Improvements in and relating to Boats or Ships Used in connection: with Theatrical Displays, and for like purposes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1896
Improvements in and relating to Boats or Ships Used in connection:
with Theatrical Displays, and for like purposes.
We, WILLIAM WELCH BOISSET, ALBERT HOLTON BOISSET, and FRANK
MENDOZA BOISSET, all of 24, Hercules Road, Lambeth, London, S.E. Gymnasts
and Pantomimists, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
Our invention relates to boats or ships used in connection with theatrical displays
and for like purposes, and has for its object to provide means whereby the boat or
ship can be rocked from side to side; and if desired may be turned completely
over. Said boat or ship (hereinafter termed the boat) is also so constructed as
to be readily and with facility built up, or taken to pieces, as well as to possess
the advantage of portability when it is required to remove the device from one
place to another, and also for storage purposes.
And in order that our invention may the better be understood we have appended
the accompanying 2 sheets of drawings in which
Figure 1 represents an elevational steru view of our boat with scenery attached.
Figure 2 (Sheet 1) being a side view thereof.
Figure 3 (Sheet 2) shows a front elevational view of our improved boat when
the scenery is removed. Figure 4 is a back elevational view of same; and
Figure 5 is an underneath part plan view of our boat showing the keel attached
thereto.
Now, in accordance with our invention we employ a double cused or hollow
cylinder a, constructed in four quarters or segments, which are bolted together as
shewn, and strengthened throughout by means of ribs or stays being placed between
the inner and outer cases.
We also provide side pieces such for instance as b for giving the boat the desired
appearance, and which are bolted to the cylinder a as shown as also the keel c.
Situated and secured around each end of the cylinder a is a steel or like band d
provided for taking the bearing of the boat when being revolved or rocked.
The above parts, forming the boat, are carried by and work in a frame or
carriage constructed in the following manner:-viz.; We employ two planks or
girders e (provided with wheels or rollers e' for portability,) which have secured
thereto by any suitable means the cradles f, to which latter are also adapted
wheels or rollers g working in a recess provided along the top ridge of same.
Situated at the back of the boat and secured to the planks e is a derrick of any
desired form, and which carries the driving gear for use when manual labor is
employed for working our improved boat. Said driving gear consists of a cranked
handle fixed to a shaft j, carrying a pinion k, gearing into the toothed wheel
carried by the spindle m which latter is secured to the boat. Also secured around
the back end of the boat, and in addition to the above described driving gear, we
employ a series of projecting pins or handles to serve as a supplementary
manipulating means for rocking or revolving the boat.
-
The scenery provided for use in connection with our invention is as follows:-
viz. ;-The portion n attached to the stern of the boat by any suitable and con-
venient means such for instance as spring clips or catches, so that it may be
readily released when required.

page_text: The funnel and mast portion o is secured in position by means of its lower
depending ends o¹ passing through brackets o' formed at the back end of the boat;
whilst, the bulwarks p are also provided with depending portions p¹ at their ends,
which take into slots provided in the side pieces b.
When it is desired to use a boat constructed in accordance with our invention
upon the stage of a theatre or the like, the above referred to carriage, (formed
by the employment of the planks or girders e, cradles and derrick h) is first run
on to the stage to the desired position, where it is secured by any suitable means.
Then the two lower quarters or segments of the cylinder a, and also the keel c,
are bolted together, and raised by any suitable lifting gear, into the cradles f
When this has been done the last two quarters or segments of the cylinder a and
the two side pieces are raised one by one and bolted in their respective positions
until the boat assumes the formation shown Figures 3 and 4 Sheet 2. Lastly the
above mentioned portions of scenery n, o, p are secured in their respective places
when the boat is completed ready for use and assumes the formation as shown
Figures 1 and 2 Sheet 1.
The boat being now ready for use, it is first rocked słowly from side to side, and
the oscillatory motion is increased as the supposed storm increases, when the stern
portion of the scenery n drops through the stage; whilst the funnel and mast
portion o, as also the bulwarks p are raised up into the flies by means of ropes and
pulleys, and on the boat being turned completely over, it assumes the form of.a
wrecked boat broken amidships.
Although I have described and shown our improved boat as worked by hand,
still we may if desired employ steam, oil electric or any other suitable motor or
motors. When any of these latter are adopted the driving gear may be constructed
in any suitable manner such for instance as would consist in providing the back end
of the boat with an internally toothed rim into which gears a pinion, mounted upon
a shaft, with pulley attached, driven by means of a belt connected to an engine
or motor placed in any suitable position either on or underneath the stage.
Also, the bont may be rocked by means of a double rope being placed around
same and connected by means of pulleys &c. to the engine or motor.
With a view to strengthen or support the cradles we may if desired connect
same together by means of a screw connection or the like. Also the cabin (as
seen when the stern portion n of the scenery is removed) can be fitted with fixed
tables, chairs, shelves &c., and lighted by means of fixed electric lamps.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. The improvements in and relating to boats or ships used in connection
with theatrical displays and for like purposes, substantially as herein set forth and
shown in the accompanying two sheets of drawings.
Second. In boats or ships, such as those referred to in the preceding claim the
improved mode of construction, thereby rendering same portable, substantially as
herein set forth and shown in the accompanying 2 sheets of drawings.
Third. In boats or ships such as those referred to in the two preceding claims
the employment of the cradles f provided with rollers g substantially as and for
the purposes herein set forth and shown in the accompanying two sheets of
drawings.
.
Dated this 7th day of November 1895
V. LAZARUS,.
1 Furnival Street, Holborn, E.C., Agent for Applicants,