IMPROVEMENTS IN LIFE- BOATS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Garrett Tongue, of the Firm of Tongue and
Birkbeck, Patent Agents, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LIFE-
BOATS." A communication from abroad by John Frederick Schultheis, of the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Garrett Tongue at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th March 1878.
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents, of
"IM-
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
PROVEMENTS IN LIFE-BOATS." (A communication from abroad by John Frederick
Schultheis, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of
America.)
The object of this Invention is to construct a life-boat which shall combine
increased strength with increased security against swamping, and greater comforts
and conveniences for the occupants, together with enlarged facilities for signaling in
case of distress.
The Invention more particularly relates to boats in which the lower portion of
the outer body of the boat is preferably made with a keel and cutwater or bow,
while the upper part of the said body is of circular form. Said boat it is furthermore
proposed to provide with an inner passenger receptacle or vessel carried by circular
roller frames or devices which are supported by the body to give increased steadiness
to said receptacle during the rolling of the boat.
The Invention consists in a combination of an air pump within the boat, bulk-
heads at the ends thereof, one or more compressed air reservoirs, and one or more
pneumatic signals operated by liberating the compressed air.
The Invention also consists in a combination with the body of the boat having a
close top, of one or more air traps for supplying fresh air to the interior of the boat,
and for passing off water entering said trap or traps.

page_text: The Invention likewise consists in a sectionally-constructed mast capable of being
raised from beneath the top or cover of the boat, and composed of tongued and
grooved sliding sections arranged one in front of the other, and having connected
with them a hoisting rope applied to said sections.
The Invention also consists in a boom for carrying a sail in combination with an
upright, by which it is jointed at its inner end to the top of the boat, a guide rail
for the outer end of the boom, and an extensible mast whereby the sail may be set
or furled from beneath the top or cover of the boat.
The Invention likewise consists in a combination of outer and inner shutters to
ports in the sides of the boat, and spherically constructed rowlocks formed in part
by said inner shutters to provide for the propulsion of the boat by means of oars.
Furthermore, the Invention consists in the combination of a spherically formed
rowlock composed in part of a sliding shutter with an oar having a spherical
enlargement to fit said rowlock, whereby an easy action is obtained for the oar, and
water is prevented from entering by the rowlock.
The Invention likewise consists in the combination with the boat of a water-
closet having upper and lower valves in its soil pipe, and mechanism for opening
and closing said valves in reverse relation with each other to prevent sea water
from rushing up the soil pipe when the closet is in use; also in a combination with
the watercloset of a pump, sea pipe, bilge water suction pipe, duplicate cocks, a
delivery pipe and the soil pipe organized to provide for washing out the soil pipe, or
for clearing it of deposit, and for rinsing out the bowl of the closet either by the
sea water from the outside of the boat, or by utilizing the bilge water of the boat.
Likewise in a combination with the pump used in connection with the watercloset
of the boat of a rinsing pipe provided with a cock, and entering the bowl of the
closet, a pipe provided with a cock and connected with the soil pipe below the bowl
of the closet to provide riusing or clearing out the soil pipe as well as the bowl of
the closet.
The Invention also consists in a combination of a steering wheel provided with
ropes having rods in line with them, and playing longitudinally through stuffing
boxes, and a pulley on the rudder staff to provide for steering the boat under cover
of its close top, and to exclude water from entering the boat by the openings
through which connection is established between the rudder and the means used to
operate the latter.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Garrett Tongue in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
September 1878.
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents, of
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN LIFE-BOATS." (A communication from abroad by John Frederick
Schultheis, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.)
The object of this Invention is to construct a life-boat which shall combine
increased strength with increased security against swamping, and greater comforts
and conveniences for the occupants, together with enlarged facilities for signaling in
case of distress.
The Invention more particularly relates to boats in which the lower portion of
the outer body of the boat is preferably made with a keel and cutwater or bow,
while the upper part of said body is of circular form. Said boat it is further-
more proposed to provide with an inner passenger receptacle or vessel carried by
circular roller frames or devices which are supported by the body to give increased
steadiness to said receptacle during the rolling of the boat.
The Invention consists in a combination of an air pump within the boat bulk-
heads at the ends thereof, one or more compressed air reservoirs, and one or more
pneumatic signals operated by liberating the compressed air.
The Invention also consists in the combination with the body of the boat having a
close top, of one or more air traps for supplying fresh air to the interior of the boat,
and for passing off water entering said trap or traps.
The Invention likewise consists in a sectionally constructed mast capable of being
raised from beneath the top or cover of the boat, and composed of tongued and
grooved sliding sections arranged one in front of the other, and having connected
with them a hoisting rope applied to said sections.
