IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PONTOON DOCKS
Year: 1884

page_text: We ROBERT TURNBULL, Naval Architect, ROBERT FELL, Junior, and ANDREW
MEYER COHEN, General Merchants all of Swing Bridge End, Sandhill Newcastle.
upon Tyne in the County of Northumberland do hereby declare the nature of
our said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PONTOON DOCKS
to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct pontoon docks that an inspection
can be had at any and every water and air valve or chamber from a central tunnel
which we make within the central girder or girders.
According to our invention we form a tunnel in the centre of the Pontoon
longitudinally and between the centre girders which are double and of sufficient
width between them to enable the supply and discharge valves to be fitted to each
chamber at the bottom of the sides, Rods, levers, cranks, and screws are fitted on
each side of the tunnel which are carried up to the deck, at one end, and operated
on either to open or close the valves allowing the water to enter or leave the
several chambers.
Pipes are carried from each chamber to the upper deck for the air to escape
which allows the dock either to sink or rise as required.
Manholes are formed and covers fitted on either side of the girders, in the tunnel
at each chamber, to enable the workmen to enter when required.
A passage way may be formed leading to the deck at the opposite end.
In fact all communication into the air and water chambers is made by the
tunnel.
To sink the dock the sea valves are opened which allows the water to enter the
tunnel first then into the several chambers as desired to sink the dock level or
deeper at the outer end water is pumped into the upper chamber until it is at
the required depth.
If necessary the water may be pumped out of the tunnel should any of the
valves be leaking, and workmen descend into the tunnel for examination even
when the water chambers are full.

page_text: By having this tunnel and water chamber so simple it will allow the dock
to be discharged of water quickly and economically The bottom of the dock rises
at a small elevation from the tunnel which allows all the water to drain out of the
chambers into and along the bottom of the tunnel to the pump well and is then
pumped out, the dock rising with the vessel on it.
By a pipe leading from the dock down the vertical chamber and along the
tunnel at the upper part with branches to each water chamber compressed air may
be forced through the pipes into the chambers to drive the water out of the sea
valves and the dock rises with the vessel.

page_text: We ROBERT TURNBULL, Naval Architect ROBERT FELL, Junior, and ANDREW
MEYER COHEN, General Merchants, all of Swing Bridge End, Sandhill, Newcastle
upon Tyne in the county of Northumberland, do hereby declare the nature of
our said invention, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PONTOON
Docks" and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
:
The object of this invention is to construct pontoon docks with a central tunnel
that, an inspection can be had at any and every water and air valve or chamber
from the central tunnel' which we make within the central girder or girders.
According to our invention we construct one pontoon dock with a tunnel in the
centre and longitudinally between centre girders which are of sufficient distance
apart as to enable the supply and 'discharge valves to be fitted therein one to each
chamber at the bottom of the sides. The valves are actuated by rods, cranks and
screws which latter are carried up to the deck at one end of the pontoon and
operated on either to open or close the valves to allow the water to enter or leave
the several chambers.
Pipes are arranged from each chamber to the upper deck for the air to escape
when the dock has to sink, air being pumped into the chambers to expel the
water when the pontoon has to rise.
Manholes are formed and covers fitted on each side of the girders in the tunnel
at each chamber to enable the workman to enter when required.
A passage way may be formed leading to the deck at the opposite end.
In fact all communication into the air and water chambers, is made by the
tunnel.
To sink the dock the sea valves at the end of the tunnel are opened which allows
the water to enter the tunnel first and then to flow into the several chambers as
desired. To sink the dock level or deeper, at the outer end water is pumped into
the upper chambers until it is at the required depth. When the chambers are
charged and the valves closed the water may be pumped out of the tunnel should
any of the valves be leaking, and workmen can then descend into the tunnel for
examination even when the water chambers are full.
By having this tunnel and water chamber thus arranged the dock can be
discharged of water quickly and economically. The bottom of the dock rises at
a small elevation from the tunnel which allows all the water to drain out of the
chambers into and along the bottom of the tunnel to the pump well, and, is then
pumped out, the dock rising with the vessel on it.
By a pipe leading from the deck down the vertical chamber and along the
tunnel at the upper part with branches to each water chamber compressed air may
be forced through the pipes into the chambers to drive the water out of the sea
valves and the dock rising with the vessel.
Our invention will be clearly understood by the annexed drawings in which our
central tunnel and one manner of affixing valves therein or thereto are shown to
open a passage to any chamber into which water can flow to sink the pontoon and
be ejected by pressure of air pumped into said chamber or chambers to lighten the
pontoon for lifting her.
Figure 1 shows a transverse view, Figure 2 a longitudinal elevation, and Figure 3
a plan of the midship section of the pontoon. A is the longitudinal central
tunnel. B, B, are the longitudinal bulkheads or girders made watertight C, C, are
the water compartments. D D are the valves and E, E, are the rods for opening
and closing the valves.

page_text: ;
i
Figure 4 shows an elevation plan of the end of pontoon. F, F, are passages
leading from the deck to the bottom, central tunnel which runs fore and aft other
passages being at the other end. The valve rods and levers are all contained in,
preferably, the forward passage and are operated upon from the deck.
Figure 5 is a transverse elevation view showing the fore end of the dock with
the valve chambers F leading to the deck.
Figure 6 is a plan of the same.
Figure 7 shows an elevation of the deck supported from top of pontoon. G is
the air pipe, one being fitted to each chamber for both water and air.
The cranks of opposite valves on the two sides of the central chamber may be
connected together if required so that by pulling one lever two opposite valves may
be opened at one pull thus preventing the pontoon from listing or the valves may
be taken from their respective sides.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed We declare that what
We claim is
1 The construction of pontoon docks with a central longitudinal tunnel as and
for the purpose or purposes described and substantially as shown in the
annexed drawings.
2 In combination with a central tunnel and side chambers, valves, so arranged
and operated either singly, in pairs or other order as to determine the
entrance of water to said chambers as set forth.