IMPROVEMENTS IN BOMB LANCES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Hasoltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BOMB LANCES." A communication from abroad by Patrick
Cunningham, of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd June 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOMB LANCES." A com-
munication.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of weapons
commonly known as "bomb lances" for killing whales or other animals, by which
improvements the parts are rendered impervious to the action of water or dampness,
and are always ready for immediate use, and, moreover, the operation of loading
and discharging them is facilitated.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a bomb
lance and cartridge constructed according to this Invention, and Figure 2 is a trans-
verse section of the same on the line, x, Figure 1.
According to the said Invention I combine the cartridge A with the bomb B
(the two being constructed and adapted therefor), and groove the bomb shell B,
all as shown in the Drawing, the object of the latter feature being to insure the
bursting of said bomb shell into a number of fragments, thereby greatly increasing its
destructive power. The grooves may be straight or spiral or diagonal or otherwise
as preferred. The cartridge A is designed to fit snugly on the end of the bomb, as
indicated, with a water-tight joint, and is adapted to be used in a breech-loading
gun, and may be constructed in the ordinary manner. It will be observed, how-
ever, that the fuse extends to the centre of the charge in the bomb causing its
explosion at that point, the advantage of which will be obvious.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 1st
December 1870.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOMB LANCES." A com-
munication from abroad by Patrick Cunningham, of Newark, New Jersey, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of weapons commonly
known as bomb, lances for killing whales or other animals, by which improve-
ments the parts of the weapon are rendered impervious to the action of water or
lampness, and are always ready for immediate use, and, moreover, the operations of
loading and discharging them are facilitated.
The said Invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a bomb lance and cartridge constructed
according to this Invention, and Figure 2 is a transverse section of the same on
the line,, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar section illustrating a modification of
the said Invention.
I combine the cartridge A with the bomb B, the two being constructed and
adapted therefor, and I groove the bomb shell B, as shewn in the Drawing, the
object of the latter feature being to ensure the bursting of said bomb shell into a
number of fragments, thereby greatly increasing the destructive power of the weapon.
I do not confine myself to straight grooves, as indicated in the Drawing, as the
grooves may be spiral or diagonal, or otherwise as may be preferred, the better to
secure the result specified.
The cartridge A, as shewn in the Drawing, is designed to fit snugly on the end
of the bomb, as indicated, with a water-tight joint, and is adapted to be used in
a breech-londing gun, it may be constructed in the ordinary manner. It will be
observed, however, that the fuse extends to the centre of the charge in the bomb
causing its explosion at that point, the advantage of this arrangement will be
obvious.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A weapon consisting of the cartridge and bomb combined and arranged
to operate as herein set forth for the purposes specified.
Second. In the said weapon or bomb lance the bomb shell grooved as above
described and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)