IMPROVED METHOD OF PROPELLING BOATS AND VESSELS
Year: 1884

page_text: I SAMUEL ORME Primrose Grove Chesterton North Staffordshire House Agent &c.,
do hereby declare the nature of this Invention for IMPROVED METHOD OF
PROPELLING BOATS AND VESSELS to be as follows:-
Paddle floats inserted inside a frame, and which may be of any length and any
depth, the frame being connected by proper bearings to an axle called paddle
axle, and which is again connected by means of a propellor arm, to the main axle,
and which being connected by shafts in a vessel, is made to revolve round,
and which causes the paddles to rise and fall in a circle, and propelling at
each stroke.
In the case of boats, the propelling force is applied by means of handles, secured
on top of paddles, which by pushing forwards and pulling in a circle, will cause
the paddles to rise and fall, propelling at each stroke.
For boats make axle boxes, two in number in length, the exact width of boat
inside, secured to the sides of boat immediately under gunwale and made water-
tight, the top to form a lid, and secured by hinges, may be made wider for seats.
At each end of axle box, holes to be made through the sides of boat, in centre of
box sufficiently large, to allow axles, to pass through and revolve round.
The main axle to be the width of boat outside measure, and projecting over on
each side and resting on bearings, secured inside axle box and bent down square,
to a distance corresponding. with measurement from hole in side of boat to the
waters edge, and which is termed propellor arm, then, bent up again square, and
continued in length, the width of paddle, which may be from one third, to one half
the width of boat, and which is termed, the paddle axle.
Paddle frame, may be same length, or less when formed in a bow, at each end,
(similar to the ends of a boat) as the length of boat, and in width, from one third,
to one half, the width of boat, and of suitable depth, the paddle floats to be placed,
crossways on edge, inside frame, may be made of any suitable material, that is
buoyant and strong. The sides of paddle frame, may be in one, or more parts, and
spaces left between or lattice together, and secured together by bars which will
also serve to secure, the paddle floats to, whether the sides, of paddle frame, be in
one part, in depth or not, the bars, as stated above must be used, and placed, on the
front side of each paddle float, where the greatest strain will be. The two ends of
paddle frame that meet in form of a bow, to be secured by a thin plate of iron, or

page_text: any other suitable, metal, these said plates, will be required, if the sides of
paddle frame are latticed or bent and continued round the ends, and will also
strengthen it.
Let the paddle frame be level with ends of boat if same length, and in the
centre of boat, if less in length, allowing propellor arms to hang down perpendicular,
and mark for bearings, the bottom bearing the exact thickness of wood used for
paddle frame, and in form similar to
and let or sunk in from top of
sides, as to leave a space from ends of bearing, to the top of sides, then place two
metal plates, one on each side, to be screwed or rivetted together, first rivetting
on between, two studs, screwed or threaded, the bottom part being first provided
with shanks, (similar to 1) and the said plates rivetted firmly on, one on each
end of shank, allowing space, corresponding with thickness of wood, used for sides
of frame, and allowing a clear space, from top, and sides plates to the holes,
rivetted up, and cutting out a half circle, sufficient to allow axle in, then place on
the top bearing, made similar to the bottom, but longer, with holes, to
allow the studs or screwpins to pass through, and sufficiently wide, to cover
thickness of wood, used for sides of paddle frame, and the two plates of metal rivetted
together, the holes at each end, being first drilled, the exact size of pins or studs
rivetted up between the two plates.
Then form two bows of round iron or steel to span across, the paddle
frame, and sufficiently high in centre (where it must be flattened a little) when
paddle rests in water, at its lowest depth that the top of bow, shall be above the
level of gunwale of boat, and so made at each end as to fit on the top of bearings,
to paddle axle, and similar to ✓ and the whole secured together by screw
nuts, after paddles axles, have first been adjusted in the bearings. Then take of
hoop iron sufficient in length, as to reach from end to end, over the bows, the ends
of hoop iron, so bent and made secure to the metal plates, at each end of paddle
frame, and again rivetted or secured to bows that span across.
On this same piece
of hoop iron two or more peices of similar iron bent square and similar to. n
will also be rivetted firmly on so as to allow spars or handles of wood and made
square at each end, to fit in, and holes through the whole, for a cotter or pin, to
pass through, and keep the handles firm and steady, to row or work the paddles
of boat, and at such distances apart for the convenience of rowers.
Spars or peices of wood sufficient in length to. reach from centre to centre, of
each paddle, and made square at either end, to fit into sockets provided for that
purpose, and made round in the middle.
To work the paddles front the direction required to go, by working the handles
to and fro, in a circle, will cause the axles to revolve round, the paddles to rise and
fall propelling the boat at each stroke.
Should it be required for purposes of greater safety from capsizing, the paddle
frames, at top may be covered over with corkwood, or any other suitable material,
or a thin India rubber case made to fit, with sides similar to a mattress and made
firm to top of paddle frame, and airtight, then inflated with air, or gas, which will
prevent paddles, going much depth in water and main axle regulated higher or
lower, by means of a screw attached to bearings, the bearings being made to slide,
up and down between two grooves, inside axle box, of course in this case, the
axle boxes, must be made sufficiently deep, and holes in sides of boat to
correspond.
For ships or other large vessels driven by steam, the paddles will be similar in
shape and make, as the one mentioned for boats, and may be of any length any
width and any depth desired, and be worked with any number of axles or
propellor arms, and paddle frame may be made wholly of iron and latticed, and
paddle floats may be of wood or any other suitable material and fitted into grooves
similar to at sides, and secured by bolts or screws. The top of paddle frame
to be made stronger, where bearings fit in and holes made through upwards, to
allow strong bolts to pass, and secure bearings, and a clip of iron may be made

page_text: secure to sides, of paddle frame, and passed or crossed over paddle axle but so as
to allow axle to revolve round and not touch it, this will be found useful when
removing wornout brasses or bearings.
And the top of paddle frame may be covered with strong wire netting, to allow
a man to walk along it, and do any repairs or make an examination of anything,
care being taken, to have all joints of such netting over paddle axles, to allow them
being taken out, and fresh ones, put in, from time to time and which may be done,
while on a voyage.
Main axles, to extend one third, more or less, the distance across the vessel, the
ends resting on and made secure to bearings on short standards, and which is
again made more secure by being bolted to taller standards, this again serves to
secure axle, while replacing bearings. Eccentrics or anything convenient for
pumping purposes might be attached to these axles, at the ends of these axles,
loose cranks, to be made secure by keys, or square tapered wedges to all main
axles intended to be connected by one or more shafts, and which will be fitted to
receive proper bearings.
Engines with double cylinders, might so be affixed, allowing, each cylinder to
work, separate paddles on each side and to work independant of the other, and so
regulated or worked at a quicker or slower, or slower rate, as may be required.
from time to time, and again so worked, as to be even and both at one regular
speed, by this means, a vessels course, may be altered much quicker than by a helm
or rudder, and so avoid a collision, and even if a rudder be damaged or lost. And
by shutting off steam, the paddles will fall in water and so act as a brake.
Oil cups for lubricating, with hole at top for air, and one at bottom to allow oil
to flow may be made, and to screw on top of all bearings, for those fitted on
paddles, a light stay could be so affixed to secure it if the velocity, in passing
through water is apt to break it off.

page_text: I SAMUEL ORME Chesterton North Staffordshire House Agent &c., do hereby
declare the nature of this Invention for IMPROVED METHODS OF PROPELLING
BOATS AND VESSELS, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
By inserting paddle floats inside a frame one of which being on each side of
boat or vessel, and which may be of any length, width and depth required and
secured to boat or vessel, by propellor arms and axles combined, by causing the
axles to revolve round, and which may be performed in the case of boats by hand,
and in vessels by steam will cause the paddle frames, with floats attached inside,
rise and fall perpendicular and to propel the boat or vessel at each stroke.
For boats make axle boxes, two in number, in length the exact width, of boat
inside, secured to the sides of boat under gunwale, and made watertight, the top
part to form a lid, and secured by hinges, may be made wider for seats. At each
end of axle boxes, holes to be made through the sides of boat, in centre of box,
sufficiently large, to allow axles, to pass through and revolve round.
The main axle, to be the width of boat outside measure, and projecting over,
on each side, and resting on bearings, secured inside axle box, and bent down
square to a distance corresponding with measurement from hole in side, of boat, to
the waters edge, and which is termed, propellor arm, then bent up again square,
and continued in length, the width of paddle frame, and which may be from, one
third, to one half the width of boat, and which is termed, paddle axle.
Paddle frame, may be same length or less when formed in a bow, at each end
(similar to the ends of a boat) as the length of boat, and in width, from one
third, to one half the width of boat, and of suitable depth, the paddle floats, to be
placed crossways, on edge inside frame, and may be made of any suitable material,
that is buoyant, and strong.
The sides of paddle frame, may be in one, or more parts, and spaces, left between,
or latticed together, and secured by bars, which will also serve to secure, the
paddle floats to, whether the sides of paddle frame, be in one part, in depth, or
not, the bars as stated, must be used, and placed, on the front side of each float,
where the greatest strain will be.
The two ends of paddle frame, that meet in form of a bow, to be secured
together, by a thin plate of iron, or any other suitable metal, and to project above
top, these said plates, being required, if sides of paddle frame, are latticed, or
bent and continued round the ends, and will also strengthen it.
To work the paddle frames, front the direction required to go, by working the
handles, to and fro, in a circle, will cause the axles to revolve round, the paddle
frames, to rise and fall, propelling the boat, at each stroke.
Should it be required for purposes of greater safety from capsizing, the paddle
frames, at top may be covered, over with cork wood, or any other suitable material,
or India rubber case, made to fit, and secured firm, and made airtight, and inflated
with air, which will prevent, paddle frames, from going much depth, in water.
And main axle regulated higher or lower, by means of a screw, attached to
bearings, the said bearings, being made, to slide up and down, between two
grooves, inside axle box, of course in this case, the axle boxes must be made
sufficiently deep, and holes in sides of boat to correspond.
For ships, and other large vessels, driven by steam, the paddle frames, and
floats, will be similar in shape, and make, as the one mentioned for boats, and may
be of length, width, and depth desired, and any number of axles, or propellor

page_text: arms. And paddle frames may be made wholly of iron, and latticed, and floats
may be of wood, or any other suitable material, and fitted into grooves at sides,
and made secure by bolts or screws. The top of paddle frames to be made
stronger, where bearings fit in, and holes made through upwards, to allow strong
bolts to pass, and secure bearings, and a clip of iron, may be secured to sides of
paddle frame, and passed, or crossed over paddle axle, but so as to allow axle to
revolve round without touching it, this will be found useful, when removing worn-
out brasses or bearings. And the top of paddle frame, may be covered, with strong
wire netting, to allow any one, to walk along or across it, and make an
examination or to do any repairs, care being taken to have all joints of such
netting, convenient for removing, or readjusting, the paddle axle from time to time,
or replacing by fresh ones, and which may be done while on a voyage.
Engines with double cylinders might so be affixed, allowing each cylinder to
work seperate paddle frame on each side, and to work independant of the other,
and regulated or worked, at a quicker or slower rate, as may be required, from
time, to time, and again so worked, as to be even, and both at one regular speed.
By this means a vessels course may be altered much quicker, than by a helm or
rudder, and so avoid collission, and if rudder, get damaged or lost, they will be
able to steer, a proper course, and by shutting of steam will act as a brake.
Having now particularly described and ascertained, the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner, the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st Paddle frame on each side of vessel or boat with floats placed inside cross-
ways, perpendicular and made secure by proper bearings to axles and propellor
arms combined.
2nd The paddle frames being detached allows each one to work, independant of
the other when required.