IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MERCHANT SHIPS: OTHER VESSELS, IN MOTIVE POWERS, PROPULSION, AND BOILER FURNACES
Year: 1857

page_text: Sealed the 23rd April 1858, and dated the 31st October -1857.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Bell. Galloway:
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 31st October 1857.
I, GEORGE BELL GALLOWAY, of 42, Basinghall Street, in the City of
London, Engineer and Shipowner, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Inventions for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MERCHANT SHIPS:
OTHER VESSELS, IN MOTIVE POWERS, PROPULSION, AND BOILER FURNACES,"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the improvements herein-after described,
in the first place, in ships and other vessels, and secondly, improvements'
in motive powers, propulsion, and boiler furnaces.
The vessels are constructed with a series of flat hollow pipes or
channels, and the upper part between the bulwark and the bends of the
vessel, of such form as may be adapted to the build of. the vessel, such
pipes or channels being larger in the section near the bulwarks, and
smaller in proportion as required.
Cork, or other suitable air and water tight substance, is inserted in
these tubes, by and through which the fastenings to the vessel's planking.
and timbers is effected (where required). I also insert tubes between
the timbers and under the water line of the vessel and also underneath
or at the bottom (the object being to produce buoyancy and speed,

page_text: together with the means to preserve life in case of disasters, ship-
wreck, &c.
In order to produce much greater speed and buoyancy, I arrange and
affix the pipes or channels at the bottom parts in the construction of
new vessels.
In small vessels or boats, instead of having the air-tight compart-
ments inside or under the seats (as is now the general practice), I affix
around the top sides above the water line air-tight tubes or channels,
made especially light for such purposes, and as a means of lowering
said small vessels when required at sea or elsewhere in cases of
emergency. I affix a sling with a leading block or thimble in the centre,
such sling is attached to each side both fore and aft of the vessel. A rope
fastened to a cleet or pin and passes through the leading blocks which
are secured to the bottom of the boat, and also affixed to the ring.
bolts fore and aft, is the means by which the vessels are suspended and
lowered, the object being to enable the parties whose lives depend upon
such means of preservation to get into the boats, and with their supply
of provisions, &c. &c., be safely suspended and lowered from the vessel.
In motive powers and propulsion:-The engine I denominate a planet
motion. This is effected by a hollow cylinder similar in form to the
rotary engine now in use; but my improvement consists in the internal
arrangement being constructed similar to a water wheel, upon the arms
or buckets of which I direct the action of the air, water, or steam,
such arms or buckets being kept to their proper tight position by
metallic springs and proper packing. I also apply the hydraulic engine
and air pumps as motive powers in propulsion upon the following
improved principles, that is to say;---
i
1st, I affix a hollow pipe or tube on each side of the stern of the
vessel, and affix a grating over it, I attach as many pumps or engines
as required to this pipe or water canal, and by the pressure and weight
of the water thus increased by the speed of the vessel, I obtain an
assistance to the hydraulic motive power which I produce by
compression.
In air pumps I affix a valve upon or near the top and also the bottom,
which valves act similar to the valve of the common air blast or bellows.
By this arrangement I obtain the assistance of the pressure of the
atmosphere under a suitably arranged pump or cylinder adapted for
compressing, and into this pump or cylinder I force a jet of water, the
object being to overcome friction, and keep the air plunger or piston
tight.
In propulsion, my improvements consist in ejecting or forcing under
great pressure water or air thus produced by means of the before-named

