Improvements in Transportable Sub-marine Torpedo Boats.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 6th Apr., 1900-Accepted, 14th June, 1800
[Communicated from abroad by ALBERT JOHN BOND BODY, of Melbourne, in the
Colony of Victoria, Mechanic.]
Improvements in Transportable Sub-marine Torpedo Boats.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to improvements in torpedo boats and the object of the
invention is to provide an improved torpedo boat suitable for transportation and
which may be carried upon mail steamers and merchantmen, as well as upon war
ships in the same manner as life-boats at present in use and which may also be
conveniently handled for transportation by rail or road when required for use in
coast defence.
They are alike serviceable to a comparatively unarmed vessel and afford a
means of protection and safety upon the high seas. My improved torpedo boat
is intended to be operated by its mechanism both upon the surface of the water
or when completely submerged, and is provided with propelling appliances, means
for submerging or raising, storage capacity for air, water, and electrical accumu-
lators, special appliances for the storage and discharge of the torpedo, for signal-
ling, for increasing or augmenting the air supply, and the force required to dis-
charge the torpedoes, and also for obviating the inflow of water during sub-
mersion.
In
An electrically driven motor is preferred for operating the machinery.
combination with such motor are the various air and water pumps, the air com-
pressing mechanism, and also the propeller and shaft. The boat is provided with a
single pivoted rudder and also with horizontal side rudders which act auto-
matically and are adapted for submerging or raising the boat, or for maintain-
ing it at any desired depth. The boat is divided into various compartments all
of which are proportioned according to the desired dimensions of the boat, the
driver's compartment, engine room, torpedo store room, air chambers, the ballast
tanks and compressed gas chamber being suitably dimensioned for their respective
purposes. The torpedo store room consists of a series of cells proportioned for
any required number of torpedoes such cells being made both air and water tight
and fitted with connections whereby the empty cells may be filled with water
when required.
The capacity of the torpedo discharge tube is equal to the storage of two
torpedoes which may be fired in rapid succession if desired, compressed air being
used for the purpose. The aforesaid torpedo discharge tube is provided with a
self-seating water-tight door operated by suitable appliances, and for the security
of the torpedoes when placed within the discharge tube special grips and safety
stops are provided. The operating connections for the aforesaid discharge tube
door and the torpedo safeguards are placed in air-tight tubes or compartments.
The boat will be provided with the necessary water gauges connected with their

page_text: respective compartments, also with a tell-tale register indicating the depth at
which the boat is submerged.
According to this invention on the cylindrical part of the hull is arranged the
conning tower, provided with any desired number of observation port-holes and
a man-hole cover which is secured by clamping bolts or other suitable devices.
The conical shell forming the forward part of the hull is securely attached to
the cylindrical part before mentioned. The conical shell forming the after part
of the hull is likewise securely attached to the aforesaid cylindrical part. The
body portion contains the engine room, which is also a storage room for the
accumulators, the driver's compartment the compressed gas and air chamber the
torpedo storeroom. provided with the torpedo tubes, which are hermetically sealed
by means of doors provided with clamping screws. The torpedo discharge tube
door is of similar construction. A flexible pipe provided with a stop valve
establishes communication between the air chamber and the discharge tube for
the passage of the compressed air from the former into the latter for the dis-
charge of the torpedo. The forward end contains the compressed air chamber,
and ballast tanks each of which is pierced by the aforesaid discharge tube
which is provided at the outlet end with a self-scating door hinged upon a
spindle having an operating lever which is attached to connecting ropes passing
round guide sheaves all enclosed in an air and water-tight casing, the aforesaid
ropes being led through a sealed tube. The after part contains the compressed
air chamber and ballast tanks which are pierced by a tube enclosing the propeller
shaft on the outer end of which is fitted a propeller, the rudder being secured to
and operated from the ballast tank. In the driver's compartment are arranged
the air pumps and their associated valves and connections for compressing the
air for filling the chambers, and in conjunction with which are also the devices
for discharging sea water which may find an entrance through an air pipe in
the conning tower.
