Year: 1898

page_text: I, MAURICE MARY JOSEPH OWEN O'CONOR, of Inisfale Island, Drumshambo, in
the County of Leitrim, Ireland, Captain in the Third Connaught Rangers, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to apparatus whereby sand banks, shallows and the
beds of rivers, harbours, canals, estuaries and other water ways (hereinafter
included in the term river beds) can be dredged in a simple, economical and
effective manner.
Apparatus for this purpose according to this invention comprises according to
one arrangement, two elongated vessels each formed with a large open receptacle
to hold dredged material, with a wedge like extension projecting from one side
and adapted to cause material being dredged to enter the said receptacle and with
air and water tight compartments, means whereby water or air can be caused
to enter the compartments of each vessel at will, chains or other flexible connections
(hereinafter called chains) connecting the vessels at suitable points, and hydraulic
or other mechanism located in the said vessels and whereby the chains can be
hauled in for the purpose of drawing the vessels laterally towards one another
when dredging, the arrangement being such that the vessels can be floated to any
required position and then be drawn apart to any desired extent, can then be
sunk to the river bed and caused to bear thereon so as with their chains to enclose
or surround a large area requiring to be dredged and with their wedge-like extension
pointing towards one another and slightly inclined to the river bed and can then
be drawn laterally towards one another by hauling in the chains whereby the
wedge-like extensions will be forced to partly bury themselves in the material
requiring to be dredged and, travelling in this position, will cause a layer of the
material of any desired thickness to slide up over them and into the receptacles
in the vessels, after which the position of the vessels can be altered so as to cause
them to partly turn or rotate in such a way as to bring the mouths of the
receptacles uppermost and the buoyancy of the vessels can be increased so as to
bring them with their contained dredged material, to the surface of the water and
permit of their being towed to any desired place where their contents can be
discharged.
Apparatus to operate in the manner described can be constructed in various
forms.
According to one construction each vessel is built up of suitable material such as
angle iron and metal plating, its end portions being made of hollow cylindrical
shape with tapered ends and so as to form air and water tight compartments
which communicate with one another. The central or intermediate portion of
the vessel, designed to serve as a hold or receptacle for dredging material, is made
of hollow curved section and has at one part a wide longitudinal opening the
sides of which are for the purpose of strengthening them connected together at
intervals by suitable connections, for example angle or tee irons, which may form
part of the framing of the vessel. At opposite sides of the opening, the vessel is
provided with longitudinal air and watertight chambers one of which is made of

page_text: greater cross section and weight than the other and projects from the vessel
and is made of approximately wedge shape in cross section so as to form the wedge-
Jike extension over which material requiring to be dredged will enter the receptacle
when dredging. The edge portion of this wedge-like extension is or may be
connected at intervals by ell, tee or like angle bar connections to the vessel at
the opposite side of the longitudinal opening so as to strengthen the said extension
and permit it to do its work efficiently. The smaller longitudinal chamber at
the opposite side of the longitudinal opening, is adapted to be placed in com-
munication with the air and water tight compartments in the end portions of the
vessel through openings governed by valves that can be controlled from above
the surface of the water, as for example through mechanical or electrical connections
operated or controlled from an attendant ship.
To keep the sharp front edge of the wedge-like extension buried at the proper
depth and angle when dredging, and to prevent it from tilting up by reason of
the pull of the hauling-in chains, each vessel is provided at intervals of its length
with lateral arms or projections that extend rearwardly from the vessel and bear
upon the river hed when dredging. These arms or projections are or may be
provided with rollers to facilitate the passage of the vessel over the said bed.
Each vessel is provided with valves or other suitable means whereby water can
be admitted to the air and water tight compartments therein, and to the longitudinal
air and water tight chambers at opposite sides of the opening to the dredger
receptacle, for the purpose of causing the vessel to sink. These valves may be
spring valves located in pockets in the vessel and arranged to be opened by Huid
under pressure supplied from an attendant ship; or cocks or valves adapted to be
opened and closed mechanically may be used. Each vessel is also provided with
pumps whereby the water can be afterwards withdrawn from the said end com-
partments and the smaller of the two longitudinal chambers, air being simul-
taneously admitted to these compartments and chamber from above the surface of
the water; with pumps whereby water can be withdrawn from the larger
longitudinal or wedge shaped chamber to which air is also simultaneously admitted
from above the surface of the water; and with pumps for supplying water under
pressure to hydraulic mechanism for hauling-in the chains. The said pumps are
driven by suitable motors, for example electric motors, controlled from above the
surface of the water. The pumps and their motor, are preferably placed in
suitable compartments in the cylindrical end portions of each vessel and are or
may be so arranged that the centre of gravity of such end portions shall be as
near the axis of the end portions as possible. The electric motors (when used)
may be of any suitable construction and are to be of adequate power and such as
can through suitable conductors be set in operation from attendant ships which are
intended to carry suitable electric generators with adequate driving power and
appliances, or storage batteries. The electric motors should be carefully located
in strongly constructed water tight compartments, suitable provision be made to
afford access, when necessary, to such compartments and also for strongly closing
them air tight at other times.
