An Apparatus for Lifting and Floating Sunken Vessels and other Dead Weights.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 31st Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Lifting and Floating Sunken Vessels and other
Dead Weights.
I, HUGH HUNTER, of the City of Wellington, in the Colony of New Zealand,
Marine Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an apparatus that can be let down in the water and
attached to a sunken object to raise it. The apparatus as immersed fills with water
and so prevents any difficulty about sinking after it has been fixed to the article to be
raised the water is forced out and so imparts bouyancy to the apparatus. This is
done as follows:-
The apparatus is preferably formed as a metal cylinder in which is fitted a piston,
one end of the cylinder is open and the other end closed. The latter end is fitted
with a union connection to attach a pipe, such connection is fitted with valves. To
prepare the apparatus the piston is moved up to the closed end and the cylinder let
down into the water, when it at once fills at the open end. When attached to the
article to be raised air is pumped in through the pipe, which forces forward the
piston thereby displacing the water, and imparting bouyancy to the apparatus. A
suitable stop is arranged at end of cylinder to prevent piston being forced out.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1893.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Lifting and Floating Sunken Vessels and other
Dead Weights.
I, HUGH HUNTER of the City of Wellington, in the Colony of New Zealand,
Marine 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 invention consists of a cylindrical vessel, made of light iron or other suitable
metal, and closed at one end. Inside the cylinder is a moveable piston which,
when forced by the pressure of air to the open end of the cylinder, closes that end,
and so forms an air-tight vessel.
the
Reference to the annexed drawing will explain the construction and working of
apparatus.
A is the cylinder with one metal closed end (B), the other end open.
At the end B the cylinder is fitted on the outside with a union screw for air
pressure hose attachment (C) and on the inside with a back-pressure or check
valve (D). E is a sliding metal piston, packed with leather or other substance to
make it tight, and having on its upper side a flange sufficiently long to prevent its
turning over. F is a ring of india-rubber or other suitable substance for the piston
to fit against and to assist in making the cylinder air-tight when the piston is
pressed against it. G is a recessed metal ring, rivetted or bolted inside the open
end of the cylinder, to form a seating for and to hold the rubber ring F.
The method of using the apparatus is as follows:-The cylinder (with the
Pois Rd

page_text: piston at the end B), upon being placed in the water, becomes filled with water
from the open end and is thus easily placed in any required position. When the
cylinder is attached to the ship or other object intended to be raised, air is
introduced from an air pump or air cistern by means of a hose attached to the
union screw at C. The pressure of the air pushes the piston E forward to the
open end of the cylinder until all the water is expelled and the cylinder is full of
air. The packing of the piston and the rubber ring F make the cylinder air-tight.
When the cylinder is full of air, the supply through the hose is cut off and the
retaining valve D prevents any escape. The cylinder may be of any size and any
number may be used, as may be found convenient or requisite to raise the ship.
After use, the air uay be allowed to escape by means of an air-cock at the end B
and the piston pushed back to that end.
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
The method of emptying the cylinder of water and filling it with air and
converting it into an air-tight vessel by means of the sliding piston as applied to
the open-ended cylinder.
Dated this Ninth day of Mov
1802
Dated this Ninth
inth day May
Witness to Signature-
A. GRAY,
1802
Solicitor, Wellington, N.Z.
HUGH HUNTER.
Frederic Prince,
37, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, E.C., Agent.