The manner of operating the same is as follows:-
The aforesaid air pipe is placed in close proximity to a float chamber provided
with a float, and when the boat is afloat, the air enters through the aforesaid
pipe thence into the float chamber and out through a pipe (which is also provided
with a valve as an additional inlet) and passing through another pipe enters a
pump, and on the downward stroke of the plunger is forced through the valve
chamber into a flexible pulsating air bag behind which is placed a relief valve.
A high pressure air pump is used to exhaust the air contained in the aforesaid
air bag to which it is connected by means of a pipe provided with an additional
inlet valve the downward stroke of the piston forcing it through suitable valve
chambers thence by means of connecting pipes into the respective air chambers.
To provide against the inflow of sea water which will enter occasionally through
the air pipe, the float receives the pressure of the water, when it has filled the
pipe and closes the aperture leading to the outlet pipe, which remains sealed
until the rubber pulsating bag has discharged the water through the connection.
This pulsating bag is also used for removing the water from the discharge tube
to which it is suitably connected. Suitable check valves serve to prevent the
inflow of the water from the aforesaid outlet connection. The pulsating bag is
operated from any suitable portion of the driving machinery either by means of
a cam or eccentric by which compression and expansion is obtained. The air
pumps herein referred to may be ordinarily constructed pumps, but the connec-
tions to them must be as herein described. Should the chamber used for the
purpose of discharging the torpedoes at any time become exhausted of its air
supply I propose to replenish the same by producing a series of explosions therein
with the aid of any suitable explosive which may be dynamite, gunpowder, or
the like. The air so compressed would be serviceable for the discharge of signals.
for discharging the torpedoes, and for regulating the buoyancy of the boat at
such times when it is submerged. The buoyancy of the boat is regulated by
the use of pipes. The main air pipe connected with the above mentioned

page_text: means of protection and safety upon the high seas. My improved torpedo boat
is intended to be operated by its mechanism both upon the surface of the water
or when completely submerged, and is provided with propelling appliances, means
for submerging or raising, storage capacity for air, water, and electrical accumu-
lators, special appliances for the storage and discharge of the torpedo, for signal-
ling, for increasing or augmenting the air supply, and the force required to dis-
charge the torpedos, and also for obviating the inflow of water during sub-
mersion.
In
An electrically driven motor is preferred for operating the machinery.
combination with such motor are the various air and water pumps and air com-
pressing mechanism, also propeller and shaft. The boat is provided with a
single pivoted rudder, and also horizontal side rudders which act auto-
matically and are serviceable for submerging or raising the boat, or for maintain-
ing it at any desired depth. The boat is divided into various compartments all
of which are proportioned according to the desired dimensions of the boat, the
driver's compartment, engine room, torpedo store room, air chambers, ballast
tanks and compressed gas chamber being suitably dimensioned for their respective
purposes. The torpedo store room consists of a series of cells proportioned for
any required number of torpedos such cells being made both air and water tight
and fitted with connections whereby the empty cells may be filled with water
when required. The capacity of the torpedo discharge tube is equal to the storage
of two forpedos which may be fired in rapid succession if desired, compressed
air being used for the purpose. The aforesaid torpedo discharge tube is provided
with a self-seating water-tight door operated by suitable appliances, and for the
security of the torpedos when placed within the discharge tube special grips and
safety stops are provided. The operating connections for the aforesaid discharge
tube door and the torpedo safeguards are placed in air-tight tubes or compart-
ments. The boat would be provided with the necessary water gauges connected
with their respective compartments, also a tell-tale register indicating the depth
at which the boat is submerged.
But in order that my invention may be more fully understood reference is now
made to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters are used throughout
the different views to indicate similar parts, and in which:-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a torpedo boat constructed accord-
ing to my invention representing a boat say 26 feet in length, 42 inches in
diameter, and shewing the various compartments, and representations of certain
parts of the mechanism. Two torpedos are shewn in the discharge tube ready
for discharging.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the torpedo store room shewing position of the
storing tubes and the central discharge tube.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the driver's compartment shewing position
of side rudders and their attachments.
