Year: 1889

page_text: I RICHARD JORDAN GATLING, engineer of 297 Main Street, Hartford, Conn., U.S.A.
do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to Controlled Torpedoes, meaning thereby Boats or Launchies
carrying an explosive agent or agents, and other weapons, offensive and defensive,
which boats carry their motive power with them but are designed to be under the
control of operators carried therein, and the invention consists in the peculiar con-
struction of said boat or launch and its attached parts, and in the construction and
arrangement of its explosive-holding and firing devices and in means for operating
the same, all as hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claims.
In the drawing forming part of this specification, Figure 1, is a side elevation of a
torpedo-carrying boat and explosive-holding and projecting devices, all constructed
according to my invention, one side of said boat and an attached part being shown,
respectively, partly and wholly removed to disclose the interior thereof.
Figure 2, is a plan view of said boat or launch.
Figure 3, is a plan view of a portion of the rudder of the boat, and of the rudder-
post, the tiller, and the tiller holder.
Figure 4, is a side elevation of a portion of the rudder-post, and of the tiller and the
tiller holder.
Figure 1, is a similar view to Figure 1, but illustrating a modified construction
hereinafter fully described,
Figure 2, is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1ª.
The essential object of this invention is to provide, in connection with a light-
running and noiseless steam launch of great speed, a spar or boom capable of a change
of position, an explosive carried by said spar, improved machinery for operating said
spar or boom, a gun for throwing a high explosive against the side of the object (above
the water line) to be destroyed, and an annex or compartment for the operators of the
torpedo, attached to the stern of the boat, whereby the latter becomes a shield which
protects said operators from shots directed towards the boat while approaching its
objective point.
In the drawing, A, indicates a boat or launch, having its hull constructed, generally
011

page_text: in any of the well known ways whereby it offers the greatest practicable protection
against injury from cannon-shot that may strike its sides or deck, and of such build
or model as provides for a high rate of speed by the application of suitable motive
power. In the drawing, the deck, c, of said boat is shown depressed more or less,
below the gunwales, e, but if desired said deck may be made flush with said gunwales,
and in the latter case the gun-carriage, d, at the bow of the boat would be arranged
accordingly. In either of the above-mentioned methods of building said deck, the
upward incline thereof at the stern of the boat as clearly shown in Figure 1, is maintained,
in order that any shots coming over the bow of the boat and hitting the deck near the
stern shall find no vertical resistance and be thereby directed upward and over the
stern. One or more sight holes, a, are formed in a longitudinal line through the
stern of the boat and the adjoining end of the deck, c, whereby an operator or operators
are enabled to look towards and beyond the bow of the boat for the purpose of noting
and directing her course, and of determining when to fire a gun, as below described.
Any suitable steam engine and boiler are employed for driving the boat, the products
of combustion escaping through the usual smoke-pipe, as shown in the drawing; but,
if preferred, the boiler used may be fired by the consumption of crude petroleum or
other hydrocarbon, in any of the well known ways, instead of by the use of coal, and
under such condition said smoke-pipe may be dispensed with, and all smoke or other
indication of fire, which may attract attention to the approaching boat, be avoided.
The propeller, h, is of the usual description and is connected with said engine by the
usual shaft to which said propeller is secured.
A compartment, K, above referred to, constructed from iron plates which afford
protection to men from projectiles while conducting the operations of the torpedo, is
securely attached to the stern of the boat, A, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and extends
rearwardly therefrom, and is wholly behind and protected' by said stern, as aforesaid.
Said operators compartment has its floor, y, preferably slightly above the water-line
(as indicated at, te,) of the boat, and two vertical curved shields, 3, of metal plate,
extend from the stern of the boat and are adapted to partially enclose and further
protect the chief operator, 4, of the boat while the latter is in active service. A low
protecting shield may extend over the operator of the boat. The side walls of said
compartiment, K, extend vertically to the plane of the floor, y, thereof, and access to
the compartment is had through its top which is left open, and, thereby, in case of
accident, the operators and the engineer and fireman may enter and leave the hold of
the boat by a passage, 5, through the stern of the boat (a stair-way being provided as
shown) which communicates with said compartment.
Other means of ingress and egress to and from the hold of the boat may be effected
through the deck, c, but it is desirable that the latter shall present as nearly an unbroken
surface as possible in order that it may be better able to resist the effects of shot. In
torpedo service of the nature herein. described the operators may wear life-preservers,
and may all, in case of need, escape through and from the annexed compartment by
jumping over its sides.
An additional support for said compartment is provided by the longitudinal metallic
extension, 6, of the keel, 7, of the boat, said extension consisting, preferably, of two
metallic plates or bars, each firinly secured by one end on opposite sides of the rear end
of said keel, and having a vertical iron post, 8, bolted to its end and to the floor of
said compartment, as shown.
The rudder-post, 9, is suitably supported in a box in the floor, y, and in a step, 10,
in, said extension, 6, and has secured thereto a rudder, 12, of the form shown in
Figures 1 and 3, or one of the ordinary form as shown in Figure 1", but that shown
in Figure 1, is preferred as inducing a quicker change of the boat's course.
The tiller, 13, bas two metallic plates, 14, bolted to its sides, whose free ends extend
on opposite sides of, the rudder-post, 9, and the tiller has a pivotal connection with said
post by a bolt, 15, passing through said plates and post, whereby, the free end of the
tiller may have a vibratory motion in, a,vertical plane.
A curved tiller-holder, 16, having a series of notches 17, in its upper end, is rigidly
fixed to the floor, y, in a vertical position, and, said notches receive the tiller which

