IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HOPPER DREDGERS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Simons and Andrew Brown, both of
the Town and County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineers and
Shipbuilders, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HOPPER
DREDGERS."
Sealed the 13th August 1872, and dated the 16th February 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Simons and
Andrew Brown at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 16th February 1872.
We, WILLIAM SIMONS and ANDREW BROWN, both of the Town and
County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineers and Shipbuilders, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM HOPPER DREDGERS," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the arrangement or
construction of steam hopper dredgers, consists in forming the hull
with a hopper on each side of the well through which the dredging

page_text: ladder and buckets pass, and in order to increase the strength of the
hull, hoppers placed as hitherto aft the dredging apparatus are formed
curved or circular at the opening in place of rectangular or with flat
sides, and may be decked over as usual with a small hatch opening to
receive the dredgings.
Another feature of this Invention is to place the hopper at the bow
end of the vessel, so that the aft end of the bucket well or wells may be
curved or slanted aft to diminish the resistance in passing through the
water when the vessel is being navigated at sea.
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Another feature consists in forming the hull with the hopper 10
receptacle constructed on the deck, having doors to discharge the
dredgings or spoil near the water level, so as to enable the spoil to
be deposited from the vessel in shoal water and to form banks.
The doors with which the hoppers are provided for discharging are
under this Invention fitted with slides, so that they may be drawn 1
upwards or in any other direction by means of screws, levers, or other
mechanical equivalent when it is required to empty the hopper. Such
sliding doors may also be applied to all classes of hopper dredgers.
In hopper dredgers constructed for operating in shallow water, and
where the soil or bottom is earthy, sandy, or of a friable character, in 2
place of discharging the dredgings through hopper doors the dredger is
provided with one or more discharge tubes passing to the outside over
or under the deck, through which the dredgings are discharged by
centrifugal action or by an induced current on to a river bank or other
suitable place of deposit.
Another feature of this Invention more particularly relates to operating
in harbours, and alongside of quay walls, rivers and canal banks, in
order to perform such dredging and spooning work as is now principally
effected by hand labour, and this consists in constructing the hull with
two bucket wells, one on each side of the hopper.
Another feature of this Invention consists in forming the bow or stern
end of the vessel open at the end of the bucket well, so that the dredging
ladder and buckets may project out from the hull in order to excavate a
channel on a very shallow draught of water. In this arrangement the
hopper may be placed forward, aft, or at the sides.
2
3
3

page_text: Another feature of this Invention consists in constructing the hull of
the vessel with the hopper sides nearly perpendicular, and applying one
or more steam derrick or other cranes on deck, having each one or more
dippers or lifters to lift the spoil from the hopper hold to a river bank,
spoil bank, or other suitable place of deposit.
Another feature of this Invention consists in forming the upper part
of the bucket ladder curved downward or bent to extend into or over the
hopper, suitable guides for the buckets being placed on the ladder or
framework in order that the buckets may deliver the dredgings or spoil
into the hopper, and thus prevent the loss that has hitherto occurred by
the dredgings or spoil falling through the well.
We also improve the hopper dredger by substituting in place of the
usual bucket ladder the pump commonly known as a "chain pump."
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Simons and Andrew Brown in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 15th August 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
SIMONS and ANDREW BROWN, both of the Town and County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Engineers and Shipbuilders, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the 35th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto us, the said William Simons and Andrew Brown, Her special
license that we, the said William Simons and Andrew Brown, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
William Simons and Andrew Brown, our executors, administrators, or
assigns, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HOPPER DREDGERS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said William Simons

page_text: and Andrew Brown, by an instrument in writing under our 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 we, the said William Simons and Andrew
Brown, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to
the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
Our said Invention, which relates to improvements in the arrange-
ment or construction of steam hopper dredgers, consists in forming the
hull with a hopper on each side of the well through which the dredging
ladder and buckets pass, and in order to increase the strength of the
hull, hoppers are formed curved or circular at the opening in place of
rectangular or with flat sides, and may be decked over as usual with a
small hatch opening to receive the dredgings.
Another feature of this Invention is to curve or slant the aft end of
the bucket well or wells to diminish the resistance in passing through
the water, when the vessel is being navigated at sea.
Another feature consists in forming the hull with the hopper receptacle
constructed on the deck, having doors to discharge the dredgings or
spoil near the water level, so as to enable the spoil to be deposited from
the vessel in shoal water and to form banks.
The doors with which the hoppers are provided for discharging, are
under this Invention fitted with slides, so that they may be drawn
upwards or in any other direction by means of screws, levers, or other
mechanical equivalent, when it is required to empty the hopper. Such
sliding doors may also be applied to all classes of hopper dredgers.
In hopper dredgers constructed for operating in shallow water, and
where the soil or bottom is earthy, sandy, or of a friable character, in
place of discharging the dredgings through hopper doors, the dredger is
provided with one or more discharge tubes passing to the outside over
or under the deck through which the dredgings are discharged by cen-