The pumps may be of any suitable construction, such as can be worked, through
appropriate gear, from the particular motors employed, but care must be taken
that all the connections between the electric motors and the pumps they are to
operate shall be so enclosed as to prevent, as far as possible, the entry of water into
the compartments in which the electric motors are located. Means may be
provided whereby any water that may in course of time enter the compartments be
removed. For this purpose there may be provided in connection with each such
compartment, a small pump of any suitable construction arranged to be operated
directly or indirectly from the motor within the compartment.
To one or to each end of each vessel is connected a strong armoured flexible air
tube, to which are secured electric cables, in such wise that through the tube, air
may, according to requirement, enter or leave the several compartments and
chambers designed to receive at different times air and water, (air entering as

page_text: water is discharged, and leaving as water is admitted) and, through the electric
cables, the necessary electric currents are conducted for the purpose of operating
the electric motors whereby to work, when required, the pumps for discharging
water from the compartments and chambers, as also to work the motors for
operating the hydraulic mechanism used for hauling in the chains connecting the
vessels for the purpose of drawing the latter towards one another. To obviate liability
of fracture of the air tubes and electric cables, chains may be used in conjunction
therewith for taking the strain between each vessel and its attendant ship.
In some cases, the several pumps herein before referred to, may be placed in the
attendant ship or ships and be connected by armoured hose pipes with the compart-
ments and chambers and hydraulic mechanism which they are to serve. In such a
case the pump can be driven by steam engines.
The chains for drawing the vessels together laterally are led over guide pulleys
and through openings formed in each vessel near the ends of its wedge-like
extension, and also, it may be, at one or more intermediate points, each chain or
two or more chains being thence led to suitable hydraulic hauling-in mechanism
arranged within a compartment which is preferably so located as to be at or near
the bottom of the dredger receptacle when the vessel is floating.
As will be obvious the hydraulic apparatus can be constructed in various forms.
According to one construction, each hydraulic apparatus comprises a fixed ram and
a movable cylinder that is connected to one end of the corresponding chain through
a rod which extends through a packing ring or stuffing box into a tube into
which the chain is drawn, the arrangement being such that water from without the
vessel cannot enter the machinery compartment. Suitable supports are or may be
provided for carrying each ram when the same is uncovered by its cylinder. These
supports may be arranged to be brought into position for use by the movement of
the cylinder. In some cases for using very long chains, the construction of the
hydraulic mechanism may be such that each chain is arranged to pass around fixed
and movable sets of pulleys such for example as are described in the Specifications
of other applications for Letters Patent filed by me Nos. 27047 and 29412 of 1897.
The sets of hauling-in mechanism are so arranged relatively to the longitudinal
chambers at the sides of the dredger receptacle and the volume and weight of the
said chambers are so relatively arranged that by admitting water to the larger
longitudinal chamber when the apparatus is floating, each vessel can be caused to
partly turn or rotate so as to bring the wedge-like extension near to or below the
surface of the water, after which by admitting water to the end compartments,
the vessel can be caused to sink until it rests upon the river bed, whereupon the
smaller longitudinal chamber is filled with water through the connections between
it and the end compartments, the valves controlling the said connections being
suitably operated for the purpose. When the smaller chamber has been thus filled
with water, the valves controlling the said connections are closed. During the
dredging operation, water is preferably pumped out of the end compartments
of each vessel in proportion to the weight of dredged material entering the
receptacle of such vessel so that the weight of the vessel and attached parts with
the contained dredged material shall be approximately constant and the work
necessary to be done to move the said parts on the river bed maintained
approximately uniform. After the receptacles in the two vessels have been
charged with dredged material in the manner described the water is pumped out
of the larger or wedge-like chamber of each vessel so as by the buoyancy thus
obtained on one side, to partly turn rotate the vessel in such
to bring the mouth of the receptacle vertically upwards, after
which by opening the connections between the smaller longitudinal chamber
and the end compartments and withdrawing the water from the latter and admitting
air to both the vessel, with its contained dredged material, can be caused to rise
to the surface of the water and thence be towed to any desired place.
way as
or
a
When it is desired that the two vessels shall, after being floated to the surface
of the water and towed to any desired place, be further rotated for the purpose

page_text: of discharging the dredged material therefrom, by inverting the vessels there are
provided on or in each vessel sets of suitable hauling up mechanism to a movable
part of each of which is attached one end of one or more chains
or other flexible connection that is or are led under the two adjacent
vessels and has its or their other end or ends connected to a suitable part of the
adjacent vessel, it may be to the free edge of the wedge-like extension of such
other vessel, the arrangement being such that by operating the hauling-up
mechanism on the two vessels and so drawing up the flexible connections, the
vessels can be partly rotated in such a way that the wedge like extensions of the two
vessels which at starting are projecting upwards, will be turned away from each
other and in a downward direction so as to bring the vessels into positions in
which the dredged material will fall out of the same and be discharged into the
water by gravity. Each hauling-up apparatus for thus partly rotating the vessels
may conveniently comprise a fixed ram and a cylinder that is arranged to work in
guides in or on the smaller longitudinal chamber and is connected to one end of
the corresponding flexible connection which is led around a suitable guide pulley
or pulleys. Each ram of the hauling-up apparatus may be carried as it becomes
uncovered, by supports brought into position by the moving cylinder as in the
case of the hauling-in mechanism hereinbefore referred to. To facilitate the rotary
movement of the vessels, the latter may be each provided externally around a
suitable portion of its circumference with antifriction balls or rollers..
To enable the receptacle in each vessel to readily empty itself when inverted,
each vessel may be provided with suitable means for admitting air to the upper
part of the inverted receptacle. For this purpose the portion of each
vessel in which the receptacle is formed may be provided with cocks
or valves geared to a common longitudinal shaft that is adapted to be operated from
an attendant ship and whereby the several cocks or valves can be simultaneously
opened or closed.
According to a modified arrangement, suitable for use in narrow waterways, a
single vessel of the kind herein before described is employed. In this case the
free or outer ends of its hauling-in chains are anchored or secured to fixed points
at a distance from the place where the vessel is to commence dredging, the chains
being hauled-in and the vessel caused to dredge in the manner hereinbefore
described.
Hydraulic apparatus of the kind herein before described for partly rotating the
vessels for emptying their receptacles of dredged material may advantageously be
used for turning in a rotary sense the vessels forming part of the ship raising apparatus
described in the Specification of my applications for Letters Patent No. 27047
and 29412 of 1897, the said rotary motion having for its object to alter the dis-
placement of the said vessels in the water and at the same time to raise the
chains or other flexible connections between the vessels from a position at the
underside of the vessels and beneath the surface of the water, to a position towards
the upper side of the vessels and nearer to or above the surface of the water,
carrying on them the ship or other body they support.
Data: 0-1
T
1000

page_text: 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 has reference to apparatus whereby sand-banks, shallows and the
beds of rivers, harbours, canals, estuaries, and other water ways (hereinafter
included in the term river beds) can be dredged in a simple, economical and
effective manner.
.
Apparatus for this purpose according to this invention comprises, according to
one arrangement, two elongated vessels each formed with a large open receptacle
to hold dredged material, with a wedge-like extension projecting from one side
and adapted to cause material being dredged to enter the said -receptacle, and with
air and water tight compartments; means whereby water or air can be caused to
enter the compartments of each vessel at will; chains or other flexible connections
(hereinafter called chains) connecting the vessels at suitable points; and hydraulic
or other mechanism located in the said vessels and whereby the chains can be hauled
in for the purpose of drawing the vessels laterally towards one another when
dredging. The arrangement is such that the vessels can be floated to any required
position and then be drawn apart to any desired extent, can then be sunk to the
river bed and caused to bear thereon so as, with their chains, to enclose or surround
a large area requiring to be dredged and with their wedge-like extensions pointing
towards one another and slightly inclined to the river bed, and can then be
drawn laterally towards one another by hauling-in the chains whereby the wedge-
like extensions will be forced to partly bury themselves in the material requiring to
be dredged, and, travelling in this position, will cause a layer of the material
of any desired thickness to slide up over them and into the receptacles in the vessels,
after which the position of the vessels can be altered so as to cause them to partly
turn or rotate in such a way as to bring the mouths of the receptacles upper-
imost, and the buoyancy of the vessels can then be increased so as to bring them,
with their contained dredged material, to the surface of the water and permit of
their being towed to any desired place where their contents can be discharged.
In order that the two vessels may, after being floated to the surface of the water
and towed to any desired place, be further rotated for the purpose of discharging the
dredged material therefrom, by inverting the vessels, there are provided on or in
each vessel sets of suitable hauling-up mechanism to a movable part of each of
which is attached one end of one or more chains or other flexible connections that is
or are led under the two adjacent vessels and has its or their other end or ends
connected to a suitable part of the adjacent vessel, the arrangement being such that
by operating the hauling-up mechanism on the two vessels and so drawing up the
flexible connections, the vessels can be partly rotated in such a way that the
wedge-like extensions of the two vessels, which at starting are projecting upwards,
will be turned away from each other and in a downward direction, so as to bring
the vessels into positions in which the dredged material will fall out of the same
and be discharged into the water by gravity.
Apparatus to operate in the manner described can be constructed in various
forms.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying illustrative drawings is a perspective view showing
the apparatus at work on the bed of the sea, the water, for the sake of clearness,
being omitted from that portion of the sea bed on which the apparatus is working.
Fig. 2 shows in front elevation and Fig. 3 in plan, one of the elongated vessels
to a larger scale than Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3, but showing the hydraulic rams after hauling-
in the chains and so drawing the vessels along the bed of the sea and laterally
towards one another while dredging, and also hydraulic rams for inverting the
vessels by partial rotation thereof.
Fig. 5 is a cross section showing the apparatus at work on the bed of the
sea. Fig. 6 is a cross section showing the connected vessels drawn near together,
partly rotated so as to bring the mouths of the receptacles uppermost, and raised to

page_text: the surface of the water. Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 6 but showing the
chains by which the vessels are drawn together disconnected at the centre and the
vessels connected by flexible connections for partly rotating them. Fig. 8 shows
the vessels partly rotated and the dredged material being discharged therefrom.
Figs. 9 and 10 show to a still larger scale, cross sections corresponding to the
lines A B and C D of Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a part longitudinal section on the line E F
of Fig. 9. Figs. 12 to 18 are detail views of the hydraulic rams for hauling-in
the chains whereby the vessels are drawn laterally together along a river bed,
Fig. 12 being a cross section on the line G H of Fig 13: Fig. 13 a part longitudinal
section on the line I J of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 a horizontal section on the line K L of
Fig. 12 Fig. 15 a horizontal section on the line MN of Fig. 12 showing the
ram and adjacent parts in the positions they occupy before the commencement
of the outward stroke of the ram: Fig. 16 a similar view to Fig. 15, but showing
the said parts in the positions they occupy at the completion of the stroke;
Fig. 17 a side elevation showing means connected with the ram and adapted for
operating a hauling-in chain and at the same time preventing the entry of water
to the machinery compartment, the positions of the parts being that which obtains
before the said ram makes its working stroke, and Fig. 18 a similar view to Fig. 17
but showing the various parts in the positions which obtain at the end of the
stroke of the said ram.
Figs. 15 to 18 are not to scale as regards the length of stroke of the ram; for the
sake of clearness the rams are shown of shorter stroke than in actual practice would
ever be likely to obtain.
Fig. 19 shows in end elevation, part of a circumferential girder with anti-friction
ball bearing arrangement, and Fig. 20 is a cross section thereof on the line OP of
Fig. 19. Fig. 21 shows partly in section and partly in elevation, an arrangement
of water inlet valve. Fig. 22 shows in plan, part of one of the vessels with the rams
for rotation, the rams being in the positions they occupy before making their
working stroke.
Fig. 23 is a similar view to Fig. 22 but showing the rams in the positions they
occupy after making their working stroke. Fig. 24 is a cross section corresponding
to the line Q R of Fig. 22 but drawn to a larger scale.
Figs. 22 and 23 are not to scale as regards the length of stroke of the rams, but for
the sake of clearness the rams are shown of short stroke; also for the sake of clear-
ness, the means for drawing out the supporting blocks or bearings for the rams are
not shown in these two figures. Fig. 25 shows in transverse section a construction
of cock suitable for admitting air or water to the receptacle in which the dredged
material is received.
Figs. 26 and 27 show respectively in cross section and longitudinal section and to
a smaller scale than Fig. 25, part of the dredging vessel with cock and means for
operating the same.
1, 1, (Fig. 1) are the two elongated vessels bearing upon the bed to be dredged
and connected together at intervals by hauling-in chains 2 which extend laterally
from each vessel and are adapted to be connected together at their ends, as at 25,
by suitable coupling devices, such as ordinary shackles. In the construction shown
(Figs. 2 to 27 inclusive) each vessel 1 is built up of suitable material such as angle
iron and metal plating, its end portions 1" being made of hollow cylindrical shape
with tapered ends and so as to form air and water tight compartments 1b which
communicate with one another as by longitudinal pipes 1°. The central or inter-
mediate portion of the vessel, designed to serve as a hold or receptacle 3 for dredged
material, is made of hollow curved section, and has at one part a wide longitudinal
opening 3 the sides of which are, for the purpose of strengthening them, connected
together at intervals by suitable connections 3b, for example angle or tee irons,
which may form part of the framing of the vessel. At opposite sides of the
opening 3, the vessel is provided with longitudinal air and water-tight chambers 4
and 5, one of which viz., 4, is made of greater cross section and weight than the
other (5)-and projects from the vessel 1 and is made of approximately wedge-shape

page_text: in cross section, as shown, so as to form the wedge-like extension over which
material requiring to be dredged will enter the receptacle 3 when dredging. The
edge portion of this wedge-like extension is or may be connected at intervals by
ell, tee or like angle-bar connections 6 to the vessel 1 at the opposite side of the
longitudinal opening 3* so as to strengthen the said extension and permit it to do its
work efficiently. These connections 6 are shaped to offer very little obstruction,
and may extend back in the form of plate-metal partitions into the receptacle 3,
so as to divide the same into a number of separate but adjacent receptacles which
collectively make up what is herein called the receptacle 3. The smaller
longitudinal chamber 5 at the opposite side of the longitudinal opening 3 is
adapted to be placed in communication with the air and water-tight compartments 1b
in the end portions of the vessel through openings each of which is governed by a
valve that can be controlled from above the surface of the water, as for example
through mechanical or electrical connections operated or controlled from an
attendant ship. Fig. 11 shows one arrangement for this purpose wherein the
hole 7 connecting the chamber 5 with the adiacent end compartment 1b is con-
trolled by a valve 7 adapted to be opened or closed by the rotation of an electric
motor 7 in one or other direction and acting through gearing 7° on the screw
threaded stem 7d of the valve which works in a screw threaded bearing 7.
To keep the sharp front edge 4" of the wedge-like extension 4 buried at the proper
depth and angle when dredging, and to prevent it from tilting up by reason of the
pull of the hauling-in chains 2, each vessel 1 is provided at intervals of its length
with lateral arms or projections 8 that extend rearwardly from the vessel and
bear upon the river bed 9 when dredging (Figs. 1 and 5). These arms or pro-
jections 8 are or may be provided with rollers 8ª to facilitate the passage of the
vessel over the said bed.
Each vessel is provided with valves at 10 (Figs. 3 and 4) or other suitable means,
whereby water can be admitted to the air and water-tight compartments 1b therein,
and to the longitudinal air and water-tight chambers 4 and 5 for the purpose of
causing the vessel to sink. These valves may be spring valves located in pockets
in the vessel and arranged to be opened by fluid under pressure supplied from an
attendant ship; or cocks or valves adapted to be opened and closed mechanically
may be used.
Fig. 21 shows one arrangement suitable for this purpose. The valve 10 is a
spring valve arranged within a pocket 10° open to the water and controlling an
opening 10 leading to the compartment or chamber to which water is to be
admitted. 10' is a spring that tends to press the valve against its seat 10°. 10' is
a piston connected to the stem of the valve and arranged to work in a cylinder 108;
and 10 is a pipe for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder 10%. The
arrangement is such that by admitting fluid under pressure to the cylinder 10%,
the valve 10 can be opened against the action of its spring 10 and water allowed to
enter the corresponding compartment or chamber to sink the vessel 1, and upon
exhausting the cylinder 10%, the valve 10 will be closed against its seat 10 and be
held there by the external pressure of the water in which the vessel is submerged.
10 is a screen to prevent the entrance of foreign matter to the pocket 10%. The air
pipe 10 may be common to all the water inlet valves and be led to the surface of
the water with the air tube and electric cables hereinafter referred to. Or cocks
of the kind hereinafter described with reference to and shown in Fig. 25 may be
used for admitting water to the said compartments and chambers, suitable con-
nections such as chains worked from above the water and passing around chain
wheels on shafts geared to the valves being used for closing the valves when
necessary.
Each vessel 1 is also provided with pumps 11 (Fig. 10) whereby the water can
be afterwards withdrawn from the said end compartments 1b and the smaller.
riz. 5, of the two longitudinal chambers 4, 5, air being simultaneously admitted
to these compartments and chamber from above the surface of the water; with
pumps 12 whereby water can be withdrawn from the larger longitudinal or wedge-

page_text: shaped chamber 4 to which air is also simultaneously admitted from above the'
surface of the water; and with pumps 13 for supplying water under pressure to
hydraulic mechanism for hauling-in the chains 2. The said pumps are driven by
suitable motors 11, 12, 13%, respectively, for example electric motors, controlled
from above the surface of the water. The pumps and their motors are preferably
placed in suitable compartments 15 in the cylindrical end portions 1 of each
vessel 1, and are or may be so arranged that the centre of gravity of such end
portions shall be as near the axis of the end portions as possible. The electric
motors (when used) may be of any suitable construction and are to be of adequate
power and such as can, through suitable conductors, be set in operation from an
attendant ship 16 which is intended to carry suitable electric generators with
adequate driving power and appliances, or storage batteries. The electric motors
should be carefully located in strongly constructed watertight compartments 15*,
suitable provision being made to afford access, when necessary, to such
compartments and also for strongly closing them air and watertight at other
times.
The pumps may be of any suitable construction, such as can be worked, through
appropriate gear, from the particular motors employed, but care must be taken that
all the connections between the electric motors and the pumps they are to operate
shall be so enclosed as to prevent, as far as possible, the entry of water into the
compartments in which the electric motors are located. The working part between
each motor and its pump may, for this purpose, extend through one or more long
and well packed stuffing boxes.
To one or to each end of each vessel 1 are connected strong armoured flexible
air tubes 17, to which are secured electric cables. There may be conveniently
three air tubes, one say for the two end compartments 1b one for the chamber 4
and the other for the chamber 5. The rangement of the air tubes and electric
cables is such that through the tubes, air may, according to requirement, enter or
leave each of the several compartments 1b and chambers 4 and 5 (air entering as
water is discharged, and leaving as water is admitted) and, through the electric
cables, the necessary electric currents are conducted for the purpose of operating
the electric motors 11 and 12" whereby to work, when required, the pumps for
discharging water from the said compartments and chambers, as also to work the
motors 13 for operating the hydraulic mechanism (hereinafter described) used for
hauling in the chains 2 connecting the vessels for the purpose of drawing the said
vessels laterally towards one another while dredging, and also for actuating other
parts designed to be operated electrically. To obviate liability of fracture of the
air tubes 17 and electric cables, chains 18 may be used in conjunction therewith for
taking the strain between each vessel 1 and the attendant ship 16.
In some cases as where the vessels 1 are of comparatively small size and the
bed to be dredged is at small depth, the several pumps hereinbefore referred to,
may be placed in the attendant ship or ships and be connected
by armoured hose pipes to the compartments and chambers and hydraulic
mechanism which they are to serve. In such a case the pumps can be
driven by steam engines.
The chains 2 for drawing the vessels 1 together laterally are led over and under
guide pulleys 19 (Fig. 9) and through openings 20 formed in each vessel near the
ends of its wedge-like extension 4 and also, it may he. as in the example shewn,
around other guide pulleys. at one or more intermediate points (two are shewn).
each chain being thence led to suitable hydraulic hauling-in mechanism arranged
within a compartment 21 which is preferably so located as to be at or near the
bottom of the dredger receptacle 3 when the vessel 1 is floating and not inverted
(see Figs. 6 and 7).
As will be obvious the hydraulic apparatus can be constructed in various forms.
According to the construction shewn in Figs. 12 to 18. inclusive, each hydraulic
apparatus comprises a fixed ram 22 and a movable cylinder 23 that is connected
to one end of the corresponding chain 2 through a rod 24 which extends through a

page_text: stuffing box or packing ring or rings 25 into a tube 26 into which the chain 2 is
drawn, the arrangement being such that water from without the vessel 1 cannot
enter the machinery compartment 21. Suitable supports are or may be provided
for carrying each ram 22 when the same is uncovered by its cylinder 23. These
supports may be arranged to be brought into position for use by the movement
of the said cylinder. In the arrangement shewn for this purpose in Figs. 12 to 16,
each ram 22 is provided with three blocks or bearings 22, 226 and 22° to which are
secured pairs of slotted bars 27", 27 and 27° respectively. 28", 28 and 28" are
pins fixed to the bearings 22 and 22" and the cylinder 23 respectively and extend-
ing through the slots in the bars 27", 27 and 27 respectively. The bear-
ings 22, 22 and 22 are shaped to slide in suitable guideways 28 in which the
cylinder 23 also slides and which may be provided with antifriction balls on
rollers 28 (Fig. 12). The arrangement is such that at the commencement of the
outstroke of the cylinder 23, the bearings 22ª, 22 and 22° remain close to the
fixed end of the ram 22 (Fig. 13) until the pins 28 on the cylinder reach the ends
of the slots in the pair of bars 27 whereupon the bearing 22 is caused to travel
forward with the cylinder and support the ram from the guideways 28 at the part
where it rests on the said bearing. Upon the pins 28 carried by the bearing 22
reaching the ends of the slots formed in the pair of bars 27b, the bearing 225 will
be caused to travel forward with the cylinder and support the ram in like manner to
the bearing 22. When the pins 28" on the bearing 22 reach the ends of the slots
in the bars 27 the bearing 22" will also be caused to travel forward with the
cylinder and support the ram, the various parts finally assuming the relative
positions shewn in Fig. 16. The rod 24 is supported in like manner by
bearings 29", 29 and 29 when it is drawn out of the tube 26 (see Figs. 17 and 18).
In some cases for using very long chains or other flexible connections 2, the con-
struction of the hydraulic mechanism may be such that each chain or other flexible
connection is arranged to pass around fixed and movable sets of pulleys such for
example as are described in the Specifications of other applications for Letters Patent
filed by me Nos. 27047 and 29412 of 1897.
The sets of hauling-in mechanism are preferably placed as shewn in Figs. 5
to 9 inclusive so as to be near the bottom of the vessel when the same is floating
in the position shewn in Figs. 6 and 7, and the volume and weight of the longi-
tudinal chambers 4 and 5 are so relatively arranged that by admitting water to the
larger longitudinal chamber 4 when the aparatus is floating, each vessel 1 can be
caused to partly turn or rotate so as to bring the wedge-like extension 4 near to
or below the surface of the water, after which by admitting water to the end
compartments 1', the vessel can be caused to sink until it rests upon the river bed,
whereupon the smaller longitudinal chamber 5 is filled with water through the
connections between it and the end compartments 1, the valves 7* controlling
the said conections being suitably operated for the purpose. When the smaller
chamber 5 has been thus filled with water, the valves 7 controlling the said
connections 7 are closed. During the dredging operation, water is preferably
pumped out of the end compartments 1 of each vessel in proportion to the weight
of dredged material 9" entering the receptacle 3 of such vessel so that the
weight of the vessel and attached parts, with the contained dredged material, shall
be approximately constant, and the work necessary to be done to move the said
parts on the river bed 9 maintained approximately uniform. After the receptacles:
in the two vessels 1 have been charged with dredged material 9ª in the manner
described, the water is first pumped out of the larger or wedge-like chamber 4 of
each vessel so as, by the buoyancy thus obtained on one side, to partly turn or rotate
the vessel in such a way as to bring the mouth 3 of the receptacle 3 vertically
upwards, after which by opening the connections between the smaller longitudinal
chamber 5 and the end compartments 1b and withdrawing the water from the
latter and admitting air to both, the vessel 1 with its contained dredged material,
can be caused to rise to the surface of the water (see Fig. 6) and thence be towed
to any desired place.

page_text: When each end of each vessel 1 is provided with air tubes 17, those not required for
use at one end, 'may be connected to a buoy.
The hauling-up apparatus for partly rotating the vessels 1 for discharging their
contents by gravity may, as shown in Figs. 22, 23 and 24, conveniently comprise
two fixed rams 30 and two cylinders 31 that are arranged to work in guides 32 in
or on the smaller longitudinal chamber 5. To each cylinder 31 is or are connected
one or more flexible connections 33, (two are shown) which is or are led around
a suitable guide pulley or pulleys 33, and thence under the two adjacent vessels 1
as shown in Fig. 7, the other end of the said flexible connection or connections
being secured to the free edge of the wedge like extension 4 of the vessel 1 that
does not carry the hauling-up mechanism for such connection or connections.
Each ram 30 of the hauling-up apparatus may be carried as it becomes uncovered,
by bearings or supports brought into position by the moving cylinder 31 as in the
case of the hauling-in mechanism hereinbefore described with reference to and
shewn in Figs. 12 to 18 inclusive. As will be seen the arrangement is such that
when the cylinders 31 are caused to make their outstrokes and haul-up the flexible
connections 33, the vessels 1 will be caused to turn into the positions shewn
approximately in Fig. 8 in which their contents will be discharged by gravity.
To facilitate the rotary movement of the vessels 1, the latter may be each provided
externally around à suitable portion of its circumference with antifriction balls
or rollers 34 as shewn in Figs. 19 and 20.
To enable the receptacle 3 in each vessel to readily empty itself when inverted,
each vessel 1 may be provided with suitable means for admitting air to the upper
part of the inverted receptacle. For this purpose the portion of each vessel in
which the receptacle is formed may be provided with cocks or valves 35 the stems
of which are geared, as by worm gearing 36, (Figs. 25, 26 and 27) to a common
longitudinal shaft 37 which is adapted to be operated from a hand wheel 38
through bevel gearing 39 and whereby the several cocks or valves can be
simultaneously opened or closed.
According to a modified arrangement, suitable for use in narrow waterways, a
single vessel 1 of the kind hereinbefore described is employed. In this case the
free or outer ends of its hauling-in chains 2 are anchored or secured to fixed points
at a distance from the place where the vessel is to commence dredging, it may be
to the shore, or to submerged anchors, the chains being hauled in and the vessel
caused to dredge in the manner hereinbefore described.
Hydraulic apparatus of the kind hereinbefore described with reference to and
shewn in Figs. 22, 23 and 24, for partly rotating the vessels 1 for emptying their
receptacles of dredged material 9", may advantageously be used for turning,
on a rotary sense, the vessels forming part of the ship raising apparatus described
in the Specifications of my said former applications for Letters Patent Nos. 27047
and 29412 of 1897, the said rotary motion having for its object to alter the dis-
placement of the said vessels in the water and at the same time to raise the chains
or other flexible connections between the vessels from a position at the underside
of the vessels and beneath the surface of the water, to a position towards the upper
side of the vessels and nearer to or above the surface of the water and carrying on
them the ship or other body they support.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. Apparatus for dredging shoals, sand-banks, rivers and other waterways,
comprising two vessels which are capable of being sunk to the bed of the
waterway to be dredged and of being afterwards refloated, and which
are each provided with one or more open receptacles for receiving dredged
material and with a part adapted to direct material being dredged into the said
receptacle or receptacles, and with draught devices whereby the two vessels can,

page_text: when sunk, be caused to travel towards each other over the said bed and cause a
portion thereof to enter the said receptacles as set forth.
2. Dredging apparatus of the kind specified in Claim 1 wherein the two vessels
are provided with hollow wedge shaped projections to cause material being dredged
to enter the respective receptacles and the two vessels are connected together by
flexible connections and provided with hydraulic mechanism located within them
and whereby the flexible connections can be drawn into the vessels and the
latter thereby caused to approach each other in a lateral direction to effect the
dredging operation, as set forth.
3. In dredging apparatus, the combination with a dredging vessel capable of
being sunk and drawn over the bed to be dredged of arms or projections extending
from such vessel and adapted to bear upon the said bed so as to retain the vessel in
the proper dredging position during the dredging operation, substantially as
described.
4. In dredging apparatus of the kind herein referred to, elongated vessels each
capable of being rotated about a horizontal axis and formed with air and water-
tight end compartments and machinery spaces, with a central open receptacle or
receptacles for dredged material, with longitudinal air and watertight chambers
arranged at the opposite sides of the opening leading to the receptacle or receptacles
and one of which is made larger than the other and in the form of a wedge-like
extension, and with arms or projections extending laterally from the vessel in an
opposite direction to the said wedge-like extension and provided or not with anti-
friction rollers, the said vessel being provided with means whereby air can enter
and leave the said compartments and chambers, with means whereby water can
be admitted to and afterwards shut off from the said compartments and chambers,
with means whereby water can be afterwards withdrawn from and air admitted
to the said compartments and chambers, and with hauling-in mechanism whereby
the said vessel can, when sunk onto the bed of the waterway to be dredged, be drawn
over the same so as to cause a portion of the said bed to enter the said receptacle or
receptacles, substantially as described.
5. In dredging apparatus, the combination with a floating vessel capable of
being partly rotated for the purpose of discharging dredged material therefrom, of
hauling-up mechanism carried by the said vessel and whereby flexible connections
attached to the movable parts of such hauling-up mechanism, passing under the
vessel, and attached to points external to and separate from such vessel, can
be hauled-up so as to rotate such vessel for the purpose set forth.
6. In dredging apparatus of the kind herein described, the combination with
cach of the vessels that are capable of being sunk and refloated, and of being moved
towards each other by flexible connections that are drawn into the vessels by
hauling-in mechanism therein, of additional hauling mechanism carried by each
vessel and whereby other flexible connections can be hauled-up for the purpose of
partially rotating the said vessels about horizontal axes and discharging dredged
material therefrom, substantially as described.
7. In dredging apparatus of the kind herein referred to, the combination with each
dredging vessel provided with a receptacle for dredged material, with a wedge
like extension for guiding the said material into the receptacle, and with transverse
inclined openings arranged near the ends of the said receptacle, of sets of hauling-
in mechanism arranged to work longitudinally within the vessel, longitudinally
arranged tubes each in communication at one end with one of the transverse
openings and at the other end with the machinery compartment, and packing
devices located in the said tubes, each set of hauling-in mechanism comprising
a hydraulic ram and cylinder and a rod which is located in one of the said
tubes, is connected at the inner end to the movable cylinder or ram and at the
outer end to a flexible connection working through the corresponding inclined
transverse opening and around guide pulleys, and is arranged to work in a water-
tight manner through the packing in the corresponding tube, substantially as
described.

page_text: 8. In dredging apparatus of the kind herein referred to, the combination with
each of the dredging vessels, of sets of hauling-up mechanism for turning the
vessels about their longitudinal axes for the purpose of emptying the dredger
receptacles, each set of such hauling-up mechanism comprising a hydraulic
cylinder and ram arranged longitudinally upon the vessel and one of which is
movable, and flexible connections which are fastened at one end to the movable
cylinder or ram on one vessel, are carried around guide rollers and under the
vessels, and are attached at their other ends to the other vessel, substantially as
described.
9. In dredging apparatus of the kind herein referred to, the arrangement of
air inlet valves in the bottom of the receptacle of each vessel, and means for operating
the said valves, whereby, after the vessel has been inverted, air can be admitted to
the top of the inverted receptacle for the purpose of facilitating the discharge of
dredged material therefrom, as set forth.
10. The improved dredging apparatus, constructed, arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in the
drawings annexed, or modified by the use of a single vessel, the outer ends of the
flexible connections 2 being then anchored or secured to fixed points at a
distance from the place where the vessel is to commence dredging, substantially
as described.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.