Improvements relating to the Application of Metallic Copper to the Hulls of Iron or Steel and other Sea-going Ships or Vessels and other Submerged Structures to Prevent Fouling thereof, and to the Manufacture of Compositions or Pigments to be used for this purpose.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Application of Metallic Copper to the
Hulls of Iron or Steel and other Sea-going Ships or Vessels and
other Submerged Structures to Prevent Fouling thereof, and to
the Manufacture of Compositions or Pigments to be used for this
purpose.
We, CHARLES BERRY PHILLIPS, of Parkgate Road, Chester, in the County of
Chester, Gentleman, and HENRY RYAN LEWIS, of 7 Draper's Gardens, in the City of
London, Mining Engineer and Metallurgist, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention is chiefly designed to provide for the application of metallic copper to
the hulls of sea-going ships or vessels built of iron or steel, for the purpose of preventing
fouling of the submerged portions thereof by barnacles and the like, which become
attached to and grow on the submerged portions of vessels, more especially on those
constructed of iron or steel, and particularly when the said vessels are in tropical seas,
and which, by their growth and rapid accumulation, very seriously impede the vessel's
progress.
Our improvements are, however, applicable to the coating or covering of vessels
built of wood, and also piers, dock-gates and other structures which are wholly or
partly submerged in sea-water and therefore require to be protected against the deposit
or attachment of barnacles, teredoes, coral, seaweed, shell-fish and similar marine
growths.
An important feature of our said invention consists in the application of the metallic
copper in the form of powder or in small pieces or grains to the surface to be protected,
the said powder or grains being caused to adhere to the said surface by means of a
composition or pigment, of which the copper may or may not form an ingredient.
The metallic copper thus applied, undergoes a gradual change when immersed in sea-
water, and is converted more or less into an oxy-chloride. While this change is going
on and after it has taken place, the compound is of such a poisonous and corrosive
nature that no marine animalculæ, barnacles, teredoes, or the like can become attached
to, or grow upon the surface so treated, which will therefore remain clean or free from
fouling.
In carrying our said invention into practice, in the case of an iron or steel built
vessel, we find it advantageous to proceed as follows, that is to say :-The bottom and
all portions of the hull which it is necessary to protect, are first painted with one or
more coats of any suitable paint (lead paint being preferred) or with any suitable
varnish. We then apply a coat of any suitable anti-fouling or other composition, and
before this composition becomes hard and set, we apply to it the desired quantity of
metallic copper in the form of very finely divided particles, which may be readily
applied by means of a brush or other suitable tool whereby it may be laid on and
pressed or rubbed on and into the coat of composition, so that the fine particles of
copper may be made to adhere firmly thereto.
Instead of applying a coat of composition to the surface to be protected, we some-
times apply thereto a coat of ordinary lead or other paint or varnish, and apply the
finely divided metallic copper in the manner above described, or in any other
convenient manner.
In some cases, we prepare paint for this purpose by thoroughly mixing fine
metallic copper dust with oil, spirits of turpentine or the like, or with varnish, or by
mixing it in suitable proportions with white-lead or other paints, say, for instance
equal parts of lead-paint and copper. These paints may be applied in the same
manner as ordinary paint. A coat of this preparation may, moreover, be used with

page_text: advantage, instead of the coat of composition, paint, or varnish applied before the
fine metallic copper.
We find it advantageous to prepare the metallic copper which we use for the
purpose of our invention, by passing a suitable gas, such as hydrogen-gas, coal-
gas or water-gas, over finely reduced oxide of copper heated to redness in a
suitable vessel by this method we are enabled to readily produce metallic copper
in a very finely divided state, which we pulverize to an impalpable powder. Or
we prepare the copper mechanically by granulating metallic copper or alloys of
copper to the required fineness.
In the case of iron or steel vessels, it is desirable that one or more coats of
ordinary lead-paint should be first applied to the surface to be protected and then
the composition or varnish laid on and the metallic copper applied thereto; such
paint and composition or varnish being composed of substances which are not
conductors of electricity, so that no corroding or galvanic action will take place
at the expense of the iron plates of the vessel. The particles of copper must not
come in direct contact with the surface of the iron.
The submerged parts of the vessel which have been coated as above mentioned
with the fine copper, or with the paint prepared as above mentioned, present to
the action of the sea-water surfaces of metallic copper in very finely divided
particles. These particles need not be so thickly applied as to cover the whole of
the surface, but must be sufficiently close to obtain the object in view.
metallic copper, as above stated, undergoes a slow and gradual change on being
immersed in sea-water.