page_text: appliances from a cistern capable of receiving and sustaining a great
pressure, which when collected I apply as means of propulsion through
pipes; and also in two new forms of propellers, one resembles the form
of a fish fin, the other embraces both the exact form and mechanical
action of the fishes tail.
In boiler furnaces the boiler has an additional fire-place or fire-places,
in which it is intended to consume coke or other suitable fuel, and over
the fire or fires thus produced the flames from the coal fires are caused
to pass by a suitable arrangement of the flues or tubes. An air channel
is fixed or formed so as to extend across the front of the several fire-
places or furnaces, which air channel may be placed under the fire
doors; into this channel air is forced or supplied in any convenient
manner, and there are apertures therein with pipes or muzzles com-
municating with the fire door frames, and also the fire bars which are
hollow, and through which the air is forced or caused to pass, the object
being to increase the draft of the fires, and prevent the waste of the
fire bars and door frames.
I also (when preferred) affix a hopper above the fire doors with a
grating in a slanting direction on the top to separate the size of the fuel,
which hopper conveys the fuel upon the front of the fires, and into or
connected with this hopper I affix a lever to spread the fuel back upon
the fires, in which case the necessity of opening the fire doors so
frequently is unnecessary.
I also affix bars made upon the principle of the chain link; similar
to that used on suspension bridges, &c., but shorter in the links, in
order that it may revolve and travel upon rollers, which answer the
purpose also of bearers for the fire bars.
Those link bars I cause to travel backwards by a motion from the
engines (where required), the object being to produce, comparatively
speaking, a self-acting fire, and thus save working expenses, and the
fearful destruction of human health, and consequently life sacrificed,
particularly in ocean-going vessels by the extreme heat arising from so
frequently opening the furnace doors, and requiring such a personal
attendance upon the fires. In cases where this description of furnaces
is used, I apply the forced atmospheric air blast through a pipe or
pipes, into or by the sides of the cinder and ash-pits.
The objects of the before-named improvements; in connection with
the Patent granted to me, No. 796, dated September 30th, 1856, for
improvements in propulsion upon seas, rivers, and canals, being to
facilitate and reduce the working expenditure and means of transit to
the most distant parts of the world, and to economise time, &c. For
this object I-purpose applying the expulsion of air and or water

page_text: separately, or conjoined as a motive or auxiliary power to merchant
ships and steamers, &c., by a modification of the valves or covers at
the mouth of the pipes referred to in my former Patent, being so formed
as to act in steering and assisting the vessel round, and also by being
open at the bottom or lower part, allowing the power thus applied in
propulsion to act as an available means, (without stoppage of the
engines) to reverse the progress of the ship or vessel to which such is
applied. I also ventilate vessels and assist in working them by engine
powers
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Bell Galloway in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th April 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
BELL GALLOWAY, of 42, Basinghall Street, in the City of London,
Engineer and Shipowner, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said George Bell Galloway, Her special licence that
I, the said George Bell Galloway, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said George Bell Galloway, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MERCHANT SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS,
AND IN MOTIVE POWER, PROPULSION, AND BOILER FURNACES," upon the con
dition (amongst others) that. I, the said. George Bell Galloway, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Bell Galloway, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be-particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say:
My Invention consists in the improvements herein-after described;

page_text: firstly, in the construction of ships and other vessels; and secondly, in
improvements in motive power, propulsion, and boiler furnaces.
The vessels are constructed with a series of flat hollow pipes or
channels between the bulwark and the bends of the vessel, of such form
as may be adapted to the build of the vessel, such pipes or channels
being larger on the section near the bulwarks, and smaller in proportion
as required. Cork (or other suitable air and water tight substances)
is inserted in these tubes, by and through which the fastenings to the
vessel timbers and planking is effected. When required, I also insert
tubes between the timbers and under the water-line of the vessel; and
also underneath or at the bottom, the object being to produce buoyancy
and. speed, together with the means of preserving life in case of
disasters, shipwreck, &c.
In order to produce much greater speed and buoyancy, I arrange
and affix the pipes or channels at the bottom parts in the construction
of new vessels. The tubes or channels above referred to may be filled
with atmospheric air, and are made of any suitable material, and of
such proportions and length to suit the vessel's planking, &c. The
tubes intended for the bottom parts and bows of vessels have a wedge
end or entrance to suit such positions. The bolts may have what is
termed a T-head, or the tubes may be secured or fastened by iron
bands and usual ship's fastenings. The tubes or channels have cork
or other suitable substance inserted at suitable distances (in the cross
section) to allow for fastenings, as well as at each end to allow for the
like purposes. In small vessels or boats, instead of having the airl
tight compartments inside or underneath the seats, as is now the
general practice, I aflix around the top sides above the water line air!
tight tubes or channels, made especially light, for such purposes; and
as a means of lowering said vessels when required, at sea or elsewherd
in cases of emergency, I affix a sling with a leading block or thimble
in the centre. Such sling is attached to each side, both fore and aft
of the boat or vessel. A rope fastened to a cleat or pin passes through
the leading blocks, which are secured to the bottom of the boat, and
also affixed to the ring bolts fore and aft, is the means by which 'the
vessels are suspended and lowered, the object being to enable the parties
whose lives depend upon such means of preservation to get into the
boats, and with their supply of provisions, &c. to be safely suspended
and lowered from the vessels."
ibni
The air appliances before referred to may be of vulcanized india-
rubber or other suitable tubing, and formed to an oval or other shape?
and secured to the boat or vessel by a rope lashing, or covered with
canvass or other substance which can be secured to the sides and
gunwale of the boat. I also apply another tube within the boat; this

page_text: I affix at one side across or under the seats.fore and aft. The object
of this tube is to remedy accidents which sometimes occur by boats
upsetting, as it will prevent. the boat or vessel to which it is applied
(remaining what is termed bottom-up; and as a means to prevent such
vessels from sinking, in case of being what is termed stove or strained,
and thereby very leaky, I affix one or more of these tubes conveniently
secured below the bottom boards or underneath the floor of the boat.
The tubes I prefer to be filled with gas, but they will answer filled with
atmospheric air.
The description of block or brake pulley referred to is of the following
construction, that is to say; two pulleys are affixed in a groove or hollow
channel, and a piece of wood is affixed between them,, which acts as
a brake. The men have by this appliance complete control over the
boat in lowering, and as soon as the boat. reaches the water the men
attending upon the lowering ropes have simply to let go the ropes, and
the boat is then free and clear of the ship. This break, block, or pulley
is placed at each end of the boat or vessel, and to add strength to the
boat's framing, the blocks or pulleys, after being secured to the bottom
offthe boat by bolts, have an iron hoop or band also passing to each
side of the boat, which is affixed to the planking, &c. I also purpose
applying the break, block, and pulley before described for other
purposes. Or as a means of lowering ordinary ships' boats, I affix a
roller at each end of the boat under the seat or thoft. The lowering.
rope; after passing through a block which is attached to the ring bolts
fore and aft, is passed round the roller, say, twice, which gives full
power and command to the men in the boat, as by easing away the
lowering rope they can lower themselves with the boat, and let go
as and when they please. This plan also obviates the necessity of any
hooking tackles, whereby serious accidents ofttimes occur.
"
slIn motive power and propulsion, the engine I, denominate a "planet
motion:" This is effected by a hollow cylinder, similar in form to the
rotary engine now in use; but my improvements consist in the internal
arrangements being constructed similar to a water wheel, upon the arms
ontbuckets of which I direct the action of the air, water, or steam;
such arms or buckets being kept to their proper position by metallic
springs and proper packing. The peculiarity in this motion consists
in fixing and applying rollers, which may be metallic or covered with
india-rubber or other suitable material, their number varying according
toidiameter. Their use and advantage consist in (under all circum-
stances) presenting a travelling surface to the fixed or revolving piston
oricylinder, as for example, they may be either affixed within the
stationary outside circle and revolve therein, and be kept by springs and

page_text: proper appliances up to the face of the revolving circle, or they may
be, affixed to the revolving circle, and be kept by similar, appliances up
to the fixed cylinder. I also intend applying. this motion as a pump
or air blast.
I also apply the hydraulic, engine and air pump as motive power in
propulsion upon the following improved principles, that is to say--
First, I affix a hollow pipe or tube on each side of the stem, of the
vessel and affix a grating over it, I attach as many pumps or engines
as required to this pipe or water canal, and by the pressure and weight
of the water thus increased by the speed of the vessel, I obtain an
assistance to the hydraulic motive power, which I produce by com-
pression. The hollow pipe passing through the vessel's bows, as herein-.
before described, may be made of iron or other suitable substance, and
at the joints (if any) I intend as packing to use india-rubber rings, and
secure them by bolts and plates (if required) affixed to the swell end of
the pipes; this plan will admit of a little movement or strain upon the
joints of the pipes without breakage. The pipes thus referred to may
be encased or covered with a floor or top and sides made of wood, and:
their position situated at each side of the kelson in or about the centre.
of the ship. The air-pumps are constructed with valves, &c., as herein-
before described, and have also two delivery pipes with a valve within,
and affixed to each exit pipe, which valves open and close, as required,
by the pressure of the air produced by the pump. These valves and exit
air pipes may be affixed at or near the top and bottom of the air pump,
or there may be only one delivery valve, which may be placed or affixed
to the centre of the pump, similar to the steam way in a cylinder and
steam chest. The action of the air piston produces a double effect, by
forcing as well as pumping air both in the up and down strokes. The
air thus produced may at once, by and through pipes communicating
with the water through the vessel's bottom, be made to produce a pro-
pulsive effect, or it may by the exit or delivery pipes be conveyed to the
cistern, as herein-before described, as capable of receiving and sustain-
ing great pressure. The pumps attached to the water canal may be
ordinary force.pumps; the pressure of the water contained in the water
pipe or canal which leads from and is connected with the sea through
the bows of the vessel, may also force itself through valves by the weight
and motion of the vessel (when plunging or dipping, as it is termed at
sea) into the cistern (before referred to as a receiver), for compression,
which cistern may be made of metal or iron of great strength or sub-
stance. It may be any shape or size to suit the vessel, and the position
it is intended to occupy. The position I recommend is just about or
near the foremast in merchant ships; and in that position I also purpose.

page_text: affixing my air pumps; machinery, &c.; as by this plan it allows a clear-
hold for cargo, &c. The pipes can be so arranged as to eject the water
or blast of air separately or conjoined through and out of pipes, the
orifices or exit mouths of which shall proceed through any part of the
vessel, say, near the mizenmast, at or near each side of the keel at the
bottom of the vessel, so as the air or the water shall produce the best
propulsive & steering effect.
.
.
The cistern is fitted with two or more powerful springs adjusted and
placed upon the top of valves, and when the pressure of the water or
air or both shall be of sufficient strength to lift those valves, it will then
escape through the exit pipes and produce its propulsive effect. I alsc
apply the pressure or power thus concentrated and produced within this
cistern as a motive power in connection with or by hydraulic engines,
which may be of the ordinary construction, or in or by the motion I have
herein-before described under the name of a planet motion, and such.
powers will act as a motive or an auxilliary power in connection with
the vessel's sails or steam powers. The peculiarity and advantage of
my improved propeller, which I denominate the "fish fin," consists
more particularly in being broadest at the boss, which instead of being
of great thickness, and thereby offering resistance to the vessel's pro-
gress, is made much longer and in a direct line with the shaft, which
shaft may be reduced equal to the thickness of the boss to which the
propeller is attached, and have bolts passing through it, by which the
propeller affixed to the boss may be properly secured. The angle of
the propeller will be in proportion to its length or pitch, and the speed
of the engines and their form resemble the fished fin, except that it is
rather broader; at the boss it is made of iron, and has only one fin or
blade. It is intended to affix two of this form of propeller upon the same
shaft, placed at suitable distances one before the other. The propeller.
I denominate the "fishes tail" is constructed by inserting and affixing
flat metallic springs in a socket which is attached to a shaft. This
shaft I cause mechanically. to vibrate and oscillate by excentric motions
or cranks affixed to and worked by a revolving shaft or direct action
from the motive power. The rods or crank motions thus attached to
the shaft in which the propeller is fitted work through stuffing boxes:
which are affixed to the sides of the water canal, in which the propeller
shaft and the propeller will be partly encased in order to admit of the
mechanical action. The water tube may be a continuation of the
two pipes or water canal extending from the bow of the vessel, which
may thus terminate in one, and the shaft and propeller be affixed near
its termination. But I do not confine myself to this particular form
of propeller, as I may both reverse the action, and also use another

page_text: form of fish-tail propeller. The end of the shaft to and in which the
propeller is affixed may be secured by a bolt passing down through an
eye, or by other suitable means in order to permit the oscilating or
vibrating motion of the shaft capable of resisting the thrust, as it is
termed, or propulsive pressure of the propeller.
In boiler furnaces the boiler has an additional fire-place or fire-places,
in which it is intended to consume coke or other suitable fuel, and over
the fire or, fires thus produced the flames from the coal fires are caused
to pass by a suitable arrangement of the flues or tubes. An air
channel is fixed or formed so as to extend across the front of the several
fire-places or furnaces, which air channel may be placed under the fire
doors. Into this channel air is forced or supplied in any convenient
manner, and there are apertures therein with pipes or nozzles com-
municating with the fire door frames, and also the fire bars, which are
hollow, and through which the air is forced or caused to pass, the object
being to increase the dratt of the fires and prevent the waste of the
fire bars, door frames, &c. The air communication between the hollow
fire door frames and fire bars (which are intended to be larger than those
in ordinary use), and the main air pipe or channel referred to, are made
by pipes or nozzles of such lengths and diameter as may be required to
allow space for connecting and disconnecting. These pipes or nozzles
are fitted with a screw thread at one or both ends, and in or near the
centre part they are formed in an octagon shape for the purpose of
screwing them into the main air pipe or channel, and also the fire bars.
This main pipe will be sufficiently large to allow the screw end of the
short pipe or nozzle to work into it, and by these means the other end
of the pipe or nozzle will be withdrawn from the end of the fire bars,
into which as an air communication it is and has been affixed. This
method will admit of bars being fitted or replaced, or the connecting
of the small pipes or nozzles with the main air channel may be made by
union joints or other means to effect the like purposes. The hollow fire
bars have apertures at their sides to admit the escape of the air, and a
portion of the air also passes through them. The connection with the
fire-door frames and bridges are also made with suitable tubes and pipes.
I also, when preferred, affix a hopper above the fire doors, with a
grating in a slanting direction on the top to separate the size of the
fuel, which hopper conveys the fuel upon the front of the fires, and into
or connected with this hopper I affix a lever and crank joints to spread.
the fuel back upon the fires; or I might use a revolving motion placed
through and within the coal hopper, which motion might be worked by
engine power, in which case the necessity for opening the fire doors

page_text: so frequently is obviated. I also affix bars made upon the principle of
the chain link, similar to that used in suspension bridges, &c., but
shorter in the links, in order that they may travel upon rollers, which
answer the purpose also of bearers for the fire bars. These link bars
I cause to travel backwards by a motion from the engine (when
required) the object being to produce, comparatively speaking, a self-
acting hire, and thus save working expenses and the fearful destruction
of human health, and consequently life sacrificed particularly in ocean-
going vessels by the extreme heat arising from so frequently opening
the furnace doors and requiring thereby such a personal attendance
upon the fires; and for the like purposes I apply atmospheric air com-
pressed and rarified by passing through pipes or tubes underneath the
furnaces, such pipes or tubes having perforated holes to allow its regular
escapement. The objects of the before-named improvements in con-
nection with the Patent granted to me, No. 796, dated 2nd April 1856,
for Improvements in Propulsion upon Seas, Rivers, or Canals," are to
facilitate and reduce the working expenditure and means of transit to
the most distant parts of the world, and to economize time. For this
object I purpose applying the expulsion of air or water, separately or
conjoined, as a motive or auxilliary power to merchant ships and
steamers by a modification of the valves or covers at the mouth of the
pipes or orifices referred to in my former Patent, being so formed as to
act. in steering and assisting the vessel round, and also by being
open at the bottom or lower part allowing the power thus applied in
propulsion to act as an available means, without stoppage of the engines,
to reverse the progress of the ship or vessel to which such is applied.
The air or water exit pipes referred to are continued from the cistern
herein-before described, where it is compressed in order to create its
power and propulsive effect. The exit pipes are intended, as previously
described, to be affixed near to or within the stern parts of the vessel,
and the modification of the valves or covers consist in their being attached
to or at the end of the exit pipes, which valves or covers are moved
by an iron bolt or rod communicating with the vessel's deck, which rod
and appliance upon the deck resembles the ordinary ship's helm or
tiller, and this bolt or rod, to which the valve or cover underneath at
the orifice of the exit pipes is attached, can be moved as or with the
helm of the ship, which movement produces a guidance in the ship's
course by steering or assisting her round, or reversing her progress when
both valves are closed, as herein-before described. I now proceed to
describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a ship, shewing one of the air
tubes and additional rudder affixed, also the atmospheric flue 'leading
to or in connection with the air pump shown at Figure 2, Figure 3 being
a top plan view of said air pump. Figure 4 shows the manner in which
I cover boats from a ship's side by means of the appliances affixed to
the boat's bottom, "fore" and "aft." Figure 5 is a cross section of a
boat, shewing the "sling" through which the lowering boats pass..
Figure 6 is a side view of a "fish tail" propeller; and Figure 7, an
isometrical view of a "fish fin" propeller. But as I have so far described
all these Figures in the former part of this my Specification, I have
made no use of any letters of reference.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I
do not intend to confine myself to the precise arrangements in the con-
struction of the parts described and referred to; but what I claim as
of my Invention and desire to secure the exclusive use of is, the improve-
ments herein-before described, and for the purposes herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Bell Galloway, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
5 ALEX. PRINCE, JR,
Office for Patents,
GEORGE BELL GALLOWAY. (L.S.)
4, Trafalgar Square.