page_text: trifugal action or by an induced current on to a river bank or other
suitable place of deposit.
Another feature of this Invention more particularly relates to operating
in harbours and alongside of quay walls, rivers, and canal banks, in
order to perform such dredging and spooning work as is now principally
effected by hand labour, and this consists in constructing the hull with
two bucket wells, one on each side of the hopper.
Another feature of this Invention consists in forming the bow or stern
end of the vessel open at the end of the bucket well, so that the dredging
ladder and buckets may project out from the hull in order to excavate
a channel on a very shallow draught of water. In this arrangement the
hopper may be placed forward, aft, or at the sides.
Another feature of this Invention consists in constructing the hull of
the vessel with the hopper sides nearly perpendicular, and applying one
or more steam derrick or other cranes on deck, having each one or more
dippers or lifters to lift the spoil from the hopper hold to a river bank
or spoil bank, or other suitable place of deposit.
Another feature of this Invention consists in forming the upper part
of the bucket ladder curved downward or bent to extend into or over the
hopper, suitable guides for the buckets being placed on the ladder or
framework, in order that the buckets may deliver the dredgings or spoil
into the hopper, and thus prevent the loss that has hitherto occurred by
the dredgings or spoil falling through the well.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we
now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner
in or under which the same is or may be used or practically carried
into effect, that is to say :-
On Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto appended, Figure 1 is a longi-
tudinal section of our improved steam hopper dredger; Figure 2 is in
part a plan and in part a horizontal section thereof, whilst Figure 3 is a
transverse section of the same on the line a, a, Figure 2.
As shewn by these Figures the hull is constructed with a hopper A
on each side of the well B, through which the dredging ladder C and
buckets D pass; and in order to increase the strength of the hull the
hoppers may be formed curved or circular at the opening, as shewn at c,
Figure 4, which is a Diagram plan of that part of the hull containing

page_text: the hopper or hoppers, in place of with rectangular flat-sided openings
as hitherto. The curved or circular openings can be applied to any
arrangement of hopper. The hoppers A, as shewn at Figures 1 and 2,
are placed at the bow end of the vessel, and the aft end E of the bucket
well B is curved or slanted aft, as shewn at Figure 1 of the Drawings,
thereby diminishing the resistance in passing through the water when
the vessel is being navigated. The hoppers A on each side of the bucket
well B are provided with doors F, shewn at the transverse section
Figure 3, which are fitted with slides d, in which they are drawn upwards
by means of screws, levers, or other mechanical equivalent, when it is
required to empty the hopper A; such sliding doors may also be applied
to all classes of hopper dredgers.
At the transverse section, Figure 5, Sheet 1 of the Drawings, is shewn
another arrangement, which consists in forming the hull A with the
hopper or receptacle B constructed on the deck. The hopper or re-
ceptacle B is supported in the centre and attached to the hull A by
hinge joints C, and is provided at one side with a "shute " D, which is
attached at one end by a hinge joint E to the lower part of the hopper
receptacle B. A winch F is placed on one side of the hopper receptacle B,
by means of which the "shute " D can be raised or lowered as required.
That portion of the upper part of the hull A which is covered by the
hopper or receptacle B, and situated on the same side as the shute D,
is constructed at an angle to the hopper or receptacle B, which allows
of the latter being canted over on the hinge joint C into the position
shewn in dotted lines at Figure 5, when the spoil is discharged through
the shute D and deposited where required; this arrangement being
particularly applicable for depositing spoil in shallow water and to form
banks. The hopper or receptacle B may also be constructed angular, as
shewn by the dotted line Z, Z, Figure 5, which allows of its being canted
over at a greater angle. In hopper dredgers constructed for operating
in shallow water, and where the soil or bottom is earthy, sandy, or of a
friable character, in place of discharging the dredgings through hopper
doors the dredger is provided with discharge tubes A, shewn at the
transverse and vertical sections, Figures 6, 7, and 8 respectively, Sheet 1
of the Drawings.
At the transverse section, Figure 6, the discharge tubes A are shewn
situated at each side of the hopper B; chambers C are formed at the
ment of and in onon communication with the honner R in each of

