AN IMPROVED LIFE RAFT
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Raymond, of No. 4, Albion Square, Dalston,
in the County of Middlesex, Master Mariner, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED LIFE RAFT."
Sealed the 12th August 1859, and dated the 15th February 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Raymond at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th
February 1859.
I, WALTER RAYMOND, of No. 4, Albion Square, Dalston, in the County of
Middlesex, Master Mariner, do bereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED LIFE RAFT," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of a life raft, which I propose to construct as
follows: I employ two semi-cylindrical vessels of corrugated galvanized sheet
iron with tapering round ends, the concave portions to be filled in with cork
or other light buoyant material, attached thereto with marine glue or other
adhesive waterproof material, over which I place a complete substantial
covering of cork or other light substance, attached thereto by the same means.
I then place a coating or covering of No. 1 canvass, secured by a casing of
cork applied as before mentioned, the whole to be secured and bound by
corrugated galvanized iron bands, at intervals having rings attached thereto
about one-fourth the distance from the top and at the ends, a longitudinal

page_text: band or bar being used to keep them in their proper places, being firmly
rivetted or otherwise secured thereto. At each end of the cylindrical vessels a
small tube is sunk with appropriate covers, so that water may be kept in the
cylinders when not in use, and when required to be used the water may be
withdrawn through manholes on the upper surface of the cylinders, the air
passing in and filling up the vacuum through the tubes before mentioned,
these tubes being used for the steps of masts, oars, or other purposes when
necessary. Tubes or air chambers are placed on the cylinders near the top,
and run longitudinally so as to form lockers and seats; beneath these tubes
on one cylinder I place a hinged flap covered with cork or other material, the
Jower edge of this flap being supplied with rings at intervals. Corresponding
rings are also placed on the side of the other cylinder, so that upon lifting
the flap, and passing a chain or bar through the rings, the flap connects and
forms a deck between the two cylinders.
For the safe conveyance of mails, specie, bullion, &c., I propose that the
semi-cylindrical vessels be made as I have before described, but without the
circular or longitudinal bands or rings, a large oval cover being.so arranged
as to receive and discharge its contents, and being coloured, marked, and
numbered, that in the event of shipwreck or fire they may be thrown
together or separately overboard with safety so as to be picked up.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Walter Raymond in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th August 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WALTER
RAYMOND, of No. 4, Albion Square, Dalston, in the County of Middlesex,
Master Mariner, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent. Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Walter Raymond, Her special licence that I, the said
Walter Raymond; my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Walter Raymond, my executors, administrators, and
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

page_text: of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "AN IMPROVED LIFE RAFT," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Walter Raymond, 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 Walter Raymond, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention consists of a life raft, which I propose to construct as
follows: I employ two semi-cylindrical vessels of corrugated galvanized
sheet iron with tapering round ends, the concave portions to be filled in with
cork or other light buoyant material, attached thereto with marine glue or
other adhesive waterproof material, over which I place a complete substantial
covering of cork or other light substance, attached thereto by the same means.
I then place a coating or covering of No. 1 canvass, secured by a casing of
cork applied as before mentioned, the whole to be secured and bound by
corrugated galvanized iron bands, at intervals having swivel rings attached
thereto about one-fourth the distance from the top and at the ends, a longi-
tudinal band or bar being used to keep them in their proper places, being
firmly rivetted or otherwise secured thereto. At each end of the cylindrical
vessels, a small tube is sunk with appropriate covers, so that water may be kept
in the cylinders when not in use, and when required to be used the water may
be withdrawn through manholes on the upper surface of the cylinders, the
air passing in and filling up the vacuum through the tubes before mentioned;
these tubes being used for the steps of masts, oars, or other purposes when
necessary. Tubes or air chambers are placed on the cylinders near the top,
and run longitudinally so as to form lockers and seats; beneath these tubes
on one cylinder I place a hinged flap covered with cork or other material, the
lower edge of this flap being supplied with rings at intervals; corresponding
rings are also placed on the side of the other cylinder, so that upon lifting the
flap, and passing a chain or bar through the rings, the flap connects and forms
a deck between the two cylinders.
For the safe conveyance of mails, specie, bullion, &c., I propose that the
semi-cylindrical vessels be made as I have before described, but without the.
circular or longitudinal bands or rings. A large oval cover being so arranged

page_text: as to receive and discharge its contents, and being colored, marked, and
numbered, that in the event of shipwreck or fire they may be thrown
together or separately overboard with safety, so as to be picked up. These
cylinders will be found useful to lift, gunboats or other vessels over shallows
or bars, also to float stranded vessels.
Having. now fully described the nature and object of my said Invention of
"An Improved Life Raft," together with the best means I am acquainted
with for carrying the same into practical effect, I would remark, in conclusion,
that I do not confine myself to the precise details berein-before mentioned, as
the shape of the cylinders may be varied according to the purpose for which
they may be required, as also the mode of uniting the two together, many
different modes being available for the same purpose; but what I claim as
my Invention intended to be secured to me, is the use of semicylindrical
vessels, or vessels of other shapes built or composed of the aforesaid materials,
and combined together in the manner and for the purposes herein described
and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Raymond, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our
· Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
WALTER RAYMOND. (L.S.)
Witness,
ALEX. PRINCE, Patent Agent,
4, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross.