Improvements in the Construction of Vessels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 7th May, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Vessels.
We, JOHN GROTHGAR and JOHN MORRIS GARFIELD, both of Galveston, in
the County of Galveston, and State of Texas, United States of America,
Gentlemen, 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 :-
Our invention has relation to improvements in the construction of vessels, and it
has for its object among other things to provide a construction of vessel embodying
a peculiar keel through the medium of which the distance between the keel and
covering boards is equalized throughout the length of the vessel and a vessel of
exceptional strength and advantageous construction is afforded.
The improvements will be fully understood from the following description and
claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an inverted plan view of our improved vessel, and
Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the same taken about amidship.
Referring by letters of designation to the said drawings, A indicates the hull of
our improved vessel, and C indicates the covering boards or planking all of which
may be of any ordinary or approved construction and material.
D indicates the longitudinal centre strip of our improved keel which may be of
any approved width and thickness and extends the full length of the vessel being
connected to the vessel frame in any approved manner. This centre strip D is
reduced in width for a portion of its length at its middle as indicated by a, and
the edges of this reduced portion are curved slightly outward as illustrated in
Fig. 1.
At the respective ends b, of the reduced portion a, and at the points indicated
by c, d, e, and, the centre strip is stepped laterally or outwardly for a purpose
presently to be explained, and the edges of the strip between the several steps are
curved slightly as illustrated and taper generally toward its respective ends where
tapered portions g, are formed.
h, i, j, k, l, and m, indicate the respective auxiliary curved strips which serve in
conjunction with the longitudinal centre strip D to form our improved keel.
The curved auxiliary strips are set side by side on edge as better illustrated in
Fig. 2 of the drawings, and are attached to the edges of the longitudinal centre
strip D, and to each other by any ordinary or approved means, their arrangement
being as follows:-The short strips h, occupy the space between the steps or
shoulders b, the strips i, the space between the steps c, the strips; the space between
the steps d, the strips k, the space between the steps e, the strips the space between
the steps f, and the strips m, which form the outer edge of the keel are attached
to the tapering edges of the pointed portions g.
By this arrangement and attachment of the auxiliary strips to the longitudinal
centre strip and to each other, it will be seen that a sectional keel is provided in
which all the joints are broken, whereby exceptional strength and durability are
afforded.
It will further be seen that by our improvements a vessel is enabled to carry
more cargo to its tonnage than when an ordinary keel is used for it will be seen
that our improved keel decreases the draft of the vessel.
Furthermore by the employment of our improved keel it will be seen that a
saving of labor and material is effected by reason of the distance between the keel
and covering board being equalized throughout the length of the vessel for by this
means it will be seen that straight timber may be employed for planking the vessel
and it is simply necessary to set the planks parallel to each other.

page_text: Although we have minutely described our improved keel it is obvious that in
practice such changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts may be
made as fairly fall within the scope of our invention.
Although we have illustrated our improvements as forming a flat keel, yet it is
obvious that in practice the longitudinal centre strip and the auxiliary strips might
be so constructed and arranged as to constitute a keel having more or less rise as
the latter form of keel is generally preferable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An improved keel for vessels comprising a longitudinal centre strip and
longitudinal auxiliary strips each connected to said longitudinal centre strip,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. An improved keel for vessels comprising a longitudinal centre strip having
its edges stepped at intervals in its length and auxiliary strips of different lengths
attached to the edges of said centre strip between the steps thereof, substantially
as specified.
3. The combination with a vessel frame, of a longitudinal centre strip attached
thereto, said strip being reduced in width for a portion of its length at its middle
and having its edges stepped at intervals in its length on either side of the reduced
middle portion, and the auxiliary curved strips of different lengths attached to the
edges of said centre strip between the steps thereof, substantially as specified.
Dated this 9th day of February 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.