Improvements in the Construction of Ships and other Vessels.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Ships and other Vessels.
I SINCLAIR STUART of No. 133 Avenue, Plainfield in the County of Union and
State of New Jersey, United States of America, Engineer, 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:-
The improvements which constitute this invention are applicable to vessels con-
structed entirely of iron or of steel, and to what are known as composite vessels
constructed partly of iron and partly of steel or partly of iron or steel and partly of
wood. Its object is to build such vessels of great strength in proportion to the weight
of iron or steel employed in their frames, and to provide for the distribution of the
strength of the different parts according to the requirements, at a reduced cost both of
material and labor.
In carrying out my invention; I construct the frames of vessels mainly of channel
iron, and it is in the several combinations hereinafter described, in which channel
iron is an element, that my invention consists, the said several combinations being all
applicable in different parts of the same vessel, according to the strength required in
the several parts thereof, and each of said combinations being in certain cases
applicable throughout the whole of the framing of a vessel.
I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the drawings, and
afterwards point out its novelty in claims.
Referring first to Sheet I of the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 represent each a transverso
section of part of one side of the bottom of a vessel, and illustrate two examples of
my invention, in which compound frames made of channel iron constitute both a main
frame and a reverse frame. Fig. 1 represents a horizontal section of the side portion
of the frame shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1° represents a transverse vertical section of the
frame in the line of Fig. 1. Fig. 2ª represents a horizontal section of the side
portion of the frame shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2b represents a transverse vertical section
in the line of Fig. 2.
Fig. 1, 1, 2, 2b, are on a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2.
1 will first describe Figs. 1, 1ª, and 1, which illustrate the simplest form of the
compound frame.
The frame in this case is made of channel iron a, of the form represented in the
section Fig. 1, and this form is preserved from the point a* at or near the bilge, up
to the top of the frame, or as high as may be necessary, but below this point the web
of the channel iron is slit midway between these flanges, to produce two angle irons b
and c, of which constitutes the lower part of the main frame, and c constitutes the
lower part of the reverse frame, the said parts b and c being separated as shown in
Fig. 16, and in dotted outline in Fig. 1, as far as necessary, to produce the main and
reverse frames of proper form. The main and reverse frames and c thus produced
are exactly opposite each other.
C
The floor plates d of the vessel are riveted to the separated angle irons b and c on
corresponding sides thereof, as shown at e in Figs. 1 and 1b, and are continued upward
beyond the point a*, where the slit of the channel iron a begins, and are riveted as
shown at to the said intact or undivided part of the channel iron, thereby
strengthening the frame at above and below the point where the division of the
channel iron, to form the main and revese frames, commences.
The example of my invention illustrated in Figs. 2, 25, and 2b, differs from that
shown in Figs. 1, 1, 1, in the substitution of a double channel iron, such as is shown
in Fig. 2, sometimes known as H iron, for a single channel iron shown in Figs. 1, 2
and 3. In this example, the slit and divided part of the iron forms two double angle
irons, that is to say, angle irons of T shaped section, which are exactly opposite each

page_text: '
other, as will readily understood by reference to Fig. 2b. The floor plates d riveted
to the channel iron, and to the divided angle-irons formed therefrom, in the same way
as in the first described example.
Referring next to Sheet II, Fig; 3 represents a transverse sectional view of part
of one side and the bottom of a vessel illustrating another example of my invention,
in which channel iron and angle iron are combined in the main and reverse frames.
Figs. 3 and 3 represent, on a larger scale than Fig. 3, transverse sections of the
frame taken in the line of that Figure, illustrating some differences of construction
which are within the scope of my invention. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section
on the same scale as Figs. 3 and 3 of the frame in the line y y of Fig. 3. Fig. 3d
represents a transverse section on the same scale as Figs. 3ª, 3b, and 3 of the frame
aken in the line zz of Fig. 3.
a designates a channel iron arranged in the vessel, with its flanges projecting in the
direction of the length of the vessel. This channel iron runs through the bottom, the
bilge, and the sides of the vessel, as may be seen by reference to Fig. 3, and con-
stitutes a main and reverse frame at the sides of the vessel, but a main frame only at
the bottom.
dis a floor plate running through the bottom of the vessel, and up into the bilge,
where it is represented as terminating at d. This plate is riveted, as shown at i*, to
the web of the channel iron frame a. The said plate may be of any depth that may
be considered desirable, generally increasing in depth from the bilge towards the
central keelson C of the vessel.
** are angle irons conforming to the upper and inner edge of the floor plate,
and riveted to said plate, as shown at s s along its said edge. These angle irons are
represented in Fig. 3 as extended up beyond the upper ends of the floor frames, and
up to the top of the bilge, and the so extended portion is riveted to the channel iron a.
These angle irons constitute reverse frames in the bilge and bottom of the vessel. In
some parts of the vessel I propose only to use one of these angle iron reverse frames,
as shown in Fig. 3. In other parts, where great strength is required, as under the
engines, the boilers, or the thrust-bearings for the screw propeller, I should use two
such frames, as shown in Fig. 3b.
0
Referring next to sheet III, Fig. 4 represents a transverse sectional view of a part
of one side and the bottom of a vessel, and shows a front view of the frame, illustrating
another example of my invention, in which two kinds of channel iron are combined in
the frames. Fig. 4 represents a transverse section in the line y y of Fig. 4, as
viewed from the right. Fig. 4b represents a transverse section in the line of Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 represents a section in the line of Fig. 4. Figs. 5 and 6 represent
transverse sections of the two different kinds of channel iron used in this example of
my invention. Fig. 7 is a view corresponding with Fig. 4, of a portion of the frame
to be hereinafter explained. Fig. 8 is a front view of part of the frame, exhibiting a
modification of the construction shown in Fig. 4.
Figs. 4, 7 and 8 are on the same scale. The other Figures are on a larger scale.
al designates a broad channel iron set up edgewise, and arranged with its length
transverse to the vessel, and with its web vertical, and its flanges a* presented in the
direction of the length of the vessel. This channel iron has its web of a width or
depth several times greater than the width of its flanges, its purpose being to serve as
a main and a reverse frame, and an upright floor plate in the bottom of the vessel.'
This channel iron, which may be made in as many lengths as may be desired,
according to the beam of the vessel, extends through the bottom of the vessel to the
turn of the bilge thereof.
a designates a much narrower channel iron which is united with the broader
channel iron a¹. This narrower channel iron a² has its flanges a* presented in the
same direction as the flanges of a¹. It constitutes the main and reverse frame in the
sides and bilge of the vessel. As shown in Fig. 7, and also shown in Fig. 4 in dotted
outline, the lower part of the said channel iron a², which comes in the bilge of the
vessel, is split and bifurcated, and spread so that-its flanges-a* may meet and conform
to the flanges a* of the broader channel-iron a¹, as shown in Fig. 4.

page_text: As shown in Figs. 4 and 4, the space between the flanges a* of the divided and
bifurcated portion of the channel iron a², is filled by a margin plate g, which is
riveted as shown at r to the bifurcated portions of the said channel iron a.
At the meeting of the ends of the broader channel iron a', and the divided ends of
the narrower channel iron a², an angle iron vis riveted, as shown in Figs. 4 and 4*,
across the web of the channel iron a¹, and a similar angle iron is riveted as shown
in the same Figures to the divided portions of the channel iron a², and these two
angle irons vabut together and are riveted together as shown at u in Figs. 4° and 4.
By this mode of uniting the broader and. narrower channel irons, great stiffness is
given to the frame at the turn of the bilge of the vessel.
In Figs. 4, and 4b, there is shown riveted along the upper and inner edge of the
unflanged side of the channel-irons, a¹ and a², an angle-iron h, which serves as an
additional reverse frame for those parts of the vessel where a double reverse frame is
required. In other portions of the vessel, this angle iron may be omitted.
In the modification shown in Fig. 8, the narrower channel-iron a is not divided,
but is continued intact through the bilge to the broader channel-iron a', the lower
flanges of the two channel irons meeting and conforming to each other. In this
modification, the margin plate y is used, and its upper edge is broadened in curved
form, from the upper turn of the bilge, to meet the upper edge of the channel-iron a¹,
and an angle-iron his riveted to the upper edge of the said margin-plate, to form a
continuation of the reverse frame from the floor through the bilge to the side of the
vessel.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, (Sheet IV), illustrate a novel construction of the keelsons, and
mode of combining them with the frames of a vessel. Fig. 9 represents a vertical
sectional view of a portion of the side of the vessel. Fig. 10 is a face view of a
portion of the inside of the vessel, corresponding with Fig. 9. Fig. 11 represents a
horizontal section corresponding with Fig. 10.
A, designates the keelsons, which are represented as made of bulb T-iron, but will
always be made with a flange or flanges as shown at i, which set against the channel
iron frame a. These keelsons are composed of stringers of suitable length; and
where they come together they are clamped between butt-straps j, which are made of
angle-iron, and which must be of a length at least sufficient to reach over the space
between two frames, and over-lap the said frames as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. These
butt straps jare riveted, as shown at k, to the frames a, and also through the keelson
stringers A, as shown at . Some of the rivets k may also pass through the flanges i
of the stringers. The stringers are further secured to the frames a by means of
angle-iron clips m, (see Figs. 10 and 11). These clips are riveted to the flanges i of
the stringers, as shown at n, in Figs. 10 and 11, and also riveted to the frames a, as
shown at o, and to the flanges of the butt-straps, as shown at p, in the Figs. last
mentioned. It will thus be seen that the butt-straps are riveted directly to the
keelsons wherever the stringers of the latter join, and are also riveted through the
frame a, and are further secured both to the frames and the keelsons by means of clips,
which are riveted both to the frames and to the keelsons. Thus, great strength is
given to the vessel at the points where the stringers of the keelsons meet. When
the butt straps are double, as shown, they are also riveted together by the same
rivets which secure them to the keelsons.
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 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. In a ship or other vessel, a compound frame constituting both a main frame and
a reverse frame and constructed of channel-iron, the channel of which is undivided
in the part of the frame at the sides of the vessel, but is slit from a point at or near
the turn of the bilge of the vessel, to form two angle-irons, one of which constitutes
the lower part of the main frame, and the other of which constitutes the lower part
of the reverse frame opposite said lower part of the main frame, substantially as
herein described with reference to Sheet I of the drawings.

page_text: 2. The combination in a ship, or other vessel, of a compound main and reverse
frame, the upper part of which is of channel-iron, and the lower part of which is
divided in the form of two opposite angle-irons, and a floor plate riveted to both of
said angle-irons, on opposite sides thereof, and also riveted to the channel-iron above
the division of the angle-irons, substantially as herein described with reference to
sheet of the drawings.
3. The combination in the frame of a ship or other vessel, of a channel-iron, which
runs through the bottom, the bilge, and the sides of the vessel, and constitutes a main
and a reverse frame at the sides, but a main frame only at the bottom, a floor plate
which runs through the bottom and up into the bilge, and is riveted to said channel
iron, and an angle-iron which is riveted both to the upper edge of the floor plate
and to the inner part of the channel-iron, to form a reverse frame in the bilge
and bottom of the vessel, substantially as herein described with reference to sheet II
of the drawings.
4. The combination in the frame of a ship or other vessel, of a channel-iron which
runs through the bottom, the bilge, and the sides of the vessel, and constitutes both a
main and reverse frame at the sides, but a main frame only at the bottom, a floor plate
which runs through the bottom and up into the bilge, and is riveted to said channel
iron, and two angle-irons arranged on opposite sides of said floor plate, and along
the upper and inner edges thereof, to form reverse frames in the bottom of the vessel,
and riveted to said plate, substantially as herein described, with reference to sheet II
of the drawings.
5. The combination in the frame of a ship or other vessel, of united broader and
narrower channel-irons, the broader channel-iron being arranged in the floor of the
vessel, and therein constituting main and reverse frames and floor plates, and the
narrower channel-iron being arranged in the sides and bilge of the vessel, and
therein constituting main and reverse frames, and being continued through the bilge
and connected with the broader channel-iron, substantially as herein set forth with
reference to sheet 111 of the drawings.
6. The combination in the frame of a ship or other vessel, of united broader and
narrower channel-irons, the broader channel-iron being arranged in the floor of the
vessel, and therein constituting main and reverse frames and floor plates, and the
narrower channel-iron being arranged in the sides and bilge of the vessel, and therein
constituting main and reverse frames, and being divided and bifurcated in the bilge,
and having its lower ends spread to make their flanges conform to the flanges of the
broader channel-iron at the point of meeting of said flanges, substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth, with reference to sheet III of the drawings.
7. The combination of the broader channel-iron a', the narrower channel-iron a²,
divided, bifurcated, and spread to conform to the said broader channel-iron, the
margin-plate g, riveted to said narrower channel-iron, and, the abutting angle-irons v.v!,
riveted to said broader and narrower channel-irons, to said margin plate, and to each
other, substantially as herein set forth, with reference to sheet III of the drawings.
8. The combination in the frame of a ship or other vessel, of a channel iron
constituting a main and reverse frame and a floor plate, and an angle-iron riveted
along the upper edge of said channel iron, to make a double reverse frame,
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth, with reference to sheet III of the
drawings.
9. The combination with the frame of a vessel, of flanged keelsons, angle-
iron butt-straps j, riveted both to the frames and keelsons, and angle-iron clips m,
arranged transversely to the butt straps, and riveted to the frames and the butt straps,
and to the flanges of the keelsons, substantially as herein set forth, with reference to
sheet IV of the drawings.