IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS FOR REMOVING SEAWEED, SHELL FISH, AND OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS FROM THE BOTTOMS OR SUBMERGED PARTS OF SHIPS AND OTHER FLOATING STRUCTURES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Harrison, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Shipowner, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR REMOVING SEAWEED, SHELL FISH, AND OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS
FROM THE BOTTOMS OR SUBMERGED PARTS OF SHIPS AND OTHER FLOATING
STRUCTURES."
Sealed the 16th August 1867, and dated the 22nd February 1867.
PROVISIONAL. SPECIFICATION left by the said John Harrison at the
Office of the.. Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd February 1867.
:
I, JOHN HARRISON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Shipowner;.
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SEAWEED, SHELL FISH, AND OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS
FROM THE BOTTOMS OR SUBMERGED PARTS OF SHIPS AND OTHER FLOATING STRUC-
TURES," to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention relates to various improvements on or'
additions to that Invention for which I obtained Letters Patent bearing date
the 26th day of January, A.D. 1865, No. 225; the said improvements or
additions consists,-
First, in attaching to or in the place of the scraper described by me in the
Specification of the said Invention, patented as aforesaid in 1865, a brush or

page_text: cleaner made of coir fibre, india-rubber, or other material, and employing the
surface of that brush or cleaner to remove foreign matter from the skin of the
ship or other structure.
Secondly, in making the moveable lever which carries the scraper blade or
the brush, according to the above first head of my Invention, in such manner
that there can be affixed thereto two blades or cleaning brushes, one of which
shall act when the apparatus is drawn in one direction, and the other when
the apparatus is drawn in the other direction, be such direction vertical, hori-
zontal, or diagonal. In ships with bilge pieces fore-and-aft motion of the
apparatus is necessary, and when this motion is adopted I employ the power
of a steam or other engine, the ropes or chains therefrom being led to the the
. apparatus through blocks attached to fixed points, that is, to ropes or chains
passed round under the keel of the ship and made fast. The moveable lever
is made of a triangular form, and has a scraper or brush at each end of its
base, the joint on which it moves being at its apex; or instead of one joint at
the apex two joints formed by pins secured or working in the sledge frame
are provided.
3
Thirdly, in making the ends of the sledge-like frame, when either one or
two scraper blades or brushes are employed, of a rounded or angular form, or
with a rounded or angular fender, so as to guide the machine past the bilge
pieces or other projections on the skin of a ship or other submerged structure.
Fourthly, in employing one rope instead of the two described by me in the
said Specification of 1865 to bind the cleaning machine close to the skin of
the ship and to direct or guide its course between the two fixed points men-
tioned under the above second head, whether such machine is constructed in
accordance with my said Specification of 1865, or with any of the improve-
ments herein-before described, I pass the said binding and guiding ropes
through the sledge-like frame of the apparatus itself between antifriction
pullies instead of passing it over or through projecting pieces attached to the
said back of the said sledge-like frame; the said binding and guiding rope it
will be understood is hauled taut and made fast.
Fifthly, in employing a cross bar or pole and a rope or line connected to it
and led from the deck to prevent the apparatus constructed according to my
said Invention patented in 1865, or such apparatus with any of the above-
<described improvements, from canting. The bar or pole is passed transversely
through the sledge-like frame, and when the apparatus is in use the rope or
line connected to it is to be kept taut.
Sixthly, in the employment of a detachable basket or other receptacle in
combination with the apparatus patented in 1865, or with apparatus with any

page_text: or all of the above improvements as a means of ascertaining whether the
bottom of a ship or other structure requires cleaning. The basket or other
receptacle is attached to the apparatus by a bolt passed through eyelets, or by.
other means, before the apparatus is let down into working position. After
the apparatus has been let down and at work a short time the bolt is with-:
drawn by a jerk of a rope connected thereto, and the said basket or.
receptacle detached, it is then hauled on to the deck, and its contents, if any,:
examined..
The second part of my Invention relates to apparatus the principal parts of'
which are constructed in accordance with the Invention patented as aforesaid.
by me in-1865, or with the improvements described under the foregoing first
part of my present Invention; thus the sledge-like frame I prefer to make it.
with the rounded or angular ends or fender described under the above third
head; the cross bar or pole, with or without the ropes described under the:
fourth head the hauling ropes, and the binding and guiding rope when it is:
tightened and securely fastened between so-called fixed points are all.
employed. Instead, however, of the binding or guiding rope simply passing
through the machine it is according to this part of my Invention passéd
around a cylindrical or conical brush or cleaner, or around a pulley on
the shaft or axis of the said brush or cleaner. The circumference of the
brush or cleaner projects a short distance beyond the front on that side of the
sledge-like frame, which slides over the sides of the ship or structure. When
the apparatus is made to travel in any direction by power or dragging applied
on the deck to the hauling ropes the brush or cleaner by friction against or
on the binding and guiding rope is made to rotate, and as the circumference
of the said brush or cleaner projects a short distance beyond the sledge-like;
frame it follows that any weed or other matter adhering to the ship or;
structure is removed by the rubbing action of the brush or cleaner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Harrison in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd August. 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN:
HARRISON, of Liverpool, in the, County of Lancaster, Shipowner, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of February, in' the year of our

page_text: Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of
Her reign did, for Herself, Her beirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Harrison, Her special license that I, the said John.
Harrison, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the.
said John Harrison, 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 ..IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING: SEAWEED, SHELL FISH, AND OTHER FOREIGN
MATTERS FROM THE BOTTOMS OR SUBMERGED PARTS OF SHIPS AND OTHER FLOATING
STRUCTURES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Harrison, 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 I, the said. John Harrison, do hereby declare the
nature of my 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, reference being had to the accompanying: Sheet of -illusi:
trative Drawings, and to the figures. and letters of reference thereon, that is:
to say':
The first part of my Invention relates to various improvements on, or
additions to that Invention for which I obtained Letters Patent bearing date
the 26th day of January, A.D. 1865, No. 225. The said improvements or.
additions consist,→
I. In attaching to or in the place of the scraper blade described by me in
the Specification of the said Invention, patented as aforesaid in 1865, a brush
or cleaner made of coir fibre, india-rubber, or other material, and employing
the surface of that brush or cleaner to remove foreign matter from the skin
of the ship or other structure. The back of the brush or cleaner in or to
which the coir fibre, india-rubber, or other flexible material is fastened or
secured is made of wood;-metal, vulcanite or other substance, preferably of a
rigid character, at such an angle that the whole of the rubbing surface or.
face will come into contact with the skin of the ship when the apparatus is
in use.
Under this (I) head I claim the employment of a brush or cleaner, con-

page_text: structed substantially as described, in combination with my apparatus patented
in 1865, No. 225, as aforesaid.
II. In making the moveable lever which carries the scraper blade or the
brush according to the above first head of my Invention in such manner that
there..can be affixed thereto two blades or cleaning brushes, one of which
shall act when the apparatus is drawn in one direction and the other when
the apparatus is drawn in the other direction, be such direction vertical;
horizontal, or. diagonal. In ships with bilge pieces fore-and-aft motion
of the apparatus is necessary, and when this motion is adopted I employ
the power of a steam or other engine, the ropes or chains therefrom being
led to the apparatus through blocks attached to fixed points, that is, tọ
ropes or chains-passed round-under the keel of the ship and made fast. The
moveable lever is made of a triangular form, and has a scraper or brush at
each end of its base, the joint on which it moves being at its apex; or instead
of one joint at the apex two joints formed by pins secured or working in the
sledge frame are provided.
Fig. 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings shews what I have named
fixed points; these consist of the ropes or chains marked a carried trans-
versely around underneath the keel of the ship; the blocks. which are attached
at b. could be made to slide on a.
.
Figs. 2 and 3, which are respectively views in plan and longitudinal section,
represent complete apparatus according to this head of my Invention with
what I term a "triangular moveable lever." and two scraper blades. c denotes
the side frame pieces, which are connected together by cross pieces d; e, axis_
or centre on which the lever f rocks or works; the line of the axis e passes
through the upper part, marked 9, of the frame; h are the scraper. blades
secured to f; they may be jointed thereto if preferred. When brushers: or
cleaners according to the first head of my Invention are employed they can
also be either secured or jointed to f. The ropes i and j, more particularly
described. under the fourth head, herein-after serve the former to bind the
machine to the skin of the ship, and for this purpose it passes between guiding
antifriction rollers k, and the latter for moving the machine and causing the
scrapers to come up to their work.
Fig. 4 and 5, which are similar views to Figs! 2 and 3, also represent
complete apparatus constructed in accordance with this head of my Invention,
the scraper levers' being worked' on two pins or centres: l'are the side frames,
connected by transverse pins ni;. n.are the scraper levers working on the
pins o secured to e and connected by the rod p; 9, the binding rope passing
over the guiding antifriction rollers rands, the operating rope secured to p.

page_text: Under this (II.) head I claim the employment, in apparatus constructed
substantially as described, of two scraper blades, brushes, or cleaners, operating
so as to remove foreign matters when hauled in either direction.
III. In making the ends of the sledge-like frame, when either one or two
scraper blades or brushes are employed, of a rounded or angular form, or with
a rounded or angular fender, so as to guide the machine past the bilge pieces
ór other projections on the skin of a ship or other submerged structure.
Fig. 2 shews this part of my Invention.. t are fenders with convex ends;
they are secured to the side frame pieces c. Underneath on the face of c there
are portions cut off to allow the machine to ride easily over the lap joints of
plates in iron ships.'
"
.
Under this head III. I claim constructing the leading ends of the frame;
when one, two, or more scraper blades, brushes, or cleaners are employed,
of a rounded'or angular form, substantially in the manner and for the purpose
set forth.
IV. In employing one rope instead of the two described by me in the said
Specification of 1865 to bind the cleaning machine close to the skin of the
ship, and to direct or guide its course between the two fixed points mentioned
under the above second head, whether such machine is constructed in accord-
ance with my said Specification of 1865, or with any of the improvements
berein-after described, I pass the said binding and guiding rope through the
sledge-like frame of the apparatus itself between antifriction pullies instead
of passing it over or through projecting pieces attached to the back of the said
sledge-like frame; the said binding and guiding rope it will be understood is
hauled taut and made fast.
Fig. 1 to 7 inclusive illustrate this feature of my Invention. The fixed
'points a on Fig. 1 have each two blocks at b; these blocks, as already men-
tioned, could be made to slide on a, but I prefer fixing them thereto and
moving a when required. The rope i, so marked in all the views, passes
between, over, or under antifriction rollers & through blocks 6 on a, and thence
upwards, as shewn, to the deck. The rope j, so marked in all the views, is
attached to each end of the apparatus, and is led through 6 on a, thence to
the deck; a and i are hauled taut and made fast when the machine is to be
*put in operation, and j is hauled in first on one end and then on the other.
.In Fig. 1 the apparatus is shewn in position for cleaning the midship section
of a ship of war fitted with bilge pieces; the dotted lines indicate the positions
the respective parts would occupy so as to admit of the cleaning of the whole
of the skin of the ship.
Tinder this (IV.) head I claim émploving one rope to bind a cleaning

