IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREVENTION OF LEAKAGE IN BOATS, SHIPS, TORPEDO BOATS, AND OTHER WAR VESSELS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Bennett Howell, of Brook Works, Sheffield,..in
the County of York, Steel Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PREVENTION OF LEAKAGE IN BOATS, SHIPS, TORPEDO BOATS, AND OTHER
WAR VESSELS."
Sealed the 11th January 1878, and dated the 23rd July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Bennett Howell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd July 1877.
'
JOSEPH BENNETT HOWELL, of Brook Works, Sheffield, in the County of York,
Steel Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREVENTION OF LEAKAGE IN BOATS,
SHIPS, TORPEDO BOATS, AND OTHER WAR VESSELS."
for
My Invention relates to the prevention of leakage in boats, ships, torpedo boats,
and other war vessels, and consists in the application and use to and in such vessels
of india-rubber or other elastic substances as a protecting medium or "cuirasse
the prevention of leakage after the penetration of the same by shot or other missile,
and thereby rendering a vessel so protected practically unsinkable from the effects
of such penetration. This desired result is attained by partially or entirely covering
the sides, or other parts of the vessel liable to injury, with the said elastic sub-
stance, so that when an incision is made by the passage of a shot or other missile,
such incision will be immediately closed by the india-rubber or other elastic medium
returning to its normal position.
The plates or sheets of rubber or "cuirass" of similar elastic material, may be
of any desired thickness, and may be secured to the sides or other parts of the
vessel to be protected by means of bolts forced through incisions made in the
rubber for the purpose, and which should be sufficiently small to cause the rubber
or other elastic material to grip the bolts tightly, and thus keep it water-tight.
I do not however confine myself to the use of bolts for securing the elastic
cuirass, as it may be attached by adhesive material or by other suitable and
effective means.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Bennett Howell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th January 1878.
JOSEPH BENNETT HOWELL, of Brook Works, Sheffield, in the County of York,
Steel Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREVENTION OF LEAKAGE IN BOATS,
SHIPS, TORPEDO BOATS, AND OTHER WAR VESSELS."
My said Invention relates to boats, ships, torpedo boats, and other war vessels,
and consists in the application to such vessels of india-rubber or other suitable elastic
substance as a protecting medium or "cuirasse" for the prevention of leakage after
the penetration of the vessel by shot or other missile, thereby rendering the vessel
so protected practically unsinkable from the effects of such penetration.
In carrying out my said Invention I wholly or partially cover the sides, or other
parts of the vessel liable to injury, with plates or sheets of iudia-rubber or other
suitable elastic substance, so that when an incision is made by the passage of a shot
or other missile, such incision shall be immediately closed by the india-rubber or
other elastic medium returning to its normal position and condition.
The plates or sheets of india-rubber, or the "cuirasse" of similar elastic material,
may be of any desired thickness, and may be secured to the sides or other parts of
the vessel to be protected by means of bolts forced through incisions made in the
india-rubber or "cuirasse" for the purpose, and which should be sufficiently small
to cause the india-rubber or other elastic material to grip the bolts tightly, and
thus maintain the protecting covering water-tight.
4
It is not essential however that bolts should be employed for securing the elastic
"cuirasse," as it may be attached by adhesive material or by other suitable and
effective means.
My said Invention will also be advantageous in the case of timber-laden or other
ships, the cargoes of which, from absorption and other causes, are liable to expand
and open the joints of the timbers of the ship, thereby giving rise to leakage.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is, the application to boats, ships, torpedo boats, and other
war vessels of a "cuirasse" composed of india-rubber or other elastic material for
the purpose of preventing leakage, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Bennett Howell, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Eighteenth day of January, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOSEPH BENNETT HOWELL. (L.S.)