IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS.
Year: 1866

page_text: LEITERS PATENT to Thomas Berney, of Brecon Hall, in the County of
Norfolk, Clerk, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS.
Sealed the 1st March 1867, and dated the 6th September 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Berney at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th
September 1866.
I, THOMAS BERNEY, of Bracon Hall, in the County of Norfolk, Clerk, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS,' to be as follows: -
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of ships
and other vessels, and consists of several parts, and consists of torming longi-
tudinal singers, and also ribs and keels and steus of vessels of latticed beams
and ginders, and of other parts of this Invention, herein-aiter to be described,
but who reas any one of a variety of toas might be claimed to be used con-
sistently with suficient strength in these machines, herein-aiter to be described,

page_text: by the sacrifice of lightness and the incurring loss by amount of material to
be used, or by some sacrifice of scientific principle for the purpose, or with the
possible effect of evading the protection for Invention or application sought
I therefore claim and pray for protection for these the said lattice braced
girders, keels, ribs, stringers, stems, or otherwise, in the positions herein speci
fied and elsewhere, in ships and other vessels, and for other machinery herein-
after to be described, or for any modification of the same, or of some or one of
them, in the positions herein-after to be described in the constructing of ships
and other vessels, whether cach, or some, or one of them be used in combina-
tion with any other or others of the same or not.
This Invention then consists in forming longitudinal stringers and also keels
and ribs and stems of vessels of lattice beams or girders, each beam being
composed of two or more members formed of metal bars or plates, or sets
of metal bars or plates of suitable form and construction, the said members
being connected the one to the other by a latticework of metal bars; these
beams are made more or less of the curvature of the different parts of the
vessels to which they are applied. When using longitudinal stringers of
lattice beams, as above described, I apply them to each side of the vessel by
preference on the inside of the ribs (if ribs be used) or other framing of the
ship or vessel, or along the bottom where required, and attach them to these
ribs or framing, or I may use them as the framing itself of any ship or vessel.
The members of the beam which are connected by the latticework and bars
are curved mere or less to the form of the side or bottom or deck of the vessel,
and they are connected together at intervals by bars at right angles to any
horizontal line lying in the central longitudinal plane of the vessel; between
these bars are diagonal trusses composed of metal bars, and towards their
ends at the point of their intersection with the before said bars they are
connected to the longitudinal members of the beam by screw bolts, rivets,
or otherwise. These diagonal tie bars or trusses may ail either run diagonally
from the end of one bar to the opposite end of the next bar, or the truss bar
starting from one end of a bar may pass to the opposite end of the next bar,
and the truss bar from the opposite end of the bar in place of passing to the
end of the next bar may pass to the end of the bar beyond it according to the
angle at which they may be required to be sel; or in place of the above con-
struction of lattice girders, other forms of lattice or other braced girders may
be employed. Any number of longitudinal lattice braced stringers, such as
are above described, may be applied to the sides of a vessel at distances apart
from each other, according to the amount of strength required to be obtained.
When making the ribs of a vessel of lattice girders, as above mentioned, the

page_text: members which are to be connected by the latticework are curved more or
less to the form of the transverse sections of the vessel, and they are connected
together by suspension rods or bars, the same by preference to be perpendicular,
between which are lattice bars consisting of struts and ties, and arranged in
a similar manner by preference to that first described with regard to the
longitudinal stringers. When making the ribs of a vessel of lattice braced
girders, longitudinal lattice brace stringers, such as are above described, and
keels of a similar description may be used together with them; also the lattice
girder ribs may be used without using the lattice girder stringers. and the said
lattice girder stringers may be used without using the said lattice girder ribs.
If desired columns or tie rods may be used to connect the several lattice
braced ribs the one to the other, and the longitudinal lattice braced stringers,
if more than one be used, may in a similar manner he connected the one to
the other. Each distance column 1 prefer to form with a male screw at onc
end. the male screw is to be passed through the holes formed through the
truss bars of the lattice bracing and then screwed into a female screw in the
end of another column on the opposite side.
And further this Invention has for its object to strengthen the stem of
vessels intended to incur violent shocks by converting the arch of the stem
post into a powerful girder by introducing into the said arch a cord from
the keel to the upper part of the stem post, and by fastening it securely to
another iron bar, which must be secured behind the projecting point of the
arch, and be united also by preference with the fore suspension bar or bars
of the main longitudinal central girder of the ship, and be placed in the line
of the force to be exerted, and the whole also to be braced together by
pairs of struts and tie bars. the whole to be of strength suitable to the object
required.
And further the Invention has for its object to combine with it and to sup-
port the same laterally by uniting with it a pair or more of the aforesaid longi-
tudinal lattice braced stringer girders, the same to be placed and fixed along
the inner curve of the ship's side, and in the plane of the force to be exerted,
but the stem girder might also be used separately and independently of the
said longitudinal stringers, and in its own simple cross bow form, as before
described, for which I claim the Invention, whether with or without the
before-described struts and ties, and these also might be used with either the
stock or the cord of the bow or alone.
And I further claim protection for the Invention of an entirely new plan
of naval architecture for the class of those called rams and for other ships
and vessels by the combination of longitudinal lattice braced stringers for the