Figure 4 is a detail of the operating levers and associated parts used in con-
junction with the side rudders.
Figure 5 is a detail of the discharge tube door.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a detail of a grip for holding torpedos in position in the discharge
tube.
Figure 8 is a detail of safety stop for preventing back movement of the torpedo
in the discharge tube.
Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of the discharge fube.
Figure 10 is a diagram representing a torpedo with guide wheel in position.
Figure 11 is a detail of a door suitable for closing the tubes used for storing
the torpedos.
Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section somewhat similar to Figure 1,
but shewing only the air and water pipe connections used for discharging and
filling the ballast tanks.

page_text: A is the cylindrical part of the hull having the conning tower B, provided with
any desired number of observation port-holes and C is the man-hole cover which
is secured with clamping bolts or other suitable devices. D is the conical shell
E is the
forming the forward part of the hull and securely attached to A.
conical shell forming the after part of the hull and is likewise securely attached
to A. The body portion A contains the engine room F, which is also a storage
room for the accumulators, the driver's compartment G, the compressed gas and
air chamber H, the torpedo storeroom I, (ride Figure 2) having the torpedo
tubes J, which are hermetically sealed by means of the doors K provided with
the clamping screws L (ride Figure 11). The torpedo discharge tube door M is
of similar construction. The flexible pipe N provided with the stop valve U
establishes communication between the air chamber H and the discharge tube l'
for the passage of the compressed air from the former into the latter for the
discharge of the torpedo . The forward end D) contains the compressed air
chamber R, and ballast tanks S, and T, each of which is pierced by the discharge
tube P, which is provided at the outlet end with the self seating door U hinged
upon the spindle V having the operating lever W which is attached to the con-
necting ropes X passing round the guide sheaves Y and Z, all enclosed in the
air and water-tight casing A', the aforesaid ropes being led through a suitable
tube to the point from which the door is to be operated. The after part E
contains the compressed air chamber and ballast tanks D, E and F which
are pierced by the tube G₁ enclosing the propeller shaft H¹ on the outer end of
which is fitted the propeller I', the rudder being secured to and operated from
the ballast tank F În the driver's compartment G, I shew the air pumps and
their associated valves and connections for compressing the air for filling the
chambers H, R, and C, and in conjunction with which are also shewn the devices
for discharging sea water which may find an entrance through the air pipe K¹
in the conning tower B. The manner of operating the same is as follows:-
The aforesaid air pipe K' is placed in close proximity to the float chamber L'
having the float M', and when the boat is afloat, the air enters through the
pipe thence into the float chamber L' and out through the pipe N (which is
also provided with the valve 01 as an additional inlet) and passing through the
pipe enters the pump Q, and on the downward stroke of the plunger is forced
through the valve chamber R¹ and the pipe S into the flexible pulsating air
bag Tin connection with which is placed the relief valve C₁. The high pres-
sure air pump is used to exhaust the air contained in the air bag T, to which
it is connected by means of the pipe W provided with the additional inlet
valve X, the downward stroke of the piston forcing it through the valve cham-
bers and 71, thence by means of the connecting pipes A and B into the
respective air chambers R and C. To provide against the inflow of sea water
which will enter occasionally through the air pipe K', the float M' rises when
the water has filled the pipe C and closes the aperture leading to the pipe N,
which remains sealed until the rubber pulsating bag 13 has discharged the water
through the outlet E. This pulsating bag is also used for removing the water
from the discharge tube P to which it is suitably connected. The check valves F
and G serve to prevent the inflow of the water from the connection E. The
pulsating bag D is operated from any suitable portion of the driving machinery
either by means of a cam or eccentric by which compression and expansion is
obtained. The air pumps herein referred to may be ordinarily constructed pumps,
but the connections to them must be as described herein. Should the chamber H
at any time become exhausted of its air supply I propose to replenish same for
the purpose of discharging the torpedos by producing a series of explosions therein
with the aid of any suitable explosive which may be dynamite, gunpowder, or
the like. The air so compressed would be serviceable for the discharge of signals
for discharging the torpedos, and for regulating the buoyancy of the boat at such
times when it is submerged. The buoyancy of the boat is regulated by the use
of pipes shewn in Figure 12. H2 is the main air pipe connected with the

page_text: chamber H, and is provided with the stop valve 12 and has the branch
pipes J and K2 leading respectively to the ballast tanks S and D', the
supply of air being regulated by the stop valves L2 and M².
