IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOATING DOCKS AND PONTOONS, AND IN BLOCKING OR SECURING VESSELS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Josiah Latimer Clark and John Standfield, both
of 5, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street Westminster, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOATING DOCKS AND PONTOONS, AND IN
BLOCKING OR SECURING VESSELS."
Sealed the 16th April 1875, and dated the 11th February 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Josiah Latimer Clark.
and John Standfield at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 11th February 1875.
We, JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK and JOHN STANDFIELD, both of 5, West-
minster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOATING DOCKS AND
PONTOONS, AND IN BLOCKING OR SECURING VESSELS," to be as follows:—
Our first improvement consists in so forming floating docks or
pontoons that they may be employed for raising vessels out of the water
and depositing them high and dry on fixed stages on piles driven in the
water or projecting from the land. To effect this we construct a dock
of square or circular tubes, somewhat similar in form to our tubular
floating docks (Letters Patent No: 202, 15th January, 1874).

page_text: The docks consist of two sides composed of a series of vertical tubes,
and of a bottom composed of a series of transverse tubes. The bottom
of the dock is by preference permanently attached to one of these sides,
but the other side is movable and may at pleasure [be either attached to
it so as to form the whole into a complete dock, or may be removed and
floated away as a separate portion. so as to divide the dock into three
parts; or if necessary both sides may be so floated away. The main
portion of the dock therefore consists of one side and the bottom. The
bottom consists of a series of horizontal tubes which are attached
to the side at one end only, and are separated from each other
throughout the greater portion of their length so that they resemble in
some degree the teeth of a comb. They are of sufficient size and
buoyoncy to support the vessel and also to carry the two vertical sides
when the vessel is raised out of water. A series of rows of piles is driven
into the water, each row being connected at top by longitudinal timbers,
and the width or space between each row corresponds with the width of
the horizontal tubes of the dock, so that the whole series of tubes with
the vessel upon them may be floated in between the piles, and when in
position by admitting water the tubes are lowered and the ship with its.
cradle is deposited upon the piles. The dock may then be removed and
employed to raise other vessels in a similar manner.
1
To remove the ship off the staging the horizontal tubes are again'
floated between the piles, the water within them is pumped or forced
out so as to raise the vessel which is then floated away. The dock with
its one side with or without a vessel upon it is perfectly stable when
afloat, but would not be so when submerged, in order therefore to
submerge the dock the detached side is floated up to and fitted or
, fastened on to it, the end of each of the horizontal tubes being provided
with projections which fit into suitable holes or slots in the side portion,
and may be keyed or fastened there so as to form the whole into a
complete floating dock similar to that described in our Letters Patent
above mentioned. In this condition it may be submerged or raised at
pleasure.
We sometimes prefer to arrange the horizontal tubes longitudinally
with respect to the vessel instead of transversely, in which case the vessel
with its cradle is deposited on its staging end on to the shore.
In some cases we apply this system to pontoons without sides. These
pontoons require to be raised and lowered upon a hydraulic dock, or

page_text: within a floating dock, or in a dry dock. The pontoon with its cradle
is submerged, the vessel brought over it, the pontoon and vessel are
raised so as to allow the water to escape out of the pontoon, the valves
closed, and the vessel may then be lowered and floated away, and
deposited on its staging, as before described. When there is sufficient
rise of tide. the pontoon may be grounded above low water mark and the
vessel placed upon it at high water, at the next low water the valves are
closed and the vessel is subsequently lifted by the rising tide and
deposited on its staging. In a similar way the vessel may be lifted off
again with a rising tide.
Our second improvement consists in an improved method of shoring
vessels upon floating docks and pontoons. When the vessel is brought
over the dock or pontoon ready for lifting we support her sides by a
series of sliding bilge blocks or side shores of peculiar form. These
shores consist each of a sliding or rolling base block which is drawn in
under the sides of the vessel in the usual manner. Each base block
carries two shores which are hinged upon the base, and are connected
at top by a chain or band of suitable length fixed at the top of the
shores and stretching from one to the other. The chain carries blocks
of wood, or in some cases wooden rollers, at every joint, which fit
against the sides of the vessel and adjust themselves to its form as the
whole block is drawn forward, so that the side of the vessel rests every-
where upon the chain and is supported upon it. The inner shore pro-
jects somewhat horizontally under the bottom or bilge, and the outer and
longer shore rests somewhat vertically against the sides, the divergence
of the two shores keeping the chain under a taut strain as it fits against
the vessel.
In order to draw these blocks into their places under the vessel we
employ either hydraulic power or ropes and blocks worked by a longi-
tudinal revolving shaft running the whole length of the dock and
provided with suitable capstans or windlass heads for tightening tho
ropes.
The arrangement we prefer consists of a horizontal shaft kept
revolving by machinery and running the whole length of the dock.
Opposite each shoring block a friction pulley is keyed on the shaft, and
a second pulley is pressed against this by a lever so as to cause it to
revolve. This second pulley carries a rack wheel and drum, and the

page_text: rope or chain is wound round its circumference, so that by pressing the
pulley against the revolving shaft the drum is caused to revolve and
the rope may be tightened at will.
Our third improvement consists of an improved block for supporting
the ship. It consists of a short cylinder of cast iron which may be of any
convenient size, say, a foot in diameter and nine inches high; it is closed
at bottom and open at top, and a cast-iron disc or piston works within
it. The cylinder is filled with sand and the piston rests on the sand
within it. These blocks are placed under the keel or bilges of the vessel
in sufficient number to support it. The outer cylinder has a series of
holes round its sides at the bottom, which are usually kept closed by a
band on the outside or by plugs. When it is desired to slack out one
of the blocks the band is removed and a jet of water from a hose or
syringe is played into the sand which is speedily washed out and the
block is slackened to any desired extent. These blocks are suitable for
ordinary docking purposes as well as for floating docks.
:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Josiah Latimer Clark and John Standfield in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th August 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSIAH :
LATIMER CLARK and JOHN STANDFIELD, both of 5, Westminster
Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the 2
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto us, the said Josiah Latimer Clark and John
Standfield, Her special license that we, the said Josiah Latimer Clark
and John Standfield, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said Josiah Latimer Clark and John Standfield, 8
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

page_text: and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOATING DOCKS AND PONTOONS, AND IN BLOCKING OR SECURING
VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Josiah
Latimer Clark and John Standfield, our executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of one of us or them, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, 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 immedi-
ately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Josiah Latimer Clark and John
Standfield, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
that is to say :-
Our first improvement consists in so forming floating docks or
pontoons that they may be employed for raising vessels out of the water,
and depositing them high and dry on fixed stages and on piles driven in
the water or projecting from the land.
The docks consist of two sides or ends composed of a series of vertical
tubes, and of a bottom composed of a series of transverse tubes; the
tubes may be either square or circular or of other suitable section.
The bottom of the dock is by preference attached to one of these sides,
but the other side is moveable, and may be either attached to it, so as to
form the whole into a complete dock, or may be removed and floated
away as a separate portion, or if necessary both sides may be floated
away so as to divide the dock into three parts. The main portion of the
dock therefore consists of one side and the bottom. The bottom consists
of a series of transverse tubes which are attached to the side at one end
only, and are separated from each other throughout the greater portion
of their length, so that they resemble in some degree the teeth of a
comb; they are of sufficient size and buoyancy to support the vessel,
and also to carry the two vertical sides when the vessel is raised out of
water. A series of rows of piles is driven into the water, each row being
connected at top by longitudinal timbers, and the width or space
between each row corresponds with the width of the tubes of the dock,
so that the whole series of tubes with the vessel upon them may be

page_text: .
floated in between the piles, and when in position, by admitting water,
the tubes are lowered, and the ship with or without a cradle is deposited
upon the piles. The dock may then be removed, and employed to raise
other vessels in a similar manner.
To remove the ship off the staging the horizontal tubes of the dock are
again floated between the piles; the water within them is pumped
or forced out so as to raise the vessel, which is then floated away.
The dock with its one side, with or without a vessel upon it, is
perfectly stable when afloat, but would not be so when submerged. In
order therefore to submerge the dock the detached side is floated up to
it, and fitted or fastened on to it, the end of each of the horizontal tubes
being provided with projections which fit into suitable holes or slots in
the side portion, and are keyed or fastened there so as to form the whole
into a complete floating dock. In this condition it may be submerged
or raised at pleasure.
We sometimes prefer to arrange the horizontal tubes longitudinally
with respect to the vessel, instead of transversely, in which case the
vessel with its cradle is deposited on its staging end on to the shore.
In order that the said Invention may be fully understood, and readily
carried into effect, we have shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed
various examples of slotted docks and pontoons, with rows of staging
projecting from the shore, which fit into corresponding slots of the docks
and pontoons.
Figure 9 shows a general plan of the dock with a vessel upon it, and
with the moveable side in position; and Figure 10 is an end elevation of
the same.
Figure 1 shows a plan of the dock with a vessel upon it, and with
the side A removed to admit of the dock being passed in between the
projecting staging for the purpose of depositing the vessel upon it;
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same. The dock is raised or lowered
in the usual manner by pumping out the water, or by forcing it out by
the use of compressed air.
Figure 4 shows an end elevation of the dock in the act of depositing
the vessel upon the projecting stage Z. It will be seen in this Drawing.
that both the dock and staging are directly under the vessel, the weight
of which at first rests on the pontoon or dock; as soon however as this is

