CERTAIN NEW OR IMPROVED MEANS OF PRODUCING OR COMMUNICATING MOTION IN OR UNTO BODIES EITHER WHOLLY OR IN PART SURROUNDED BY WATER OR AIR, OR EITHER OF THEM, BY THE REACTION OF SUITABLE APPARATUS UPON THE SAID WATER OR AIR, OR UPON BOTH OF THEM
Year: 1816

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
DAWSON, of No. 63, in the Strand, in the City of Westminster and County of
Middlesex, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourteenth day of March, in the
fifty-sixth year of His reign, give and grant unto me, the said James Dawson,
my exors, admors, and assigns, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said James Dawson, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns,
His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
James Dawson, my exors, admors, and assigns, during the term of years therein
mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"CERTAIN NEW OR IMPROVED MEANS OF PRODUCING OR COMMUNICATING MOTION IN OR
UNTO BODIES EITHER WHOLLY OR IN PART SURROUNDED BY WATER OR AIR, OR EITHER
OF THEM, BY THE REACTION OF SUITABLE APPARATUS UPON THE SAID WATER OR AIR,
OR UPON BOTH OF THEM;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso
obliging me, the said James Dawson, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, to cause a particular description of the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be enrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same (relation being thereunto had) may more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said James
Dawson, do hereby declare that the following is a full and particular description
of the means I use to produce or communicate motion to or unto boats, ships,
or other bodies, by means of certain wheels, oars, or levers, or by inclined
planes, of various forms, materials, and constructions, and the same are more fully
elucidated and described by the Drawings hereunto annexed; and I do cause the
same to be put in motion by the power of men, the wind, steam engine, heated
air engine, or other suitable first mover; by appropriate mechanical connexion
therewith. And first, with respect to my construction of wheels for the pro-
pelling of vessels or other floating bodies. Instead of forming the paddles
thereof in the ordinary way of one uniform piece of metal or other rigid
substance, I form the several paddles of elastic and flexible materials, and I
generally arrange the same as shewn in Figure-1, which is a view breadthways
of a rototary elastic paddle. The rods I form of materials capable of acquiring
a due degree of elasticity when planed or tapered down, such as wood or
walebone. Each rod may consist of one or more pieces or leaves, connected
together according to the strength and elasticity that may be required; on a
large scale steel, duly tempered and prepared, may be advantageously employed
as auxiliary thereunto. The said rods I cover and transversely connect together
with any suitable flexible or slightly elastic substance, such as strong cloth,
canvass, web, or leather, which I usually allow to bag a little between the rods.
When I use canvass or web I saturate the same with a solution of caoutchou,
and thereby impart an adequate degree of elastic consistency thereunto, to
encrease which I sometimes employ small brass spiral springs. And I consider
as part of this my said Invention the construction and application of elastic
paddles, vanes, or planes to all wheels acting on or by fluids, only varying the
same according to the form and object in view. To obtain an oblique elastic
action on the water or other fluid, in a manner similar to smoke jack, spiral, or
helicoid wheels, I vary with the form adopted the proportion, position, and and
direction of elastic force, and I usually effect the same (either wholly or in part)
by strengthening the rods or elastic plane on the one side, part, or end, which
causes the other or weaker side, part, or end to yield to a certain angle of
obliquity when in action. In some constructions I cause the elastic force to
act in an horizontal direction, or at a certain angle across the plane, vane, or
paddle, and I fix the rods or graduate the elasticity accordingly. If the center
rods are left weaker in proportion to the outer ones, the paddle will hollow or
expand in the center when pressed by the fluid. In other constructions I
make the two outer rods of the paddle of strong rigid materials, and connect
them by flexible, and if a suitable material be used a uniform elastic plane

page_text: may
be employed, but I prefer in general the compound construction, as shewn
in Figure 1, and described aforesaid. If the rods are left sufficiently long the
covering thereon may be made so as to shift higher or lower, and the action on
the water varied without raising or lowering the arbor of the wheel. By
duly proportioning the elastic force of the paddles to the velocity of the wheel
a certain degree of curvature or sweep will be assumed by them when in
action, and I do apply (modified according to the particular circumstances of
the case) elastic and flexible materials in the formation of the paddles, floats,
or buckets of water wheels, intended for various well known uses or purposes.
And further, I apply wheels with the acting parts thereof formed of elastic and
flexible materials as aforesaid as ventilators, for the purpose of extracting or
removing the foul air out of ships, mines, and other places, and I use the
aforesaid combination of materials in forming the fans of the wheel in winnow-
ing machines in place of the boards used therein commonly called fans.
Figure 2 represents an elastic inclined plane, the form, size, and proportion of
which may be varied according to circumstances, and I construct the same by
inserting a number of elastic rods duly graduated in a small brass frame,
and I cover and connect them together as heretofore described in Figure 1;
and I usually make the center rods weaker than the outer ones, and the
covering connecting them rather loose, which construction causes the middle
part of the plane to yield or hollow when pressed, thereby forming or expanding
to an inclined plane, with an angle or slope more or less according to the
elasticity given to it and the force impressed thereon. On a large scale the
several rods might be so socketed as to turn a little both ways, and be
formed like a knife, with an edge on one side, which formation would faci-
litate their falling into the lateral slope of the plane, the general elasticity or
expansion of which might in some cases be assisted by small brass spiral springs.
And I affix to a convenient part of the vessel or other floating body that I
wish to move one or more of the aforesaid elastic planes, of a suitable size, in
a frame or otherwise, and I cause the same to be moved up and down or to and
fro by an adequate moving power broadwise through the fluid, the effect of
which will be that the alternating action of the plane or planes will commu-
nicate a constant progressive motion to the said body, the elasticity of the
component parts accelerating the changes of position in the said plane or planes.
And I construct sails of elastic and flexible materials as aforesaid, and I adapt
the same to horizontal and vertical windmills, and to ships and other floating
bodies that I wish to move by the impulse of the wind acting thereon. To the
ordinary or common sails I communicate a certain degree of elasticity by
attaching them to the masts, yards, or ropes of the intervention of spiral or

page_text: other springs. In some cases I make use of elastic levers or masts, formed
and curving like coach springs, of a suitable size, either solely by themselves or
attached to masts of the ordinary kind, and capable of turning as on a center,
and of being posited in divers positions. To the said elastic levers or masts I
attach sails in a vertical position or nearly so, and in this manner communicate
the impulse of the wind to the vessel or other floating body. Figure 3 repre-
sents an elastic lever or car, with one end formed somewhat in imitation of the
tail of a fish. The handle I make of any suitable elastic substance or sub-
stances, such as wood, walebone, or steel duly prepared; and in general I
communicate to the said lever or oar the requisite elasticity, combined with a
due proportion of flexibility, by uniting or binding together in leaves (like a
coach spring) one or more longitudinal pieces of proportionate lengths of any
or either or both of the said or other suitable material or materials, and I form
and combine the several parts or pieces so as to curve or bend like a carter's
whip, equally free both ways when forcibly pressed. When the component
material or materials do not possess sufficient inherent elasticity, the action may
be assisted by means of longitudinal pieces of flat steel, or spiral springs, or other-
wise, as the case may require. In furtherance whereof I usually make a
portion of one end of the handle of the said lever or oar very strong and
almost rigid, while I taper down the other end and leave it proportionably
flexible and elastic. To the said handle I sometimes attach one or more elastic
planes as shewn, Letter (a), Figure (3). The broad extremity or tail part of the
said elastic lever or oar may be formed out of a continuation of the handle,
provided an adequate or suitable substance or material be used, but in general
I find it more convenient to make it separate, and afterwards attach it to the
handle in such a manner as not to interfere with the general elasticity of the
combined parts. And the said broad or tail part I construct of elastic and
flexible materials, which I usually combine and arrange in conformity to and
in imitation of a fishes tail, that is to say, of numerous elastic rays or rods
formed of tortoiseshell, whalebone, hair, or steel, or other suitable elastic
substance or substances, and I cover and connect them loosely together by
flexible or slightly elastic substances, such as canvass, web, or leather, the
expansion and contraction of which may be assisted by small spiral springs or
otherwise; but in general I saturate the canvass or web covering with a solution
of caoutchouc till a due degree of elastic consistency is obtained throughout;
and I mostly graduate the clastic power of the rays of the said tail part in
such a manner that when the same is forcibly pressed against the water or
other fluid it will yield to the pressure, particularly in the middle, and curve or
expand accordingly. And a similar effect follows when the action is reversed,

page_text: the said alternate curving or bagging, combined with the general elasticity,
encreasing the effective push of the oar on the water. In other constructions
a forked termination to the handle, covered by a flexible or slightly elastic
material, or a uniform elastic plane without rays or rods, might be used, and
one or more tails or paddles attached to the handle, or the handle of the said
oar might be formed in imitation of the back bone of a fish, with a vertebral
action, but I prefer forming the handle as aforesaid, being a more easy and
simple mode of construction. The aforesaid description and Figure (3) ex-
plains how materials possessing elasticity and flexibility may be combined in the
formation of an elastic lever or oar, capable of acting on fluids in a novel way,
and which may be employed with great advantage in propelling, moving, or
steering boats, vessels, or other floating bodies, whether the same be wholly or
in part surrounded by or immersed in the fluid. And I hereby declare that if
the principle of the elasticity is duly attended to in the construction, the form
of the paddle may be varied to a forked, conidal, triangular, quadrantal, or other
form with good effect. I therefore do not confine my construction of elastic
levers or oars to the form shewn in Figure (3), but do modify the same
according to circumstances, and generally in conformity to or in imitation of the
forms adopted by nature in the fins and tails of various fishes. And I further
declare that this my aforesaid Invention consists mainly in a peculiar adaptation
of the principles of elasticity and flexibility with respect to obtaining an action
on fluids in a manner not heretofore practised, and as exemplified by nature in
the formation and action of the tails and fins of various fishes, and in humby
attempting to imitate the same by a due combination and distribution of materials
possessing the aforesaid properties, and applying the same in a variety of ways to
the propelling, moving, or steering of boats, vessels, or other floating bodies. And
the said elastic lever or oar being duly fixed by means of a swivel or other-
wise on a centre in, on, outside, or at the stern of the vessel or other body to
be moved, the said elastic lever or oar may be worked on the said center or
fulcrum by a suitable moving power applied to one end thereof, or to a crank
or other simple contrivance, either up and down or to and fro, as choice or con-
venience may require. And one or more of the aforesaid elastic levers, planes, or
oars being duly posited may be used in moving the human body in, on, or through
the water, provided that the said body is in the first instance rendered perfectly
buoyant therein by a tin girdle or other well known apparatus for that purpose.
And I do apply the principles heretofore set forth and described to the constructing
of fans, by forming the same of tortoiseshell or other elastic substance divided
into a number of rays, duly graduated and covered with any flexible or highly
ornamented material; and I attach to the said shell a walebone or other

page_text: elastic handle, either plain or ornamented in any tasteful manner, and the said
fans, if moved rapidly by the hand to and fro, will act very powerfully on the air.
And, lastly, I do declare that the aforesaid elastic paddles, planes, or oars, or other
combinations of elastic and flexible materials, varying in size and form according to
the particular application thereof, may be applied with advantage to many useful
purposes, and more particularly to machinery acting on or moved by water or air,
or either of them, such as windmills, water wheels, ventilating wheels, impelling
wheels, helms, and sails of boats and ships, and all submarine vessels, balloons
or other bodies floating or moving in air or water; and my several apparatus,
as herein described and set forth may be varied in form and dimensions
respectively in the different constructions thereof, as will to competent work-
men and mechanics be easily apprehended and performed without further
instructions.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Dawson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Ninth day of September, in the
year of our Lord 1816, the aforesaid James Dawson came before our said Lord
the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and
all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute made for that purpose.
*ALL LIC