№2 is a
relief outlet. The water supply, both inlet and outlet pipes, are shown at the
bottom of the boat, (2 being the main inlet and outlet, connecting with the
pipes P and Q which in turn are connected with ballast tanks S and D the
supply being regulated by the stop valves R and S. To fill the ballast tanks by
opening the valves R2 and $ the water will flow into the ballast tanks S and DI
To discharge the same the air is allowed to pass through the pipes J and K
when the water will return through the same pipes by which it was delivered.
This system of air and water pipes is repeated for each of the other ballast tanks
marked respectively T, E and F.
The manner of operating and regulating the horizontal rudders is as follows:-
The water is admitted by means of the inlet pipes T into the expanding cham-
ber U the head of which is connected by the rod V to the lever W2, such lever
being secured to the spindle X carrying the rudders Y. The admission of the
water causes a rising and falling movement to be imparted to the rudders Y²,
the said movement being further regulated by the interposed spring 2³ operated
by the drivers handle 3 working in the quadrant. B³. The said quadrant is
graduated with notches which indicate certain pressures or force exerted by the
lever when retained in them. The adjustment of the side rudders by these means
serves to control the rising and falling movement of the boat. (ride Figures 3
and 4). The manner of operating the torpedo grips and the safety stops (ride
Figs. 7 and 8) is somewhat similar to the means employed for operating the tube
door C (ride Figs. 5 and 6), a watertight compartment of similar kind being
used. The torpedo Q is provided with a recess C placed at any suitable distance
from the end, into this recess the gripper D³ is inserted, such gripper being
attached to the spindle E3 which is also provided with the lever 1 which oscil-
lates in the chamber G³. The leading ropes H3 are made to pass around the
sheaves I and J3 and may be operated by the driver one part of the said rope
being attached to the end of the lever F. The safety stop K³ is placed in such a
position in the discharge tube P that it will allow the end of the torpedo to
Lutt against it. This safety stop is attached to the spindle L³ which also carries
the operating lever M³ to which is attached the leading ropes №3 passing over
the sheaves 3 and P3. These all work in an airtight chamber similar to that
used for the front discharge door and also for the gripper. The discharge tube P
is provided with a channel groove Q3 (ride Figs. 2 and 9) which is serviceable
for retaining the torpedo in the desired position and also for allowing the guide
wheel R³ to run therein. The said guide wheel R³ while retained in the groove Q
serves to keep the internal mechanism of the torpedo inoperative, but upon the
discharge of the torpedo from the tube P the guide wheel R³ is released and the
mechanism allowed to operate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is: -
1. A portable torpedo boat constructed and operated as described, alike service-
able for propulsion beneath the water as on the surface of the water.
2. In a torpedo boat of the class described the combination of the torpedo
storing tubes having removable hermetically sealed doors, and a central torpedo
discharge tube provided with a self-seating discharge door at the forward end
and a hermetically sealed door for attachment to a tube for conveying compressed
air, also connected with an air chamber, the guiding groove for retaining the
operating wheel of the torpedo mechanism, and, the torpedo grippers and hold-
fast, as described and shewn and for the purposes set forth.
4
3. In a torpedo boat of the class described, the combination of the air pump 5
with an interposed expandable and compressible air chamber, and a float for

page_text: intercepting sea water, and an outlet pipe provided with retention valves on
either side of a pulsating bag as described and shewn and for the purposes set
forth.
4. In a torpedo boat of the class described, the combination and arrangement
of the air and water tubes for filling and discharging the ballast tanks. and the
utilization of the said system of pipes to each separate ballast chamber, as
described and shewn and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a torpedo boat of the class described, the horizontal rudders in combina-
tion with their associated mechanism operated in the manner described and shewn
and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 6th day of tuil 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.