Improvements in Vessels and Propellers therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vessels and Propellers therefor.
I, GEORGE DAVID HOWARD, of 38 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in vessels and propellers therefor; and the
objects of my invention are, first, the provision of a vessel in which a great amount
of speed may be attained, and which will ride smoothly in the water; second, to
provide a vessel with an adjustable propelling mechanisin which can be changed
when desired to attain the best results; third to provide a vessel which can be
constructed at a comparatively low figure, and which will be thoroughly efficient and
practical.
To attain the desired objects, the invention consists of a vessel embodying novel
features of construction and combination of parts substantially as disclosed therein.
The body or hull of my vessel, which is formed from end to end on the underside
with a channel, which is circular or curved in cross-section and provides two parallel
longitudinal keels, and near the bow or forward portion of the hull the keel is cut
away by reason of the narrowing of the hull and for a purpose which will appear.
The hold of the hull in this instance is divided into two compartments, and in
said compartiments are arranged bearings for the driving mechanism, which in this
instance consists of a longitudinally disposed shaft carrying a gear or toothed
wheel, which is retained in place by means of nuts and threads, and this shaft is
driven from the engine by any desired connections.
By means of nut and thread connections or securing devices the toothed wheel inay
be adjusted, if desired.
I would here state that while I show this peculiar propelling driving mechanisın,
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of this exact
construction, but may use any desired construction of propeller-operating mechanism
without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantage of my invention.
Fitting in grooves in the bow and stern of the hull are a front short runner or
keel and a rear runner or keel, the inner ends of said short keels being formed with
kerfs or notches, which engage the front and rear cross pieces, which serve to hold
the said keel in a steady and rigid position.
To the front portion of the front runner or short keel are connected guards, which
are also connected to the bow of the hull and to the front cross-piece at the cut-away
portion of the hull, and the purpose of these guards is to prevent obstructions, such
as logs of ice or other foreign matter, from passing into the central channel of
the hull.
To the upper faces of the cross-bars are secured bearings, in which is mounted
the propeller shaft, and said propeller shaft carries the propellers which may differ
from fore to aft, in pitch, speed, or size and which are secured adjustably to the
propeller-shaft by means of thread and nut connections.
On the propeller-shaft is also secured a gear or toothed wheel, which is in line with

page_text: a gear wheel mounted in the hold, and motion is imparted to said wheels and to
the propeller shaft through the medium of said gear wheels and a driving chain.
In the modified form of my invention I use a single longitudinally-disposed central
runner or keel, the ends of which receive or form bearings for the propeller shaft and
the forward or aft end of said propeller shaft is connected to an adjusting device,
which extends up above the hull of the vessel, and the purpose of which is to permit
an adjustment of said propeller-shaft. When the vessel is in notion, the forward
short keel cuts through the water and allows it to pass into the central channel of the
hull, and the propellers, being arranged under the entire length of the hull and
being rapidly rotated, ensure great speed and also cause the boat to move smoothly
and steadily through the water.
Dated this 10th day of Santambar 18ac
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Vessels and Propellers therefor.
I GEORGE DAVID HOWARD, of 38 Chancery Lane London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent (a communication from James Smith of Benton, New York,
United States, America, Inventor) 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in vessels & propellers therefor; and the
objects of my invention are, first, the provision of a vessel in which a great amount
of speed may be attained and which will ride smoothly in the water; second, to
provide a vessel with an adjustable propelling mechanism which can be changed
when desired to attain the best results; third, to provide a vessel which can be
constructed at a comparatively low figure and which will be thoroughly efficient and
practical.
To attain the desired objects, the invention consists of a vessel embodying novel
features of construction and combination of parts substantially as disclosed herein.
Figure 1. represents a plan view of a vessel constructed in accordance with and
embodying my invention. Fig. 2. represents a central longitudinal sectional view
thereof. Fig. 3. represents a bottom plan view. Fig. 4. represents a transverse
sectional view. Fig. 5. represents a vertical section of a modified construction of
my invention.
Referring by letter to the drawings, the letter A designates the body or hull of my
vessel, which is formed from end to end on the under side with the channel B, which
is circular or curved in cross-section & provides the two parallel longitudinal keels C,
and near the bow or forward portion of the hull at D the keel is cut-away by
reason of the narrowing of the hull and for a purpose which will appear.
The hold of the hull in this instance. is divided into two compartments E and E',
and in said compartments are arranged bearings F for the driving mechanism, which
in this instance consists of the longitudinally-disposed shaft. G, carrying the gear or
toothed wheel H, which is retained in place by means of nuts and threads J, and
this shaft is driven from the engine by any desired connections. By means of the
nut-and-thread connection or securing devices the toothed wheel may be adjusted,
if desired.
I would here state that while I show this peculiar propelling driving mechanism
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of this exact

page_text: construction, but may use any desired construction of propeller-operating mechanism
without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantage of my invention.
Fitting in grooves K in the bow & stern of the hull are the front short runner or
keel and the rear runner or keel L, the inner ends of said short keels being
formed with kerfs or notches M, which engage the front and rear cross-pieces N,
which serve to hold said keel in a steady and rigid position.
To the front portion of the front runner or short keel are connected the guards O,
which are also secured to the bow of the hull and to the front cross-piece at
the cut-away portion of the hull, and the purpose of these guards is to prevent
obstructions, such as logs, ice, or other foreign matter, from passing into the central
channel of the hull.
To the upper faces of the cross-bars are secured bearings P, in which is mounted
the propeller-shaft Q, and said propeller-shaft carries the propellers R, which may
differ from fore to aft in pitch, speed, or size and which are secured adjustably to the
propeller-shaft by means of the thread-and-nut constructions S. On the propeller-
shaft is also secured the gear or toothed wheel T, which is in line with the gear-wheel
mounted in the hold, and motion is imparted to said wheels and to the propeller-
shaft through the medium of said gear-wheels and the driving-chain U.
In the modified form of my invention Fig. 5. I use a single longitudinally-disposed
central runner or keel V, the ends of which receive or form bearings for the propeller-
shaft, and the forward or aft end of said propeller-shaft is connected to an adjusting
device, as W, which extends up above the hull of the vessel and the purpose of which
is to permit an adjustment of said propeller-shaft.
When the vessel is in motion, the forward short keel cuts through the water and
allows it to pass into the central channel of the hull, and the propellers, being
arranged under the entire length of the hull and being rapidly rotated, ensure great
speed, and also cause the boat to move smoothly and steadily through the water.
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 is;-
1. A vessel having the hull provided with a central longitudinal channel forming
two parallel side keels, cross-pieces mounted in said keels, a propelling mechanism
bearing in said cross-pieces, and a front and rear short runner or keel connected to
the cross-pieces and to the hull.
2. The herein-described vessel having the central channel forming the parallel
side keels, the central front and rear runners or short keels, the cross-pieces connected
to the side keels and having central bearings, the propeller-shaft. journalled in said
bearings and carrying the propellers, mechanism for driving the propellers and the
guards secured to the front short keel and cross-piece.
Dated this 10th day of June 1897
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.