page_text: keel, which I prefer to be of whole webs as well as lattice trussed. one or
more. and at the level of the ram head and throughout the whole form of the
vessel. in combination with transverse sectional ribs formed also of lattice
braced girders, and in conjunction with other my Inventions and improve-
ments in naval architecture in the construction of vessels of war and other
ships and vessels. By this entirely novel construction, and by attention to
the more especial use which I purpose each of the respective systems of
girders to fulfil, I am enabled to bring the main weight of the structure
gradually towards the centre of the ship. In constructing the transverse
sectional girders the upper and under members to be held at a distance at
the keel I prefer to have gradually approach each other as they rise up the
side line of the vessel, and the series of systems of trusses therefore thereon
to diminish in size and distance from each other proportionately. For
divisional purposes, in cases of leakage. some of these rib girders I prefer
to have also whole webbed. The pair or more of longitudinal lattice braced
girders at the level of the line of force to be brought into action at the ram
head, I prefer to have combined with the girder frame thereat constructed;
the whole structure I prefer to line with plate iron, making it waterproof.
The whole structure being well united with the stem and stern post I propose
to cover with a series of stout shallow double flanged metal bars (of Bessemer
steel to be preferred), or other iron to be ranged over the whole girder frame-
work in any arrangement; but 1 prefer there being placed obliquely and
leaning from the lower point of the stem backwards, and to be placed at
some distances from each other, and which I should prefer to be about a foot
and to be securely rivetted to the angle iron or other flanges of the girders,
and to be bird's-mouthed or otherwise securely combined with the stem and
stern post. I then propose to cover the whole with iron plating to be
securely rivetted to the flanges of the said bars, and then to clad the whole
with timber planking in some direction, but I should prefer teak planks. and to
have them arranged diagonally with the previous arrangement of the iron bars,
and, furthermore. to coat the whole with an outer skin of iron plate of about
one and a half inches thick, John Knight & Co. iron. from the Cookley Iron-
works, near Kidderminster. or Lowmoor to be preferred.
I further propose to place and claim the Invention of a complete system
of small sluice gates at the webs irons of the keel next the lower end of each
water-tight compartment of the transverse sectional girders to be under
command from within the ship, and also to introduce the other Inventions
herein mentioned and described for inspecting the condition of the said com-
partments, and also my Invention for the better fastening on of armour, and