page_text: lowered the vessel takes its bearing upon the piles, and is securly shored
there, the dock is now further lowered until the vessel rests wholly upon
the piles, and is finally withdrawn altogether, leaving the vessel deposited
on the staging.
Figure 5 shows an end elevation of the vessel deposited on the stage;
and Figures 7 and 8, a general plan of the same.
Figure 9 shows a general plan of the dock, with the moveable side
attached, but with two different modes of keeping the side vertical when
'it is detached from the dock. B is a large vertical floating cylinder,
which is connected to the removed side by the girders C, C, C, and acts
as a cantilever or catamaran to keep it upright.
In some cases we employ two or more floating cylinders, as shown at
F on Figures 1, 2, and 3. All these floating cylinders have either
concave or convex ends, as also have the ends of all the vertical tubes
shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
There are many other obvious means of keeping the moveable side
vertical while it is separated from the remainder of the dock. For
example, the side portion may be kept vertical by causing it to slide in
guides fixed to a quay wall or to fixed columns, or it may be guided by a
series of booms with joints moving vertically like a parallel rule; or the
side may be divided into two or three portions hinged together, so that
one or two of them may be bent back at right angles, as shown at D,
Figure 9. In this case, as soon as the two portions of the dock are
brought together, and the eight girders K, K, Figure 9, are inserted
into their bearings, the two hinged sides are brought round into such a
position as to receive the remaining girders J, J, J, and the whole dock
is then in a position to be submerged, and to receive a vessel upon it.
We prefer however the parallel movement previously alluded to.
Figure 20 shows this arrangement in detail. a, a, a, shows the dock
itself, with a vessel upon it. The dock in this case resembles the letter L,
and has only one set of vertical tubes or side; as it descends into the
water it is guided and kept at all times vertical by the booms or parallel
guides b, b, which are hinged to the dock itself at c, c, and to an out-
rigger at d, d. This outrigger consists of two hollow floating boxes or
pontoons e and f, which are strongly braced together by framework, so
that the two together form a pontoon of great width, and of the same
length as the dock itself. A strong vertical strut or pillar 9, g, is fixed

page_text: to this pontoon, and stiffened in its position by stays h, h, h. The parallel
booms b, b, are hinged at top and bottom to this strut g, g, so that as
long as the dock is level the strut g, g, is vertical, but as soon as the
dock tends to move out of its level position the strut g is compelled by
the parallel booms b, b, to move out of its vertical position; in doing
this it is resisted by the floatation of the pontoons e and f, for it has to
raise e and sink funder water, or to raise f and to sink è under water,
according to the direction in which the dock inclines to move.
There are in a dock many pairs of parallel booms b, b, and a corre-
'sponding number of struts g, their number being regulated according to
the size and weight of the dock. The whole of this arrangement, which
we call the outrigger, is capable of being detached from the dock, which
when raised has great stability, and can be readily moved from place to
place either with or without a vessel upon it. The outrigger is only used
to control the position of the dock when submerged, and when it con-
sequently has no stability of position. But even in this position no great
strain is usually allowed to come on to the booms, for as soon as the
pontoons e, f, show any tendency to move out of the horizontal position
water is pumped into or out of some of the compartments of the dock
in such manner as to relieve the strain and keep the whole structure
level. This form of dock then has only one side, and the fingers or
horizontal pontoons which form the botton of the dock, and which alone
support the vessel, are at all times free to pass freely between the pileş
or fixed staging and to remove or deposit vessels thereon.
In some cases we apply this system to pontoons without sides. These
pontoons require to be raised and lowered by the rise and fall of the
tide or upon a hydraulic dock, or within a floating dock, or in a dry
dock.
Figure 11 shows a plan of a slotted pontoon and Figure 12 an end
elevation of the same floated by a receding tide on to the low level
grid G, which is situated.between high and low water mark. The valves
in the bottom of the pontoon are left open, and the tide again flows over
it, leaving it submerged. At high water a vessel is brought over this
pontoon, and on the tide again receding the vessel becomes seated upon
it, the water is allowed to flow out of it, and the valves are then closed.
On the flood tide the pontoon with the vessel seated upon it floats, and
at high water the pontoon is run in between the slots of the staging as

page_text: before described, and on admitting water to the pontoon the vessel
_becomes docked high and dry upon the projecting stage, as shown at
Figure 5. In a similar manner the vessel may be removed from the
stage and again set afloat. The method of using such a slotted dock in
combination with a dry dock or with an hydraulic lift is sufficiently
obvious, and will be well understood.
Figure 13 shows a general plan of a vertical tubular floating dock
(such as is described in the Specification of a former Patent granted to
us) constructed with large vertical cylinders and adapted for giving
stability to such pontoons while being raised and lowered. The four
cylinders marked H form one vertical side and the four cylinders
marked I form the other side. These cylinders are braced together by
transverse and longitudinal girders, and form a skeleton dock, which is
allowed to sink low enough to receive the pontoon. The water is then
pumped or forced from the cylinders until it takes a bearing under the
pontoon, so as to steady it and give it stability; the valves of the dock
and pontoon are opened, and the whole structure descends ready to
receive the vessel which is brought over it. It then becomes necessary
to pump or force the water out of both the pontoon and the dock, by
doing which the whole structure rises and the ship is docked. The dock
is then again lowered, and the pontoon with the ship upon it is floated
away, and deposits the ship on the staging prepared for it.
Our second improvement. consists in an improved method of shoring
vessels upon pontoons. When the vessel is. brought over the pontoon
ready for lifting we support her sides by a series of sliding bilge blocks
or side shores of peculiar form. These shores consist each of a sliding
or rolling base block L, Figure 14, which is drawn in under the sides of
the vessel in the usual manner by a chain M. Each base.block carries
two shores or jibs N, O, which are hinged upon the base block, and are
connected at top by a chain or band of suitable length fixed at the top
of the shores and stretching from one to the other. The chain carries
blocks of wood P, P, or in some cases wooden rollers-Q, Q, at every-
joint, which fit against the sides of the vessel, and adjust themselves to
its form as the whole block is drawn forward, so that the side of the
vessel rests everywhere upon the chain, and is supported upon it. The
inner shore N projects somewhat horizontally under the bottom or bilge,
and the outer and longer shore O rests somewhat vertically against-the

page_text: sides, the divergence of the two shores keeping the chain under a taut
strain as it fits against the vessel, as shewn in Figure 14, and in plan at
Figure 15.
The base block may if necessary be in two separate pieces sliding inde-
pendently.
It may also be desirable in some cases to employ a single chain Q, Q,
Q, Q, extending from the jibs O, O, to the jib T, U. In this case after
the vessel takes a bearing on the bilge blocks the two jibs O, O, and T, U,
are hauled in, so as to give the chain a sufficient bearing under the
vessel.
In order to draw these blocks into their places under the vessel we
employ either hydraulic power or ropes and blocks worked by a longi-
tudinal revolving shaft S running the whole length of the dock, and
provided with suitable capstans- or windlass heads for tightening the
ropes or chains. Opposite each shoring block a friction pulley is keyed
on the shaft, and a second pulley is pressed against this by a lever, so as
to cause it to revolve. This second pulley carries a rack wheel and
drum, and the rope or chain is wound round its circumference, so that
by pressing the pulley against the revolving shaft the drum is caused to
revolve, and the rope may be tightened at will.
T, U, Figure 14, shows a telescope jib-like hydraulic press, which may
be lengthened at pleasure by drawing out the inner ram U and filling
the cylinder. T.with sand. When it is required to be shortened the sand
is washed out of the cylinder by a jet of water, and the ram descends.
In this portion of the Drawings the chain which carries the rollers Q, Q,
is shown attached at one end to the deck of the pontoon, and is supported
at the other end by the telescope jib and sliding block W.
Our third improvement consists of an improved block for supporting
the ship. It consists of a short cylinder S of cast iron, which may be of
any convenient size, say, a foot in diameter and 9 inches high. It is
closed at bottom and open at top, and a cast-iron disc or piston R works
within it. The cylinder is filled with sand, and the piston rests on the
sand within it. These blocks are placed under the keel or bilge of the
vessel in sufficient number to support it. The outer cylinder S has a
series of holes S₁ round its sides at the bottom, which are usually kept

page_text: closed by a band on the outside or by plugs. When it is desired to slack
out one of the blocks the band is removed, and a jet of water from a
hose or syringe is played into the sand, which is speedily washed out, and
the block is slackened to any desired extent. These blocks are suitable
for ordinary docking purposes as well as for floating docks.
These blocks are shewn at Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19. Figure 16 is a
sectional elevation, Figure 17 is an end elevation, and Figures 18 and 19
are sections of the ram R and press S. In order to keep the sand
from getting between the ram and press we employ an ordinary split
piston ring, which fits within the cylinder and is carried down by the
end of the ram, which is a fluted column fitting loosely.

page_text: horizontal when being raised or submerged, substantially as described
and shown on Figure 20.
In witness whereof, we, the said Josiah Latimer Clark and John
Standfield, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-
ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-five.
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK. (L.S.)
JOHN STANDFIELD.
(L.S.)
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK. (L.8.)
JOHN STANDFIELD.
(L.S.)