The
Another method of advantageously carrying our said invention into practice, is
to first paint the submerged portions of the vessel's hull with one or more coats
of lead paint or varnish, then, when these are dry and set, to apply a paint
composed of suitable proportions of the finely pulverized metallic copper and of
lead-paint, oil, spirits of turpentine or the like, and, when this is becoming set, to
apply by means of suitable brushes or other tools a suitable quantity of finely
pulverized metallic copper and rub this smoothly on and into the coat of prepared
copper and lead-paint; by these means, we obtain a very good coating of metallic
copper on the surface to be protected.
If desired, this coating of metallic copper may be burnished or otherwise treated
to render the surface of the same smooth and uniform.
We do not confine ourselves to any special method of ensuring the adherence
of the granulated or powdered copper to the steel or iron or other surface, as the
same may be caused to adhere in various ways for the purpose of our invention.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1890.
HADELLINE, LAKE & CO.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Application of Metallic Copper to the
Hulls of Iron or Steel and other Sea-going Ships or Vessels and
other Submerged Structures to Prevent Fouling thereof, and to
the Manufacture of Compositions or Pigments to be used for this 4
purpose.
We, CHARLES BERRY PHILLIPS, of Parkgate Road, Chester, in the County of
Chester, Gentleman, and HENRY RYAN LEWIS, of 7 Draper's Gardens, in the City
of London Mining Engineer and Metallurgist, 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 relates to the protection of the hulls of ships or vessels and other
submerged structures to prevent fouling thereof or injury thereto by barnacles,
teredoes and other mollusks, or by coral, sea-weed and other marine growths.

page_text: The main object of our said invention is to provide in a more simple and efficient
manner than heretofore, for the application of metallic copper to the hulls of sea-
going ships or vessels built of iron or steel, for the purpose of preventing fouling
of the submerged portions thereof by barnacles and the like, which frequently
become attached to, and grow on, the submerged portions of such vessels, particularly
when the said vessels are in tropical seas, and which, by reason of their rapid growth
and accumulation, very soon offer great resistance to the movement of the vessel
through the water, and thus seriously impede the vessel's progress.
Our improvements are, however, applicable to the protection of vessels built of
wood, and also to the coating or covering of piers, dock-gates and other structures
which are to be wholly or partially submerged in sea-water, and which require to
be protected against the deposit or attachment of barnacles, teredoes, coral, sea.
weed, shell-fish and the like.
An important feature of our said invention consists in the application of the
metallic copper in the form of powder or in small particles or grains to the surface
to be protected, the said powder or grains being caused to adhere to the said surface
by means of a suitable composition or pigment, of which the copper may or may
not form an ingredient. The metallic copper thus applied, undergoes a gradual
change when immersed in sea-water, and is converted more or less into an oxy-
chloride of copper. While this change is going on and after it has taken place,
the protective coating is of such a poisonous and corrosive nature that no marine
animalculæ, barnacles, teredoes, or the like can attach themselves to or grow upon
the surface thus protected, which will therefore remain clean or free from fouling.
There are various methods of applying the metallic copper in a granulated or
finely divided condition, in accordance with our said invention.
We find it advantageous to proceed as follows, that is to say-The bottom and
other portions of the hull of an iron or steel built vessel which it is necessary to protect,
or the portion or portions of any other structure to be protected, are first painted
with one or more coats of any suitable paint (lead paint being preferred) or with
any suitable varnish or composition, for example an anti-fouling composition if
desired; and before the final coat of such paint, varnish or composition becomes
hard and set, the desired quantity of metallic copper in a granulated or finely
divided condition is applied thereto. The grains or particles of copper may be
readily applied, either in a dry state, or saturated with spirits, naphtha, oil or the
like, by means of a brush or other suitable tool, whereby the same may be laid on
and pressed or rubbed on and into the coat of paint, varnish or composition so
that the said grains or particles of copper will adhere firmly thereto.
We can conveniently and advantageously prepare the metallic copper for the
purpose of our invention by passing a suitable reducing gas, such as hydrogen,
coal-gas or water-gas over finely powdered black or red oxides of copper heated
in a suitable vessel to a red heat, or to a temperature sufficient to cause the
hydrogen to combine with the oxygen thus leaving the copper in a metallic form.
By this method we are enabled to readily obtain the metallic copper in a very finely
divided state which we pulverize or grind to an impalpable powder, this being
rendere necessary because in the operation of converting the oxides of copper into
the metallic form a certain amount of moisture (steam) is formed by the combination
of the oxygen and hydrogen, causing the particles of copper to adhere in soft friable
nodules or lumps which require crushing to reduce same to an impalpable powder.
Alloys or mixtures of copper with other metals or substances may be used for our
purpose.