page_text: further also a system of bullet-proof shield and scale armour of my Invention
over the port holes to be hereafter more fully described.
And further these Inventions have for their object a more secure method of
fastening heavy armour plates on to the side of a ship. and of avoiding the
evils of the present system by the use of bolts of my Invention which shall
have the screw end much larger than the staik of the bolt, and shall taper
conically down to its sides without any square shoulder. The hexagon or
other flat-sided head shall be larger than the usual regular size, and shall also
taper conically down to the size of the stalk like a common screw, so as to fit
a hollow in the backing plate, which may be countersunk by a blow to receive
it. The difference in size between the screw end and the stalk shall for about
a third of its length and towards the screw be filled up with a collar of some
softer metal or compound of metal, such, for instance, as 4 parts of lead to
3 of tin, which shall be cast on to the stalk by preference, and the rest be
filled up by binding it or serving it with tar-line or other similar material, so
as to allow of a certain liberty for bending in case the plate when fixed by it
should buckle or bend under a blow. The bolts also must be inserted into
the back only of the armour plates and from the inside of the vessel, instead
of the outside, and the holes for the screws be sunk and tapped no farther
than is necessary, and would be better for having a piece of sheet lead at the
bottom of the hole as a cushion. There should also be a slightly compressible
washer under the bolt head, and for which I should prefer the vulcanized
india-rubber in the hard black state in which it is used for making artists'
Squares, &c.
And further, and lastly, these Inventions have for their object, where a
space exists between the inner skin of the vessel and the ship's bottom, of
roviding facilities for inspecting the state of the latter by inserting at various
laces into the false bottom screwed double plugs, the larger one to be
crewed into the false bottom, and to have set in it a semicircular convex and
concave glass of good clear stout glass, and of such size that the bull's-eye of
he hand lanthorn could be held into it, and the smaller plug to be screwed
nto it easily to protect the glass.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent. filed
by the said Thomas Berney in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
March 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I. THOMAS
BERNEY. of Bracon Hall, in the County of Norfolk, send greeting.
WHEREAS er most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors. give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Berney, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas Berney.
my executors, administrators. and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Thomas Berney. my executors, administrators. and assigns. should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise. and vend. within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMIROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that 1, the said Thomas Berney, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals. should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said Thomas Berney, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:
-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of ships
and other vessels, and consists of forming longitudinal stringers and also ribs
and keels and stems of vessels of lattice beams and girders. also in similarly
forming the longitudinal deck girders, and also in constructing the minor
deck girders of which these are formed: but the minor girders are
differently braced: also in similarly forming the main longitudinal girders
and transverse girders for supporting cupolas on decks, and for supporting
deck girders or deck beams; also in forming lattice girders by connecting
together the lower members of the rib girders by incline bars running from
one to the other and forming as it were a herring-boning between them: also
in forming lattice or other braced girders of the pairs of strut bars of the

page_text: main central keel girder, and in forming them, or some of them, as main
central ladders also in the employment of a lattice girder to give lateral
support to a ram head or stem frame; also in forming a ram head by the
combination of several longitudinal lattice braced stringers with the stem
post. and also of other parts of this Invention herein-after to be described.
I therefore claim and pray for protection for these the said lattice braced
girders. keels, ribs, stringers, stems, or otherwise, in the positions herein
specified and elsewhere in ships and other vessels, and for other machinery
herein-after to be described, and for any modification of the same. or of
some or one of them, in the positions herein-after to be described in the con-
structing of ships and other vessels, whether each, or some, or one of them be
used in combination with any other or others of the same or not. Each
beam is composed of two or more members formed of metal bars or plates
or sets of metal bars or plates. of suitable form and construction, the said
members being connected the one to the other by a latticework of metal
bars. These beams are made more or less by the curvature of the different
parts of the vessels to which they are applied. When using longitudina
stringers of lattice beams, as above described, I apply them to each side
of the vessel, by preference on the inside of the ribs (if ribs be used)
or other frame or framing of the ship or vessel, or along the bottom where
required, and attach them to these ribs or other frame or framing, or I may
use them as the framing itself of any ship or vessel. The members of the
beam which are connected by the latticework of bars are curved more or less
to the form of the side, or of the bottom, or of the deck. or of any of them, of
the vessel, and they are connected together at intervals by bars. by preference
at right angles to any horizontal line lying in the central longitudinal plane
of the vessel. Between these bars are diagonal trusses composed of metal
bars, and towards their ends at the point of their intersection with the before-
said bars they are connected to the longitudinal members of the beam by screw
bolts, rivets, or otherwise. These diagonal tie bars or trusses may all either
run diagonally from the end of one bar to the opposite end of the next bar, or
the truss bar starting from one end of a bar may pass to the opposite end of
the next bar, and the truss bar from the opposite end of the bar in place of
passing to the end of the next bar may pass to the end of the bar beyond it.
according to the angle at which they may require to be set or in place of
the above construction of lattice girders other forms of lattice or other braced
girders may be used. Any number of longitudinal lattice-braced stringers.
as above described, may be applied to the sides of a vessel at distances apart
from each other according to the amount of strength required to be obtained.

