Improved Apparatus for Calming the Waves of the Sea.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Calming the Waves of the Sea.
BARON BENVENUTO BENEDETTO D'ALESSANDRO of Palermo Italy living at
Paris 5 Rue Picot 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 apparatus is entirely a new invention based upon scientific principles. It
consists of a thin yet strong floating solid body which when in use covers a certain
extent of sea water in so doing it forms a coating or crust under which all the
particles of water immediately covered by it are drawn together in one mass, the
solidity of which is so complete that both must be raised simultaneously if at all.
I beg to simplify my statement by a lucid illustration. If one place a square of
paper upon water and heave it horizontally with the idea of removing the same you
The same
endure a great resistance as if the paper might be glued to the water.
effect is produced by my floating apparatus..
The said invention consists in the spreading out on the surface of the water a
floating and non submersible solid body composed of strips or bands varying in size
and texture according to requirements. The materials for forming this apparatus
are various but however made the application and the effect are the same; the
description therefore of one will suffice. This is composed of a net-work of twisted
hemp thread the size and meshes of which vary according to the use for which it
may be applied.
The texture of the said net-work is strengthened and rendered non-submersible
by a composition or solution of india rubber liquid with finely ground cork dust.
Uses. This apparatus may be used to preserve every kind of ship and to make
it possible for it to land near a coast. 2) To pass a bar. 3) To facilitate the
entry of a ship in port. 4) To facilitate the approach of fixed and floating light-
houses. 5) To prevent a shipwreck or to be of material service in preserving the
lives of the passengers and the remnants of a wreck. 6) To preserve and facilitate
maritime operations which may be in course of construction; in short to protect
anything which may be exposed to the violence of the waves.
When the apparatus, D. is used to preserve a ship S Fig. 2. and 3. battling with
contrary winds it should be of sufficient length with a proportional width to
surround the same, the strength and size of which should vary according to the kind
of ship. Figs. 2 and 3. show the apparatus, D. as it should always be adjusted in
such a case, that is stretched out in its full width on the surface of the water and
in a position which will render it impossible for it to double on itself or be cut by
the screw or be taken by the rudder.
The means or mode of attaching the apparatus to the ship is effected by fixing
thick wooden rods S. S. S. S. Figs. 2. and 3. at equal distances all round the same.
Each rod being bent at a right angle, the part placed horizontally is joined to
the shipboard, the part falling vertically run through an iminovable ring r tied
on the apparatus or net-work's border, consequently the apparatus is not disturbed
by the movement of the ship.
If this apparatus D. Fig. 1. be used to facilitate the entry of a ship in port or
its disembarkment on land or the execution of hydraulic or other necessary works
of a difficult construction it should be worked from the coast, or port M, Fig. 1.
and so be fitted to impede the formation of breakers, for this purpose it should be
fixed with buoys, O. O. O. Fig. 1. strong ropes and blocks. Signals are added to
Whether
give notice to the ships when they are in the vicinity of the sea calmer.
for coast-work or on the open sea the apparatus should be kept in readiness, so that
0 it may be immediately applied in case of emergency.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim as my exclusive right is the fact that the said invention composed of strips
or bands of various size composed of a strong floating non submersible solid body
which when spread over the surface of the water
1) Calms the impetuosity of the waves.
2) Facilitates the protection of ships and their entry into port.
3) For the protection of light-houses, coast, ports and other maritime works as
herein described.
B. D'ALESSANDRO.