Year: 1889

page_text: L, WILHELM BUSING, Of Oldenburg, Germany, manufactor, do mereby weet me
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to lining the inner walls of ships with sponge and it has for
its object to prevent water from penetrating into the hull of the ships through a hole
or defective part in the wall produced by a projectile or any other cause.
For this purpose sponges either in a loose state or compressed into balls and which
may be connected with each other by any suitable adhesive substance are pressed into
the so-called water-tight compartments of the ship, especially into that part of these
compartiments which is termed the coffer-dam. It will be sufficient to press in
from 160 to 180 kilograms of the spongy material per one cubic metre. This work
will be facilitated and accelerated if the sponge is compressed into balls before being
applied.
Ordinary sponges (sea sponges) such as habitually used for washing and bathing
purposes are employed. Large and small sponges or waste sponges are fitted for the
intended purpose. The spongy layer pressed as above described, into the aforesaid ship,
compartments has the property of hindering the water from penetrating into the hull
of the ship when the latter has been damaged so that the ship will be prevented from
bearing down and the defective ship walls may be repaired.
The sponge acts automatically first in completely fothering the leak, as owing to
the elasticity of the sponge the hole produced by the projectile or other means is
closed immediately after having been formed, without leaving any opening further.
the sponge layer acts, in consequence of the more and more penetrating water, as a
filter, as small quantities of water trickle through, but without being able to carry
away any spongy material, the latter, which has been moistened and thus felted, offers
to the pressure of the water a sufficient and increasing resistance.
The quantity of water entering the hull of the ship is so small that it may easily be
removed by the ordinary ship's pumps, even when there are several apertures at
different places, at the same time in comparison with other materials ordinarily used.
for fothering leaks sponges have been found very suitable for the intended purpose,
because.

page_text: These properties, such as elasticity, absorbing power, incombustibility and low
specific weight are of particular value and
2. Because this material is not exposed to corupting influences either in a dry or
in a wet or moistened condition and can be readily and inexpensively applied.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1889.
W. BUSING,
Per. L. W.
I, WILHELM BÜSING, of Oldenburg, Germany, Manufacturer, 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 :—
This invention relates to lining the hulls of ships and vessels with sponge and has
for its object to prevent water from penetrating into the interior of a ship or vessel
through a hole or defective part in the hull resulting from a projectile or other
cause.
For this purpose sponge, either in a loose state or compressed into balls is pressed
into the so-called water-tight compartments of the ship, especially into that part of
these compartments which is termed the coffer-dam. The pieces of sponge may be
connected together by an adhesive substance. It will be generally sufficient to press
from 160 to 180 kilograms of the spongy material into each cubic metre of space to
be filled. This work will be facilitated and accelerated if the sponge is compressed
into balls before being applied. Ordinary sponge (sea sponge) such as is habitually
used for washing and bathing purposes, is employed. It may be used in large or
small pieces or in the form of sponge waste. The spongy layer pressed as above
described, into the compartments of a ship or vessel has the property of hindering
the water from penetrating into the interior of the ship when the latter has been
damaged.
The sponge acts automatically. First it completely fills the leak, as owing to the
elasticity of the sponge the hole produced by the projectile or other means is closed
immediately after having been formed, without leaving any opening. Further the
sponge layer acts as a filter, allowing only small quantities of water to trickle through
at a velocity too small for them to be able to carry away any sponge.
As the sponge
becomes moistened it swells and offers to the pressure of the water an increasing
resistance.

page_text: The quantity of water which can enter the hull of a ship or vessel protected
according to this invention is so small that it may easily be removed by the ordinary
ship's pumps, even when there are several apertures at different places, at the same
time.
Sponge possesses the properties of elasticity, absorbing power, incombustibility,
low specific gravity and does not readily rot either in a dry or in a wet condition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The use of compressed sponge in the so-called water tight compartments or
coffer dams of ships for the purpose of stopping leaks and preventing the entry of
water
Dated this 9th day of April 1889.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.