page_text: When making ribs of a vessel of lattice girders, as abovementioned, the members
which are to be connected by the latticework are curved more or less to the
form of the transverse sections of the vessel, and they are connected together by
strain or suspension rods or bars, the same by preference to be perpendicular,
between which are lattice bars consisting of struts and ties arranged in a
similar manner by preference to that first described with regard to the
longitudinal stringers. When making the ribs of a vessel of lattice braced
girders longitudinal lattice braced stringers, such as are above described.
and keels of a similar description may be used together with them. Where
in making any ribs of a ship of lattice braced girders with the struts springing
from the lower member instead of from the upper, and passing from the keel
towards the side of a ship (which is the plan I prefer to adopt for supporting
the transverse girders to carry a cupola). the said lattice strut if placed at
a fixed angle (though that is not essential) from the curving of the ship's side
necessarily run out of action any other suitable form of lattice bracing may
be introduced but along this lower part of the ship's side a series of longi-
be introduced
tudinal lattice braced stringers are by preference to
to occupy the intervening space below deck. There are various ways in
which they may be combined with the remaining vacant parts of the members
of the rib girders. In some cases the outer members of the two series of
girders thus crossing each other may be combined together wholly or in part
in the same course. I prefer in other cases to apply the outer member of the
longitudinal girder to the inside of the outer members of the rib girders.
so as to admit of a course of bars being placed edgewise in an oblique direc-
tion between the latter, and in some cases of a second course of bars being
arranged across the first course, and in such manner that the two together
form one course with the said outer members of the said rib girders and with
which they are to be combined, and in conjunction with them to form lattice
braced girders, and of the whole being supported by the said longitudinal
stringer girders. The inner members may receive support from the inner skin
of the ship also the lattice girder ribs may be used without using the lattice
girder stringers, and the said lattice girder stringers may be used without using
the said lattice girder ribs. If desired distance columns and tie rods may be
used to connect the several lattice braced ribs the one to the other, and the
longitudinal lattice braced stringers, if more than one be used, may in a
similar manner be connected the one to the other. Each distance column
I prefer to form with a male screw at one end: the male screw is to be passed
through holes formed through the truss bars of the lattice bracing, and then to
be screwed into a female screw in the end of another column on the opposite

page_text: side. When using longitudinal lattice braced stringers as mam centrai keer
girders to a ship a single girder of any one of the above-described or of other
forms may be used. its lower member being formed with the keel or kelson of
the ship: the common form first described, consisting of the usual series of
suspension bars connected by struts and ties is preferred to be used for this
purpose; its upper member is placed in or about the plane of one of the decks,
or the deck is made to harmonize with it, and by preference in or about the
plane of the upper deck. The struts in this central girder spring from the
keel, and the series commences at or about the centre of the ship, and lean
towards the stem and stern posis respectively, and are inclined by preference
at an angle of 45 degrees with any horizontal line lying in the central plane
of the ship. The level of the intersection of the struts and ties is preferred
as the height for one of the other decks; but in some cases, and especially
when a central screw shaft is used in the ship, it is preferred, and it is a part
form
of this Invention. to
the
two girders
main keel girder of
side by side, and farther as a modification to have them so combined in one
that though meeting together along the kelson their respective pairs of strut,
tie, and suspension bars, except where meeting together or otherwise combined
towards the stem and stern, shall lean away from each other from the kelson
upwards, and in such manner that the line of their respective members at the
level of any deck shall be widest apart at or about the midship section, and
shall thence approach each other by curves similar or nearly so to the
respective deck lines of the ship. To keep the horizontal pairs of members
which at the level of each deck may be combined with this duplex and cradle
girder frame in their relative positions they have at intervals suitable supports
from one to the other, and some of these by preference may be placed at the
points of intersection of their respective struts and ties, and at the head and
in the plane of the suspension bars. Similarly the pairs of strut bars standing
in juxtaposition to each other are also kept in their relative positions by
distance and tie pieces and lattice bracing bars reaching across at intervals
from one side to the other in such manner as to combine each pair of strut
bars together into one main compound strut girder, and this series of strut
girders thus constructed it is proposed as a part of this Invention to form
where conveniently situated into ladders, and thus to afford means for an
uniform system of main central ladders throughout the ship. increasing in
width in some cases at each deck, and reaching where desirable from the floor
of the ship to the upper deck.
And further this Invention has for its object to strengthen the stem of

