Method of and Apparatus for Recovering Sunk Torpedos.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left 8th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Method of and Apparatus for Recovering Sunk Torpedos.
We, CHARLES LANGDALE OTTLEY, Commander, of H.M.S. "Victoria," and
WALTER CAREY, Lieutenant, of H.M.S. "Collingwood," at present cruising in
the Mediterranean, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of our invention is to prevent the loss of locomotive torpedos after
their runs, and this we effect by a simple method involving the use of inexpensive
apparatus. After or during a run if the torpedo sinks to the bottom it is usually
lost; but according to our method we arrange that after any predetermined interval
of time after sinking a buoyant device shall be liberated from the torpedo and
ascend to the surface carrying with it a line. If this line were strong enough the
torpedo might be hauled up by it, but since in locomotive torpedos extreme lightness
is essential, only a light line can be carried, and we therefore utilize this connection
to transmit a stronger line and grappling device to a self-acting receiving and
holding contrivance upon the torpedo, by which it may be hauled to the surface
and recovered.
In carrying out our invention we arrange, preferably in the engine room of, or
otherwise, within, upon, or in connection with the torpedo, an open-topped casing of
very light material such as aluminium, and of a shape adapted to receive and contain
a buoyant device or "buoy" having a line of suitable length wound upon it. The
buoy is pressed into the casing against the force of a spring and held in position by
means of a suitable stop device such as a catch lever centred upon the casing and
engaging the buoy. The said stop device is held and maintained in operative
position either by chemical agency, such for example as soluble cement, melted
sugar or equivalent, adapted to dissolve in water at a known speed; or by suitable
mechanical means, timed in any case to automatically withdraw or liberate the
device and buoy when required. To such stop device a spring may be applied to
ensure certainty and rapidity of release. One end of the wound line is made fast
to the buoy and the other is fixed to the torpedo. Thus, after the lapse of the
prearranged time, the dissolving of the cement or an equivalent action will auto-
matically release the buoy, which will then be ejected by the spring and rise to the
surface, unwinding the line during ascent and so establishing a light connection
with the sunk torpedo. The buoy may then be picked up, and in order to effect a
stronger connection with the torpedo we employ the following devices.
In suitable position on the torpedo we attach a swivelling "javelin head" to
which the one end of the buoy line is suitably attached, so that when this is hauled
taut the javelin head will be raised up vertically. We provide a clutch consisting
of a pair of bars pivotted together like a pair of scissors and having hooked lower
ends formed and adapted to fit over the javelin head. The upper ends are splayed
out and attached to the hauling line or wire. The clutch is provided with suitable
central guides for the buoy line, down which it is lowered by its own line and
directed to the javelin head, on meeting which it automatically opens and receives
saine, and when hauled upon, grips and enables the torpedo to be hauled to the
surface and so recovered."
The whole of the apparatus is made of the lightest materials consistent with due
strength and of suitable form so as to offer the least possible interference with the
buoyancy and speed of the torpedo.
Dated hid of Novambar 1892
H. CHAPMAN,
Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Method of and Apparatus for Recovering Sunk Torpedos.
We, CHARLES LANGDALE OTTLEY, Commander, of H.M.S. "Victoria," and
WALTER CAREY, Lieutenant,. of H.M.S. "Collingwood," at present cruising
in the Mediterranean, 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 :--
The object of our invention is to prevent the loss of locomotive torpedos after
their runs, and this we effect by a simple method involving the use of inexpensive
apparatus.
After or during a run, if the torpedo sinks to the bottom it is, usually, lost,, but
according to our method we arrange that after any predetermined interval of time
after sinking a buoyant device shall be liberated from the torpedo and ascend. to
the surface carrying with it a line. If this line were strong enough the torpedo
might be hauled up by it, but since in locomotive torpedos extreme lightness is
essential, only a light line can be carried, and we therefore utilize this connection
to transmit a stronger line and grappling device to a self-acting, receiving, and
holding contrivance upon the torpedo by which it may be hauled to the surface
and recovered.
We will fully describe our invention in reference to the accompanying drawing
in which similar letters refer to similar parts.
Fig. 1 is a section through the engine. room of a torpedo looking aft, showing the
preferred location of our apparatus ;
Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional elevations of the apparatus, Fig. 2 showing the buoy
and all parts in position prior to and ready for discharge, and Fig. 3 showing the
change of positions after release of the buoy ;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a stop holder;
Figs. 5 and 6 are side and end; elevations of the "javelin head" hereinafter
described;
Figs. 7 and 8 are front elevations of the grappling device or clutch, open and
closed respectively;
Fig. 9 represents a locomotive torpedo fitted with our apparatus; and.
Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate the operation of our apparatus in use, as hereinafter set
forth, the torpedo being partly embedded in, the bottom of the sea.
In carrying out our invention we arrange and secure, preferably in the engine
room of the torpedo as shown in Fig. 1 or in the, after body or otherwise upon
or in connection with the torpedo, an open-topped casing such as A of very
light material such as aluminium or phosphor bronze and of a shape. adapted
to receive and, contain a buoyant device or buoy such as B made of wood, or
other light material advantageously lacquered,. waxed, or otherwise rendered
waterproof. The outer parts of the said casing and of the buoy are formed; to
correspond with contour of the, surface of the torpedo. The buoy is preferably
cylindrical and has a groove turned; in it in which a line L. of suitable length
is wound, one end being. fixed to the buoy and the other to the torpedo, as shown;
for example in Fig. 9. The buoy with its line is. pressed into the casing, A
against the force of a spring such as S and held in position, therein by means of a
suitable stop device, such for example as the catch lever C which is shown centered
upon the casing A and having its catch c engaging a corresponding recess b. in the
buoy. C is a spring for ensuring certainty and rapidity of action of the lever C.
