AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR HAULING ASHORE SHIPS AND VESSELS OF ALL SIZES AND DESCRIPTION
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Jean Théophile Labat, of Bordeaux, in the
Empire of France, Engineer, and of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR HAULING ASHORE
SHIPS AND VESSELS OF ALL SIZES AND DESCRIPTION."
Sealed the 16th October 1861, and dated the 30th April 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henri Jean Théophile Labat
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th April 1861.
I, HENRI JEAN THEOPHILE LABAT, of Bordeaux, in the Empire of France,
Engineer, and of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR HAULING ASHORE
SHIPS AND VESSELS OF ALL SIZES AND DESCRIPTION," to be as follows:-
The usual mode of hauling up ships for repairs or other purposes on inclined
slips is by placing them in cradles, travelling in the direction of the length of
the vessel on wheels and rails, whercas according to my Invention I dispose
the cradle and ship in such manner as to haul the ship up broadside on, that
is to say, the length of the cradle and ship is at right angles to the line of the
ways. To effect this, there are the following conditions to fulfil:-1st, to form
a frame that can be readily connected or disconnected to suit the size of the
ship; 2ndly, to dispose, throughout the length of the frame hauling apparatus,

page_text: which shall have at the same time the same speed & the same power of
traction; 3rdly, to dispose apparatus in a manner to ensure the proper
& regular return of the vessel to the water and to force her off the slip, if
necessary.
The Invention therefore consists of improved apparatus for hauling up ships
broadside on, which apparatus is represented in the Drawings annexed, in
which Fig. 1 represents a vessel on a slip, on which slip are holding racks or
teeth; Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. The same letters of reference indicate
the same parts where they recur.
I prepare a suitable foundation in the position required, and dispose on it
parallel grooved slides or ways d, d, suitably inclined; in connection with these
I apply wood blocks c, the length of which is proportioned to the breadth of
the vessels to.be hauled up. I connect the whole of these blocks by brackets,
wood cross ties, iron tie rods, and by two transoms b, b, of sheet iron, which
may be dismounted when required, in which all the ends of blocks C, C, take.
Theso guides b, b, are connected together by iron ties h. The vessel-to-be
hauled up is chocked and shored up on the cradle, as in ordinary for hauling
up vessels, but in position transversely to the ways. The upper girder 6 is
formed of two plates, between which I placo capstan barrels i, or simply
pullies, according as chains or hawsers are employed.
The number of pullies is regulated by the amount of resistance to be over-
come, and they are distributed at regular intervals throughout the length of
the transom. The hauling is effected by means of two chains g, each acting
on a separate half of the width of the cradle. These chains, which are fixed
at the sides of the latter, pass between the guides d, d, to tho front end, where
they gear with pullies f, and are directed anew towards the front. end of the
ways, to return again round pullies f after having run on pullies e, which have
rotary motion imparted to them by mearis of gearing from a steam engine.
From pullies the chains g descend to the point which limits the backward
course of the upper transom of the cradle; in a line with this extreme limit
are fixed pullies j,j, opposite. those of the front end, the chains 9 passing over
them in the same manner, & returning on pullies, k under the cradle, fixed on
the same axis as pullies i, before mentioned. The two upper pullies f at the
front of the slip, which give motion to the ends of chains g, are worked by the
same horizontal shaft & gearing e, with similar number of teeth. Hence it
results from this arrangement that each end of chain g becoming taut right and
left to an equal degree, the cradle will receive the same speed, and the tractive
force will be transmitted to all points in the like proportion. The same effect
is produced in lowering-the cradle on the ways, the arrangement being reci-