page_text: vessels intended to incur violent shocks by converting the arch of the stem
post into a powerful girder by introducing into the said arch a cord from the
keel to the upper part of the stem post, and by fastening it securely by
another iron bar which must be secured behind the projecting point of the
arch and be combined also by preference with the fore suspension bars of
the main longitudinal central keel girder of the ship and be placed in the line of
force to be exerted, and the whole also to be braced together by pairs of struts
and tie bars, the whole to be of strength suitable to the object required.
And further this Invention has for its object to combine with it and to
support the same laterally by uniting with it a pair or more of the aforesaid
longitudinal lattice braced stringer girders, the same to be placed and fixed
along the inner curve of the ship's side and in the plane of the force to be
exerted, but others rising from a lower level may be united with it, and so in
some cases form by themselves a ram head, and this also forms part of my
Invention. But the stem girder might also be used separately and inde-
pendently of the said longitudinal stringers, and in its own simple cross bow
form as before described, for which I claim the Invention whether with or
without the before-described struts and ties. and these also might be used
with either the stock or the cord of the bow or by themselves.
When a ram head is constructed upon the plan of this Invention, in con-
junction with the main central keel girder of the ship. the fore pair of the
suspension bars of the said girder are united together at the kelson and also
at any point above the ram head framing, and by preference at the level of
one of the decks, but are kept apart from each other in suitable curves by
proper distance pieces in such manner and as a part of this Invention that the
whole shall form and act as a girder and fulcrum to the central lever bar of
the ram head, the after end of which is secured in its place by a bulkhead or
otherwise; so also will the pair or more of longitudinal lattice braced stringers
lying at and about the level of the ram head act as a fulcrum to give to it
lateral support. The upper member of any transverse girder may be of any
required height, but will by preference follow the under side of one of the
decks. These girders may be placed across the ship at intervals, but by
preference in the planes of the respective suspension bars of the main
central keel girder framing. If carried to the height of the main deck or
to any height to which it may be desirable to make the usual water-tight and
fireproof divisions (but of which I disclaim the invention entirely).
a compound lattice braced girder composed of two or more of
such girders as are above described is preferred in some cases to be used, and

page_text: as the usual divisions are supposed to be inefficient for the latter purpose
propose as a part of this Invention to make improvements in the fireproof
divisions by making parts of the girder in duplicate, and to arrange them in
such manner as to form frames or cradles somewhat similar in form to that
The cradle girders
described of the main central keel girder or otherwise.
thus constructed can be lined with plates, and used as water tanks, thus ren-
dering them it is contended eflicient fireproof divisions.
When using longitudinal lattice braced stringers at the level of any deck
they are placed as nearly as they conveniently can be in the plane of the
said deck, and in some cases I prefer to use any one of them or of triangular
girders in such a modified form, by preference as shown in the Drawings here-
unio annexed as part of this Invention, so to act as a substitute throughout
their extent for the usual deck beams.
In the form of longitudinal stringer herein secondly described each tie
passes from the end of one suspension bar to the opposite end of the next, but
each strut passing from the end of one suspension bar crosses the suspension
bar next to it, and reaches the opposite end of the suspension bar beyond it;
the struts are therefore longer than the ties and the ties than the suspension
bars. This form I prefer to compound and to modify for use in the support
of decks for ships intended as rams, but a compound modification of the first
form is suitable for supporting decks for other ships and vessels.
The modification and improvement in any girder as a part of this Invention
for the support of decks in lieu of deck beams consists, first, in making the
two members of which each strat is composed to act together as a girder
under the deck, the upper member follows, by preference, the curve of the
deck; the lower member hangs in a curve beneath it; secondly, the ties are
also preferred to be made of two members, and to be similarly arranged as
girders, and being shorter are placed between those of the struts; thirdly,
where the deck is lined with iron plates I make use of them by placing the
suspension, or in this position more properly called, strain bars, in a curve
beneath, so as to act as girders in tension in opposition to the said deck plates
in compression. Where no deck plates are used the said strain bars are also
preferred to consist of two members, and to act as girders similarly to the
struts and ties. In some cases two, and in most cases more than two, of these
complex girders so composed are compounded together to give a sufficient
and uniform support; each of these under girders is suitably braced; their
respective members are kept in their places by suitable distance pieces inserted
at the various points at which these under girders intersect one another, and
which by preference may be hollow columns and tie rods, and in some cases where

