Improvements in Means for Finding and Raising Sunken Ships or other Objects.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Finding and Raising Sunken Ships or
other Objects.
I, MAURICE MARY JOSEPH OWEN O'CONOR, of Vartry Lodge, Ballybrack, in the
County of Dublin, Captain in the Third Connaught Rangers, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
: -
According to this invention two or more cylindrical or other shaped vessels
which are capable of being filled with air or water at will by means of suitable
pumps are connected together near their ends by chains, or the like, said chains,
or the like being adapted to be moved when required towards each other by suit-
able means, (it may be along guide ways attached to the vessels) the vessels also
being so connected as to be capable of being drawn towards each other laterally.
When filled with air the vessels can be floated over a sunken ship and then, by
filling them with water caused to sink into a position in which the ship will be
surrounded by the cylindrical vessels and chains and, by causing the vessels and
the chains to converge or approach each other the chains will be drawn under
the ship and the vessels brought close to her. The distance apart of the vessels
and also the distance apart of the supporting chains is such that only a compara-
tive degree of accuracy in lowering the apparatus is required; that is to say,
the apparatus, will when lowered, enclose a large area in which the ship may lie,
this fact being ascertained by causing the vessels and chains to converge.
Means are provided for maintaining the vessels at the required distance apart
during the lowering operation.
Having drawn the supporting chains beneath the ship, the vessels can be charged
with air by means of pumps, whereupon the vessels will rise bringing up the ship
supported by the chains.
The means for causing the chains, or the like to converge or approach each other
may be of any suitable kind that can be controlled from the surface of the water,
such for example, as one or more electric motors enclosed in watertight cases and
supplied with current from a dynamo carried by a boat or otherwise, or a system
of hydraulic rams likewise controlled from the surface may be employed. The
motor or motors may be arranged to actuate a winch or winches to which are
connected ropes or chains attached to the chains, or the like connecting the vessels,
the arrangement being such that, when the motor or motors is or are caused to act,
the winch or winches will wind up the ropes or chains and so draw the support-
ing chains, or the like towards each other; the winches may, if necessary, be pre-
vented by suitable means from unwinding when the weight of the sunken ship is
taken by the supporting chains.
In order to obviate excessive slackness of the supporting chains being caused
by the approach of the vessels towards each other hydraulic cylinders having

page_text: connected with them a series of chain pulleys around which the supporting chains
pass, or other suitable means may be provided.
D
11
1011
Namamber 1907
Improvements in Means for Finding and Raising Sunken Ships or
other Objects,
ог
two
I, MAURICE MARY JOSEPH OWEN O'CONOR, of Vartry Lodge, Ballybrack, in the
County of Dublin, Captain in the Third Connaught Rangers, 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:-
This invention has reference to improvements in means or apparatus for finding
and raising sunken ships or other objects hereinafter included in the term ships.
According thereto
more cylindrical or other shaped vessels
which are capable of being filled with air or water at will by means of suitable
pumps are connected together near their ends by chains or the like, the said chains
or the like being adapted to be moved when required towards each other by suit-
able means, (it may be along guide ways attached to the vessels) and the vessels also
being so connected as to be capable of being drawn towards each other laterally.
When filled with air the vessels can be floated over a sunken ship and then, by
filling them with water caused to sink into a position in which the ship will be
surrounded by the cylindrical vessels and chains and by causing the vessels and
the chains to converge or approach each other the chains will be drawn under
the ship and the vessels brought close to her. The distance apart of the vessels
and also the distance apart of the supporting chains is such that only a compara-
tive degree of accuracy in lowering the apparatus is required; that is to say,
the apparatus will when lowered, enclose a large area in which the ship may lie,
this fact being ascertained by causing the vessels and chains to converge.
Means are or may be provided for maintaining the vessels at the required
distance apart during the lowering operation.
Having drawn the supporting chains beneath the ship, the vessels can be charged
with air by means of pumps, whereupon the vessels will rise bringing up the ship
supported by the chains.
The means for causing the chains or the like to converge or approach each other
may be of any suitable kind that can be controlled from the surface of the water,
such for example, as one or more electric motors enclosed in watertight cases and
supplied with current from a dynamo carried by a boat or otherwise, or a system
of hydraulic rams likewise controlled from the surface may be employed. The
motor or motors may be arranged to actuate a winch or winches to which are
connected ropes or chains attached to the chains or the like connecting the vessels,
the arrangement being such that, when the motor or motors is or are caused to act,
the winch or winches will wind up the ropes or chains and so draw the support-
ing chains or the like towards each other; the winches may, if necessary be pre-
vented by suitable means from unwinding when the weight of the sunken ship is
taken by the supporting chains.