page_text: extends over said holder as shown, and holds it and the rudder in such positions as they
may be turned to, the said pivotal connection of the tiller and rudder-post permitting
the tiller to be lifted out of the notch in which it may rest in order to swing it and
operate the rudder, after which the tiller is re-engaged with the holder as before.
The explosive-carrying spar or boom, 18, preferably of metallic construction, is
pivotally attached by one end to the stem of the boat as shown, in order that its outer
extremity on which the explosive, 19, is carried may be capable of a certain degree of
vibratory motion whereby, at a given moment, or, when said explosive is to be driven
against the side of a ship, it may be caused to drop and strike said ship below its
water-line.
The above-described manner of carrying the spar-explosive out of water, avoids the
danger of premature explosion by driving it against some unseen floating object, and
provides for maintaining the explosive in a known effective condition, which is not
always the case when it is carried under water.
The said spar, 18, is supported in its normal, or substantially horizontal position by
means of the stay-rod, 20, pivotally attached by one end to said spar as shown, and its
opposite end has a tripping connection with the upper end of the stem of the boat,
whereby it is capable of being instantly detached in order to let the explosive, 19,
drop beneath the surface of the water, as, and for the purpose above set forth. The
said tripping connection is preferably constructed as follows:
The side of the stay-bar, 20, has a recess, 21, therein near its
end which engages,
as shown, with a fixed part of the boat a, o, and while said bar is so engaged, as shown,
the explosive-bearing end of the spar, 18, is maintained above the water.
upper
A tripping-lever, 22, is pivoted to the boat under the end of said stay-bar, one arm
of which is capable of acting under the end of said bar to lift it.
To the opposite, or rear end of said tripping-lever, is attached the end of a chain or
cord, 23, which passes around a guide-roll or rolls under the deck, c, as shown, and
terminates within the said annexed compartment behind the stern of the boat and
within reach of an operator therein, preferably the aforesaid chief operator, 4, said
tripping of the bar, 20, being effected by pulling the said cord, 23, thereby swinging
the lever, 22, and lifting the rear end of said bar and disengaging it from the boat.
In order to limit the downward motion of the outer end of the spar, 18, and its
attached explosive, 19, when the end of the stay-bar, 20, is detached from the boat as
aforesaid, a slack stop-chain, 24, is connected to said bar and to the boat as shown,
whereby the explosive, 19, is held at the desired degree of immersion when about to
be exploded.
The explosive 19, carried on the spar 18, consists of any well known shell-construction
containing the most powerful and destructive explosive matter, as, for instance,
nitro-glycerine, or dynamite, or any other similar material, and the explosion is intended
to be caused by the effect of the concussion of said shell with the object against which
the torpedo is directed, in any well known manner. It is obvious, however, that said
spar-carried explosive ray be fired, if desired, by means of electricity.
As a further offensive armament of the said boat, a gun, 25, is mounted on a
suitable carriage, d, preferably at or near the bow thereof as shown, by which
shells (explosive by concussion) containing dynamite, nitro-glycerine, or other high-
power explosive may be fired by the use of gun-powder ignited by electricity, and
to that end a suitable battery is carried on the boat having electric connection with
said gun by suitable conductors, 26, which extend within reach of the said operator, 4,
in the compartment at the rear of the stern of the boat.
The use of gun-powder for firing the above referred to shells containing nitro-
glycerine or dynamite in said gun is made practicable by the well known use of
some suitable compressible cushion placed between the powder-charge and the said
shell. The combined use of said gun and torpedo is much more efficient to destroy
an iron-clad ship than either one alone, for the ship is thereby struck above and below
the water-line, and said gun, using powder has a greater range and is more simple
to manage than any pneumatic gun.
As means of defense by the crow or operators of the torpedo against boats that may