page_text: which the bell-mouthed end of a discharge tube A is situated, and below
each of which is a nozzle E leading from the pipe F, through which an
induced current of air, water, or steam is brought, so as to discharge the
dredgings or spoil up through the tubes A, and deposit it on the river
bank or other required place. The bottom of the hopper B is constructed
triangular in form, or with the highest point in the centre, sloping down
on each side towards the chambers C, thereby giving the dredgings a
tendency to slide down and keep the chambers C always full.
At the transverse section Figure 7, and vertical section Figure 8, the
discharge tubes A are shewn situated in the centre of the vessel at each
end of the hopper B, the arrangements being similar in other respects
to those herein-before described and illustrated at Figure 6 of the
Drawings. In lieu of the induced current the dredgings may be
discharged by centrifugal action.
On Sheet 2 of the Drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section, shewing
another arrangement of our improved steam hopper dredger; Figure 2
is a plan thereof. This arrangement more particularly relates to
operating in harbours and alongside of quay walls, rivers, and canal
banks, in order to perform such dredging and spooning work as is now
principally effected by hand labour. As more particularly shewn at
Figure 2, the hull is constructed with two bucket wells A, which are
situated one on each side of the hopper B. The hopper B, as shewn by
the Drawings, is situated aft, with the bucket wells A at the forward
end of the vessel, but in place of so arranging it the bucket wells A
can be situated aft, and the hopper B be placed at the forward end of
the vessel.
At Figure 3, Sheet 2 of the Drawings, is shewn a vertical section of
an arrangement of steam hopper dredger for excavating a channel on a
very shallow draught of water; Figure 4 is a plan thereof. In this
arrangement the bow end of the vessel is formed open at the end of the
bucket well A, so that the dredging ladder B and buckets C may project
out from the hull. The hopper D as shewn is placed aft the well, but
it may be situated either forward or at the sides of the vessel, and in
lieu of the bow end the stern end of the vessel may be made open for
the purpose of receiving the bucket ladder.
On Sheet 3 of the Drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of that
portion of the hull of a dredger occupied by the hopper, and shewing

page_text: another feature of this Invention; Figure 2 is a plan thereof. Under
this arrangement the sides of the hopper A are constructed perpendicular
and situated on deck. At each end of the hopper A is a steam derrick
crane B, each of which are provided with a dipper or lifter C, by means
of which the spoil is raised from the hopper A to a river bank or other
suitable place of deposit.
At Figure 3, Sheet 3 of the Drawings, is shewn a vertical section of
the hopper of a steam hopper dredger with our improved bucket ladder
applied thereto; Figure 4 is a plan thereof; whilst Figures 5 and 6 are
detailed views of a portion of the same. As shewn at Figure 3, the
upper part of the bucket ladder A is curved downwards or bent to
extend over the hopper B, and situated below the buckets C at the upper
extremity of the ladder A is a shute D, which is hinged at one end to
the framing supporting the upper part of the bucket ladder A, whilst
the other end is supported by a chain a which passes over a pulley b,
and from thence to the winding apparatus c¹. The angle of the shute D
is regulated by lengthening or shortening the chain a. The buckets C
deliver the dredgings or spoil into the shute D, which conducts it into
any part of the hopper B, and owing to the bent form of the bucket
ladder A, the loss that has hitherto occurred by the dredgings falling
through the well is prevented. The bucket ladder A is supported on
the framing G by trunnions H, and is provided with a guide E for con-
ducting the buckets C, clear of the end of the hopper B in their descent.
The guide E may be attached to the ladder A, as shewn at Figure 3, or
it may be attached to the framework for supporting the ladder A, or
other convenient part of the vessel. The guide E is shewn more par-
ticularly at Figure 5, which is a transverse section on the line x, x,
Figure 3, and consists of two rollers c, the axes of which revolve in
suitable bearings constructed in the framing d. The bucket chain e is
formed with a flanch on each side which rests on the rollers c, and by
means of this flanch the buckets are guided between the rollers c.
Figure 6 is a section shewing the bucket C in the act of passing between
the rollers c.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our
said Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which
the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, we would

page_text: therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. Constructing the hull with a hopper on each side of the well,
as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1 of
the Drawings.
Second. Forming hoppers curved or circular at the opening in place
of with rectangular or flat sides, as herein-before described and shewn at
the Diagram plan, Figure 4, Sheet 1, of the Drawings.
Third. Constructing the aft end of the bucket well curved or slanted
aft to diminish the resistance in passing through the water when the
vessel is being navigated, as herein-before described and shewn on the
appended Sheet of Drawings.
Fourth. Constructing the hopper or receptacle separate from the hull,
and hinging it to the deck, as herein-before described and shewn at
Figure 5, Sheet 1, of the Drawings.
Fifth. Applying sliding doors for emptying the hoppers of combined
hopper dredgers, as shewn at Figure 3, Sheet 1, of the Drawings.
Sixth. Applying to hopper dredgers an arrangement of discharge
tubes, through which the dredgings are discharged by an induced current
or centrifugal action, as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 6,
7, and 8, Sheet 1, of the Drawings.
Seventh. Forming the hull with two bucket wells one on each side
of the hopper, as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 1 and 2,
Sheet 2, of the Drawings.
Eighth. Constructing the hulls of hopper dredgers open at the end of
the bucket well to allow of the dredging ladder and buckets projecting
therefrom, as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 3 and 4,
Sheet 2, of the Drawings.
Ninth. Applying steam derrick or other cranes to lift the spoil from
the hoppers of hopper dredgers to a river bank or other suitable place
of deposit, as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 1 and 2,
Sheet 3, of the Drawings.
Tenth. Constructing the bucket ladder curved or bent to extend into
or over the hopper, by which the loss that has hitherto occurred by the

page_text: spoil falling through the well is prevented, as herein-before described
and shewn at Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 3, of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Simons and Andrew Brown,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourteenth day of
August One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.