IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPULSION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, EDWARD GEORGE RIVERS of Clevedon, in the County of Somerset, Civil
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPULSION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS to be as
follows:-
The object of my Invention is to diminish, or get rid of, the racing at sea of
screw propellers and of the machinery by which they are driven, which racing is
consequent either upon the screw propeller being lifted in large part out of the
water by the rising of the stern of the ship, or upon the water abandoning the
screw propeller during the passage of the hollow of the wave past the stern. The
object of my Invention is further to diminish the unpleasant and injurious
vibration produced in ships by the unequal resistances to which the screw propeller
is subjected as aforesaid, and also by the application of the screw's propelling forces
at the extreme after end of the ship, where she is necessarily comparatively weak
in a lateral sense. The object of my invention is still further to secure a better
propulsive performance and consequent speed, by applying the propelling power
where it is less subject than at the stern to losses due to the diminished pressure
which often results from the hollow of the wave which attends the stern of the ship
falling over, or nearly over, the screw propeller.
And my Invention consists in fitting screw propellers to work on both sides of
the ship, either at or near the midship section, or considerably forward or abaft
thereof, and in so forming the ship as to provide a clear run of water to the screw
propellers, to enable thein to work as advantageously in this respect as if they
were placed at or near the stern post. I do not confine myself to placing the
screw propellers in any precise positions along the sides of the ship, but consider
it as a part of my invention to place them in any position, other than the extreme
stern or bow, provided the position be such as to render a departure from the
ordinary form of ship necessary in order to secure a thoroughly efficient run of
water to the screw propellers.
In carrying out my invention I propose in some cases to make the forward part of
the vessel of greater breadth than the after part, in order to assist in conveniently
housing or sheltering the propellers, and in all cases I propose to give efficient
protection to the propellers by projecting decks, guards, or otherwise.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Propulsion of Ships and
other Vessels.
I, EDWARD GEORGE RIVERS of Clevedon in the County of Somerset, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPULSION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
The object of my Invention is to diminish, or get rid of; the racing at sea of
screw propellers and of the machinery by which they are driven, which racing is
consequent either upon the screw propeller being lifted in large part out of the
water by the rising of the stern of the ship, or upon the water abandoning the
screw propeller during the passage of the hollow of the wave past the stern. The
object of my Invention is further to diminish the unpleasant and injurious vibration
produced in ships by the unequal resistances to which the screw propeller is
subjected as aforesaid, and also by the application of the screw's propelling forces
at the extreme after end of the ship, where she is necessarily comparatively weak
in a lateral seuse. The object of my Invention is still further to secure a better
propulsive performance and consequent speed, by applying the propelling power
where it is less subject than at the stern to losses due to the diminished pressure
which often results from the hollow of the wave which attends the stern of the ship
falling over, or nearly over, the screw propeller.
And my Invention consists in fitting screw propellers to work on both sides of
the ship, either at or near the midship section, or considerably forward or abaft
thereof, and in so forming the ship as to provide a clear run of water to the screw
propellers, to enable them to work as advantageously in this respect as if they
were placed at or near the stern post. I do not confine myself to placing the screw
propellers in any precise positions along the sides of the ship, but consider it as a
part of my Invention to place them in any position, other than the extreme-stern
or bow, provided the position be such as to render a departure from the ordinary
form of ship necessary in order to secure a thoroughly efficient run of water to the
screw propellers.
In carrying out my Invention I propose in some cases to make the forward part of
the vessel of greater breadth than the after part, in order to assist in conveniently
housing or sheltering the propellers, and in all cases I propose to give. efficient
protection to the propellers by projecting decks, guards, or otherwise.
The accompanying drawings illustrate one method of carrying my Invention into
effect, but there are many other ways of accomplishing the object as will be obvious
to persons skilled in naval construction and steam ship propulsion.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation of a ship showing a suitable position for the
screw propellers in applying my invention, and the method of supporting them
both horizontally and vertically. The screw propellers A. A. (Figs. 1 and 2) are
shown on either side of the vessel at a point considerably forward of the usual
position of the screws upon the twin system.

page_text: Fig. 2 is a plan of the same vessel, and shows a suitable transverse position for
the screw propellers. The Fig. also shows one of the many forms under water
which may be adopted in order to carry my Invention into effect, but which may
be modified in order to carry out any special requirements to which the application
of my Invention is advantageous. The rail line of the vessel follows the ordinary
type of design, but from the bow (Fig. 2) to the maximum breadth of the
section C. C. just abaft the engine room D. the sides gradually assume an increasing
beam, principally below the water line, and the water lines of the vessel are led
inwards with easy curves so as to allow a clear run to the propellers.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the engine room of the same vessel, and
shows a form under water suitable for stowing the engines and connecting them
with the propeller shafting on each side of the ship. Special provision is made for
the support and protection of the screws by sponson guards, &c.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do
not confine myself to any precise positions or arrangements for carrying my
Invention into effect, but I declare that what I claim is
1. The construction of ships and vessels with forms so modified as to allow of
screw propellers being efficiently placed and worked at their sides, or considerably
forward of their usual positions in the deadwood or run.
. 2. The employment of screw propellers upon the sides of ships and vessels, or
considerably forward of their usual positions in the deadwood or run, in the general
manner and for the purposes herein before described.