IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN AND FOR REMOVING STRANDED SHIPS OR VESSELS, ALSO FOR LIFTING HEAVY WEIGHTS UNDER WATER, AND FOR AIDING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SUBMARINE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Darley, of Deptford, in the County of
Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING
SUNKEN AND FOR REMOVING STRANDED SHIPS OR VESSELS, ALSO FOR LIFTING
HEAVY WEIGHTS UNDER WATER, AND FOR AIDING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF
SUBMARINE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS."
Sealed the 9th February 1875, and dated the 12th August 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION-left-by-the-said William Darley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th August 1874.
I, WILLIAM DARLEY, of Deptford, in the County of Kent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR RAISING SUNKEN AND FOR REMOVING STRANDED SHIPS: OR VESSELS, ALSO FOR
LIFTING HEAVY WEIGHTS UNDER WATER, AND FOR AIDING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF
SUBMARINE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS," to be as follows:-

page_text: internally, with an air vessel or vessels of sufficient buoyancy to sustain
the whole weight of the pontoon on the remaining portion being filled
with water.
The lifting chains are attached to the head of the bilgo of those
for lifting ships or in other convenient parts, and secured by slip 5
stoppers or other mechanical contrivances for adjusting or letting go
with facility.
The pontoons employed in accordance with my Invention may be
made in varied forms as found most convenient for the various operations
of ship raising, raising heavy weights, and for the performance of 1
submarine engineering works of every description, and by which a vast
amount of time and expense may be saved, and valuable operations
performed otherwise impracticable with the systems now in use!
The pontoons are fitted with suitable pipos and valves for clearing the
water either by air or other pumps, as may be found most convenient 1
according to varying circumstances. I also pump out and close any
water ballast tanks, fresh water tanks, and compartments that may be
conveniently cleared without delaying the operation; but my chief
reliance depends on the buoyancy of the pontoons, which may be so
constructed as to apply not only to the sides for lifting purposes, but on 2
the decks of largo ships, being secured to the holes in the sides for
sido lights to the beams or other parts which may be found most.
convenient.
A pontoon on each side 120 × 18 × 20 I estimate to lift a weight of
2000 tons, and would meet ordinary cases, but by providing others, say 2
80 × 20 × 18; 2 of such pontoons would raise a vessel of about 1200
tons, whilst they would be valuable as auxiliaries to the larger ones in
raising a vessel of heavy tonnago.
The pontoons of small capacity capable of lifting from 5 to 20 tons
may bo used with great advantage for raising anchors and cables as well a
as in clearing cargoes from wrecks that may not be considered from rot
or otherwise to be worth raising.
I propose under favorable circumstances, and where the divers present
no difficulty, to operate without the delay and expense of removing masts

page_text: and rigging, which whilst it lengthens the operation increases the
difficulty where vessels.are sunk on sandy or mud bottoms.
Where a vessel with large cargo. may not be considered worth raising
I so construct the pontoon that-it-may be lowered by the side of the
wreck by which the divers can_place_the_cargo in the pontoon, it may
then be closed up, the water pumped out, and the whole raised to the
surface in one operation instead of the lengthy and dangerous mode of
raising every case or piece separately to the surface, which in addition
to the loss of time is attended with danger to the divers in the event of
any heavy body accidentally slipping out of the slings.
The smaller pontoons capable of raising 50 tons and under may be
lowered on to the deck of the sunken vessel, into which cargo may also
be placed with advantage, and which on being raised to the surface may
be placed by crano or other apparatus on board of a receiving vessel or
on a convenient wharf at once.
⚫ With regard to submarine engineering operations, where limited
draught of water and confined position do not admit the approach of a
laden vessel of any size on an exposed coast, the smaller pontoons will
be of great value, enabling the engineers to have perfect command of
large stones, heavy iron pillars, girders for bridges, lighthouses, or heavy
material used in building piers, breakwaters, harbours, or other
structures, also in the removal of sunken rocks or to place or remove
obstructions to navigation at the mouths of harbours, rivers, or other
waters in the event of war. There is an advantage in this method in
securing the pontoons, on their being entirely at the command of the
divers, to apply them in any position-to-a-vessel--inclined-as well as one
on an even keel, observing that the vessel in an inclined position is
generally abandoned, being in danger of slipping. By my improved
system and appliances I can not only remove a vessel, but on the
pontoons being secured to her she will come up on an even keel.
Great advantage is gained by dispensing with the long chains generally
used, which require a vessel to carry them only, the length of chains
required for carrying out my improvements being only sufficient to reach
from pontoon to pontoon under the wreck.

page_text: go on to the wreck the chains will require to be readjusted and the
whole work repeated; but by my improved arrangement of apparatus,
the pontoons may be secured in a very short time to the wreck, where
being out of the way of wind and weather the work so far done sustains
no damage; and has only to be continued on the weather clearing
away.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
-filed by the said William-Darley in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th February 1875.
:
r
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, WILLIAM 1
DARLEY, of Deptford, in the County of Kent, send greeting.
- WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and soventy-four, in the thirty-
eighth year of. Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, 1
give and grant unto me, the said William Darley, Her special licenco.
that I, the said William Darley, my executors, administrators, and.
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Darley, 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 2
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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN and for RemovinG STRANDED SHIPS OR VISSELS,
ALSO FOR LIFTING HEAVY WEIGHTS UNDER WATER AND FOR AIDING IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF SUBMARINE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Darley, my exccutors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and scals, 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 William Darley, do hereby declare

page_text: to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:—
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction and general
arrangement of pontoons, and in the method of applying the same to
the purpose of raising or removing sunken or stranded vessels, or heavy
weights under water, and for assisting the execution of submarine
engineering works.
The pontoons are to be constructed of iron and to be furnished with
one or other number of internal air vessels entirely separate and distinct
from the compartments into which the pontoon is divided, and into
which water is admitted (as herein-after described), the air vessel or
vessels being of such' dimensions as shall enable them to sustain the
entire weight of the pontoon when filled with water, arrangements being
made by which the specific gravity of the entire construction may be
varied so as to enable the pontoon to be gradually or slowly sunk to its
required position for raising a ship or for other work under the control
of divers employed.
The lifting chains are attached to the head of the bilge to stoppers
and bollards on the upper deck of the pontoon; trunks or hawse pipes
are provided leading from the upper deck in a diagonal direction to the
bilge, through which the lifting chains are passed; such chains being
provided with slip stoppers.
i
The pontoons are fitted with suitable pipes and valves for clearing the
water, either by forcing air pumps or by suction water pumps actuated
by steam power on board steam tugs; but I prefer to eject the water
from my sunken pontoons by means of air pumps, the hose being con-
ducted from the pumps to the pontoons in cases of deep water, and from
the suction pumps in shallow water..
Whilst I provide means of lightening a wreck (without causing delay
in the operation of raising) by removal of portions of cargo, the chicf
object of the Invention is the raising of a vessel of whatever weight sho
may be, including cargo, by means of the pontoons applied as a rule to
the sides of the wreck, but under certain circumstances on the deck and
secured by chains to the holes for side lights, or otherwise, as may be
most.convenient, the general-application of the chains-being under the

page_text: bottom of the wreck as hereafter shown. I also construct pontoons of
small dimensions for the purpose of lowering or raising blocks of stone,
pillars of iron, or other bodies for submarine construction, for recovering
anchors and other purposes, and such pontoons with slight modifications
may be made serviceable for the reception of cargo by aid of divers, and
when laden may be brought to the surface in the same manner as the
large pontoons for raising wrecks.
...In the construction shewn hereafter it will be evident that the large
pontoons for raising wrecks may be made in compartments or divisions
capable of being taken to pieces and transported to a distance for use. ]
The usual arrangement of flanges, packing, and bolts would render this
an casy matter.
.
The pontoons made according to my improved construction will be
cntirely under the control of the divers, who may apply them in any
position to a vessel sunken in an inclined or listed position with the same
facility as to a vessel on an even keel. This is important as under prior
systems, where long lifting chains have been used, the vessel has
generally been abandoned when in the former position, because in the
attempt to raise her she would be in danger of slipping from the chains,
whereas by my improved system and appliances I can not only remove :
the vessel, but on the pontoons being secured to her she will come up
on an even kccl.
Great advantage is gained by dispensing with the long chains generally
used, which require a vessel to carry them, the length of chains required
for my improved method being very little more than sufficient to reach
from pontoon to pontoon under the wreck, and being then attached to
the permanent chains with which the pontoons are provided. The vessel
thus becomes gripped between the pontoons and is raised to the surface,
. after which the hose is detached from the pontoons and the inlet tubes
are secured by screw valves or other suitable means, and the wreck now
fixed between the pontoons may be towed to a place of safety by the
tugs.
In order that my said Invention may be fully understood I annex tho
accompanying Drawings, which show two forms or sections of pontoons
for raising wrecks, but of course other modified forms may be used, tho̟
same principle and appliances being applicable to them.

page_text: Figure 1 shews a transverse section of two pontoons attached to a
vessel in the assumed position for the operation of raising. Figure 2
shows a longitudinal vertical section of the same, and Figure 3 a plan
partly in section.
Similar letters denote corresponding parts in cach Figuro respectively.
The pontoon is constructed with a back bone or girder oxtending as
freely as possible, but interrupted by the air vessels. It is also
strengthened by pillars from the floor plates to the fore and aft carling
which supports the deck, it also receives support from the hawse pipes
in their diagonal position and from the bulkheads.
In the application of valves as indicated by the letters no special
description of valve is intended to be used; they are all non-return valves
opening inwards or outwards, as the case may be, whether clack valves,
Kingston, ball, or other construction as required, there being no necessity
to indicate more than their positions in regard to the construction of the
pontoon.
Their outline or form being given it remains to explain the internal
and external adjuncts as follows:-
A, A, shew four air vessels which are to be supported by suitable
stays and by the back bone, as convenient. They aro hermetically
closed, excepting the two upper chambers or vessels which are divided
by a central compartment into which water may be admitted when it is
desired to increase the specific gravity of the whole construction if
incapable of slowly sinking when otherwise filled with water. and
supplied with all its tackle and gear. These air vessels are to bo of
such size as to possess sufficient buoyancy to sustain thic pontoons with
equipments afloat (with a margin in favor of the pontoon) when other-
wise filled with water.
B, B, bulkheads to give strength, fitted with slide valves worked from
the deck for free passage of water. below and cocks and valves for
passage of air above.

page_text: Y, valve to admit water to the chamber Z.
Of course in lieu of this chamber an independent chamber or vessel
´ supplied with inlet and outlet valves might be employed.
25
The chains are shewn passing through the hawso pipes; they are to.
be attached to the cable stoppers and still further if necessary to the
bollards. They are also attached to the short lengths of chain as applied 30
by the divers to the wreck by means of connecting screw shackles or

page_text: slips, so that all may be tightened up by the gear of the pontoon ready
for the operation of raising by the pumps.
".
Figure 4 shews a side view of a cylindrical pontoon, the internal:
arrangements being similar to those described already. A, in dotted
lines, shew the air vessels; B, the fonders; O; the chains for single or
double-attachment; D, hinged stanchions.
Figure 5. is a transverse section; three air vessels are shewn. This
form of pontoon would be more applicable for position above the sides..
of a wreck, and not alongside, the chains extending down the sides of
the wreck and beneath the keel.
Figure 6 shews a perspective view of a small horse-shoe pontoon
constructed on the same principle as the former, but of course with
merely the simplest arrangement of internal apparatus. By its means a
heavy block of stone may be raised or lowered in slings by suitable
attachments; a pillar of iron may be lowered into position by the divers
for submarine work, or an anchor may be raised. So also by forming a
grating across the pontoon it may be lowered to the deck of a wreck and
the cargo may be placed thereon and brought to the surface.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I would remark that I do
not limit myself to the exact detail, configuration, and arrangement of
parts which I have expressed and shewn, as of course the same may be
varied without departing from the principles on which the Invention is
based, and many modifications may present themselves, as practice and
experience may suggest. I am well aware that pontoons have been
already used for the purpose of-raising wrecks, and I lay no claim what-
ever to the mere use of pontoons, but what I do claim and desire to be
secured to me by the herein in part recited Letters Patent are,-
The general arrangement and combination of parts herein specified with
special reference to the application of the air vessels within the pontoon,
such air vessels being entirely separato and distinct from the compart-
ments of the pontoon into which water is admitted, and with reference
to the method of applying such pontoon's to the lifting chains in con-
nection with the wreck by means of the trunks or hawse pipes formed
diagonally in the pontoon, whereby all crushing strain of the chains is
obviated.

page_text: I also claim the construction and method of working the horse-
shoe pontoons, all substantially'as and for the purposes hercin specified
and shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Darley, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of February, in
tho ycar of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
fiva
Witness,
EDWARD CLOSSON,
3, Warwick Court,
Grays's Inn,
W.C.
W. DARLEY. (L.S.)