IMPROVEMENTS IN PADDLE WHEELS FOR, AND IN THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO, STEAM VESSELS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Edwards Colley, of Southampton Buildings,
Holborn, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PADDLE WHEELS FOR, AND IN
THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO, STEAM VESSELS."
aled the 6th July 1877, and dated the 9th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Edwards Colley at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th January 1877.
EDWARD EDWARDS COLLEY, of Southampton Buildings, Holborn. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PADDLE WHEELS FOR, AND IN THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO, STEAM
VESSELS."
This Invention has for its object an improved construction of paddle wheel,
whereby not only is a considerable economy in fuel effected, but a far greater degree
of speed, united with increased facility for manoeuvering or changing the position of
the vessel, is attained than has hitherto been practicable.
For this purpose I
construct a paddle of any suitable material provided with three or any other suitable
number of floats or blades, according to the size of the vessel to which the paddles
are to be fitted, such floats or blades being made of any convenient form, preferably
somewhat of a fan shape. I place one of such paddles on either side of the stern of
the vessel in such a position that when revolving each paddle works about one-third
of its diameter in the water.
The floats or blades already mentioned I either cast solid upon the boss of the
paddle wheel, or I rivet or bolt them thereon in any convenient manner at an angle
of about 45 degrees.
I also place the shafts whereon the paddles are fixed at a similar angle with the
keel or run of the vessel, so that when the floats or blades are at work they by their
action revolve and automatically feather in the water, thereby imparting great power
and speed to the vessel. Such paddles may be driven either together or separately,
as may be most desirable, in order to assist the vessel in making a rapid evolution
or manoeuvre in any direction, either backwards or forwards.
Motion is imparted to the paddles either by bevil wheels or by any other suitable
gearing.
By the use of my improved paddle wheels a saving of one-half of the fuel ordinarily
consumed is effected, owing to the fact that not only is a much less degree of boiler
power required than hitherto, thereby reducing the size and cost of the other portions

page_text: of the machinery, but at the same time a velocity almost double that of the ordinary
rate of speed is attained with security and ease, thus greatly reducing the duration
of the voyage.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Edwards Colley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
July 1877.
EDWARD EDWARDS COLLEY, of Southampton Buildings, Holborn. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PADDLE WHEELS FOR, AND IN THEIR APPLICATION TO, STEAM VESSELS."
This Invention has for its object an improved construction of paddle wheel, by
the use of which not only is a far higher speed obtained than hitherto, resulting in
an important economy both of time, labour, and fuel, but also a great facility is
afforded for manoeuvering the vessel in any position with rapidity and ease, these
combined advantages rendering my Invention equally valuable both for the navy
and mercantile marine.
And in order that my said Invention may be readily understood and carried into
effect I will now with the aid of the accompanying Drawings, whereon similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, proceed to more particularly describe
and ascertain the nature thereof.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings shews an elevation of the after part of a
vessel fitted with my improved paddle wheels; and Figure 2 shews a plan
thereof.
The paddle boxes A are placed by preference at the after part of the hull B
immediately in advance of the rudder C, each paddle box being constructed at a
proportionate angle to the fore-and-aft central line of the vessel, such angle however
being governed by the angle at which the shafts F, F, of the paddle wheels are
placed, this latter angle being an angle of 45° or thereabouts.
Motion is communicated to the paddle wheels in any suitable and convenient
manner, but in fitting vessels specially for my improved mode of propulsion I prefer
that each paddle wheel should be driven by a separate engine, the steam valves of
which may be instantly regulated by means of suitable hand levers arranged within
reach of the steersman, so that either engine and its connected paddle wheel is
subject to entire and immediate control at his hands. By this means perfect
command over each paddle wheel of the vessel is obtained, and consequently it may
be manoeuvred within its own length as swiftly as the power of the engines will
permit, which in the naval marine especially is a point of the utmost importance
and value.
I will now indicate one mode of carrying out my improved system, first remarking
that I do not confine myself to any exact details in so doing, as such details admit
of various modifications, according to circumstances, without departing from the
principle of my Invention. D is a vertical bevil wheel keyed on the main driving
shaft D', and giving motion to a spur wheel E placed on the inner end of one of the
shafts F of the paddle wheels G.
Another spur wheel H keyed on the corresponding shaft F is driven by the
first-mentioned spur wheel E, but it is not directly actuated by the main driving
wheel D.
The paddle wheel shafts F, F, are carried in suitable bearings, and extend out-
wards exactly at an angle of 45° with the keel line.
I construct my improved paddle wheel somewhat in the form of a screw propeller,
the cylindrical boss of the wheel having fitted to it any suitable number of fan-like
blades G, each of which is arranged at an angle of 45° or thereabouts (but preferably
at an exact angle of 45°) on the boss. As the paddle wheel revolves each blade
thereof enters the water at such an angle as to offer the slightest possible resistance
to the vessel's way, but as the blade arrives at the vertical line, and becomes what

page_text: is technically termed "dead on," the full face of the blade is presented to the water,
thus driving it back with its full momentum of power. In this position the edge of
the immersed blade presents only an acute line to the eye, whilst the blade in a
vertical line above it is exactly at right angles to the lower one. The action of the
blades of both paddle wheels in their rotary movement closely resembles that of the
tail of a fish when gliding rapidly through the water.
Although I have shewn the paddle wheels as fitted with five blades the number
of such blades may be either increased or diminished, according to the size of the
vessel and its requirements.
One of the chief advantages of my improved system of propulsion is that by its
use considerably less boiler power is requisite to drive the paddles than has hitherto
been necessary, and hence there is a great saving of fuel, while valuable additional
space in the vessel itself is obtained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood
that I claim,-
Firstly. The constructing paddle wheels or propellers, the blades of which are
fixed at an angle of 45° or thereabouts (but preferably exactly at 45°) to a right
line drawn transversely through the axis of the boss of the wheel, as herein-before
described and illustrated.
Secondly. The arranging and fitting the shafts of my improved paddle wheels or
propellers at an angle of 45° or thereabouts (but preferably exactly at 45°) to the
keel line of the vessel, as herein-before described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Edwards Colley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
EDWARD EDWARDS COLLEY. (L.S.)