In order to obviate excessive slackness of the supporting chains being caused
by the approach of the vessels towards each other hydraulic cylinders having

page_text: connected with them a series of chain pulleys around which the supporting chains
pass, or other suitable means may be provided.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood I shall now describe
by the aid of the accompanying illustrated drawings, the best ways now known to
me of carrying the same into practice. I however desire to expressly point out,
that I have filed another Application for Letters Patent No. 29412 of 1897 in
respect of certain improvements in my apparatus and examples of those improve-
ments are included in the drawings annexed to my present specification because
my apparatus will be much more useful with those added improvements, which
however will be claimed only under my said other application for patent.
Fig. 1 is a general view, in which there is shown, afloat, an apparatus according
to this invention, 1-1 being two vessels which are of cylindrical form, with their
ends tapered, such vessels being of suitable strength, and usually of greater length
than any submerged ship they are intended to find or raise and of such displace-
ment that, with their contained (or attached) machinery, they can themselves
float, and also raise and support (in addition to their connecting gear) the ship
to be raised, supported and removed. 2-2 are arms or projections securely fixed
to and projecting laterally from the exteriors of the said vessels, and adapted to
enable these vessels to be moved in a rotary sense as hereinafter referred to. The
said arms or projections 2 also serve to steady the vessels and prevent them rolling
or turning when on the bed of the sea and to maintain the chains or other flexible
connections on the bed of the sea at the points where they enter the vessels so
that they shall rest upon the bed of the sea throughout their length.
The arms or projections 2 thus serve for the double purpose of rotating the
vessels 1 when floating and for steadying and holding them in proper position on
the bed of the sea when sunk. If desired however other arms or projecting parts
may be provided on the vessels for partly rotating them in which case they need
not necessarily be so arranged as to act on the bed of the sea when the apparatus
is sunk. The arms or projections 2, however, constitute features which will be
claimed in my second application, as improvements upon the invention claimed in
this present application of mine. 3-3 are rows of buoys, whereby the chains or
other flexible connections not seen in this figure but which connect the two cylin-
drical vessels 1-1, are supported, the several buoys in each row being held apart
by rods of rigid material that serve to maintain the vessels at the required distance
apart during the lowering of the apparatus; 4, 4, are steam ships whereby the
apparatus is being towed into position, preparatory to being sunk.
Fig. 2 is a similar view, to a somewhat larger scale, in which the apparatus is
represented as lying upon the bed of the sea, preparatory to the machinery con-
tained in the cylindrical vessels 1-1 being operated so as to haul on to the
flexible connections 5 (which, in this example, are chains having the central or
intermediate portions 5* of their lengths of much greater strength than the
remainder) so as to cause the two cylindrical vessels 1-1 to move towards the
sunken ship 6, and, simultaneously cause the chains to pass under the ship 6, the
stronger portions 5* of the chains occupying positions beneath the ship when the
vessels have been brought close against her sides. The water is, for the sake
of clearness, omitted from that portion of the sea bed on which the apparatus and
the sunken ship 6 are resting. The thin dotted lines 10-10 indicate strong
armoured flexible air tubes, to which are secured electric cables, in suchwise that,
through the tubes, air may, according to requirement, enter or leave the cylin-
drical vessels (air entering as water is discharged, and leaving as water is
admitted), and that through the electric cables, the necessary electric currents can
be conducted for the purpose of operating the electric motors, whereby to work,
when required, the pumps for discharging water from within the cylindrical
vessels, as also to work, when required, the machinery for drawing the cylindrical
vessels towards one another through the media of the chains 5. To obviate
liability to fracture of the air tubes and electric cables indicated at 10, chains 10°
may be used in conjunction therewith, for taking the strain between the steam

page_text: ships 4, 4 and cylindrical vessels 1. The other ends of the cylindrical vessels 1
are also provided with strong armoured flexible air pipes and electric cables, as
indicated at 10, for use in the event of the other ones becoming damaged. The
upper ends of these duplicate tubes and cables may be buoyed or connected with
the steam ships 4, 4".
Fig. 3 shows generally, from a slightly different point of view, the apparatus
afloat, with the raised ship 6 supported between the cylindrical vessels 1-1 of the
apparatus, by means of the chains 5 (not seen in this view); 44 being steam
ships in attendance.
Fig. 4 is a view, illustrating the use of apparatus according to my present inven-
tion in conjunction with improvements to be embodied in my said application
for a second patent, to which reference has been already made. This Fig. 4 is to
a still larger scale than Fig. 3, and, in it, there is shown so much of the apparatus
as is necessary to illustrate how it supports the raised ship 6, by means of the
stronger portions 5ª of the connecting chains 5, after the cylindrical vessels 1-1
have been partly rotated by hauling on to powerful connections 8 attached to the
arms or projections 2 of the respective cylindrical vessels 1.
Fig. 5 illustrates, diagrammatically, relative positions of the cylindrical vessels 1,
their arms or projections 2, the stronger portions 5" of the chains 5, and the ship 6.
These relative positions would obtain (or approximately so) just before com-
mencing to raise the apparatus, with the ship 6, from the bed of the sea; and also,
during the raising, and until the apparatus and ship 6 had attained, approximately
speaking, the position indicated by the upper part of the view, in relation to the
water level 7 (at which time, of course, the apparatus and ship 6 would no longer
be resting on the sea bed). When the cylindrical vessels 1, and ship 6 are in the
latter (the higher) position, light flexible connections are according to my second
invention reeved by divers over and around the pulleys 9, carried by the arms or
brackets 2. By means of these connections, stronger chains or flexible connec-
tions 8 (Fig. 6) are pulled into place over and around the pulleys 9, from the
attendant steam ships 4, 4". By pulling on the ends of these chains or flexible
connections, by means of powerful winches on the steam-ships 4, 4ª the cylindrical
vessels 1 can be partly rotated, so as to alter their displacement.
Fig. 6 is a similar diagrammatic view to Fig. 5, indicating, approximately, the
relative positions of the cylindrical vessels 1, their arms or projections 2, the
central portions 5" of the connecting chains, and the ship 6 after the said vessels 1
have been partially rotated by means of the chains 8 passing over the pulleys 9,
thereby raising the ship 6 into a position well above the water level 7, so as to
permit of inspection, repairs and so forth, such as might be effected if the ship 6
were in a dry dock.
Fig. 7 shows, in side elevation, one of the cylindrical vessels 1, with its arms or
projections 2, portions of the chains 5, as also at 10-10 portions of the air tubes,
with electric cables secured thereto, and portions of the chains 10°.
As will be seen the arms or projections 2 with pulleys 9 are arranged so that in
addition to serving as a convenient means whereby the cylindrical or other vessels 1
can be turned in a rotary sense for the purpose herein set forth, they also serve,
when the apparatus is resting on the bed of the sea, as shown in Fig. 2 to steady
the said vessels and prevent them from rolling or turning on the said bed and so
maintain the chains 5 in their proper positions resting on the bed of the sea at
the points where they enter the said vessels through the longitudinal slots or
openings 23, which, at this time, will be at the lower sides of the vessels. In this
way the chains will be maintained in the best positions for being drawn below the
bottom of a sunken ship. Furthermore the rollers 9 serve to facilitate the move-
ment of the vessels 1 over the bed of the sea when they are being drawn together.
Figs. 7 and 7 show a modified arrangement for partly rotating the vessels.
According thereto the vessels 1 are each provided at the upper side with fixed arms
or projections 2 in addition to the arms or projections 2 at the lower side, and with
hauling-up mechanism 2b. Two sets of chains or other flexible connections 8*

page_text: are passed under the two vessels 1 when the same are floating, and connected at
one end to the arms or projections 2" on one vessel and to the hauling-up mech-
anism 2b on the other vessel, the arrangement being such that by hauling up the
two sets of chains or flexible connections, the vessels will be partly rotated from the
position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 7". A suitable arrangement of
hydraulic hauling up mechanism for this purpose is described in detail in the
specification of another Application for Letters Patent filed by me No. 12439
of 1898.
I have already indicated that as the cylindrical vessels 1 are caused to
approach one another, the chains 3 are caused to approach one another
from both ends of the cylindrical vessels and also to pass under the
sunken ship 6. To illustrate this, I have, in Fig. 7 illustrated by dotted
lines 5*, 5* 5* the extreme inward positions that may be assumed by portions of
the three connecting chains indicated 5, 5, 5, to the right of figure, whilst
at 5**, 5**, 5**, I have indicated the extreme inward positions that may be
assumed by the connecting chains indicated at 5, 5, 5, to the left of the figure.
Figs. 8 and 8 together, show, in central longitudinal section (to a larger scale)
approximately one half (lengthwise) of one of the cylindrical vessels, with con-
tained machinery. To facilitate description, I call this view a vertical section,
and will treat other views accordingly, because (regard being had to the location
of the machinery within the cylindrical vessel) if that vessel were afloat, the
portion containing the machinery would naturally be the lower portion.
Fig. 9, 9, together, show a longitudinal sectional view in the line A-B of
Figs. 8, 8.
Fig. 10 shows (to a larger scale) a transverse sectional view, in two planes,
approximately according to the line C D of Fig. 8. At 11-11 there are arranged
partly around the cylindrical vessel 1, and for a considerable portion of its length,
antifriction balls, adapted to bear against the side of a ship or other body when the
cylindrical vessels 1 have been brought into juxtaposition with it, for raising it.
Figs. 11 and 12 are views at right angles to one another (to a larger scale, than
Fig. 10) illustrating the antifriction ball arrangement just above referred to.
Fig. 13 shows, in side elevation, part of one of the cylindrical vessels 1, with
one of the arms or brackets 2, and the pulleys 9 carried thereby according to the
invention the subject of my before mentioned second application for patent.
Fig. 14 shows, (to a somewhat different scale from Fig. 10) a longitudinal
sectional view of hydraulic apparatus, hereinafter described, for drawing in the
chains 5 with the aid of wheels whose axles are moved lengthwise of the cylindrical
vessels 1, by means of such hydraulic apparatus as will be hereinafter explained.
In this view (Fig. 14) the parts occupy the relative positions which obtain before
the hydraulic rams 12 have commenced their operative strokes.
Fig. 15 is a view corresponding to Fig. 14, but showing the other extreme (or
outward) positions of the rams 12.
Fig. 16 is a view to a larger scale than Figs. 14 and 15, and shows more clearly
the construction of that portion of the apparatus which is shown in the upper
right-hand part of Fig. 14.
Fig. 17 shows, to the same scale as Fig. 16, a cross sectional view, correspond-
ing (except as to scale) to a transverse section in the line E. F of Fig. 15.
Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view (to a smaller scale than Fig. 17), and illustrates
the action of the hydraulic apparatus in drawing in the chains 5. The chain 5
shown to the left of the figure has one of its ends secured, at 5b, to a strong frame-
work or casting 13 which is fixed within the cylindrical vessel 1, and from 5'
the chain 5 passes to and half around the pulley 14, which is free to rotate on the
axle 15, which latter is carried by the casings 16 of the hydraulic apparatus; from
the pulley 14, the chain 5 returns to and passes half around a pulley 17, which
is free to rotate on an axle 18, carried in brackets 19, which are formed with or
fixed to the casting 13; from the pulley 17, the chain passes to and half round
a second pulley 14" which is free to rotate on the axle 15 (Figs. 8, 9 and 10);

page_text: then the chain passes back to and half around a second pulley 17" on the axle 18;
thence back to and half around a third pulley 14 on the axle 15, thence back to
and half around a third pulley 17b on the axle 18; thence back to, and half around
a fourth pulley 14° on the axle 15; thence back to and half around a fourth
pulley 17 on the axle 18; thence back to and under a guide roller 20, and upward
and over a chain wheel 21 which is fast on the axle 22, and is free to rotate in
the direction of the arrow, so as to allow the chain 5, 5" to be drawn in through the
longitudinal slot or opening 23 'formed in the external wall of the cylindrical.
vessel 1, but which wheel is prevented from rotating (unless specially released)
in the contrary direction, as will be hereinafter explained.
Hydraulic gear, pulleys, and other parts similar to those just above described,
are provided for each of the other chains (two of which are indicated to the right
of the one just described), but, as will be seen on reference to Figs. 8 and 9,
additional guide pulleys are provided to direct the course of the second and third
chains (as distinguished from that of the chain whose course has been fully
explained); it being understood that the arrangement at each end of each cylin-
drical vessel 1 is similar to that above described.
Although I have shown, for each chain, four pulleys on each of the axles 15
and 18, the number of such pulleys may be varied to suit the requirements of
particular cases.
Sets of chain pulleys arranged as described serve as a convenient means for
disposing of the portions of the chains drawn into the cylindrical vessels and
obviating any undue slackness of the chains as the vessels approach each other.
Such an arrangement of pulleys also serves to distribute the weight of the chains
drawn in practically uniformly over the length of the vessel.
Figs. 19, 20 and 21 show, to a larger scale, one of the chain wheels 21; also a
ratchet wheel 24 which is fast on the same axle 22; a couple of pawls 25, whereby
the ratchet wheel, whilst permitted to rotate freely in the direction of
the arrow, for taking in chain, is prevented from rotating in the contrary direction,
until specially released, which release is effected by moving the pawls 25, in
opposition to the springs 26, until both of the said pawls are out of gear with the
ratchet wheel 24. The pawls can be locked out of gear by means of pins which,
for that purpose, are passed through eyes 27 in the ends of the lever arms 28,
(which are fast in the pawl axles 29), and into holes (one of which is shewn
at 30) which are formed in one of the outer casings 16 of the hydraulic apparatus,
which casings carry the chain wheel 21, the ratchet wheel 24, the pawls 25, and
other parts, as will be readily understood from the drawings.
The general arrangement of the apparatus will be readily understood from the
description that has been already given.
Referring now, again, to Figs. 8 and 9; 31, 31, 31, 31, indicate electric motors
which may be of any suitable description, and are to be of adequate power, and
such as can through suitable conductors, such as already referred to, be set in
operation from attendant ships, such as 4, 4" which are to be provided with suitable
electric generators, means for operating the same, and other accessories; or with
storage batteries. The electric motors 31 are to be carefully located in strongly
constructed water-tight compartments or chambers (indicated at 32), suitable pro-
vision being made to afford access, when necessary, to the said compartments or
chambers, and also for strongly closing them air-tight at other times.
33, 33, 33, 33 indicate pumps, whereby water can be supplied, under pressure,
to the hydraulic cylinders 34, 31.
The pumps may be of any suitable construction, such as can be suitably worked,
through appropriate gear, from the particular motors employed, but care must be
taken that all the connections between the electric motors and the pumps they are
to operate shall be so enclosed as to prevent the entry of water into the chambers
or compartments in which the electric motors are located.
As will be seen in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 eight of these hydraulic cylinders 34 are,
in this particular example, arranged in pairs; each cylinder contains a ram 12 (see

page_text: Figs. 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17) and the two rams of each pair of cylinders have secured
to them, at their outer ends, the strong end of the outer casing 16, which encloses
the pair of cylinders, and travels along the same.
For supporting the pairs of rams, at intervals of their length, as they leave the
cylinders 34, they may be provided with sets of blocks or bearings 12", 12b, 12°.
The forward end of each cylinder, of each pair, is provided with an annular pro-
jection 34 which fits tightly within a corresponding recess 12d in the correspond-
ing bearing 12" next it, and this bearing is provided with a similar projection
taking into a corresponding recess in the next bearing 12b, which is also provided
with a projection taking into a recess in the third bearing 12°, as shown in
Fig. 16. Projecting from the sides of the bearings 12", 12b, 12° are pins 12°, 12',
12 that extend respectively into slots or grooves 16, 16° and 16 of different
lengths, formed on the inner side of the casing 16. The arrangement is such that,
on the outstroke of the rams, the bearings 12ª, 12b, 12° remain close to the forward
ends of the cylinders 34 until the rear ends of the slots or grooves 16b come into
contact with the pins 12 on the forward set of bearings 12°, whereupon those
bearings are caused to travel forward with the rams and corresponding outer
casing 16
and support the parts of the rams they surround by such
casing; upon the rear ends of the second set of slots or grooves 16° coming into
contact with the pins 12 of the second set of bearings 12b, these bearings are
also caused to travel forward with the rams and outer casing, such bearings then
resting against the bearing 22 of the adjacent pulley axle 22 and supporting
the parts of the rams they surround; and upon the rear ends of the slots or
grooves 16d coming into contact with the pins 12° on the bearings 12" these bear-
ings are caused to bear against the bearings 22b of the next pulley axle 22, and
are also caused to travel forward with the rams, the various parts finally assuming
the positions shown in Fig. 15. Two of the casings 16 (see Fig. 10) are supported
by longitudinal rails or ways 35, on which there travel anti-friction balls or
rollers 36, whose axles are carried by cheeks or brackets 16" formed with or secured
to the undersides of the outer casing 16, which, at their upper sides, are furnished
with antifriction balls 37, which travel against suitable ways 38 (see Figs. 8, 9,
and 10). The other two casings 10 are supported and guided each by upper and
lower rows of anti-friction balls 37 travelling against suitable ways 38 (see
Fig. 10).
The axle 15 at each end of each cylindrical vessel 1, is carried by, and secured
to, and aids in tying together, the whole of the casings 16 at that end.
16* (Fig. 9)
are stays serving to further tie the casings 16 together. The two outside casings 16
are furnished with lateral anti-friction wheels 39, travelling along rails or ways 40,
so as to guide laterally the whole arrangement.
Although, in the particular example, I have shown four pairs of hydraulic
rams and cylinders, and four casings, it is to be understood that not only as to the
number of those parts, but also as to their proportions, dimensions and general
arrangement, variations may be made, as circumstances may render desirable, to
suit the requirements of different cases.
A strong longitudinal curved bulkhead, deck or partition 41 with suitable
stays 42, separates, in an air tight and water-tight manner, the compartment or
compartments containing the machinery, from the compartment or compart-
ments 1 intended to receive water for sinking the apparatus, and to contain air
when the apparatus is to be caused to rise, and is afloat.
Any suitable arrangement may be provided for admitting water to the compart-
ment 1 of each cylindrical vessel 1 for the purpose of sinking the apparatus.
For this purpose, each cylindrical vessel may, for example be provided with a
number of valves, one of which 1b, is shown in Fig. 10. This valve is arranged
within a pocket 1° open to the water, and controls an opening 1ª to the cham-
ber 1. is a spring that tends to press the valve against its seat 1'; 15 is a piston
connected to the stem of the valve and arranged to work in a cylinder 1; and lª is
a pipe for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder. The arrangement is

page_text: such that by admitting fluid under pressure to the cylinder 1, the valve 1b can be
opened against the action of its spring 1° and water allowed to enter the com-
partment 1 to sink the cylindrical vessel. 1, and upon exhausting the cylinder 1,
the valve will be closed against the seat 1, and be held there by the external
pressure of the water in which the vessel is submerged. 1 is a screen to prevent the
entrance of foreign matter to the pocket 1°. The pipe 1' may be common to all
the water inlet valves, and be led to the surface of the water with the air tube
and electric cables shown at 10. Any other suitable arrangement of water inlet
valves may however be employed.
Water or air can enter and leave the compartment containing the machinery
through the longitudinal slot or opening 23. 23" are additional openings through
which water or air can enter and leave the machinery compartment as the same is
turned (by moving the cylindrical vessel 1 in a rotary sense) upward or downward.
43 (Figs. 8 and 10) is a longitudinal plate girder, with numerous inclined stays 44.
45-45 are strong circumference hoops or strengthening belts.
These may be
suitably covered with wood or other material, (or the annular spaces between them
may be filled up), so as to obviate risk of injury to a ship or other body to be
raised, such as might result from the pressure against it of the unprotected hoops
or belts 45.
Furthermore, it will be evident that the details of construction and arrangement
of the devices for strengthening the cylindrical vessels 1, (as well as the forms and
proportions of these vessels themselves) may be more or less varied, as may be
found desirable, without departure from the essential characteristics of my
invention.
It will be understood that the cylindrical vessels 1 are caused to approach one
another by forcing liquid under pressure into the hydraulic cylinders 34, so as (by
forcing their rams 12 and casings 16 outward, and so moving the pulleys 14, 14",
14b, 14, away from the pulleys 17, 17, 17, 17°) to simultaneously draw in the
chains 5 and to draw the cylindrical vessels towards one another.
When this has been done, the cylindrical vessels are still in a sunken condition,
due to the presence of water previously admitted to the water-tight compart-
ments 1 thereof. After the cylindrical vessels have reached the ship G to be raised,
the raising is to be effected by discharging the water from the compartments 1"
and simultaneously admitting air.
46, 46 (Figs. 8 and 9*) indicate, in a general way, electric motors which may be
of any suitable construction such as can be supplied with current through suit-
able conductors 47 which are to be connected with a suitable source of supply of
electric current, on board ship; or, in some cases, the source of supply might even
be on land, where the distance was not great.
The electric motors are to be arranged to drive pumps of any suitable construc-
tion, indicated in a general way at 48, care being taken that the connections
between the motors and the pumps are so arranged, and that the motors are so
enclosed, as to prevent access of water to the motors, whilst at the same time
enabling access to the motors to be gained (by those in charge) when required.
The pumps 48 serve for discharging water from the compartments 1" and permit-
ting air to enter the said compartments from above.
Such details may obviously be variously arranged. Fig. 22 shows a part of one
of the heavier lengths of chains 5ª for directly supporting the ship to be raised.
A portion of each end of such heavier length is formed of flat links that work over
and gear with the corresponding chain wheel 21 (see Fig. 20) the small portion
of the chain 5, to which such flat link portion is connected, simply working over
the top of the teeth of such chain wheel without gearing therewith.
I have already referred to the buoys marked 3 in Fig. 1.
Figs. 23 and 24 are two views, at right angles to one another, showing the lower
part of a buoy with a device for readily securing a chain 5 thereto, and readily
releasing it. The bracket 50 projects from the lower end of the buoy and carries
between its forks, anti-friction wheels 51. Another bracket 52 is secured to the

page_text: lower end of the buoy, and has attached to it one end of a loop 53.
and at its other end
which passes through a link of the chain 5,
is furnished with an antifriction wheel 54. A rope 55, which is common
to a series of buoys, is passed between the upper and lower anti-friction
wheels 51, and under the anti-friction wheel 54, thus holding up the chain 5, until
the rope 55 is drawn away, whereupon the chain 5 will be released. In some cases,
as in shallow water, the buoys may be dispensed with. In such a case, the cylin-
drical vessels 1 would be near together at starting, and, before being sunk, would
be drawn apart by steam ships 4, 4" the chains paying out, sinking, and resting
on the bed of the sea.
Figs. 25 and 26 illustrate a modification in which a larger number of pulleys 14
and 17 are employed than in the previous arrangement; and the sets of pulleys,
instead of being arranged with their axes in a common plane, are arranged in
planes one above the other. The several chains 5 from the separate sets of pulleys,
pass through separate slots or openings 23, and are made uniform throughout their
length, and of sufficient strength to collectively support the ship to be raised, and
do not pass over and engage with chain wheels arranged to rotate in one direction
only and hold the chains, as in the arrangement herein before described, but only
over guide pulleys that take the place of the chain wheels. In this case, there
are two casings 16, enclosing four rams 12 and corresponding cylinders 34 arranged
as shown, the casings being supported and guided by balls 37 working on ways 38,
and also guided laterally by horizontal rollers 39.
Figs. 27, 28 and 29 show, respectively, in vertical section, horizontal section
and cross section, a further modified arrangement in which wire ropes are used
instead of chains, a still greater number of pulleys 14 and 17 being employed,
arranged with their axes in different planes, and the several ropes being led
through a common slot or opening 23. In this arrangement there are two
casings 16 enclosing two pairs of rams 12 and two pairs of cylinders 34, each pair
of cylinders being cast in one piece. The casings 16 are supported by ball bear-
ings 37 and ways 38, as shown, a roller 36, running on a way 35, being provided
to support, through bearing plates or cheeks 16ª, the central portions of the axles
carrying the pulleys 14.
Fig. 30 shows a further modified arrangement in which there are two casings 16,
each of which encloses a pair of separate rams 12 and cylinders 34, and is arranged
to work between vertical sets of rollers 36. The casings 16 are connected together
by the axles of the pulleys 14, and are guided laterally by vertical rollers 39 and
are supported vertically by horizontal rollers 36 that bear against a block 16",
secured to the said casings 16.
Instead of making the hydraulic cylinders 34 stationary and the rams 12 mov-
able, the rams may be made stationary and the cylinders 34 movable. In this
case the casings 16 would be dispensed with, and the movable pulleys 17, chain
and guide pulleys 21 and other parts carried by the casings in the other arrange-
ments herein before described would be carried by the said movable cylinders. In
this case the fluid under pressure may be admitted to the cylinders through the
rams.
By means of my apparatus, submerged ships or other bodies at any depth can be
searched for and found, secured, raised, conveyed to any desired place, and (if
my additional improvements be also adopted) may there be raised and supported
above the surface of the water by the apparatus so as to be examined or repaired,
or for any other purpose; or else be discharged, according to requirement; and
such apparatus is also suitable for refloating ships that may have gone aground;
for raising ships in the water and thus reducing their draught sufficiently to enable
them to pass over sand banks, bars and other shallows, and to enter and leave tide-
bound harbours, estuaries, bays, rivers and other waterways too shallow for them
to traverse in the ordinary way, at their full draught; and when my second
invention is embodied, my apparatus can be used to raise ships above the surface of
the water for dry docking them for examination and repair.

page_text: To refloat a grounded ship, or to reduce the draught of a ship, or to raise a ship
above the surface of the water to examine or repair it, the cylindrical vessels I
are moved apart sufficiently to enable the chains 5 hanging between them to be
passed under the ship, and are then hauled in sufficiently to effect the object in
view, the cylindrical vessels being also partly rotated about their axes to alter
their displacement, when it is desired to raise the ship above the surface of the
water.
In this application of my apparatus, the chains or other flexible connections 5
connecting the vessels 1 may be much shorter than when the apparatus is designed
to search for and find submerged ships or other bodies.
In order that all the stronger central portions 5" of the chains shall aid in sup-
porting a raised vessel, means such as hydraulic drawing-up devices may be
employed for taking up any slack that may be found to exist in any of such
portions of chain, after the ship has been raised to the surface of the water, and
before the cylindrical vessels 1 have been rotated. These devices can be applied
by divers.
The pumps 48 for withdrawing water from the compartments 1ª of the cylin-
drical vessels 1 may be so operated from the hydraulic hauling in apparatus that
they or other pumps, shall displace from the compartment or compartments 1ª, a
weight of water equal to that of the chain or other flexible connection hauled-in
so that the weight or buoyancy of the vessels 1 shall remain practically constant.
I do not limit myself to the use of only two cylindrical or other vessels in
carrying out my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
-
1. Apparatus for finding and raising submerged ships or other bodies, com-
prising cylindrical or other vessels connected near to their ends by chains or other
Hexible connections and provided with machinery adapted to haul in such chains
or flexible connections, and with means for charging the vessels or parts thereof
with air or water at will, substantially as described, the arrangement being such
that the apparatus can (a) be floated to any required position, (6) can be extended
or opened out in all directions and sunk to the bed of the sea so as to enclose or
surround a larger area of such bed requiring to be searched than that occupied by
a submerged ship or other body, (c) can then be caused to contract or converge
simultaneously on all sides towards a given centre so as to bring the chains or
flexible connections under a ship or other body upon which the apparatus may
have contracted or converged, and at the same time to bring the vessels close
against such ship or other body, and (d) can then be again floated to the surface of
the water together with the ship or other body it has recovered.
2. Apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claim comprising
(A) cylindrical or other vessels of such length and displacement that with their
contained (or attached) machinery they can themselves float and also raise and
support (in addition to their connecting gear) a ship or other body to be raised,
supported and removed; (B) chains or other flexible connections whereby the
cylindrical or other vessels are connected near to their ends and whereby the said
vessels can be drawn towards one another laterally and whereby also a ship or other
body can be supported during and after the raising operation; (C) machinery
carried by the cylindrical or other vessels and adapted to be controlled from the
surface of the water, such machinery being adapted for hauling-in the said chains
or other flexible connections in such a manner as to (1) cause the said vessels to
be drawn towards one another laterally and so to approach any ship or other body
located within the area enclosed or surrounded by the vessels and their chains
or other flexible connections, and also (2) to simultaneously alter the positions
of the chains or other flexible connections relatively to the ends of the vessels at
the points where they enter the vessels in such a way as to force them to travel

page_text: in an inward direction and away from both ends of the vessels, so that the
apparatus will be caused to contract or converge simultaneously on all sides
towards a given centre, and cause the chains or other flexible connections to pass
under the said ship or other body and bring the vessels close against the said ship
or other body; and (D) means whereby water can be admitted to the interiors
of the said cylindrical or other vessels for the purpose of causing them to sink
and means whereby water can be afterwards withdrawn from and air admitted to
the interiors of the said vessels in order to cause them to rise.
3. Apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claims wherein the chains
or other flexible connections connecting the cylindrical or other vessels near to their
ends are hauled in for the purposes herein before set forth by a system of hydraulic
rams located within the said vessels and controlled from above the surface of
the water.
4. Apparatus of the kind referred to in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the chains or
other flexible connections connecting the cylindrical or other vessels near to their
ends are hauled-in for the purposes hereinbefore set forth by hauling-in mech-
anism operated by electric motors enclosed in water tight casings and supplied with
electric current from a dynamo carried by a boat or otherwise at the surface of the
water.
5. Apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claims in which there is
provided in connection with the chains or other flexible connections between the
cylindrical or other vessels and the machinery for hauling in such connections,
means whereby the said chains or other flexible connections are prevented from
unwinding or slackening after they have been hauled in as far as circumstances
will permit and are taking or supporting the weight of a ship or other body to
be raised.
6. Apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claims wherein hydraulic
rams or cylinders have connected with them a series of chain pulleys around which
the supporting chains or other flexible connections pass during and after being
hauled in as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of August 1898.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.