page_text: procal, as it is only necessary to work the gearing from the back end, and
regulate the speed by means of a brake placed on the horizontal shaft, to
ensure great regularity in launching.
In the annexed Drawing, a represents the bauling up slip; m, ratchet and
pall for the lower series of pullies. The parts c, c, c, c, of the cradle are repre-
sented as sliding in ways d, d; they may, however, run on rollers in grooves
made in the ways, as is usual in hauling up vessels in general, end on. Tho
girders 6 are also shown all of the same length, bent in order to facilitate the
hauling up of vessels of various lengths, the cradle may be formed of two parts
and united by bolts, in which case an arrangement of the chains, similar to the
one above described, will be required for each part of the cradle frame sepa-
rately; the shaft 7, which works the centre pullies of the first frame, should be
connected to another shaft, on a second frame, so as to impart the same speed
to both. Only one of these frames or cradles is necessary for hauling up small
vessels, so that an apparatus constructed to carry a vessel of large dimensions
will perform the same services as two, three, or more apparatus for carrying
small vessels only. The space between the two bars c;; c, is left free, so as to
allow of a vessel being shored up, if required, between the ways d, when the
cradle may be withdrawn from beneath and employed in other similar opera-
tions. This apparatus may also be used in launching vessels either end or
broadside on to the shore; for this purpose it is only necessary to arrange
horizontal intermediate ways at the upper part, at right angles to the ways of
the slip; the operation is effected by placing the cradle in the horizontal ways,
& when it has reached the ways of the inclined slip, the vessel is there held,
while the cradle is withdrawn, for the purpose of applying it to carry the vessel
down the inclined slip, thus the launching is readily effected.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henri Jean Théophile Labat in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th October 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRI
JEAN THEOPHILE LABAT, of Bordeaux, in the Empire of Erance,. Engineer,
and of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said

page_text: Henri Jean Théophile Labat, Her special licence that I, the said Henri Jean
Théophile Labat, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Henri Jean Théophile Labat, my executors, administrators, and
ássigns, 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 "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR HAULING ASHORE SHIPS AND VESSELS OF ALL
SIZES AND DESCRIPTIONS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Henri Jean Théophile Labat, 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 immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henri Jean Théophile Labat, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
My Invention refers to an improved apparatus for hauling up ships and
vessels. The usual mode of hauling up ships is in the direction of the length
of the vessel by means of a cradle sliding in grooves formed on an inclined
plane, whereas according to my Invention the ship is hauled up broadside on;
to effect which there are the following conditions to fulfil:-1rst, to form a
frame that can be easily disconnected or connected to suit the size of the
vessel; 2dly, to dispose, throughout the length of the frame, hauling apparatus,
which shall have at the same moment the same speed and the same power of
traction; 3rdly, to dispose apparatus in a manner to ensure the proper and
regular return of the vessel to the water, and to force her off the slip, if
necessary.
The Invention therefore consists of improved apparatus for hauling up ships
broadside on, which apparatus is represented in the annexed Drawings,
wherein Fig. 1 represents a vessel on the slip, on which slip are holding racks
or teeth; Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. The same letters of referenco indicate
the same parts where they recur.
I prepare a suitable foundation in the position required, and dispose on it
parallel grooved slides or ways d, d; suitably.inclined in connection with these
apply wood blocks c, the length of which are proportioned to the breadth of