page_text: requisite one or more girder bars or beams of this form called
Hiron is or are placed longitudinally through the line of under girders in
such manner as to act as continuous distance pieces to them, and distribute
any stress upon them
more evenly. but I do not claim the intro-
These compound and complex
duction of such H iron beams into ships.
girders of my Invention will in some cases receive additional sup-
port from the main transverse sectional lattice braced rib girders before
described.
And I further claim protection for the Invention of a new plan of naval
architecture for the class of those called rams, and for other ships and vessels,
by the combination of lattice braced girders one or more for the keel and
forming the central framing of the ship and at the level of the ram head and
throughout the whole form of the vessel in combination with transverse sec-
tional girders and ribs formed also of lattice braced girders, and connected
together by a latticework of bars so as to form other intermediate girders,
part of this Invention, and forming the frame of the ship; these bottom girders
are constructed by connecting together the outer members of the rib girders
respectively by two courses of bars crossing each other in an inclined direc-
tion from rib to rib, the depth of the two courses being by preference equal to
that of the said outer members, and the girder ribs are so, as it were, herring-
boned together, and in conjunction with other my inventions and improve-
ments in naval architecture in the construction of vessels of war and other
ships and vessels. By this novel construction, and by attention to the more
especial use which I purpose each of the respective systems of girders to
fulfil, am enabled to bring the main weight of the framing gradually towards
the centre of the ship. In constructing the transverse sectional girders the
upper and under members to be held at a distance at the keel I prefer to
have gradually approach each other as they rise up the side line of
the vessel, and the series of systems of trusses therefore thereon to diminish in
size and distance proportionately. The pair or more of longitudinal lattice
braced girders at the level of the line of force to be brought into action at the
ram head I prefer to have combined with the girder frame thereat constructed,
the whole being well united with the stem and stern posts. John Knight &
Co.'s iron, from the Cookley Ironworks, near Kidderminster or Lowmoor,
is to be recommended for all girder work for ships. I also introduce the other
Inventions herein mentioned and described for inspecting the condition of the
said compartments. And further a system of bullet-proof shield and scale
armour of my Invention over the port holes to be hereafter more fully described.
And further this Invention has for its object improvements in the con-

page_text: struction of ships of war by the introduction of a new system of bullet-proof
shield and scale armour as curtains to the port holes for the purpose of
affording protection against bullets of small arms. The improvement consists
in linking rings of suitable size, substance, and form together, so as to form
a fabric or chainwork (the principle of which is used by application) capable
of extension and contraction. and then in fastening to the rings some on one
side and some on the other suitable iron plates, so as to form a system of
armour which even when extended shall be impenetrable to bullets
of small arms. By this means a system of shield and scale armour capable
of extension and contraction is formed, so that if hung before a port hole and
the muzzle of a gun be run out it will extend and hange about it, and will
again resume its contracted form on the gun being withdrawn; it affords also
the means of giving ventilation.
And further this Invention has for its object a more secure method of
fastening heavy armour on to the side of a ship by the use of bolts of my
Invention, which shall have the screw end much larger than the stalk of the
bolt, and shall taper conically down to its size without any square shoulder.
The hexagonal or other flat-sided head shall be larger than the usual regular
size, and shall also taper conically down to the size of the stalk, so as to fit
a hollow in the backing plate: the bolts also I prefer to insert into the back
only of the armour plates from the inside of the vessel, instead of from the
outside, and the holes for the screws to be sunk and tapped no farther than
is necessary, and would be better for having a piece of sheet lead at the
bottom as a cushion.
And further, lastly, this Invention has for its object, where a space exists
between the inner skin of a vessel and the ship's bottom, of providing facilities
for inspecting the state of the latter by inserting at various places in the false
bottom screwed double plugs, the larger one to be screwed into the false
bottom and to have set in it concave and convex glass (of good clear stout
glass) semicircular by preference, and of such size that the bull's-eye of the
hand lanthorn could be held into it, and the smaller plug to be screwed into
it easily to protect the glass.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood, and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a steam ship, the framing of it con-
structed according to my Invention; Figure 2 is a plan, and Figure 3 is a

