IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS BOATS OR VESSELS FOR RE- MOVING, DESTROYING, LAYING, OR PLACING TORPEDOES IN CHANNELS AND OTHER SITUATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George William Garrett, of 82, Chorlton Road, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
APPERTAINING TO SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS BOATS OR VESSELS FOR RE-
MOVING, DESTROYING, LAYING, OR PLACING TORPEDOES IN CHANNELS AND OTHER
SITUATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 29th October 1878, and dated the 8th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George William Garrett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th May 1878.
ĠEORGE WILLIAM GARRETT, of 82, Chorlton Road, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS
BOATS OR VESSELS FOR REMOVING, DESTROYING, LAYING, OR PLACING TORPEDOES
IN CHANNELS AND OTHER SITUATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to a novel means of constructing boats or vessels for
removing or placing torpedoes in channels and like situations, but which may also
be employed for diving or submarine surveying purposes.
I generally construct the vessel of small dimensions, a handy size being about 14
feet long (when arranged to contain only one man), so as to be easily lifted by the
davits of an ironclad or other ship, or from a pier or other structure.
In shape the hull is elliptical or resembling the shape of an egg, with this
difference that both halves are exactly alike. I prefer to construct it of wood, or if
of thin iron, or preferably steel plates. The sides can be strengthened with iron
stringers well stiffened by gusset plates, so as to resist the pressure to which they
will be exposed. I prefer to make the diameter about 1, of the length. Thus,
a boat 14 feet long has a diameter of 5 feet at its major axis.
The boat is usually propelled by means of a small gas or vapour engine of
suitable construction driving a propeller or screw.

page_text: The gas can be compressed into a suitable tank. I generally use hydrocarbon
gas, and add a percentage of oxygen, so that the gas can be exploded under the
piston by electricity or otherwise without needing the admixture of air. I can use
other explosives for operating the engine instead of hydrocarbon or similar
gas.
The exhaust gas passes out into the water through a non-delivery valve, or is other-
wise disposed of. On either side of the screw I place a rudder working horizontally.
These rudders are preferably of a rectangular shape, and flat, so as to offer little
resistance to the water. They can be driven by bevel gearing from the propeller
shaft, or otherwise operated. They direct the lateral deviation of the vessel.
The vertical movement of the vessel is controlled by means of two other rudders
placed in the same horizontal plane as the propeller shaft, and with their axes at
right angles thereto; these are of similar form to the lateral rudders, and are
operated in the same manner.
To regulate the depth of floatation of the vessel I employ the following means:-
At the centre of the vessel, and in the same horizontal plane as the centre line, I
place a strong horizontal cylinder communicating with the water by a port or ports
at its centre. Inside this cylinder I place two well packed pistons. These pistons
are secured to screwed piston rods, each working through screw boxes at the ends
of the cylinder. Each screw box is secured to or forms part of a toothed wheel in
connection with suitable gearing, so that both wheels may be actuated by handle or
otherwise, and thus cause both pistons to approach or recede from each other,
preferably evenly and synchronously. When the pistons recede, the water enters,
filling the cylinder, thus acting as water ballast.
The handle actuating the gearing is worked till the boat sinks deep enough. By
actuating the handle the reverse way, the pistons approach cach other, and expel
the water from the cylinder, and the boat rises. Several of these cylinders might
be used, and could be placed vertically if desired.
The boat could be propelled by manual power if desirable, a man or men sitting
on a seat in the centre of the boat working treadles driving the propeller shaft. On
the upper side of the boat, and preferably over the centre, I arrange a strong
conning tower fitted in the roof with a man-hole for ingress and egress. I place
strong glass windows or ports circumferentially round it, and also in the roof, so
that a person standing or sitting in the boat can observe objects in the water. I
arrange two or more openings in this tower fitted with elastic water-tight sleeves,
so that a person can get his arms through these to cut the wires of torpedoes, or
place them in position, or operate an anchor or rope.
Below these holes, and in the water, arrange a box to contain nippers and other
tools for cutting wires and for other purposes. I also arrange an electric lamp, so
that the occupant of the tower can swing it about in the water in his search for
torpedoes and other obstructives. I arrange the roof of the conning tower so
that it is easily taken off if anything happens to the boat, so that the occupants can
rise to the surface, being aided by life-belts if desired.
Within the boat I arrange apparatus or chemicals for purifying the air, or
supplying oxygen to the occupants, or I might supply air by pumps and pipes
from a distance, as with divers.
I purpose employing these boats to go before ironclads searching for torpedoes,
and when found, cutting the wires connecting them to the shore, or otherwise
destroying them.
The boat is easily controlled at any depth by the occupant or occupants, and can
be moved about as described.
I might establish telegraphic or telephonic communication with the ironclads or
otherwise, so that the occupants of the boat can report progress or issue orders. A
supply of insulated wire could oasily be carried on a reel and unwound as the boat
proceeds.
These boats could also be used for laying or placing torpedoes in various
situations, or be used to cut vessels' moorings, or a number of them could tow a
"

page_text: vessel out of a roadstead by connecting powerful cables to the keel or other part,
first taking the precaution (if a stean vessel) to disable the propellor and rudder.
The propellors of these boats should be protected by guards to preclude the
possibility of chains and other obstructions fouling them.
The boats can easily be carried on the decks of ironclads, and can be lowered into
the water when required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George William Garrett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
November 1878.
GEORGE WILLIAM GARRETT, of 82, Chorlton Road, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS
BOATS OR VESSELS FOR REMOVING, DESTROYING, LAYING, OR PLACING TORPEDOES
IN CHANNELS AND OTHER SITUATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to a novel means of constructing boats or vessels for
removing or placing torpedoes in channels and like situations, but which may be also
employed for diving or submarine surveying purposes.
Fig. 1 shews a sectional elevation of the hull, and Fig. 2 a sectional elevation of
the apparatus for varying the specific gravity when submerged.
I generally construct the vessel of small dimensions, a handy size being about 14
to 20 feet long (when arranged to contain only one man), so as to be easily lifted by
the davits of an ironclad or other ship, or from a pier or other structure.
In shape the hull A is nearly elliptical, or somewhat resembling the shape of an
egg, with this difference that both halves are exactly alike. I prefer to construct it
of thin iron, or preferably steel plates, or it might be constructed of wood. The
sides can be strengthened with iron stringers, well stiffened by gusset plates, so as to
resist the pressure to which they will be exposed. I prefer to make the diameter
about /, of the length. Thus, a boat 14 to 20 feet long has a diameter of 5 feet
at its major axis.
The boat might be propelled by means of a small gas or vapour engine of suitable
construction driving a propellor or screw.
The gas can be compressed into a suitable tank. I generally prefer to use hydro-
carbon gas, and add a percentage of ogygen, so that the gas can be exploded under
the piston by electricity or otherwise without needing the admixture of air. I
can use other explosives for operating the engine instead of hydrocarbon or similar
gas.
The exhaust gas passes out into the water through a non-delivery valve, or is
otherwise disposed of. Or, instead of a gas engine, an engine operated by compressed
air might be used. In the Drawing, however, the boat is shewn propelled by a
screw C having its shaft D passing through a stuffing box, and supported by a
pedestal F bolted over the tanks hereafter described, and carrying fly wheel E,
which can be rotated by hand, as shown, or by means of a treadle. On either.side of

page_text: the screw I place a rudder working horizontally. These rudders are keyed or
secured to a shaft b, cranked so as to allow the propellor shaft to pass it, and
passing through stuffing boxes c, a, as shown. This shaft can be actuated in any
suitable manner to cause the lateral deviation of the vessel.
The up-and-down or angular motion of the vessel when submerged can be given
by means of side floats or fins working on horizontal pivots, and not shown in the
Drawing, and I do not purpose making any claim for the steering apparatus by
itself, as it is old.
To regulate the depth of floatation of the vessel I employ the following means:-
Preferably at or near the centre of the vessel, and in the same horizontal plane as
the centre line, or in other part of the vessel, I place a strong horizontal cylinder
communicating with the water by a port or ports at its centre. Inside this cylinder
I place too well packed pistons. These pistons are secured to screwed piston rods,
cach working through screw boxes at the ends of the cylinder. Each screw box is
secured to or forms part of a toothed wheel in connection with suitable gearing, so
that both wheels may be actuated by handle or otherwise, and thus cause both
pistons to approach or recede from each other perfectly evenly and synchronously.
When the pistons recede, the water enters, filling the cylinder, thus acting as water
ballast.
The handle actuating the gearing is worked till the boat sinks deep enough. By
nctuating the handle the reverse way, the pistons approach each other and expel
the water from the cylinder, and the boat rises. Several of these cylinders could
be used and could be placed vertically if desired.
However, in a small boat, the cylinder if used alone to sink the boat would
necessarily be of large size, and where economy of space is a desideratum it is well
to reduce the size of the working parts as much as possible, yet still retain their
efficiency. Therefore to attain this end, I prefer to cause the boat to lose her free-
board by means of ballast tanks, and then regulate the depth of submersion or
floatation by means of the aforesaid controlling gear. This is shown in the Drawing
0, 0, 0, are the ballast tanks, preferably built into and forming an integral part of
the boat. Jis the pump of any suitable construction used for filling or emptying
said tanks, being connected to thein by the pipes N, N1, N2, a 4-way cock M
being interposed between the pump and the tanks. L is the cock on the pipe
serving to admit water to or expel it from the pump, the 4-way cock controlling the
influx to or exit of water from any or all of the tanks.
S is the controlling cylinder aforesaid. I find that under great pressure the
water is apt to pass the pistons if not very carefully packed, it being difficult to pack
them perfectly tightly, so instead of packed pistons, I prefer to use a Bramalı collar
to the cylinder, and in small boats I prefer to dispense with one of the pistons and
form the port for the entrance or exit of water at one end instead of at the centre
of the cylinder; also I prefer to suspend the cylinder above instead of placing it on
the bottom. The arrangement is shown in elevation in Fig. 1, and in enlarged
sectional elevation in Fig. 2. S is the cylinder carried by a bracket s³ at one end,.
and bolted at the other end to the hull A. U is the water port, which I prefer to.
cover with a grating to prevent solid matters entering the cylinder. T is the
plunger or piston working in the cylinder S, against the leathers v, vl, which leathers
are pressed together by flanged ring adjusted by screwed bolts as shewn. One
end of the ring v³ is recessed at the top, and screwed to form a stuffing box to
receive the gland V.
The piston rod R is secured to the plunger as shown, or in other desirable manner.
One end is screwed and passes through a screw box in the toothed wheel s', carried
by a bracket bolted to the hull. The wheel s¹ is rotated by means of handle 8,
driving toothed wheel & operating it. The wheel & is carried by bracket 7º, as
shewn.
It will be seen that this arrangement occupies less room than if two pistons, rods,
and screw boxes are used, and the cylinder placed horizontally on the floor of the
boat as first described; though the principle is exactly the same, and both plans can

page_text: be equally well worked, providing the plungers are packed as described, or so as to
be tight yet easily moved. In using the boat, the tap L being turned, and the
4-way cock opened, water enters the tanks, and causes the boat to lose her buoyancy
or freeboard. To cause her to sink or rise when submerged, the handle s is turned,
admitting water to or expelling it from the cylinder S by the movement of the
plunger T. Thus the specific gravity of the submerged boat may be adjusted with
the greatest nicety, the admission or expulsion of a minimum quantity of water
(when the freeboard is overcome) causing a very sensible alteration in her depth of
flontation. An indicator can be fitted to this gear, so as to indicate the number of
revolutions of the handle s necessary to admit a certain quantity of water to or
expel it from the cylinder.
On the upper side of the boat, and preferably over the centre, I arrange a strong
conning tower P fitted in the roof with a manhole P' for ingress and egress.
place strong glass windows or ports Q, Q³, circumferentially round it, and also in
the roof as shown, so that a person standing or sitting in the boat can observe
objects in the water. I arrange two or more openings Q¹ in the tower fitted witlı
elastic water-tight sleeves as shewn, so that a person can get his arms through
these to cut the wires of torpedoes, or place them in position, or operate an anchor
or rope.
Below these holes, and in the water, I arrange a box to contain nippers and other
tools for cutting wires and for other purposes. I also arrange an electric lamp, so that
the occupant of the tower can swing it about in the water in his search for tor-
pedoes and other obstructions. I arrange the roof of the conning tower so that it
is easily taken off if anything happens to the boat, so that the occupants can rise to
the surface, being aided by life belts if desired.
Within the boat I arrange apparatus or chemicals for purifying the air or
supplying oxygen to the occupants, or I might supply air by pumps and pipes from
a distance, as with divers.
I purpose employing these boats to go before ironclads searching for torpedoes,
and when found, cutting the wires connecting them to the shore, or otherwise
destroying them. The boat is easily controlled at any depth by the occupant or
occupants, and can be moved about as described. I might establish telegraphic or
telephonic communication with the ironclads or otherwise, so that the occupants of
the boat can report progress or issue orders.
A supply of insulated wire could easily be carried on a reel, and unwound as the
boat proceeds. These boats could also be used for laying or placing torpedoes in
various situations, or be used to cut vessels' moorings, or a number of the night
be used to tow a vessel out of a roadstead, by connecting powerful cables to the
keel or other part, first taking the precaution (if a steam vessel) to disable the
propellor and rudder.
The propellors of these boats should be protected by guards (not shown in the
Drawing), to preclude the possibility of chains and other obstructions fouling them.
The boats can easily be carried on the decks of ironclads, and can be lowered into
the water when required.
The occupant sits on a seat G, supported on a screwed rod working in screwed
nut H working in bearings in bracket I, and by turning the hand wheel shown
attached to the nut H, the height of the seat can be adjusted.
The various pumps
and apparatus could be otherwise placed than in the positions shewn, but they
should be within easy reach of the operator.
In working the boat, the occupant or occupants should take down a supply of
compressed air in tins or cases, so as to allow of a pressure of air in the boat being
maintained, to counteract the pressure of the water on the submerged boat. If the
pressure outside increases, the pressure within can be augmented by opening one or
inore of the air cases, and allowing air to fill the boat till equilibrium is maintained
between the pressures. Suitable guages can be fixed to shew the pressures, and
guages to shew the depth reached, or indicators to shew the position of the screw or
rudder might be used.

page_text: Having now described my Invention, and the best mode known to me of carrying
it into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim the use of the elastic
sleeves, nor yet the arrangement of rudders shewn, or the propelling mechanism,
but what I believe to be new, and desire to claim under the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
I. The mode described of varying the specific gravity of a submerged vessel, and
thereby controlling the depth of submersion or floatation, by mechanically increasing
or diminishing the internal containing capacity of the water ballast cylinder or
chamber in free communication with the exterior water.
II. The mode described of controlling the depth of floatation of a submerged
vessel, after the buoyancy or freeboard has been overcome by means of water in
communication with the body in which the vessel or boat is immersed, admitted to,
or expelled from a cylinder or ballast chamber, by the movement of a piston,
plungers, or their mechanical equivalent, increasing or diminishing the internal
capacity of said cylinder or chamber, so that the influx or efflux of a minimum
quantity of water shall cause a sensible alteration in the specific gravity of the boat
or vessel.
III. The combination of the cylinder S, port U..plunger or plungers T working
water-tight, and gearing operating the samo, for the purposes described.
IV. The general arrangement of submarine or subaqueous boat or vessel, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George William Garrett, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of November, in the year of our Lord
1878.
GEORGE WILLIAM GARRETT. (L.s.)
Witness,
E. GARDNER COLTON,
Patent Agent & Engineer,
W. P. Thompson & Co.'s Patent Offices,
Liverpool & London.