page_text: he cent to attack the overhanging compartment on the stern of the boat, A, one or
more guns, 27, either of the ordinary class, or Gatling guns, are located in said
compartment, and adapted to be fired through suitable port-holes in the side-walls
thereof.
From the above description of the boat, A, and its armament, its manipulation and
its efficiency as a destructive "engine of war," will be easily understood, but its
peculiar advantages are, that it, (in contradistinction to torpedoes which carry no
operators) always carries with it the intelligence of the officer in command up to the
instant of attack It possesses the destructive power both of the ram and the high-
power gun It is positive in its action: It contains the element of certainty which
insures the greatest possible number of hits: lis range is practically not limited
while that of ordinary torpedoes is about 400 yards: It possesses, besides, the elements
of certainty of starting: Certainty of explosion: Security from the enemy's fire:
Heavy charges: Great speed to the end of the run: Directing power: Ease of
manipulation. Simplicity of construction and ease of repair, all of which are
recognized as essential to the successful operation of a torpedo-carrying boat.
The above referred to modification shown in Figures 1º, and 2", consists in attaching
a frame, H, to the stern of the boat, A, (in lieu of the compartment, K) which
extends substantially on the water-line rearwardly as shown, said frame being so
located relative to the stern of the boat, A, that any of the crew who may be on said
frame will be shielded by the boat from shots directed at its bow, in substantially tho
same manner that they are when in the compartment annexed to the stern as shown
in Figures 1 and 2. Said frame H, has attached thereto at its rear extremity, a low
sided yawl, J, for carrying an operator who may direct the boat by means of tiller
ropes, 28, connected to the tiller of the rudder, 29, or by means of a rudder on said
frame, as shown.
Said frame is provided with "rattlings," 30, or other similar intermediate lacings
between the sides of said frame, whereby the latter is made light and offers but little
resistance while moving through or on the water, and persons may move thereon from
the boat to said yawl, and vice versa.
Electric conductors are also run from the boat, A, to, or within reach of the operator
in said yawl, and also a cord or chain attached to the tripping-lever, 21, all as, and for
the purposes above set forth.
The boat being sent on its errand of destruction against a ship, the chief operator
occupies a position in said annexed compartment as shown, partially enclosed by said
shields, 3, and in position to observe, through the sight-holes, e, the course of the boat,
and to manipulate the said devices whereby the torpedo spar is dropped and the
gun, 25, is fired, and to direct the action of his assistants as the boat approaches the
ship to be attacked.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what i
claim as my invention, is.
1. A torpedo-carrying boat substantially as described, having a forwardly-projecting
spar attached to the stem thereof, an explosive shell attached to said spar, an operator's
compartment annexed to the stern of said boat extending rearwardly therefrom and
communicating by a passage-way with the hold thereof, substantially as set forth.
2. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having a forwardly-
projecting spar pivoted by one end to the stem thereof, an explosive shell attached to
said spar, a stay-rod pivoted by one end to said spar and having by its opposite end
a detachable engagement with the boat whereby said spar is supported in a horizontal
position, and a tripping-lever pivoted near the engaged end of said rod, and engaging
therewith, substantially as set forth.
3. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having a forwardly-projecting
spar pivoted by one end to the stem thereof, an explosive shell attached to said.spar,
a stay-rod pivoted by one end to said spar and having by its opposite end a detach-
able engagement with the boat whereby said spar is supported, in a horizontal position,

page_text: a tripping-lever pivoted near the engaged end of said rod, an operator's compartment
annexed to the stern of said boat extending rearwardly therefrom and communicating
by a passage-way with the bold thereof, and a chain attached to one arin of said
tripping-lever and extending to said compartment, substantially as set forth.
4. A torpedo-carrying boat substantially as described, a forwardly projecting spar
pivoted by one end to the stem thereof, an explosive shell attached to said spar, a stay-
rod pivoted by one end to said spar and having by its opposite end a detachable
engagement with the boat, combined with a stop-chain connected to said stay-rod and
to the boat, substantially as set forth.
5. A topedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having a forwardly-projecting
spar attached to the stem thereof, an explosive shell attached to said spar, a gun
mounted on said boat capable of throwing shells containing high-power explosives,
substantially as described, an operator's compartment annexed to the stern of said
boat extending rearwardly therefrom, and electric conductors extending between
said gun and compartment, substantially as set forth.
6. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having an operator's com-
partment annexed to the stern thereof, whereby said boat is caused to become a shield
against projectiles fired towards the bow of said boat, substantially as set forth.
7. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having an operator's com-
partment annexed to the stern thereof, whereby said boat is caused to become a shield
against projectiles fired towards the bow of said boat, and a gun or guns located in
said annexed compartment for firing through the walls thereof, substantially as set
forth.
8. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having an operator's com-
partment annexed to the stern thereof, whereby said boat is caused to become a shield
against projectiles fired towards the bow of said boat, a longitudinal extension of the
keel under said compartment, a post rigidly secured to the floor thereof and the
extremity of said extension, and a rudder having its post-bearings in said floor and
extension, substantially as set forth.
9. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having an operator's com-
partment annexed to the stern thereof, whereby said boat is caused to become a shield
againt projectiles fired towards the bow of said boat, a rudder having its post
extending through the floor of said compartment, a tiller-holder fixed to said floor
having notches in its upper end, and a tiller pivotally connected to said rudder-post
and engaging in said notches, substantially as set forth.
10. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having an operator's com-
partment annexed to the stern thereof, whereby said boat is caused to become a shield
against projectiles fired towards the bow of said boat, and curved shields within said
compartiment extending from the stern of the boat rearwardly, substantially as set
forth.
11. A torpedo-carrying boat, substantially as described, having an operator's com-
partment annexed to the stern thereof, whereby said boat is caused to become a shield
against projectiles fired towards the bow of said boat, the deck of said boat at its
junction with said compartment being upwardly inclined and having one or more
longitudinal sight-holes therein communicating with said compartment, substantially
as set forth.