IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' FENDERS
Year: 1884

page_text: J, GEORGE BARNLEY, of 7, Albany Terrace, Dundee, in the County of Forfar,
Scotland, Wesleyan Minister, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' FENDERS, to be as follows:-
I attach, along the sides, at the deck line, a shield, having the appearance of a
projecting moulding. This shield is made to move inwards, on being struck, or ou
pressure. Springs, of strength, and number, varying according to the tonnage of
the vessel, are placed within the shield, and thus the force of a collision, or other
contact, is diminished. I further reduce the danger by arming the stem, or prow,
of a ship with a similar shield & springs. And I propose to attach the same kind
of guards to wharves, or piers, or other places with which ships come into contact.
FAL
1004

page_text: I, GEORGE BARNLEY, Wesleyan Minister, Gale Villas, Ambleside, Westmoreland,
formerly of 7, Albany Terrace, Dundee, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' FENDERS" and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :—
I protect a ship, or other navigable vessel, against the effects of collision, by
arming it with a compressible shield, or shields, which may be attached at any
part where its use would be deemed an advantage, but I prefer to place it
1. Along the sides, at the level of the deck, where its appearance may be that of
an ornamental moulding.
2. Down the stem of a vessel, where it ends at a considerable height from the
water, so as not to impede the progress of the ship
Or 3. I make it to slide up and down, at the stem, being adjustible to any height
where forcible contact is imminent.
The shield, when permanently attached, is held firmly in its place by bolts,
along which it slides freely when under pressure.
For the broadside shields I make a receiving box at the base of the bulwarks, so
as to preserve the feet of those on board from danger, when the shield is driven
inwards.
The shield derives its efficacy from springs, which are placed between it, and the
structure it is intended to protect.
I use the shield also as a guard, attached to the face of wharves, and Piers at
which ships are laid to receive their cargoes, or passengers.
The following letters & figures refer to the Drawings which shew the nature of
the Invention, and which are deposited herewith:-
Figure 1. A. Deck of Ship.
B. Bulwark; so constructed as to allow free action to the shield
when under compression.
C. Broadside of the Ship.
D. The newly invented Shield, shewing section of same.
a. a. a. Oblong openings which pass under the heads, and along
the sides of bolts, (by which the shield is held to the deck)
affording free action inwards when under pressure from
the outside.
b. b. b. Guide bolts answering the same purpose as a. a. a. only
that they are inserted in the side planking.
c. c. One of the springs which are placed at intervals within
the shield. The spring may be of any shape;-as
circular, spiral, or made to utilize atinospheric com-
pression.
d. Boxing at the base of bulwarks to receive the shield
when under pressure, and to protect the feet of men on
board.
c. c. A provision for allowing the shield to pass by the
stanchions.

page_text: gure 11. A. A. The true stem of the smp.
B. The stem shield.
a. a. Blocks fastened to the stem into which bolts are placed
for holding the shield in position.
b. b. b. b. Oblong openings made to slido along the bolts at a. at. SO
allowing free action to the shield when under pressure.
c. c. c. Springs of any approved construction for giving the
shield its necessary elasticity.
d. Lower extremity of Shield left open.
Figure III. A. Stem of the Ship.
B. The Shield, or Fender made adjustible to any level at which its
interposition may be needful.
a. The compressible face of the Fender.
b. A spring which yields, on pressure at a. The spring
may be of any suitable construction.
c. c. c. Rollers for facilitating the raising, or lowering the shield
to any desired level.
d. A chain connecting the shield, or fender, with any
apparatus on the deck for altering its position.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
(1) The application to a ship's sides, and stem, or to a wharf, of a fender of
metal, or other suitable material, backed by springs to absorb the energy of
collision, substantially as shown, and described.
(2) The spring shield, moveable on a ship's stem, substantially as shown and
described.
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1004