IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOATS, AND IN THE USE OR APPLICATION OF CERTAIN NOVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS THERETO
Year: 1860

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Patrick Francis Lynch and John
Tynan at the Office of the Commissioners. of Patents, with their.
Petition, on the 29th February 1860.
We, PATRICK FRANCIS LYNCH, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Shipping Agent, and JOHN TYNAN, also of Liverpool aforesaid, French
Polisher, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOATS, AND IN THE USE OR APPLICATION OF CERTAIN
NOVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS THERETO," to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to the construction of boats suitable for ships'
purposes, yachts, race boats, and other small craft, to the application thereto
of a raised covering of flexible material to prevent its being swamped by the
waves, to shelter passengers from the cold, and to catch rain water, and to the
construction and application of a novel and peculiarly shaped self-steering
apparatus to be affixed to a model boat intended to be sent adrift from a
vessel in distress or in danger of being wrecked, and in which would be placed
any written document deemed necessary to guide a vessel to the one in danger ;,
a black flag at the masthead of the small boat would attract attention..
The peculiar arrangements of the parts of our said boat admit of great
facility in taking to pieces, of being easily stowed or packed in small space,.
and expeditiously fitted up when required, thus allowing a vessel to carry
many life boats, enabling the means of transporting a large army across rivers.
to be conveyed overland in one waggon, the boats being at the same time.
applicable for any of the uses of ordinary boats, and parts of the same can be
applied to boats generally. The keel is made of suitable material, say,
galvanized iron either in one piece or hinged, and has affixed by joints or

page_text: other suitable arrangement the stem and stern posts, all of which can be
folded up so as to occupy small space. The stem and stern posts have
apertures therein or affixed thereto, through which are passed the lowering
tackle hooks, and are made sufficiently heavy or have weights attached to
keep her taught when lowered into the water or striking against a rock or
ship's side. The ribs, frames, or stanchions are made with jointed pieces of
metal plates betwixt them on the principle of the "lazytongs," to admit
of being folded closely together, but which serve to keep them at proper
distances when distended. The lower ends of the frames are shaped to clip
the keel, and may be secured by pins. Plates of perforated metal are affixed
to the stem and stern and to the ribs for a few feet from each end to give
strength. The gunwale made hollow has rowlocks fastened therein, and is
shaped to fit, on the top of the frames, to which it is fastened with spring bolts
or other contrivance, the ends being securely attached to the stem and stern
posts. The floor folds up like carriage steps, and is made to fit the particular
shape of the boat. The thafts are made to fit and fasten to the ribs, and tend
to strengthen and keep the boat elastic, or give "working." Instead of the
ordinary planking with wood or plating with metal, we use a covering of gutta
percha, india-rubber, or other flexible or elastic material, fabric, or substance,
over the parts described, when fitted together; that part of the "planking" or
covering near the gunwale being double and containing air, will serve to keep
the boat afloat should any part get damaged. Any of the present arrange-
ments of rigging can be used, but when a fore and aft sail is only required we
arrange pendants from the fore stay, so that the sail can be close brailed up
at.. once. Over the entire boat is raised a covering of flexible material
supported by stanchions, and buttoned or otherwise fastened to or near the
gunwale; rain falling on this covering is made to flow into the hollow gunwale
by openings for that purpose, and when these are full into a cistern or tank in
the bow or stern, the space in the bow or stern not used for water having
a locker for containing. provisions. The self-steering apparatus for the model
boat consists of a rod having affixed at the top an umbrella-shaped apparatus,
on which the wind acts; the other end of the rod fits into or on an octagon-
shaped rudder head.. This apparatus set with the position of the sail will
allow the model boat or messenger to be directed as desired. The model boat
or messenger can also be used as a buoy, and for the saving of life at sea.
"