Improvements in and in Apparatus for the Propulsion of Navigable Vessels.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 22nd Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 27th Jan., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in Apparatus for the Propulsion of
Navigable Vessels.
I, ROBERT KNOX of South Quay Douglas Isle of Man, Engineer and Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to fishing boats and other navigable or sailing vessels which
carry a steam engine or an equivalent motor for hauling nets or for working the
capstan or winch and the like purposes, and it has for its object to employ the engine
or motor for the propulsion or for the auxiliary propulsion of the vessel.
These Improvements consist in operating a pair of paddle-wheels for the propulsion
of the vessel by means of the hauling or other engine or motor and in the construction
adaption combination and arrangement of apparatus therefor.
A tubular shaft, or a shaft having tubular ends, is mounted athwartship and is
carried in suitable bearings. This shaft has such a length that its tubular ends are
about flush with the outer skin of the vessel and it is by preference carried in roller
bearings of which there may conveniently be three sets, one near each end of the
shaft, and one near the centre. The paddle wheels are constructed with a projecting
axis on one side, the projecting axis being of such a length and diameter that it may
fit into and be carried by one of the tubular ends of the shaft. The paddle wheels
are connected to the shaft by means of cotters passing through the tubular shaft and
the projected axis of the wheels included therein. The paddle shaft is geared to the
engine or motor by suitable means, which may depend upon the relative positions
of the motor and the shaft, but in all cases chain gearing may be used, and if a
straight drive cannot be obtained the chain may pass over intermediate guide
pulleys.
The hereinbefore described means of propulsion may be used exclusively in calun
weather, and at other suitable times as an auxiliary to the sails.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and in Apparatus for the Propulsion of
Navigable Vessels.
I. ROBERT KNOXx of South Quay Douglas, Isle of Man, Engineer and Machinist,
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:―
This Invention relates to fishing boats and other navigable or sailing vessels which
carry a steam engine or an equivalent motor for hauling nets or for working the
capstan or winch and the like purposes, and it has for its object to employ the engine
or motor for the propulsion or for the auxiliary propulsion of the vessel.
These Improvements consist in operating a pair of paddle-wheels for the propulsion
of the vessel by means of the hauling or other engine or motor, and in the construction
adaptation combination and arrangement of apparatus therefor.
A tubular shaft, or a shaft having tubular ends is mounted athwartship and is
carried in suitable bearings. This shaft has such a length that its tubular ends are
about flush with the outer skin of the vessel and it is by preference carried in roller
bearings of which there may conveniently be three sets, one near each end of the
shaft and one near the centre. The paddle wheels are each constructed with a
projecting axis on one side, the projecting axis being of such a length and diameter
that it may fit into and be carried by one of the tubular ends of the shaft. The paddle
wheels are connected to the shaft by means of cotters, passing through the tubular
shaft and the projected axis of the wheels included therein. The paddle shaft is
geared to the engine or motor by suitable means which may depend upon the relative
positions of the motor and the shaft, but in all cases chain gearing may be used and
if a straight drive cannot be obtained the chain may pass over intermediate guide
pulleys.
The bercinbefore described means of propulsion may be used exclusively in calm
weather and at other suitable times as an auxiliary to the sails.
The accompanying sheet of drawings illustrate in what manner this Invention inay
be carried into practical effect. Fig. 1. is a sectional elevation athwartship and
Fig. 2. is a partial longitudinal sectional elevation. In each Figure similar parts are
denoted by similar letters.
A is the hull of the vessel; B is the engine which, in the case selected, is a capstan
engine being the capstan.; D is the paddle shaft supported on the deck by the
bearings E; F are the removable paddle wheels which when not in use may be
unshipped and stowed on deck; G G are the cotters securing the projecting part of
the paddle axis, within the tubular ends of the paddle shaft, the cotter G¹ being
shown in section; H is the driving chain wheel which may be on the crank shaft or
on a second motion shaft; I is the driven chai wheel; and K is the driving chain.
Either of the chain wheels, but preferably the driving wheel, may be put into or

page_text: out of action by a clutch or by engaging and disengaging gear or other equivalent
device.
It will be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise arrangement and
construction of the details of my Improvements, as these may be considerably varied
without departing from ny Invention. For example: the projecting axis of the
paddles may be recessed or tubular, and fit upon a paddle shaft having solid ends, and
the paddle shaft may be driven by a rope or equivalent means, or, if the motor is near
the paddle shaft, by toothed gearing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
(1.) In fishing boats and other sailing vessels which carry a steam engine or other
suitable motor; operating a pair of removable paddle wheels by means of the motor,
substantially in the manner, and for the purpose hereinbefore described and as
illustrated by the appended drawings.
(2.) Paddle wheels having projecting axes, the axes being constructed and arranged
to be secured to the ends of the paddle shaft; substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described.
(3.) The combination and arrangement of removable paddle wheels having projecting
axes, a paddle shaft having ends shaped to fit or receive the projecting paddle axes,
bearings, means for securing the paddle axes to the paddle shaft, and devices for
driving the paddle shaft from a motor; substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Dated this 21st day of Deceniber A.D. 1887.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.