In like manner we prepare some of the metals that it may be desirable to mix with
the copper; and whose oxides are amenable to the same treatment and in some cases
we prefer to mix such metals with the copper or we prepare the copper or alloys
or other substances by granulating metallic copper or alloys or other substances to the
required fineness.
In the case of iron or steal vessels, it is desirable that more than one coat of the
paint, varnish or other suitable pigment or composition should be applied to the surfars

page_text: to be protected before the copper is applied thereto, such paint, varnish or composition
should, moreover, be composed of substances which are non-conductors of electricity
so that no corroding or galvanic action will take place at the expense of the iron
plates of the vessel. The particles of copper should not, in any case come in direct
contact with the surface of the iron.
In some cases we prepare paint or composition for the purpose of our invention by
thoroughly mixing finely divided metallic copper prepared as herein explained or in
any other convenient manner, in suitable proportions with white lead or other paints
or with anti-fouling composition say, for instance equal parts by weight of lead paint
and copper. The paint or composition thus produced may be applied in the same
manner as ordinary paint. A co it of this preparation may, moreover, be applied with
advantage, instead of the coat of composition, paint, or varnish, before the application
of the finely divided metallic copper.
Another method of advantageously carrying our said invention into practice is to
first paint those portions of the vessel's hull, or of the pier or other structure which
are to be submerged, with one or more coats of lead paint, varnish or other suitable
pigment, then, when these are dry and se, to apply a paint composed of suitable
proportions of the finely divided metallic copper and of lead paint, oil, spirits of
turpentine or the like, and, when this is becoming set, to apply by incans of suitable
brushes or other tools a suitable quantity of finely divided metallic copper and rub
this smoothly on and into the coat of paint or composition prepared with copper as
above described; by these means, we obtain a very good conting of metallic copper on
the surface to be protected.
If desired, the coating of metallic copper may be burnished or otherwise treated to
render the surface of the same smooth and uniform.
The parts of the vessel which are to be submerge 1, and which have been coated as
above mentioned with the granulated or finely divided metallic copper, or with the
paint prepared with copper as above mentioned, present to the action of the sea-water,
surfaces which are covered with grains or very fine particles of metallic copper.
These particles need not be so thickly applied as to cover the whole of the surface,
but must be sufficiently close to obtain the object in view, viz. :-to prevent the
adhesion of barnacles or the like to the said surfaces. The metallic copper, as above
stated, undergoes a slow and gradual change or chemical action on being immersed
in sea-water.
We do not confine ourselves to any special method of ensuring the adherence of the
granalated or powdered copper to the steel or iron or other surface, as the copper may,
as above stated, be caused to adhere in various ways for the purpose of our invention.
Moreover instead of copper, we can use mixture or alloys thereof with arsenic
manganese, tin zinc or other suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it understood that
we claim :
First. The herein described method of employing metallic copper or an alloy thereof
in a granulated or finely divided condition for the protection of the hulls of vessels
and other structures, for the purposes above specified.
Second. The herein described method of applying metallic copper or an alloy
thereof in a granulated or finely divided condition to the halls of vessels and other
structures, consisting in covering or conting the surface of the structure with anti-
fouling composition, lead paint or other suitable pigment or composition, and then
spreading or distributing the grains or particles of the copper or its alloy upon the
said surface before the said paint or other pigment or composition has become hardened
or set, for the purposes, above specified.
Third. The herein described method of applying metallic copper or an alloy thereof
in a granulated or finely divided condition to the hulls of vessels and other structures,
consisting in covering or coating the surface of the structure with a pigment or com-
position made by mixing granulated or finely divided copper or an alloy thereof with

page_text: lead paint, anti-fouling composition, or other suitable material, either with or without
the subsequent application of metallic copper or an alloy thereof in a granulated or
finely divided condition to the said surface before the said pigment or composition has
become hardened or set, for the purposes above specified.
Fourth. The modification of our invention wherein we apply to the surface of a
steel or iron structure, one or more coats of non-conducting paint or composition,
prior to the application of the copper or its alloy, for the purpose of preventing
galvanic action between the copper or its alloy and the iron or steel, substantially as
set forth.
Fifth. The method of preparing the metallic copper or alloy thereof for the purpose
above specified, from oxides of the metal or metals substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Sixth. An anti-fouling composition for the purpose above specified, consisting of
metallic copper or an alloy thereof in a granulated or finely divided condition, mixed
with paint, varnish or other suitable pigment or with spirits, oil or the like, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 25th day of October 1800
CHARLES BERRY PHILLIPS.
HENRY RYAN LEWIS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.