page_text: machines of any construction close to the skin of the ship or vessel and to
direct its course, and another to cause the said machine to travel, details of
modifications having been described herein and shewn on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings.
V. In employing a cross bar or pole and a rope or line connected to it and
led from the deck to prevent the apparatus constructed according to my said
Invention patented in 1865, or such apparatus with any of the above described
improvements, from canting. The bar or pole is passed transversely through
the sledge-like frame, and when the apparatus is in use the rope or line
connected to it is to be kept taut. In all the views, Fig. 8 excepted, the cross
bar or pole is shewn.; it is marked t. u is the line connected to t. In my
apparatus. patented in. 1865 the cross bar or pole could be used without
the line..
Under this head, as means for preventing canting, I claim the cross bar or
pole t with or without the linė u in combination, with apparatus for the
purpose herein set forth.
VI. In the employment of a detachable basket or other receptacle in com-
bination with the apparatus patented in 1865, or with apparatus with any or
all of the above improvements, as a means, of ascertaining whether the bottom
of a ship or other structure requires cleaning. The basket or other receptacle
is attached to the apparatus by a bolt passed through eyelets or by other means
before the apparatus is let down into working position. After the apparatus
has been let down and at work a short time the bolt is withdrawn by a jerk of
a rope connected thereto, and the said basket or receptacle detached; it is
then hauled on to the deck, and its contents, if any, examined. This part of
my Invention is not shown on the Drawings, the means for carrying it into
effect being so obvious; a wicker. basket or receptacle constructed like a
"landing net" answer well.
Under this head I claim the use, as means for ascertaining the condition of
the bottom of a ship or vessel, in combination with apparatus for the purpose
herein set forth..
The second part of my Invention relates to apparatus the principal part of
which are constructed in accordance with the Invention patented as aforesaid
by me in 1865, or with the improvements described under the foregoing, first
part of my present Invention; thus the: sledge-like frame I prefer to make
with the rounded or angular-ends or fender described under the, above. third
bead; the cross bar or pole with or without the rope, described under the
fourth head; the hauling ropes, and the binding or guiding rope when it is
tightened and securely fastened between so-called fixed points, are all employed.

page_text: 'Instead, however, of the binding or guiding rope simply passing through-the
machine, it is according to this part of my Invention passed around a cylindrical
or conical brush or cleaner, or around a pulley on the shaft or axis of the
said brush or cleaner. The circumference of the brush or cleaner projects
a short distance beyond the front or that side of the sledge-like frame which
slides over next to the side of the ship or structure. When the apparatus is
made to travel in any direction by power or dragging applied on the deck to
the hauling ropes the brush or cleaner by friction against or on the binding
and guiding rope is made to rotate, and as the circumference of the said brush
or cleaner projects a short distance beyond the sledge-likei frame it follows
that any weed or other matter adhering to the ship or structure is removed: by
the rubbing action of the brush or cleaner: This part of my Invention is
illustrated by Figs. 6, 7, and 8, Fig. 6 being a plan view of the face of the
apparatus Fig. 7a-longitudinal section; and: Fig. 8. a side elevation of the
cleaning brush detached. In these views: like letters' and figures denote the
same parts.
- a² are the side frame pieces tied together by b¹, and forming a sledge and
fender for the brush; c; the cross bar or pole to prevent canting; d', the
hauling ropes secured to 6; ; cylindrical cleaning brush free to rotate on
or with the spindle f"; 9; the repei which binds the apparatus to the skin of
the ship; this rope is guided between and by the rollers h', h; it gives
motion to e¹ by being passed around. it' in a groove ; f, it will be observed',
is not in a straight line between 9, 9, 9¹ is thereby made to come in contact
with the groove h¹ for rather more than a full turn; this gives sufficient
adhesion to ensure correct working: Instead of the groove being formed in
the brush itself a grooved pulley or chain wheel could be fixed on f: Instead
of the cleaning brush e being fitted with bristles or fibre, as shewn on the
Drawings, india-rubber, wood, metal, or other material could be used;
I prefer however, those materials which are slightly elastic.or yielding..
The application of the several improvements under: the third, fourth, fifth,
and sixth heads of the first part of my Invention herein-before described to or
in connection with the rotating brush: or cleaner resemble the application to
the other machine. so completely that I have. considered further description
unnecessary:
Under this part. I claim, (A), the employment of a rotating brush or
cleaner of a cylindrical, conical; or other form, in combination with the im-
provements, or any of them, herein-before described under the third, fourth,
fifth, and sixth heads of the first part of my Invention; substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth; (B), the. employment of a rotating brush or

page_text: cleaner in combination with a sledge or fender, substantially as described and
for the purpose set fourth; (C), employing the rope which binds the machine
to the skin of the ship to give rotating motion to a brush or cleaner, sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Harrison, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
In the presence of
JOHN T. KING,
Patent Agent,
Liverpool.
JOHN HARRISON. (L.S.)
2