IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORM AND CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM AND OTHER SHIPS AND FLOATING VESSELS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Walker, of Mansell St., Aldgate, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, and Adolphe Ernest Ragon,
of Cottage Road, Paddington, in the said County, Gentleman, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORM AND CONSTRUCTION OF
STEAM AND OTHER SHIPS AND FLOATING VESSELS."
Sealed the 9th December 1870, and dated the 11th June 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Walker and
Adolphe Ernest Ragon at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 11th June 1870.
We, JOHN WALKER, of Mansell St., Aldgate, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, and ADOLPHE ERNEST RAGON, of Cottage Road,
Paddington, in the said County, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORM AND CONSTRUCTION OF
STEAM AND OTHER SHIPS AND FLOATING VESSELS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to steam and other ships and sea-going floating
vessels, and has for its object to increase their strength, stability, and

page_text: speed, and also to increase the comfort and safety of the passengers,
and security of the cargo, and render such vessels less liable to injury
from collisions of all kinds.
In carrying out our Invention we form a belt round the ship or vessel
from a certain distance, say two to three feet (more or less) below the
load water line upwards; this belt we divide into a number of water-
tight compartments by intermediate bulkheads, which compartments
we provide with opening and closing media, and fit or furnish as cabins
for passengers, or for goods and merchandize. The form of the belt
towards the stem and stern we make similar to that of the hull of the
vessel, and by preference we make the stem and stern alike, with rudders
fitted at each end. We make the bottom of the belt flat and level, or
nearly so, from stem to stern, the belt is formed so as to die away into
or be flush with the hull at each end, and we also make the inner wall
of the belt vertical with the side of the hull, for three-fourths (more or
less) of the entire length of the vessel, leaving a clear space of the
width of the beam, or nearly so, between the said belt on opposite sides,
this space may be open or partially or entirely covered as required.
In constructing our improved vessels we propose to use ribs and
beams or girders, made by uniting together plates of iron, of the
required scantling and form, with hard wood between them, all rivetted
together. In forming the bottom of the hold we propose to dispense
with an outside keel altogether, and to make the floors horizontal or
nearly so; we make the main deck beams form the bottom and outside
ribs of the belt, and we make the ribs of the hull when carried up
above the main deck form the inside ribs of the said belt. The deck
beams and roof beams of the belt we carry entirely across the ship,
from side to side, so that they thereby give strength to the ship, and at
We
the same time form deck beams for the upper or promenade deck.
also divide the hull into separate compartments by bulkheads similar
to those of the belt, below the main deck, from side to side, the entire
width of the ship, and when great strength and security are required,
we make the hull bulkheads and the belt bulkheads in line with each
other. It will be seen that by the belt plan of construction we combine
the flat bottom and keel principles, and thus obtain greater stability,
and also reduce the retarding effect of the action of the water upon deep
keels, and at the same time substitute surface displacement for deep
1 dienlacement

page_text: For propelling we propose to use paddles formed with soles, and with
V-shaped blades, these paddles we propose to drive by means of inside
and outside cylinders, the latter being wholly or partially cased in or by
the belt. We make the shafts of these paddles separate from each
other and cranked at each end, and connect the inside cranks by an
intermediate shaft running across the ship below the main deck.
To give greater stability in rough weather to the steam ship I propose
two sliding keels on each side of the ship proper, fifty feet in length at
each end in front of the paddle wheels, to slide down when required.
We propose to work the two outside cylinders by high pressure steam,
and to cause it on its passage to the inside condensing or low pressure
cylinders to be heated by passing it through the up-take.
We also propose to introduce an independent engine for working the
air pumps and forcing water into the boilers.
5 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Walker and Adolphe Ernest Ragon in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th December 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
WALKER, of Mansell Street, Aldgate, in the County of Middlesex,
and ADOLPHE ERNEST RAGON, of Cottage Road, Paddington, in the said
County, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of June in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said John Walker and Adolphe Ernest
Ragon, Her special licence that we, the said John Walker and Adolphe
Ernest Ragon, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said John Walker and Adolphe Ernest Ragon, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS: IN

page_text: THE FORM AND CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM AND OTHER SHIPS AND FLOATING VESSELS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said John Walker
and Adolphe Ernest Ragon, our executors, or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under our or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said John Walker and Adolphe
Ernest Ragon, do hereby declare the nature of our said 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 steam and other ships and sea-going floating
vessels and has for its object to increase their strength, stability, and
speed, and also to increase the comfort and safety of the passengers,
and the security of the cargo, and render such vessels less liable to injury
from collisions of all kinds.
In carrying out this Invention a belt is formed round the ship or vessel
from about two feet (more or less) below the water line upwards. This
belt is divided into a number of air-tight or water-tight sections or
compartments by means of intermediate bulkheads, each of which com-
partments is provided with opening and closing media for ingress and
egress, ventilation, &c. These compartments are fitted up and furnished
as cabins for passengers, or they may be used for goods and merchandise.
The bottom of the belt is made flat and level or nearly so throughout;
its width is diminished towards the stem and stern so that it is flush
with the hull at each end. The inner wall of the said belt is made
vertical and is formed by carrying up the outside ribs of the hull proper.
The bottom ribs of the belt are formed by carrying out the hull deck
or lower deck beams.
The ribs, beams, and girders of these improved vessels are made by
uniting together plates of iron or steel, of the required scantling and
thickness, with oak or other hard wood between them, and all rivetted
together.
The lower deck beams and the roof or upper beams of the belt are
carried entirely across the ship from side to side in order to give
increased strength to the vessel. The space between the inside walls

page_text: of the belt and main deck and upper deck is divided off into grand
saloons. The upper deck extends the full length and width of the ship,
and in passenger vessels forms a promenade deck.
For increasing the strength of the hull proper it is also divided
into compartments by water-tight bulkheads, provided with water-tight
opening and closing media, similar to those of the belt, so that in case
of injury to the sides or bottom of any part of the said hull, the injured
compartment might be filled with water and remain in that condition
without endangering the other parts.
In passenger vessels for short journeys the centre keel may be
dispensed with, and the bottom of the hold be made flat and horizontal,
or nearly so, throughout. In this case rising and falling keels may be
fitted along each side of the hull proper, and made to rise and fall by
means of screws. It will thus be seen that by this improved form and
construction provision is made for greater speed by substituting “surface
displacement" for "deep displacement," the diminished width of the hull
proper reducing the resistance of the "deep displacement" while the
overhang of the belt gives a holding down power upon the surface of
the water, and prevents the rolling motion of the ship in a rough sca.
For propelling it is proposed to use paddles formed with soles and
with V-shaped blades. The paddles are mounted upon separate shafts,
fitted with coupling and uncoupling media, each paddle is provided
with two cylinders, one on each side of the paddle. The paddles are
placed in the belt at midships.
The accompanying Drawing is intended to illustrate the improved

page_text: plan of construction and mode of forming and fastening the frame of
the vessel.
Fig. 4 is a transverse section shewing the alternative plan of forming
the hull with a keel in the usual way.
The following reference applies to each of these Figures where the
index letters appear.
a is the hull proper of the ship; b, the belt; c, c, &c., the water-tight
bulkheads dividing the said belt into compartments or cabins; d, d, fore-
and-aft saloons; e, e, &c., water-tight bulkheads dividing the hull into
compartments. For increasing the strength of the ship it is proposed to
carry these bulkheads through in line with the bulkheads in the belt;
ff, are the rising and falling side keels which are fitted in recesses
formed to receive them in the sides of the hull, they are fitted with screws
and raised or lowered thereby simultaneously as required; g, g, are the
two paddles; h is the lower deck; i, the upper or promenade deck;
j,j, the outside cylinders; k, k, the inside cylinders; 1, 1, the paddle
boxes.
The adjusting inclines, rails, and raised platforms, shewn at Fig. 2,
may be fitted when vessels of this construction are required for
transporting railway trains or carriages.
In witness whereof, I, the said Adolphe Ernest Ragon, on behalf of
myself, and the said John Walker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy.