IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF COLLAPSIBLE BOATS
Year: 1877

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LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Crispin, of Marsh Gate Lane, Stratford,
in the County of Essex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF COLLAPSIBLE BOATS."
Sealed the 22nd February 1878, and dated the 23rd August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Crispin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd August 1877.
WILLIAM HENRY CRISPIN, of Marsh Gate Lane, Stratford, in the County. of
Essex. “IMPROVEMENTS in the Construction of CollapSIBLE BOATS.",
This Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction of boats,
whereby the same are rendered capable of being collapsed and extended ready for use
with great facility, whilst great advantages are gained by reason of the small space
which is occupied by the boats when collapsed.
The sides of the boat are formed of wood, steel, or any other suitable material or
materials, the several planks or strips being built up or connected in the well-known
manner. An external and also an internal keel, constructed of wood or any other
suitable material or materials, are provided, and between such keels are placed
and screwed, sheets of metal and canvass from end to end, the same acting as a
longitudinal hinge, thus enabling the sides of the boat to colapse or brought into
proximity with each other. The respective ends of the boat are made of sheet
steel, which give the required colapsing power to the whole of the boat.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Crispin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
February 1878.
WILLIAM HENRY CRISPIN, of Marsh Gate Lane, Stratford, in the County of
Essex, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COLLAPSIBLE BOATS."
My said Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction of boats,
whereby the same are rendered capable of being collapsed and extended ready for
use with great facility, whilst great advantages are gained by reason of the small
space which is occupied by the boats when collapsed.
The sides of the boat are formed of wood, or steel, or any other suitable material
or materials, the several planks or strips, when of wood, being built up or connected
together in the well-known manner. An external, and also an internal keel, con-
structed of wood or any other suitable material or materials, are provided, and
between such keels, when the boat is constructed of wood, are placed and secured
thereto from end to end sheets of metal, or canvas, or other suitable material or
combination of materials, the same being sufficiently wide to receive the sides of
the boat, and acting at the same time as a hinge, and thus enabling the sides of
the boat to be collapsed or brought into proximity to each other. When the boat
is constructed entirely of metal the elasticity thereof will allow of such hinge being
dispensed with. The respective ends of the boats are formed of sheet steel or other
metal or material possessing a certain degree of elasticity or flexibility, so that the
same readily give way or adapt themselves when the sides of the boat are collapsed,
and also return to their normal curvative or position, when the pressure exerted to
keep the boat in a state of collapse has been removed. The stem and stern posts
are respectively connected with the keel by means of suitable-flexible joints. The
thwarts in the interior of the boat are respectively provided with a joint or hinge
at the ends and centre thereof, stops, stays, or any suitable contrivances being used
to keep the thwarts in an extended state; the removal of such stops, or stays, or
other contrivances allowing the thwarts to fold upon their joints or hinges.
For the purpose of imparting sufficient steadiness to the boat cells or chambers:
may be provided at the bottom thereof for the purpose of holding water, which
may be admitted through suitable openings therein upon the boat being lowered,
and which water will serve as ballast.
It will be manifest that great advantages result from the construction of boats in
accordance with my said Invention, inasmuch as the same will, when collapsed,
occupy very little space, whilst they can be expanded and rendered fit for launching
in a very short time, and when launched are less liable to injury than boats as
ordinarily constructed.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention
secured to me by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the con-
struction of collapsible boats, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before set
forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Crispin, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.