An Improved Boat.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Boat.
1, WILLIAM CUTHBERT Fox, of Baring Chambers, 56 Market Street,
Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, Architect, A.R.I.V.A. do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of an improved boat, which always tends to preserve the
same centre of gravity, and so retain its normal position even in rough seas, and
bad weather, and is therefore especially suitable as a "life-boat."
This is attained by constructing the boat of two complete shells, (one inside the
other, with a space between), which are suitably hinged together or otherwise
loosely connected at or about the gunwale, so that when the outer shell is inclined
by stress of weather or otherwise on either of its sides, the inner shell will retain
its normal position, by reason of the play of the aforesaid connection, as will be
readily understood by persons skilled in the art of boat building.
It will he observed that with my improved boat, scarcely any perceptible
"rolling motion" is communicated to the inner shell as it is all taken up by the
outer shell, whilst furthermore, the outer shell itself more easily regains an even
keel after heeling over than boats of ordinary construction.
Dated this Twenty-third day of May One thousand eight hundred and
I, WILLIAM CUTHBERT For of Baring Chambers 56 Market Street,
Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria Architect A.R.I.V.A. 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 :-
My invention consists of an improved boat which always tends to preserve the
same centre of gravity and so retain its normal position even in rough seas, and bad
weather, and is therefore especially suitable as a "life boat."
This is attained by constructing the boat of two complete shells (one inside the
other with a space between) which are suitably hinged together or otherwise
loosely connected at or about the gunwale so that when the outer shell is inclined
by stress of weather or otherwise on either of its sides, the inner shell will retaiu

page_text: its normal position by reason of the play of the aforesaid connection as will be
readily understood from.the accompanying drawings, wherein :-
Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section, and
Figure 2 is a plan of my improved boat, whilst,
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section on line 3, 3, Figures 1 and 2 sbewing
the boat on an even keel, and
Figure 4 is a similar view of said boat as she would appear when heeled over by
stress of weather or otherwise.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
A represents the outer and B the inner shell of the boat, said inner shell being
Moosely connected to the gunwale of the outer one by means of the hinged
connections C. The cuter shell is preferably constructed with air-tight compart-
ments at each end as well as being made with double walls.
Its inner wall a is semicircular in cross section so as to provide a guide for
certain rollers b with which the inner shell B is provided thus enabling said inner
shell B to swing as indicated in Figure 4 and so accommodate itself to the motions
of the outer shell of the boat.
The boat can be fitted with thwarts, rowlocks, lockers etc. after the manner of an
ordinary life boat and provision can be made for sailing or other means of
propulsion in the ordinary manner and the connections C can be made after
the manner of ordinary decking provided it is hinged as indicated. Springs may
be used for returning the inner shell to its normal position.
With my improved boat scarcely any perceptible "rolling" motion is
communicated to the inner shell because it is all taken up by the outer shell
and furthermore the outer shell itself more easily regains an even keel than is
the case with boats of ordinary construct.on and it can carry a larger sail area.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The herein described boat having two complete shells (one inside the other with
a space between) the inner one being so connected to the outer one as to admit of
its swinging therein substantially as and for the purposes specified and as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-third day of February One thousand eight hundred and
WILLIAM CUTHBERT FOY.
Harris & Mills,
Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.