page_text: transverse section of the same. As will be seen a strong lattice girder runs
towards the stem and stern of the ship; and as will be seen in Figure 3 this
girder is bifurcated so as to enclose a space in which the flues may be placed;
usually, however, this space will not require to be so wide as is represented
in the Figure. The lattice girder consists of an upper and a lower member
connected together by struts, ties, and suspension bars, as is indicated. The
angle the struts make with a horizontal line are each 45°, and this is the
angle I prefer for struts for this and the other lattice girders except where
the form is such as to render a deviation from this angle necessary.
The plan, Figure 2, shows the longitudinal deck girders, the outer member
of each of which corresponds to the general contour of the vessel, and the
inner member is parallel to it, or more or less, and they are connected together
by struts, ties. and suspension or strain bars, as is shown. (I call the bars,
which are perpendicular to the outer and inner members in the straight part
of the girder, suspension or strain bars, to avoid confusion of terms, although
they are in this case horizontal, and so in other cases) these two longitudinal
deck girders are connected together at intervals by other longitudinal girders.
filling up the central space with the exception of the spaces necessarily left for
hatchways, skylights, and passages.
As will be seen in Figure 3, the struts, ties. and suspension or strain bars
of the longitudinal deck girders are themselves small framed girders, and
upon them the deck is laid.
Figure 4 shows on a larger scale one-half of a midship section of a ship
or vessel to which my Invention is applied: it indicates clearly one of the
lattice rib girders with its struts, ties, and suspension bars; also at a. a, a, a.
arc seen longitudinal lattice stringer girders; they all meet at the
prow in the ram head frame, to which they give great strength is one-half
of the longitudinal main keel girder already described: its head is preferred
to be formed as is shown in section at Figure 5; c. c, are the transverse or
inclined deck beams, and the plates and bars of which the upper ones are
composed enter between the side flanges d of the main longitudinal keel
girder, and are there firmly held. The longitudinal lattice stringer girders
may be combined with ribs of plated girders, as is shown at Figure 6. which
also shows a modification in the method of arranging them: they
lie horizontally and are parallel to each other by preference. Figure 7
shows a half transverse section of a ship with a portion of a side view of the
longitudinal main keel girder drawn over it to show the relation of the various
parts; Figure 8 shows various forms of lattice rib girders with their upper
and lower members, struts, ties, and suspension or strain bars, and as a rule

page_text: I make the struts to spring from the upper member; this, however, is not so
where a heavy weight, such as a cupola, has to be carried, as is shown at
Figure 8. and in this case also. as will be seen, I employ a strong transverse
lattice girder with upper and lower members, struts. ties, and suspension bars,
immediately under the cupola, as is clearly shown; these transverse girders are
supported by rib girders with the struts by preference springing from the lower
member and at 45°, but carried further up by another form of lattice girder.
Figures 9 show several forms of the longitudinal stringer girders with their
outer and inner members, struts, ties, and suspension or strain bars.
Figure 10 shows the method in which the lattice girder rib frames are con-
nected together by inclined bars in the nature of herring-boning. so that each
pair of ribs forms the two members of a girder with struts and ties between
them. The sectional forms of the several bars are shown in the Drawing, but
these may be varied.
Figure 11 indicates the method in which the bars of the lattice girders may
be made lighter towards the sides and ends of a ship. or towards
the centre in some few cases according to the weight or strain they are intended
to bear.
Figures 12 are forms in which the struts may conveniently be made;
Figure 12 indicates the method in which I stay the several girders the one
from the other.
a. a, are rigid pillars passing from girder to girder, and b. b. b, are the strut
and suspending bars of the girder. One of the pillars is formed with a stem
with a screw thread cut upon it, and this steam passes through the parts b and
screws into a socket in another pillar on the other side of the girder. When
the girders are not quite parallel the one with the other the pillars a must be
curved.
Figure 13 shows the stem frame or ram head of the vessel made into a
lattice bow and string girder by which great strength and rigidity is obtained.
The parts a, a, a, a, forged together and the struts and ties b. b. b. b, are
connected thereto by bolts; c, c, are the longitudinal stringer girders uniting
with the stem frame in the manner clearly indicated by the Figure 13. which
is part of a transverse section taken opposite the point where the section is
placed in the Drawing. d. d, is the lateral stiffening girder of the rain head
frame, and formed of the fore pair of suspension bars of the main central keel
girder of the ship.
Figure 14 is a front view of one-half of it with the parts in connection with
it in section. Figure 15 shows various forms which may be given to the ram
head frame.
:

page_text: Figure 16 shows a portion of a curtain of chain armour with which I cover
port holes it is made of steel rings, and to prevent musket balls from passing
through it I hang upon it medallions, such as are shown at Figure 17; these
in no way interfere with the flexibility of the curtain. The muzzle of the gun
as it is run out of the port hole lifts the curtain and passes it, and on the
recoil of the gun the curtain falls by its own weight and closes the port hole
against musketry.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Berney, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.