An Improved Life Boat.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 18th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Life Boat.
I, WILLIAM WELLS, of 50 Commercial Street, Leith, in the County of
Mid-Lothian, North Britain, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The boat is constructed in three sections, the fore and aft or two end sections
being made air and water tight as hereinafter described, and the middle or midship
section being open.
The two end sections are constructed in the form of hollow cones which are
or may be slightly flattened, and which are laid horizontally. The apex and base
of each of the two end sections are closed in the following manner to render them
air and water tight, viz.
(1) At the apex by means of a cone shaped wood plug placed internally and
drawn up tight by means of a screw and nut actuated externally from the apex of
the conical end sections, but the opening at the apex may be closed by other
means such as riveting or staving.
(2) At the base by means of flanged plates fitted in and secured by rivets to the
base of the conical end section.
The two end sections are then connected by means of sheets or plates of suitable
shape to form the middle or midship section of the boat.
The midship section is or may be formed from entire plates or sheets extending
from gunwale to gunwale, thereby forming the sides and bottom of midship section
in such a manner that longitudinal seams are avoided.
The keel of the boat is formed from two steel or other metal plates which are
riveted to angle irons or kneed plates, said angle irons or kneed plates being riveted
to the under side of the two conical end sections.
The keel plates are shaped in such a manner that at the apex of the cone they
are equal in depth to half the diameter of the base of the conical end sections, and
as the bottom edge of keel plates are parallel with a straight line drawn through
the centre of the base and the apex of the conical sections the keel plates of
course taper away to nothing at the respective bases of the conical end sections of
the boat, but these keel plates although retaining the shape just described may be
increased in depth so as to extend the whole length of the boat.
1
CT
1001
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Life Boat.
I, WILLIAM WELLS of 50 Commercial Street, Leith in the County of
Midlothian North Britain, Engineer 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 :-
The boat is constructed in four or more watertight sections, the fore and aft
sections A, being made air and water tight in the manner hereinafter described,
the middle section of the boat being divided into watertight sections by means of
bulksheads fixed transversely or longitudinally within the boat, said bulksheads
being closed in at the top and in such a manner as to admit of their being used as
seats (B) or for stowage purposes.
The fore and aft sections of the boat are formed in the shape of hollow cones,

page_text: which are or may be slightly flattened and laid horizontally, the apex and base of
each of said fore and aft sections being closed in the following manner to render
them air and water tight, viz.
(1) At the apex C, by means of a cone shaped wood plug placed internally and
drawn up tight by means of a bolt and nut, actuated externally from the apex of
the conical end sections, but the opening at the apex may be closed by other means
such as riveting or staving.
(2) At the base by means of flanged plates D fitted in and secured by rivets to
the base of the conical end sections. The two end sections are then connected by
means of sheets or plates of suitable shape to form the middle or midship section of
the boat.
The midship section is or may be formed from plates or sheets extending from
gunwale to gunwale thereby forming the sides and bottom of the boat in such a
manner that longitudinal seams are avoided.
The keel of the boat is formed from two steel or other metal plates E, which are
riveted to angle irons or kneed plates F, said angle irons or kneed plates being
riveted to the under side of the two conical end sections.
The keel plates are shaped in such a manner that at the apex of the cone they
are equal in depth to half the diameter of the base of the conical end sections, and
as the bottom edges of keel plates are parallel with a straight line drawn through
the centre of the base and apex of the conical sections the keel plates of course
taper away to nothing at the respective bases of the fore and aft sections, but these
keel plates although retaining the shape just described may be increased in depth
so as to extend the whole length of the boat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
(1.) The combination of a boat having conical shaped airtight ends and
watertight sections substantially as described.
(2.) That by the method of constructing boats substantially as described the
boats are rendered unsinkable and self righting.
(3.) That by the method of constructing boats substantially as described the
use of angle iron frames hitherto used in the construction of boats built of steel
or other metal sheets or plates can be dispensed with whereby with equal strength
increased lightness is secured.
Dated this 17th day of March 1892.