The stop device in, whatever form it may be arranged is. held, and maintained, in its
operative position, either by chemical agency or by suitable mechanical means..
In the first case we employ any suitable soluble substance, such, for example as,
cement, melted sugar, or equivalent adapted to dissolve in water at a. known speed.
In the second case we may use-ordinary clockwork mechanism enclosed in a
suitable casing and previously wound, as will be well understood without illus-

page_text: tration. In either case the appliance is timed to automatically perform the function
of liberating the stop device C or otherwise permitting the liberation of the buoy B
at the required time. We have illustrated in the drawings the application of a
chemical agent consisting of a soluble substance X which is placed in a suitable
holder such as a, Figs. 2, 3, and 4, removably secured in slides on the casing A in
such position as to hold the lever C as shown in Fig. 2.
The apparatus being placed in position and the timing device set, after the lapse
of the prearranged time, either the dissolving of the soluble agent holding the
stop C or the action of the released clockwork mechanism serves to automatically
release the buoy B which will then be ejected by the spring S, the parts taking
the positions shown in Fig. 3. The buoy rises to the surface unwinding the line
during ascent and establishing a light connection with the sunk torpedo. The
buoy may then be picked up, and in order to effect a stronger hauling connection
with the torpedo we employ the following device.
In suitable position on the torpedo, preferably near the end of it as shown, we
attach a swivelling "javelin head" such as J, Figs. 5 and 6, to which the free end
of the buoy line L is attached, so that when the said line is hauled taut on picking
up the buoy as in Fig. 10 the "javelin head" will be raised up vertically. The
grappling device or clutch we employ consists of a pair of bars P, Figs. 7 and 8
pivotted together like a pair of scissors and having hooked lower ends formed as
shown and adapted to fit over the "javelin head" J. The upper ends are splayed
out as shown and attached to a hauling line or wire W of suitable strength and
length. A guide way p is formed through the centre line of the clutch and a
guide ring or plate pl affixed to one of its lower extremities for the buoy line L.
On the salvage boatmen picking up the buoy B the line L is detached therefrom
and rove upwards through the guides p' and p, and then the clutch is lowered
down the taut buoy line L by the clutch line W as in Fig. 10 and directed to the
javelin head" J, on meeting which it automatically opens and receives the same,
and when hauled upon the hooked extremities grip the base of the coned part,
and this hold enables the torpedo to be hauled to the surface and so recovered.
66
The weight of the buoy B and its casing A is made as nearly as possible equal
to the weight of water displaced by them so that there will be practically no
addition to the weight of the torpedo when submerged. All of the parts con-
stituting the apparatus generally are made of the lightest materials consistent with
due strength and of the best forms to offer the least possible interference with the
buoyancy and resistance to the speed of the torpedo.
In firing from submerged tubes or when a torpedo is immersed for some time
before it is started for its run it is necessary to provide against the dissolution of
a soluble stop or the starting of the wound clockwork commencing too soon, that is,
before the run commences, for obviously in such cases the buoy would be liberated
too soon, which would cause inconvenience. To obviate this when a soluble agent
is used we enclose it in an envelope of thin rubber to which is attached one end of
a line, the other being fixed to the torpedo tube or held in hand or otherwise.
Then the soluble agent will remain undissolved for any length of time, but on
firing the torpedo the pull on the said line tears off the envelope and solution
at once commences.
66
In like manner when clockwork is used we arrange a stop pawl engaging with
any suitable part of it and connected to a hinged flap or water-tripper" pivotted
to the shell of the torpedo. As soon as the run commences the wash of the water
over the shell throws back the "water-tripper" which serves to withdraw the stop
pawl, thus freeing the mechanism which then commences its timed run before
liberating the buoy.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :
1. The hereinbefore described method of recovering sunk torpedos which

page_text: consist in the adaptation to the torpedo of a buoyant device carrying a line
attached to it and to the torpedo and held in position by a timed chemical or
mechanical agency, by the action of which after the lapse of any predetermined
period the said buoyant device is automatically liberated and serves to establish
a connection between the sunk torpedo and the surface of the water, substantially
as set forth.
2. The apparatus for recovering sunk torpedos consisting in the combination
with the torpedo of a casing containing a buoyant device having attached a wound
line also fixed to the torpedo and temporarily held in the said casing against the
force of an ejecting spring such as S by a stop device, the action of which is
controlled by chemical or mechanical agency adapted to act as and when required
substantially as hereinabove described and illustrated.
3. In a torpedo recovery apparatus such as is above described and claimed the
ineans of establishing a hauling connection with the torpedo consisting in the use
of a "javelin head" to which the buoy line is fixed, and a clutch and hauling line
constructed and adapted for use substantially in the manner and for the purpose
hereinabove set forth.
4. The construction and arrangement of apparatus for retaining the buoyant device
and effecting its release after the torpedo has completed its run and sunk, in order
to then establish a recovering connection with the surface substantially as set forth.
Dated this 8th day of February 1893.
For the Applicant,
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.