IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS GUN-BOATS, AND IN THE GUNS AND PROJECTILES EMPLOYED THEREIN.”
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Horsfall Watson and Samuel Joseph Woodhouse,
both of Leeds, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS
GUN-BOATS, AND IN THE GUNS AND PROJECTILES EMPLOYED THEREIN.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Horsfall Watson and
Samuel Joseph Woodhouse at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
7th March 1878.
THOMAS HORSFALL WATSON and SAMUEL JOSEPH WOODHOUSE, both of Leeds, in
the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT
OF SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS GUN-BOATS, AND IN THE GUNS AND PROJECTILES
EMPLOYED THEREIN.
'
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction and arrange-
ment of submarine or subaqueous gun-boats, and in the guns and projectiles
employed therein.
The first part of this Invention relates to improvements in the external and
internal construction and arrangement of submarine and subaqueous gun-boats,
with a view to their being employed in conjunction with our improved submarine
or subaqueous guns, next hereafter described, for the removal and destruction of
torpedoes and other similar obstructions, so as to allow of the free passage of vessels
in waters wherein they have been laid; also, for the destruction of hostile vessels
of war of every description by means of a subaqueous vertical, lateral, or angular
fire, as well as for the purposes of pontooning and blockade running, for both which
purposes they are admirably adapted.
To carry out this part of our Invention we proceed in the following manner:-
We construct a gun-boat of any suitable dimensions and materials, the outer shell
whereof we make in compartments or sections which are both air and water tight.
The fore and aft compartments or sections are filled with water, so as to submerge
...

page_text: the vessel to any required depth. The inflow and outflow of the water into these
compartments is regulated by any suitable pumping apparatus, and the water is
distributed through such compartments by means of a suitable water main provided
with convenient inlets and outlets. The central compartments are filled with air
which serves to impart the requisite degree of buoyancy to the vessel when sub-
merged, and a sufficient space is provided in the interior of the dome, presently
mentioned, and of the centre of the vessel itself, to form an air reservoir which acts
as an ordinary gas holder.
In the centre of the deck of the gun-boat, which is sheathed with suitable
armour plates, we construct a conical or other suitably shaped dome, having sloping
sides made to any convenient angle and terminating at its apex in two suitable
holes, hereafter styled the inlet and outlet holes. When the vessel is submerged
such inlet and outlet holes are entirely closed, and any further supply of air or
water is temporarily shut off. Both the deck of the vessel, as also the central
dome, is sheathed in armour plates of any suitable description.
We cover the internal surface of the dome with suitable lattice work, which
dispenses with all necessity for forming partitions therein and affords a convenient
means of access to all parts thereof.
The inlet hole at the top of the dome is provided at its mouth with a lid, formed
either of a series of bars placed in any convenient position or of a perforated metal
plate or shield. Through these interstices or apertures air is pumped in by means
of a suitable blower or fan conveniently placed within the interior of the vessel,
and which blower or fan is worked by any suitable means. The air when so
pumped in is received into a suitable meter, and is thence conveyed and distributed
throughout the vessel by means of a suitable air main.
As it is necessary to prevent the water entering into the pipe or conduit through
which the air is pumped in, we provide at the top of such pipe or conduit a suitable
lid or cover, made preferably in the form of a hollow conc, so that the superin-
cumbent water runs down over the outer surface of the dome and escapes while
the air is retained within the hollow cone or cover, and is thence conveyed into the
interior of the vessel by the air inlet pipe.
In order to register the exact amount of atmospheric pressure within the entire
area of the vessel we place a suitable meter and pressure gauge, either in the
central dome or in one of the central air compartments before mentioned, or in
any other convenient position; and to ensure the proper distribution and regulation
of the atmospheric pressure throughout the vessel when submerged we provide
suitable valves and taps, each having attached thereto suitable indicators or gauges
shewing the exact amount of pressure in any compartment of the vessel or in any
other portion thereof.
In order to ascertain what amount of air has been consumed in the vessel since
the last in-take, and to know the exact amount of surplus air remaining stored
therein, we provide an outlet meter fixed in any convenient position which precisely
marks these details, and thus unerringly indicates when it is necessary to rise to
the surface to take in a fresh supply.
To provide for the proper ventilation of the vessel we provide in connection with
such outlet meter an outlet blower or fan, which exhausts the impure or vitiated
air from the vessel as required. Such impure or vitiated air is utilised for the
purposes of combustion by being conducted into or over the furnaces through
suitable tubes or pipes, whence it passes together with the other products of com-
bustion, such as waste steam, air, and water through a suitable conductor out
through the stern of the vessel at a convenient point just above the screw, so that
the agitation of the water at this particular point by breaking up the pressure
facilitates the escape of such waste products. Such discharge of the waste steam,
. air, or water is effected by means of an exhaust blower or fan conveniently placed
in the lower portion of the hull of the vessel, and which blower or fan is connected
to a steam pump worked in any suitable manner.
Fore and aft, immediately beneath the deck of the vessel and in any convenient

page_text: position, we construct any suitable number of gun-rooms or casements for the
reception of our improved submarine or subaqueous guns next hereafter described.
Such gun-rooms or casemates are made of any suitable size and dimensions
according to the size of the guns they are respectively to receive, and may either
be made water-tight or not, as preferred. The port holes of such gun-rooms or
casements are formed in the floor of the deck of the vessel. Such port holes may
be made either square, round, or of any other convenient shape, and are when
required hermetically sealed or closed by shifting the gun, as hereafter described.
Underneath those portions of the deck of the vessel which form the ceilings or
roofs of the various gun-rooms or casements, and immediately around the port
holes thereof, we firmly secure in any convenient manner a stout elastic head lining
or padding, made either of cork, india-rubber, or other flexible materials, or of any
suitable combination of such materials. The use of such elastic head lining or
padding we will presently more particularly mention when describing the second
part of our Invention.
We provide in the floor of each of such gun-rooms or casemates a suitable drain
pipe, by which in case of water finding its way therein the same may be carried off
and distributed through the water-tight compartments of the vessel before referred
to. On either side of each of such gun-rooms or casemates we construct a water-
tight compartment or man-hole, into which the gunners can retire immediately
before the discharge of the gun, so as to be protected from the effects of the
explosion; or from whence they may by any suitable means, such as an electric
battery or a lanyard, discharge the weapon. Such water-tight compartiments or
man-holes may also be used when occasion requires as temporary stores for powder
and other ammunition, so as to obviate any delay in the service of the guns by
having the materials immediately at hand.
Instead of placing the steering apparatus of the vessel in the stern as ordinarily,
we place the same in the bows thereof, and we provide in the bows suitable sight
holes, so that the steersman is able to guide the course of the vessel with certainty
when submerged.
In order to effectually clear away torpedoes and other similar obstructions when
laid down, or to attack an adversary, we provide a supplementary gun-room of any
suitable and well-known construction in the bows of the vessel just above the
steerage room, or in any other convenient position, and in such gun-room we place an
ordinary garrison gun fitted up with a suitable inantelet. Such gun may be served
by similar means and apparatus as employed in ordinary gunnery.
Our improved gun-boat may be applied with great advantage for the purposes of
pontooning, both from the stability which its peculiar construction imparts, and also
from the effective defence afforded by the accurate and vigorous fire it can maintain
either vertically or otherwise.
It is also from its various improved characteristics and advantages admirably
adapted to act as a blockade runner.
In order to provide for the convenient and safe working of the vessel when
submerged it is necessary that cach of the crew be provided with suitable submarine
costume.
The object of making the sides of the dome sloping is to doaden the impact of
any missile which may be discharged against the vessel either when floating on the
surface of the waters or when submerged, and to cause it to glance off.
The second part of our Invention relates to improvements in the construction
and manufacture of the guns with which such vessels are fitted, and to carry out
such improvements we proceed as follows:-The gun is either wrought or cast, but
preferably wrought in one solid spherical ball or block of any suitable metal. This
spherical ball or block is then bored to any suitable dimensions, as required, to form
the barrel of the gun. The lower extremity of the cavity of such bore is made
convex, and has a suitable channel or groove turned around the same. Such channel
or groove forms a chamber for the reception either of an elastic washer or, pre-
ferably, of a suitable lubricant, such as grease, whereby when our improved pro-

page_text: jectile is inserted in the gun such channel, groove, or chamber is hermetically sealed,
and by this means the windage is reduced to a minimum, and all escape of gas in
the explosion of the gun is totally prevented.
Below the bore or barrel of the gun a powder chamber is formed, the upper
extremities or cheeks of which are so formed as to come into immediate contact with
the convex curve formed at the base of the bore, thus preventing all windage and
concentrating the force of the explosion within one-half of the diameter of the base
of the shot, and so considerably increasing its force.
In order to provide for the loading and discharging of the gun in the event of
the gun-room or casemate wherein it is placed being from any accident filled either
wholly or partially with water, and so preventing access thereto, we provide the
gun at its vent with male and female unions, which may be used either in con-
junction with an electric battery or with the ordinary lanyard for discharging the
gun.
Another of our improvements in the construction of our improved submarine or
subaqueous gun is the providing for the loading of the same when it is submerged.
This we do by making one of the trunnions thereof longer than the other, and
cutting thereon suitable cogs or teeth which take into or gear with a pinion wheel
having corresponding teeth formed in its boss. This pinion wheel is a minor or
secondary wheel forming part of and cast with a larger and primary governing
wheel, somewhat resembling a steering wheel, and furnished on its outer periphery
with any convenient number of suitable handles, whereby such governing wheel is
shifted either forward or backward as required, and the gun is so controlled, loaded,
trained, or sighted with the greatest accuracy.
The external surface of the spherical ball or block forming the block is turned to a
face of the greatest truth and smoothness, so that when in position with its muzzle
at the port hole of the gun-room or casemate, and pressing against the flexible head
lining or padding placed around such port hole, as before mentioned, such aperture
is rendered both air and water tight.
In order to increase and strengthen the upward pressure of the gun against such
flexible head lining or padding we line the shoe of the gun carriage either with
cork, india-rubber, or other suitable flexible material. By so doing we not only
increase such upward pressure so as to render the aperture of the port hole air and
water tight but another advantage of this arrangement is that it serves to materially
lessen the recoil of the gun, and so deadens the shock of the discharge upon the
framework of the vessel that it prevents any serious injury thereto.
Another advantage arising from the employment of such flexible head piece or
padding, and the elastic lining in the shoe, is that after the gun is discharged it
instantaneously resumes its normal position owing to the pressure thereon both at
top and bottom of such flexible head piece and lining.
In order to obtain and ensure precision in laying the gun to the line of fire I
engrave a suitable scale upon the external face of the elongated trunnion before
mentioned, which thus forms a dial or index, by means of which the man in charge
of the gun is readily enabled to aim the weapon with the utmost facility, certainty,
and accuracy.
It is obvious that as the port holes of the gun-rooms or casemates are placed in
the deck of the vessel the guns in such casemates can be worked with the most
destructive precision so as to deliver a subaqueous, vertical, or angular fire directly
into the hull of a ship, or into a fort, or other out-work on the shore, or any other
object, lying either immediately above or in any other convenient position to the
line of fire of the gun-boat when submerged. For this reason it is therefore necessary
that when such gun-boats are employed for the purposes of attack that some
distinctive mark or sign should be painted or otherwise placed on the hulls of such
vessels, as it may be requisite to protect from their attack, as otherwise the greatest
disasters and confusion might arise from the destruction of our own vessels or those
of other friendly powers.
The third part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in the projectiles

page_text: employed in such submarine or subaqueous guns. Such improvements consist in
increasing the penetrative power of the projectile by forming a suitable aperture in
the head thereof, in which when tapped I insert a chilled steel stud or plug, termi-
nating in a sharp point.
And in order to facilitate the raising and lowering of the projectile when loading
the gun we form suitable catch holes in the head thereof for the reception of hooks
wherewith to raise and lower the same.
We also make the base of the shot of a corresponding shape to the bottom of the
base of the bore of the gun, so that when the shot is dropped therein it fits into the
groove or channel formed in the base of the bore, as before described, and so totally
prevents all escape of gas until the shot is discharged.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Horsfall Watson and Samuel Joseph Woodhouse in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th September 1878.
THOMAS HORSFALL WATSON and SAMUEL JOSEPH WOODHOUSE, both of Leeds, in
the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT
OF SUBMARINE OR SUBAQUEOUS GUN-BOATS, AND IN THE GUNS AND PROJECTILES
EMPLOYED THEREIN."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction and arrange-
ment of submarine or subaqueous gun-boats, and in the guns and projectiles
employed therein.
And in order that our said Invention may be better understood, and readily
carried into effect, we will now, with the aid of the accompanying Drawings,
proceed more particularly to describe and ascertain the same.
The first part of our Invention relates to improvements in the external and
internal construction and arrangement of submarine and subaqueous gun-boats, with
a view to their being employed in conjunction with our improved submarine or
subaqueous guns, next hereafter described; and in conjunction also with torpedoes,
for the removal and destruction of torpedoes and other similar obstructions, so as
to allow of the free passage of vessels in waters wherein such obstructions have been
laid, as well as for the destruction of hostile vessels of war of every description,
and also of other vessels, and of towns and land fortifications, by means of a sub-
aqueous vertical, lateral, or oblique fire; and also for the purposes of pontooning and
blockade running, for both which they are admirably adapted.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings shews a view in longitudinal section of a
submarine gun-boat constructed upon our improved principles, and Figure 2 of such
Drawings shews a plan view of the same.
To carry out this part of our Invention we proceed in the following manner :-
We construct a gun-boat of any suitable dimensions and materials, the outer shell
whereof we make in compartments or sections, which are both air and water tight.

page_text: The fore and aft compartments or sections are filled with water, as indicated in
Figure 2 of the accompanying Drawings, in order to submerge the vessel to any
required depth. The inflow and outflow of the water into these compartments is
regulated by any suitable pumping apparatus, and the water is distributed_through
such compartments by means of a suitable water main, also indicated in Figure 2,
provided with convenient inlets and outlets. The central compartments are filled
with air, as shewn in Figure 2, so as to impart the requisite degree of buoyancy to
the vessel when submerged, and a sufficient space is provided in the interior of the
dome, presently mentioned, and of the centre of the vessel itself to form an air
reservoir, which acts in a similar manner to an ordinary gas holder.
In the centre of the deck of the gun-boat, which is sheathed with suitable armour
plates of the improved construction and manufacture described in the Specification
of our Letters Patent, No. 1398 of 1878, we construct a conical or other suitably
shaped dome, having sloping sides made to any convenient angle, so as to deaden
the impact of any missile which may be discharged against the vessel, either when
floating on the surface or when submerged, and cause such missile to glance off there-
from, and terminating at its apex in two suitable holes, hereafter styled the inlet and
outlet holes. When the vessel is submerged such inlet and outlet holes are entirely
closed, as hereafter described, and any further supply of air or water is thus tem-
porarily shut off. Both the deck of the vessel, as also the central dome, is sheathed
with our improved armour plates before referred to.
We cover the internal surface of the dome with suitable latticework, as indicated
in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings, and we thus dispense with all necessity
for forming partitions therein, and also afford a convenient means of access to all
parts thereof.
The inlet hole at the top of the dome is provided at its mouth with a suitably
perforated metal plate or shield or its equivalent, and convenient apertures are made
in one or both sides of the dome, through which air is pumped in by means of a
suitable blower or fan (b, Figure 1) conveniently placed within the interior of the
vessel, and connected with a suitable inlet pipe (b¹, Figure 1), and such blower or
fan is worked by any suitable means. The air when so pumped in is received into
a suitable inlet meter (c, Figure 1), which serves to register and indicate the exact
amount of air received into the vessel, and is thence conveyed to the holder or
reservoir, and distributed throughout the vessel by means of a suitable air main
with valves (7, Figure 1), provided with suitable taps and junctions, but the water
is at all times prevented from finding access into the pipe or conduit through which
the air is so pumped in in the following mannor:-The cap of the dome itself is
perforated so as to allow both air and water to freely enter, but in order to prevent
the water entering the vessel we provide a metal lining or partition of a suitable
thickness stretching horizontally right across the interior of the dome, as indicated
at f, Figure 1. About midway in such metal lining or partition we form a suitable
orifice 1, Figure 1, to permit of the air shaft or main passing upward and projecting
therethrough, as shewn in Figure 1. At the top of the dome, in the centre thereof,
or in any other convenient position, we fix a bell-shaped shield or cap (indicated at.
a, Figure 1), into the hollow of which the mouth of the air main projects, while the
water entering above falls off from the external surface of such bell-shaped shield,
and finds its exit through the perforations formed in the dome, and so passes away
over the outer sides thereof.
As it may sometimes be convenient to close some of the perforations made in the
dome, we provide and fix thereunder in any convenient manner a suitably shaped
Bliding shield, by shifting which to or fro the perforations on one side of the dome
may be either partially or totally closed.
The air shaft or main 61 is provided with a suitable valve 6², placed in any con--
venient position, so that when the vessel is entirely submerged the air and water is
entirely excluded.
In order to provide for the registration of the depth of water when the vessel is
submerged in shallow water, we fit the vessel with an improved water gauge con-

page_text: structed in the following manner:-Such gauge runs completely through the vessel
and is open at both ends, but is made perfectly water-tight by being encased in a
metal tube having a suitable index engraved thereon. When the vessel is sub-
merged a cork float which is placed at the top of the tube rises in proportion to the
depth the vessel is submerged beyond its own depth, and attached to such cork
float by means of a wire spindle, or its equivalent, is a suitable indicator made of
cork or other similar material; thus, if the vessel be 24 feet in height and is sub-
merged 25 feet, the cork indicator will register one foot as the depth the vessel is
submerged below the water level, and by this means the exact position of the vessel
under the water is at once ascertained. Such improved registering gauge may be
adopted with advantage for diving and other submarine purposes. Figure 3 of the
accompanying Drawings shews a view in longitudinal elevation of such improved
water gauge. When immersed in deeper water than the vertical measurement of the
vessel, a manometer is affixed to the tube which gives the same result by the
pressure of water.
For the purposes of obtaining ingress to and egress from the vessel, we provide
two revolving domes (e, e, Figure 1) of a semicircular form divided internally into
two compartiments, one of which is made air-tight, and the other water-tight.
Such revolving domes work on pinion wheels or other suitable contrivances, which
gear into metalways or shoes which serve to keep them in proper position, and the
whole is surrounded outside the face of the drum by an elastic packing of india-
rubber or cork similar to that employed for the gun head as hereafter described.
In order to register the exact amount of atmospheric pressure within the entire
area of the vessel, we place a suitable meter and pressure gauge either in the central
dome or in one of the central air compartments before mentioned, or in any other
convenient position; and to ensure the proper distribution and regulation of the
atmospheric pressure throughout the vessel when submerged, we provide suitable
valves and taps, each having attached thereto suitable indicators or gauges shewing
the exact amount of pressure in any compartment of the vessel. Figure 4 of the
accompanying Drawings shews a view of such air gauge provided with a thread at
the top for fixing the same to the air main or any of the service pipes.
In order to ascertain what amount of air has been consumed in the vessel since
the last in-take, and to know the exact amount of surplus air remaining stored
therein, we provide an outlet meter g, Figure 1, fixed in any convenient position
which precisely marks these details, and thus unerringly indicates when it is
necessary to rise to the surface to take in a fresh supply.
is
To provide for the proper ventilation of the vessel wo provide in connection with
such outlet meter an outlet blower or fan (g', Figure 1) which exhausts the impure
or vitiated air froin the vessel as required; but when the vessel is submerged, such
impuro air may in cases of emergency be utilized for the purposes of respiration by
means of a suitable air retort and apparatus indicated at g, Figure 1, whereby by the
employment of suitable chemical ingredients a fresh supply of pure air is generated
and the vitiated air is utilized. For the purpose of utilizing such exhausted air for
the purposes of combustion, we provide a suitable holder wherein the same is stored,
and when the vessel is submerged we take care to use only turf, peat, or other
similar fuel, and by throwing chlorate of potash or nitrate of potash thereon, either
in a liquid or solid form, but preferably in the former, a fresh supply of oxygen
obtained; and this process may be repeated ad infinitum, as circumstances may
render necessary. Or such impure or vitiated air is utilized for the purposes of
combustion by being conducted into the furnaces through suitable tubes or pipes,
whence it passes together with the other products of combustion, such as waste
steam, air, and water, through a suitable conductor h out through the stern of the
vessel at a convenient point just above the screw as indicated in the Drawing,
Figure 1, so that the agitation of the water at this particular point by breaking up
the pressure thereof facilitates the escape of such waste producte. Such discharge
of the waste steam, air, or water, is effected by means of a suitable exhaust blower
or fan k, Figure 1, conveniently placed in the lower portion of the hull of the vessel,

page_text: and which exhaust blower or fan is connected to a steam pump worked in any
suitable and convenient manner.
Fore and aft inmediately beneath the deck of the vessel and in any convenient
position, we construct any suitable number of gun-rooms or casemates (1, 1, Figure 1),
for the reception of our improved submarine or subaqueous guns next hereafter
described. Such gun-rooms or casemates are made of any suitable size and
dimensions, according to the size of the guns they are respectively to receive, and
may either be made water-tight or not, as preferred. The port holes of such
gun-rooms or casemates (1, 1, Figure 1) are formed in the floor of the deck of the
vessel; such port holes may be made either square, round, or of any other con-
venient shape, and are when required hermetically sealed or closed by shifting the
gun, or by a sliding door or panel, as hereafter described. Underneath those
portions of the deck of the vessel which form the ceilings or roofs of the various
gun-rooms or casemates and immediately around the port holes thereof, we firmly
secure in any convenient manner a stout elastic head lining or padding made either
of cork, india-rubber, or other flexible material, or of any suitable combination of
such materials. The use of such elastic head lining or padding we will presently
more particularly mention when describing the second part of our Invention.
We provide in the floor of each of such gun-rooms or casemates, as also in every
other compartment of the vessel, a suitable pipe, by which, in case of water finding
its way into such room the same may be carried off and distributed through the
water-tight compartiments of the vessel before referred to. Iminediately over each
of the port holes so formed in the deck as before described, we form a sliding door
or panel working within a suitable groove or channel, and worked from the interior
with a shaft through a stuffing box having a suitable worm, so that the door can be
slid backwards or forwards from inside as required. This arrangement is illustrated
at Figure 5 of the accompanying Drawings, which shews a plan view of such sliding
door formed in the deck and partially open, and Figure 6, which shews a view of
the groove in which such sliding door or panel works.
We also construct on either side of each of such gun-rooms or casemates a water-
tight compartiment, into which by means of a man-hole the gunners can retire im-
mediately before the discharge of the gun so as to be protected from the effects of
the explosion; or from whence they may by any suitable means, such as an electric
battery, or a lanyard, discharge the weapon. Such water-tight compartments may
also be used when occasion requires as temporary stores for ammunition, so as to
obviate any delay in the service of the guns by having the materials immediately
at hand.
Instead of placing the steering apparatus of the vessel in the stern as ordinarily,
we place the same in the bows thereof, as shewn at Figure 1 of the accompanying
Drawings, and we provide in the bows suitable sight holes m, m', Figure 1, so that
the steersman is able to guide the course of the vessel with certainty when
submerged.
In order to effectually clear away torpedoes and other similar obstructions when
laid down or to attack an adversary, we provide a supplementary gun-room n
Figure 1, of any suitable and well-known construction in the bows of the vessel just
above the steering room, or in any other convenient position; and in such gun
room n we place an ordinary garrison gun n¹, Figure 1, fitted up with a suitable
mantelet. Such gun may be served by similar means and apparatus as employed
in ordinary gunnery; n², Figure 1, is the ram fitted to the bows of the vessel and n³
the prow of the vessel.
Our improved gun-boat may be applied with great advantage for the purposes of
pontooning, both from the stability which its peculiar construction imparts, and also
from the effective defence afforded by the accurate and vigorous fire it can maintain
either vertically or otherwisc.
It is also from its various improved characteristics and advantages admirably
adapted to act as a blockade runner.
The second part of our Invention relates to improvements in the construction and

page_text: manufacture of the guns with which such vessels are fitted, and to carry out such
improvements we proceed as follows:-The gun is either wrought or cast, but
preferably wrought in one solid spherical ball or block of any suitable metal, as
shewn at A, Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings, which shew two views
in side and end elevation of our improved gun and gun carriage. This spherical
ball or block is then bored to any suitable dimensions as required to form the barrel
of the gun as shewn at A¹, Figures 7 and 8 of such Drawings. The lower extremity
of the cavity of such bore is made convex, as seen at A in the same Figures, and
has a suitable channel or groove indicated by a dotted line in Figures 7 and 8
turned around the same. Such channel or groove forms a chamber for the reception
either of an elastic washer, or preferably of a suitable lubricant, such as grease,
whereby when our improved projectile is inserted in the gun, such channel, groove,
or chamber is hermetically sealed, and the gun may thus be submerged for any
length of time without injury to the ammunition; at the same time that by this
means the windage is reduced to a minimum, and all escape of gas in the explosion
of the gun is totally prevented.
Below the bore or barrel of the gun a powder chamber A³, Figures 7 and 8, is
formed, the upper extremities or cheeks of which (indicated at A* in the same
Figures) are so formed as to come into immediate contact with the convex curve
formed at the base of the bore, thus preventing all windage and concentrating the
force of the explosion within one half of the diameter of the base of the shot, and so
considerably increasing such force.
In order to provide for the loading and discharging of the gun in the event of the
gun room or casemate wherein it is placed being from any accident filled either
wholly or partially with water, and so preventing access thereto, we provide the
gun at its vent with male and female unions, which may be used either in con-
junction with an electric battery, or with the ordinary lanyard for discharging the
gun.
Another of our improvements in the construction of our improved submarine or.
subaqueous gun, is the providing for the loading of the same when it is submerged.
This we do by making one of the trunnions (B) thereof longer than the other, as
shewn at B', Figure 8, and cutting thereon suitable cogs or teeth which take into
or gear with a pinion wheel, having corresponding teeth formed in its boss, see
B², Figure 9. This pinion wheel is a minor or secondary wheel forming part of, and
cast with, a larger and primary governing wheel, as shown at Figure 9 of the
accompanying Drawings. Such larger wheel somewhat resembles a steering wheel,
and is furnished on its outer periphery with any convenient number of suitable
handles C, Figure 9, whereby such wheel is shifted either forward or backward as
required, and the gun is controlled with the greatest facility.
In order to obtain and ensure precision in laying the gun to the line of fire, we
engrave a suitable scale upon the external face of the elongated trunnion B¹, Figure
8, before mentioned, which thus forms a dial or index indicated at D, Figure 7, by
ineans of which the man in charge of the gun is readily enabled to aim the weapon
with the utmost facility, certainty, and accuracy, and the pin or cotter which serves
to secure the governing wheel on the elongated trunnion B' is made to act as a
sighting rod, and we thus, in combination with the dial or index before mentioned,
ensure complete accuracy in taking aim.
The external surface of the spherical ball or block forming the gun, is turned to a
face of the greatest truth and smoothness, so that when in position with its muzzle
at the port holes of the gun room or casemate, and pressing against the flexible head
lining or padding placed around such port hole as before meationed, such aperture
is rendered both air and water tight.
In order to increase and strengthen the upward pressure of the gun against such
flexible head lining or padding, we line the shoe (D¹, Figures 7 and 8) of the gun
carriage either with cork, india-rubber, or other suitable flexible material (see D²
Figures 7 and 8). By so doing, we not only increase such upward pressure so as to
render the aperture of the port hole air and water tight, but another advantage of

page_text: this arrangement is, that it serves to materially lessen the recoil of the gun, and so
deadens the shock of the discharge upon the framework of the vessel, that it
prevents any serious injury thereto.
Another advantage arising from the employment of such flexible head piece or
padding, and the elastic lining in the shoe is that after the gun is discharged, it
instantaneously resumes its normal position, owing to the pressure thereon, both at
top and bottom of such flexible head piece and lining.
It is obvious that as the port holes of the gun-rooms or casemates are placed in
the deck of the vessel, the guns in such casemates can be worked with the most
destructive precision, so as to deliver a subaqueous vertical or angular fire directly
into the hull of a ship, or into a fort or other outwork on the shore, or any other
object lying either immediately above or in any other convenient position to the
line of fire of the gun-boat when submerged, at the same time that it is almost im-
possible that the gun-boat itself, when so submerged, can be attacked or injured.
The third part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in the projectiles
employed in such submarine or subaqueous guns. Such improvements consist in
increasing the penetrative power of the projectile by forming a suitable aperture in
the head thereof, in which, when tapped, we insert a chilled steel stud or plug
terminating in a sharp point. And in order to facilitate the raising and lowering of
the projectile when loading the gun, we form suitable catch holes E, E, Figures 7
and 8, in the head thereof, for the reception of hooks wherewith to raise and lower
the same.
We also make the base of the shot of a corresponding shape to the
bottom of the base of the bore of the gun, as shewn in Figures 7 and 8, so that
when the shot is dropped therein, it fits into the groove or channel formed in the
base of the bore, as before described, and so totally prevents all escape of gas until
the shot is discharged.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said In-
vention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, we would have it under-
stood that we claim,-
Firstly. The construction, manufacture, and use of our improved submarine or
subaqueous gun-boat, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described and illustrated.
Secondly. The construction, manufacture, and use of our improved submarine or
subaqueous gun, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described and illustrated.
Thirdly. The manufacture and use of our improved projectiles, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated.
Fourthly. The manufacture and use of our improved water gauge, substantially
in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated.
At 2, Figure 1, we have indicated our improved armour plating with which the
vessel is sheathed.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Horsfall Watson and Samuel Joseph
Woodhouse, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourth day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy night