non-conducting material through which the wires pass; it is
secured by a cap el which screws on to a hollow projection f on the tube b.
The bag or flexible pontoon to be inflated may be connected to this apparatus
directly or by a hose, one end of which fits on the nozzle g, the other end being
connected to the bag or pontoon.

page_text: On the ignition of the charge the evolution of the gas instantly commences, and
the hot gas evolved is rendered perfectly cool by coming into contact with the
inside surface of the spherical vessel a and with the water tube passing through
the spherical chamber a.
I provide the tube h with a safety valve m, so that the unnecessary gas may
escape without fear of the bursting of the bag or pontoon.
Figure 3 shews another modification; b is a cylindrical vessel containing the
combustible composition ignited by a fuse as before described; the cap e is screwed
on the top of the chamber b and the wires pass through the plug d as before.
The chamber b at its lower end is provided with a second chamber a, which is
in communication with the upper part of the chamber b by a coil of pipe / passing
around the chamber b, and through which the gas passes to the second chamber a
and thence away through the nozzle g. The chamber band coil are exposed to
the water acting as the cooling agent, and on account of the length of the pipe
through which the gas has to pass the cooling is better effected.
Instead of the combustible composition being in a mass it may be in the form
of a coil shown in Figure 4, where b is an annular chamber containing the coil of
composition.
This annular chamber is closed at both ends, and the gas in this cases passes out
through a coil of piping situate in the interior of the annular chamber, so that
when submerged the exteriors of the annular chamber b and the pipe are exposed,
so that the gas passing away at g is most effectually cooled.
Figure 5, Sheet 2, is a sectional elevation of another modification; b is the
chamber containing the composition, and to which is connected the firing wires in
a precisely similar manner to those before described. This vessel is somewhat like
a bottle, having a long neck b' terminating in the upper part of the gas receiving
chamber a, which is connected to lower chamber bby bolts and flanges. The
outlet from chamber a is through the nozzle g, to which a flexible pipe may be
connected in any convenient manner.
The third part of my Invention relates to the displacement of water contained in
submerged rigid buoys or caissons or pontoons, to which my apparatus is connected
for the purpose of raising submerged bodies, the pontoon or chamber being firstly
connected to the vessel (for example) by chains or ropes.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of such an apparatus; a is the gas chamber, b is
the tube or vessel containing the combustible composition and secured to the cover
of the chamber a in any convenient manner, so that it may be readily removed
therefrom for recharging. This buoy and its attachments are lowered or caused to
descend to the submerged object by the opening of a cock or valve n on the top of
the vessel a, whereby the air is released from the chamber a and water enters
therein at the lower part, and so the apparatus sinks; the descent of it may be
regulated by ropes or chains from the surface. The water is prevented from
entering the perforations v by a waterproof band 62 passing around, but which gives
way on the firing of the charge. The buoy being connected and coupled to the
submerged structure which is to be raised, the cock n is closed and the current from
the battery is transmitted and the composition ignited; the gas now being evolved
passes out through the perforations in the tube b, and at the upper part of the
chamber a displacing the water, and consequently the buoy or pontoon will raise
itself and the structure to which it is coupled. The superfluous gas (should there
be any) escapes at the lower end by the water. The buoys are constructed of
various sizes proportionate to the weights to be lifted, that is to say, for example,
affording a displacement of about thirty six cubic feet to every ton to be lifted, but
where a vessel of great tonnage is to be raised, several of my apparatus may be
employed and fired simultaneously from one battery by one circuit.
ข
Figure 7 is a similar vessel, but the gas generating apparatus is here connected to
the lower part of the chamber a, and the gas is evolved through an outlet b' in
the top of the case by the blowing out of a plug or disc b³ (which may be of wood),

page_text: directly the composition is fired. The plug after being inserted in the tube bis
covered with pitch; the firing is effected by the wires passing through the plug.
This plug is also shown in Figure 8, which is a part section of an apparatus
containing a combustible charge and made of a cylindrical form. It is applied to the
underside of capsized ships for the purpose of lifting them, the gas generator filling
the interior of the capsized ship, displacing the water, and so raising the ship.
The firing is effected through the plug 68 as before, but in this case lengths of
insulated wires are coiled in the short projecting tube or box on the one end of
the cask or cylinder after the electrical connections have been made, and then
covered by a thin metallic cap x, which is removed by the diver when the apparatus
is in position and the wires drawn out, as shown in Figure 8ª, and taken to the
battery.
A convenient apparatus specially adapted for the raising of sunken ships is
shown in transverse section at Figure 9; a is the shell of the vessel, preferably of
iron, and in the form of a boat or lighter; b is the combustible composition chamber
having perforations at the upper part, which may be closed against the admission of
water in any convenient manner, such as by pitched or waterproofed canvas.
o are doors or clacks at the bottom opened by rods p, and when the divers are
ready to descend with the vessel the clack or valve n on the top is opened; when
connected to the submerged vessel the firing is effected, and the water displaced, as
in Figures 6 and 7. Fig. 94 shows a vessel b closed below and open above,
containing a charge of, say, nitrate of potash and coal dust, and placed in a chamber
a on one of the sides of a floating dock (or on the deck of such a lighter as is
shown in Fig. 9). When the charge is ignited the gas descends through the grating y
and displaces the water in the dock chamber (or hull of a lighter). My Invention
as applied to the propulsion of torpedoes by means of combustible carbon
compounds is illustrated in Figure 10, which is a view of a torpedo partly in
section; is the hind part containing the composition; o is the fore part containing
the dynamite or other exploding charge.
The torpedo is directed by a guide tuber connected to the side of the vessel by
a ball and socket joint, as shown at Figure 11 (or it may be in a line with the keel);
the said guide tuber is provided with a projection or shoulder S, shown to a larger
scale at Figure 12. The hind part b of the torpedo fits into an annular chamber T
which contains gun powder or other explosive, which when fired by means of the
wires ignites the propelling charge b in the torpedo, the torpedo is then discharged
from the tube, and the gas evolved passing out by the opening at the rear of the
chamber b propels the torpedo in a manner similar to that of a rocket and at a very
great speed.
The torpedo is provided externally with screw vanes to cause the rotation of the
projectile round its axis, as is well known, and has also a pole or tail rod. It is
provided at the fore part with a detonator p, so that on striking the object the
dynamite is exploded, but the explosive charge at o is also by slow match or time
fuze connected with the propelling charge b, so that the torpedo if it should miss
the aim will in the course of a definite time explode of its own accord. The
dynamite is separated from the hind part 6 by an air or other buoyant chamber or
part through which the tube t containing the time fuse passes.
It will be seen that a partial vacuum would be created in the chamber 6 after
the propelling charge therein is consumed, and water entering at the rear would
impede the progress of the torpedo just at the critical moment, and to prevent this I
form a few small holes u through the fore-end of the chamber b, and plug them up
lightly with some plastic water resisting material, which is then blown out by the
gas, after which the water enters there as well as at the back.
I claim,―
First. The application of carbon compounds, of the nature herein set forth and
contained in vessels, for the regulated evolution of gases applied to the inflation or
charging of floating or submerged bags or other vessels or structures, as set forth.

page_text: Second. The combination of parts forming my improved submerged gas charging
or inflating appliance, consisting mainly of a part containing the gas producing
charge, a part for receiving and cooling the gas as it is evolved, a pipe or aperture
to the bag or other article to be inflated, and means for igniting the charge, all
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.
Third. The combination of parts forming my improved rigid pontoon, buoy,
caisson, or lighter, consisting mainly of a part containing the gas producing charge,
a part for receiving the gas as it evolves, and which gas displaces tho water in such
part, and means for igniting the charge, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 6, 7, and 9 and 94.
Fourth. The means described with reference to Figures 8 and 84 for raising
'sunken vessels.
Fifth. The application of carbon compounds of the nature herein set forth and
contained in a torpedo to the propulsion of same, in the manner herein described,
with reference to Figures 10, 11, and 12.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Cowell Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty sixth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
W. COWELL BROWN. (L.S.)