page_text: the vessels to be hauled up. I connect the whole of these blocks by brackets,
wood cross ties, iron tie rods, and by two transoms b, b; of sheet iron, which
may be dismounted when required, in which all the ends of blocks c, c,
take. These girders b, b, are connected together by iron ties h; the vessel to
be hauled up is chocked and shored up on the 'cradle, as in ordinary. for
hauling up vessels, but in position transverse to the ways. The upper girder
is formed of two plates, between which I place capstan barrels i, or simply
pulleys, according as chains or hawsers are employed. The number of
pulleys i is regulated by the amount of resistance to be overcome, & they are
distributed at regular intervals throughout the length of the transom. The
hauling is effected by means of two chains g, each acting on a separate
half of the width of the cradle. These chains, which are fixed at the sides of
the latter, pass between the guides d, d, to the front end; where they gear
with pulleys f, and are directed anew towards the front ends of the ways,
to return again round pulleys f, after having run on pulleys i, and so on until
they reach the upper centre pulleys f, which have rotary motion imparted to
them by means of gearing e from a steam engine. From pulleys f the chains g
descend to the point which limits the backward course of the upper transom
of the cradle; in a line with this extreme limit are fixed pulleys j, j, opposite
those of the front end, the chains 9 passing over them in the same manner, and
returning on pulleys k under the cradle, fixed on the same axes as pulleys i,
before mentioned. The two upper pulleys f, at the front of the slip which give
motion to the ends of chains 9, are worked by the same horizontal shaft / and
gearing e, with similar number of teeth. Hence it results from this arrange-
ment that each end of chains g become taut right and left to an equal degree,
the cradle will receive the same speed & tractive force, which will be trans-
mitted to all points in the like proportion. The same effect is produced in
lowering the cradle on the ways, the arrangement being reciprocal,.as. it is only
necessary to. work the gearing from the back end, and regulate the speed
by means of a brake placed on the horizontal shaft to ensure great regularity
in launching.
In the annexed Drawing, a represents the hauling-up slip; m, ratchet and
pawl for the lower series of pulleys; the parts c, c, c,. c,. of the cradle are
represented as sliding in ways d, d, they may however run on rollers in
grooves made in the ways as is usual in hauling up vessels in general end on.
The girders b are also shown all of the same length, but in order to facilitate
the hauling up of vessels of various lengths, the cradle may be formed of two
parts and united by bolts, in which case an arrangement of the chains
similar to the one above described will be required for each part of the cradle

page_text: -frame separately; the shaft which works the centre pullies of the first
frame should be connected to another shaft on a second frame so as to
impart the same speed: to .both, only one of these frames or cradles are
(necessary for hauling up, a small vessel, so. that an apparatus constructed to
"carry a vessel of large dimensions will perform 'the sanie services as two, three,
or more apparatus for carrying: small vessels only. The space between the
tie bars c, c, is left free so as to allow of a vessel being shored up if required
between the ways d,.when the cradle may be withdrawn from beneath and
'employed in other similar operations. "
j.
This apparatus may also be used in launching vessels either end or broad-
side on to the shore.: For this purpose it is only necessary to arrange hori-
zontal intermediate ways at the upper part.at right angles to the ways of
the slip. The operation is effected by placing the cradle in the horizontal
.ways, and when it has reached the ways of: the inclined slip it is there held
Awhile the cradle is withdrawn: for the purpose of applying. it. to. carry the
vessel down the inclined slip, thus the launching is readily effected..
My system presents the .following advantages.:-Irst, the hauling up of
vessels. broadside on does not require so large a space on the shore as when
hauling up end on, and the vessel is more readily established on her. cradle,
especially where there is a current or streami. 2dly, the strain on with-
drawing the vessel from the. water is less considerable, as she is not required
to be lifted so great a height: 3dly, the frame being. easily disconnected,
its.length for ships. of small: dimensions can be readily diminished...4thly,
on a slip disposed for very long ships two or more smaller ones can be
established, and in case of numerous repairs being required after hauling
up the ship on the shore at the front end of the slip, the frame can. be
withdrawn and used anew without any difficulty; lastly, a similar apparatus
placed in a ship-building yard may be very advantageously applied to the
launching of vessels built at right angles or horizontal to the slip. It suffices
for that purpose to arrange. from the top end of the slip. in the yard
intermediate horizontal ways at right angles to the ways on the slip; the
frame is fitted.in the horizontal ways and when the ship has got well over
the ways of the inclined, slip she is there fastened, the frame is then. with-
.drawn and slid beneath the ship: on the inclined ways, and the launching: is
effected 'as for a vessel which had been hauled up on the slip as usual.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
(which the same is to be carried into effect, I do not confine myself to the
precise details. herein described, nor likewise, to the strict shape of the
apparatus ör portions of the apparatus hercini described. and shown in the

page_text: annexed Drawings, as such may be somewhat modified without departing
from the nature of the said Invention; but what I claim as being of my
Invention is, the improved apparatus herein described by means of which
ships and vessels are hauled up broadside on, and also end on if required, as
has been practised heretofore, the advantages of such a system being those
herein-above specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Jean Théophile Labat, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
T. LABAT. (L.S.)