The Invention also consists in a boom for carrying a sail in combination with an
upright, by which it is jointed at its inner end to the top of the boat, a guide rail
for the outer end of the boom, and an extensible mast whereby the sail may be set
or furled from beneath the top or cover of the boat.
The Invention likewise consists in a combination of outer and inner shutters to
ports in the sides of the boat, and spherically constructed rowlocks formed in part
by said inner shutters to provide for the propulsion of the boat by means of oars.
Furthermore, the Invention consists in the combination of a spherically formed
rowlock composed in part of a sliding shutter with an oar having a spherical
enlargement to fit said rowlock, whereby an easy action is obtained for the oar, and
water is prevented from entering by the rowlock.
The Invention likewise consists in the combination with the boat of a water-
closet having upper and lower valves in its soil pipe, and mechanism for opening
and closing said valves in reverse relation with each other to prevent sea water
from rushing up the soil pipe when the closet is in use; also in a combination with
the watercloset of a pump, sea pipe, bilge water suction pipe, duplicate cocks, a
delivery pipe and the soil pipe organised to provide for washing out the soil pipe, or
for clearing it of deposit, and for rinsing out the bowl of the closet either by the
sea water from the outside of the boat, or by utilizing the bilge water of the boat:
Likewise in a combination with the pump used in connection with the watercloset
of the boat, of a rinsing pipe provided with a cock, and entering the bowl of the
closet, a pipe provided with a cock and connected with the soil pipe below the bowl
of the closet to provide rinsing or clearing out the soil pipe as well as the bowl of
the closet.
The Invention also consists in a combination of a steering wheel provided with
ropes having rods in line with them, and playing longitudinally through stuffing
boxes, and a pulley on the rudder staff to provide for steering the boat under cover
of its close top, and to exclude water from entering the boat by the opening.

page_text: "
through which connection is established between the rudder and the means used to
operate the latter.
Having thus specified the objects and nature of the Invention, its description
will be proceeded with in reference to the accompanying Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents a side view of a life-boat constructed in accordance with the
Invention, with its sail set. and as being propelled by oars.
Figure 2 is a front view of the said boat with its mast lowered; Figure 3 is a
vertical longitudinal section of the same; and Figures 4, 5, and 6, transverse
sections thereof on the lines x, x, y, y, and z, z, respectively, all looking in the
direction of the arrows u.
Figure 7 is a transverse section upon a larger scale on the line w, w, looking in
the direction of the arrow v.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section upon the line 8, 8, of the rear portion of the boat.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of a portion of the body of the boat in illustration
of the means for propelling the latter by oars, showing also one of the oars detached!
Figure 10 is a horizontal section of an extensible mast used in the boat.
Figures 8, 9, and 10, are upon the same enlarged scale as Figure 7 of the Drawings.
The body of the boat, which may be of wood or metal, and is of a covered or
close construction, both top and bottom, is composed of a hull or lower portion A,
which may be of the usual boat build, having a keel b and bow or cutwater c, and
of a top or upper portion A¹ of circular form. This construction of the body not
only serves to exclude water from entering the boat to swamp it, but in case of the
boat capsizing it will right itself.
Access is had to the interior of the boat and egress therefrom through one or
more openings d, preferably two or more on opposite sides, in the top or upper
portion A¹ of the body. These openings are closed by sliding doors B, which are
fitted to work in curvilinear ways corresponding with the transverse figure of the
boat, said ways being formed within circular ribs e, which serve to stiffen the
interior of the body.
Rollers may be applied to ease the run of these doors and counterbalance weights f
be attached-to-them-by sliding rods g for the same purpose. When said doors are
closed they prevent water from entering the boat, even though the sea should make-
a clean breech over it.
Hand rails h are arranged on either side of the openings d to assist passengers in
entering and leaving the boat.
On the exterior of either side of the hull A is rigged a life rope C suspended at
points from above along the hull, and arranged to form a series of pendant loops
which are connected below. These life ropes serve to sustain persons in the water
hanging on to the boat, and to assist them in boarding the same.
One or more dray ropes D may also be attached to the body of the boat for the
same purpose as the life ropes C. These ropes D which may be of any desired
length, are only attached at their one end to the body of the boat, and are studded
or provided throughout their entire length with floats i arranged at suitablo
distances apart and serving to sustain in the water by the buoyancy they give to
the ropes D, a large number of persons who may have become immersed and are
desirous of reaching the boat.
Within the body of the boat extending throughout the greater part of the length
thereof and designed, when at rest, to occupy a position within the hull or lower
part A of the body, is a vessel or receptacle E which forms the passenger and
goods compartment or carrying portion of the boat. This receptacle is constructed
and fitted so that although supported by the body of the boat, and more or less
filling the hull thereof, it is independent of, said body, and so that the latter in
rolling by the motion of the sea will work round or about it, and relieve it from
much of said motion, thus reducing the tendency to sea-sickness, and adding to

page_text: the comfort of the occupants. To this end said vessel or receptacle E, which may
be constructed with seats kon opposite sides of it, is left loose or free, and has
secured to its exterior circular tracks or frames 7 arranged to work in contact with
rollers m in a fixed outer circular frame n fast to the interior of the body of the
boat.
Intermediate loose roller frames o may be also interposed between the circular
exterior of the receptacle E, and certain of the fixed circular ribs e to assist in the
support of the receptacle E by the body of the boat and free movement of said
body around or about said receptacle.
Although the passenger receiving vessel or receptacle E is thus fitted loose
within the body of the boat, it may, if desired, be secured to the hull by inserting
a locking bolt g at either or both ends of said receptacle within a divided aperture
formed partly in said receptacle and partly in a fixed portion of the body.
The body of the boat is fitted near either end of it with bulkheads G which are
constructed to form or contain air reservoirs H. These reservoirs H are connected
by a pipe a' running along and within the bottom of the body of the boat, and
curving upwards at either end, and controlled by a cock b¹, to pass compressed air
as required from the rear reservoir H to the front reservoir H.
Air is compressed in the rear one of said reservoirs by means of a hand
pump I, and a pressure gauge J serves to indicate the pressure within said reservoir.
Such air is drawn off as required on opening the rear cock band a front cock c¹ to
supply the front reservoir H from which air may be taken to sound a signaling
whistle K, or to sound a fog horn L, or the air to sound the whistle K may be
taken direct from the pipe a¹; also the fog horn L be supplied direct by a branch
pipe a² on opening a cock 62, and the front reservoir H, which may be a fixed air
chamber, not to be drawn upon for supplying air to the signaling apparatus.
the means for compressing the air to work the signals are arranged rear of the boat
out of the way of the steering apparatus which is in front..
Thus
Said steering apparatus is constructed and arranged as follows:--M is the rudder
in the stern of the boat. Mounted on the upper end of the rudder is a pulley d'
to which (see Figures 1, 3, and 8) steering ropes or chains el are fastened at
their one end, said ropes passing round opposite sides of said wheels. These
ropes are attached to rods which pass through tubular guides and stuffing
boxes N in front of air reservoir H, and from thence are continued to the wind-
lass f¹ of the steering wheel O in the front part of the interior of the boat; a
glazed opening g³ (Figure 4) in front of the boat allowing for the look out of the
man at the wheel. The guides and stuffing boxes N prevent leakage where the
steering ropes pass out through the stern to connect with the rudder.
The interior of the hull may be fitted with independent air chambers P to con-
tribute to the safety of the boat in case of the hull springing a leak, or otherwise
being ruptured. The upper closed portion of the body of the boat is provided with
any number of bull's-eyes h¹ to give light to the interior of the boat.
Fresh air is supplied to the interior of the boat through one or more air traps R
which receive the air through openings ¹ covered by wire gauze, and arranged in
the upper portion A¹ of the body. These traps which may be provided with a cock /¹
for opening and closing them as required, have outlet branches for carrying off
any water that may wash into the traps, said branches connecting with the
lower elbows of the traps and passing out through the body of the boat, to run off
the water washing into them.
To further keep the atmosphere pure in the boat, foul air collecting therein is
discharged by means of a pump, fan, or blower S which may be driven by hand
through speeding-up mechanism, as shown in Figure 7, and which operates to exhaust
air from the interior of the boat, and to force it through a gauze covered pipe or
outlet m' in the upper portion A³ of the body of the boat.
A water tank T is or may be arranged in the forward portion of the boat or in
any other suitable part thereof to supply the occupants of the boat with fresh
water
•

page_text: The propulsion of the boat may be effected either by sails or oars, or by both.
When a sail is used, a sectionally constructed mast is employed arranged to be
capable of extension from out of or contraction within a water-tight compartment U
in the forward portion of the boat (see Figures 3, 5, and 6). This mast is constructed
of two or more sections or independent pieces B¹ (Figures 3, 5, and 10), provided with
vertical metallic flanged tongues n¹ and sockets o' to provide for their retentention
in position when shut down or closed, one in front of the other, as shown in Figures 3,
5, and 10, and also to provide for their sliding extension one along the other by
means of ropes r¹, upper and lower pulleys s', and a raising and lowering windlass u³,
to which the ropes are attached at their one end, and to a cleat on the outermost
mast section at their other end, the front or innermost mast section being stationary.
As the mast sections are raised or extended, a shoulder on the lower end of each
sliding mast section strikes an upper shoulder or projection on the section. against
or in front of which it slides to hold the several sections at their proper elevation,
and to ensure the regular elevation of the several sections till the whole mast is
raised, as shown in Figure 1. I Guy ropes v¹ may be attached at their upper ends
to the outermost mast extension, and pass through guides or stuffing boxes in the
body of the boat at their lower ends to steady or support the mast when raised.
C is the sail, carried by a boom D', and raised or lowered by a rope c² passing
through a guide or stuffing box in the forward portion of the boat, and around a
pulley on the outermost mast extension B¹, as shown in Figure 1.
The boom D¹ is disconnected from the mast, being attached at its inner end by a
universal joint, or in a freely moving manner with an upright e², mounted on the
upper portion A¹ of the body in proximity to the mast. The outer end of said
boom is connected by a ring with a cross rail E¹ bent downwards at its opposite
ends to connect with the top A¹ of the boat, and along or to opposite sides of which
the free or outer end of the boom is at liberty to be adjusted.
To propel the boat by oars (see Figures 1, 6, and 9) the closed body of the boat
has side apertures f2 in it, which are closed by sliding shutters 92, when it is not
required to project the oars G¹ through said openings. These oars are provided or
fitted near their handle ends with a spherical protuberance or ball h², which when
the oars are to be used, rest in rowlocks, each of which is constructed to form a
spherical socket formed in part by a sliding inner shutter arranged opposite
either outer shutter gand formed with a semi-spherical socket made to match a
fixed semi-spherical socket beneath for the ball 2 of the oar to rest in.
Thus by
opening the shutters g² and closing the shutters the oars are made to work in
water-tight ball-and-socket joints or rowlocks.
H' is a watercloset, which may be arranged in the front portion of the boat.
This watercloset (see more particularly Figure 7), is fitted with duplicate valves l², m³,
in the soil pipe n³, arranged one above the other, and connected by gearing o³, 7³, 8³,
operated by a lever w³, so that when the one of said valves is open the other is
closed, thus effectually excluding sea water from rushing up the soil pipe, as said
valves are alternately opened to pass the deposit. I' is a pump designed to be
worked by hand from the interior of the boat for washing out the soil pipe or for
clearing it of deposit, and for rinsing out the bowl of the closet. This pump has 4
duplicate suction connections; thus, see Figure 7, it either connects by a pipe a³ on
opening a cock b³ with the sea direct, or on closing the cock 63 and opening a cock
c³ in a pipe d³, it draws and utilizes the bilge water of the bont to discharge the
soil and rinse the bowl of the closet. The water drawn in by said pump is dis-
charged to expel the soil deposited between the valves ³, m³, by means of a pipe e³, 5
controlled by a cock f³, after which said cock may be closed, and a cock g³ in a
branch pipe h³ be opened to rinse out the bowl of the closet.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention communicated to me from
abroad, and the manner of performing or carrying the same into practice, what I
claim under the above in part recited Letters Patent on behalf of the said John 5
Frederick Schultheis is,-
First. The air pump I, in combination with the body of the boat, the bulkheads G

page_text: at the ends of said boat, the air reservoirs H, and one or more pneumatic signals
K, L, substantially as specified, and represented in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Second. The combination with the body of the boat having a close top A³, of
one or more air traps R, provided with outlets for water collecting therein, sub-
stantially as specified, and represented in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Third. The sectionally constructed mast, composed of tongued and grooved sliding
sections B¹, arranged one in front of the other, in combination with the hoisting
ropes, substantially as specified, and represented in the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Fourth. The boom D¹, in combination with the upright e², by which it is jointed
at its inner end to the top A¹ of the boat, the guide rail E' for the outer end of the
boom and the extensible mast, essentially as described, and represented in the
Drawings hereto annexed.
Fifth. The combination of the outer shutters g with the inner shutters k², and
the spherically constructed rowlocks formed in part by said inner shutters,
essentially as described, and represented in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Sixth. The spherically formed rowlock i composed in part of a sliding shutter k³,
in combination with the oar having a spherical enlargement to fit said rowlock,
substantially as described, and represented in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Seventh. The combination with the boat of the watercloset H¹, provided with
upper and lower valves l³, m², in its soil pipe n³, and mechanism for opening and
closing said valves in reverse relation with each other, essentially as described, and
represented in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Eighth. The combination with the watercloset of the pump I', the suction seat
pipe a³, the bilge water suction pipe d³, the cocks bs, cs, the delivery pipe e³, and
the soil pipe n², essentially as described, and represented in the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Ninth. The combination with the pump I' in a boat of the rinsing pipe h³ pro-
vided with a cock ³, and entering the bowl of the watercloset H, and the pipe es
provided with the cock f³, and connected to the pipe n², below the bowl of said
watercloset, substantially as and for the purpose set forth in the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Tenth. The combination of the steering wheel O, ropes e¹ provided with rods in
line therewith, and playing longitudinally through the stuffing boxes N and the
pulley d' on the rudder staff, substantially as described, and represented in the
Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Garrett Tongue, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE