A New Diving Apparatus, specially applicable for Pearl Fishing and similar Submarine Work.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1896-Accepted, 27th May, 1897
A New Diving Apparatus, specially applicable for Pearl Fishing and
similar Submarine Work.
I, EUGENE VERON of 133 Rose Street Darlington near Sydney in the Colony
of New South Wales, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "A new diving apparatus specially applicable for pearl fishing and similar
submarine work" and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
A NEW DIVING APPARATUS SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR PEARL FISHING
AND SIMILAR SUBMARINE WORK.
The object of my apparatus is to make pearl fishing and other submarine work
in deep water easy and perfectly safe. That men or individuals working in it will
be free from pressure of any kind.
The apparatus being of a portable nature is first of all conveyed to the locality
where the apparatus is to be worked from a vessel or steamer which is provided
for carrying out operations. A steam power winding winch with jib crane is
erected on the deck for raising and lowering the apparatus out of and into the
water all preliminary arrangements completed such as:-oiling bearings, examina-
tion of water-tight joints, and coupling of air pipes, the winding gear attached to
the chain sling of apparatus which is then lifted, swung out over, and lowered into
the water; when about three fourths of the apparatus becomes submerged, its
buoyancy being so that it retains the above drought of position until further
operated upon.
The apparatus being now ready for direct operations, the man or meu enters or
enter the chamber, screw up firmly the manhole cover or lid, next open the water
ballast sea-cock when sufficient sea water has been admitted a gradual descent
ensues until the bottom of sea is reached; the air pipes are kept neatly coiled and
allowed to run out the required length these pipes are securely lashed together
and have attached a line which bears any undue strain that might eventuate.
The exhaust pipes are also utilized as a means of communication from interior
of chamber with those above, and vice versa. After regulating the weight of
apparatus according to requirements, which is done by means of the force pump
provided, by displacing a quantity of the water ballast if the apparatus requires
to be lightened or by means of a sea-cock in the event of a greater weight of
apparatus being necessary. The apparatus is steered or worked into the position
required by means of gear provided in the interior of chamber. The rake or
dredge is then brought into use, and is manipulated from the interior chamber,
winding gear raising or lowering the extreme end of dredge at joint at will,
and the shaft or pull rod allowing of the dredge being extended to the required
distance at outside apparatus, also permitting it to be worked in a forward or
backward motion which is done through a stuffing box provided.
The shells or objects are drawn upon the the inclined platform or grate, and can
be either dumped or drawn into the hopper, the lid of which opens or shuts at will
being worked from inside the chamber by means of screw gear, when the hopper
requires to be emptied of its objects the lid is closed and the manhole com-
municating with chamber is disconnected and the objects taken into the chamber;

page_text: provided for disconnecting the shaft when required; when disconnected the
apparatus can be propelled in a circular direction along sea bed. Stuffing
boxes 3, 3, 3, 3, are fitted where the driving wheel shaft intersects the casing and
inner chamber of apparatus. Two pillars 4, 4 "upright" are fitted one on either
side of clutch joint for supporting the ends of shaft when disconnected. A worm
wheel 5 is fitted to the driving shaft. Directly above the worm wheel is provided
and fitted a hand wheel worm screw shaft 7 supported and secured in position by
means of two vertical bearing pillars 8. 8. The screw and worm wheel work in
union and by turning the hand wheel 9 backward or forward a rotatory motion of
the main shaft and driving wheels is created which gives to the apparatus the
power of locomotion and propulsion. A vertical hand wheel screw shaft 10 is fitted
inside the apparatus projecting through the lower part of chamber and casing,
having a roller 11 at foot which acts as third wheel; this shaft permits of the
apparatus being elevated or lowered at the front end when required. A stuffing
box 12 is fitted to the shaft on inside of chamber. A flanged pipe or flue 13 is
fitted between chamber and outer casing. An angle bracket 14 is provided and
secured to the roof of chamber for screw shaft to work in. Electric light is
provided both inside and outside. Other tools such as saws, cutters, drills, and
grippers can also be fitted and made use of. Provision may also be made for
attaching a screw propellor or blades, so that in case of any uneven bottom or sea
bed is met with the apparatus which can be lightened to rise by means of the
pumping apparatus described can be propelled through the water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that in carrying my invention into practice I do not confine myself to the exact
details of construction as above described as they may be varied without departing
from the essential principles of my invention but what I claim is :-
1. An apparatus such as A provided with water-tank B having hopper C provided
with a sliding air-tight lid D and grate J articulated to C which is operated by
means of winding gear K substantially as herein described and illustrated.
2. An apparatus such as A having travelling wheels W, W, mounted on shaft V
provided with clutch mechanism Z said shaft being rotated by worm gearing 5
and 7 substantially as herein described and illustrated.
3. An apparatus such as A having rake M and winding gear P for raising and
lowering such rake substantially as herein described and illustrated.
4. The combination and arrangement of the various parts of my apparatus
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Dated at Sydney, in the Colony of New South Wales, Australia, this 21st day
EUGENE VERON.