US435054A - Device for raising sunken vessels - Google Patents

Description

(N0 Mbdel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 11. O. H. BROWN.

DEVICE FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS.

N0. 1 5,054.' I Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

5175/8 I I s (No Model.) '2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

O. H. BROWN. DEVICE FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS. No. 435,054,. Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

In \/E Pic E] r Qw arias H.E ruw1 Ei-l WA UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. BROWN, or roar HURON, MICHIGAN.

DEVICE FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,054, dated August 26, 1890.

Application filed April 15, 1890.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Port Huron, in the county of St. Clair and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and use* ful Improvements in Devices for Raising Sunken Vessels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices for raising sunken vessels, and relates to that class of such devices commonly known as camels.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the pontons or ships comprising the camel, whereby the draft-chains are connected centrally in the pontons; further, in'

the peculiar construction of the pontons whereby the filling and emptying of the Water-compartment is facilitated; further, in the construction of the tackle; further, in the construction of the means for connecting the two parts of the camel, and, further, in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure l is a si'de elevation of one of the pontons. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical central longitudinal section on line xzcFig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar section on line y i], Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the two pontons, showing them partially sunken and in use in raising a sunken vessel. Fig. 6 is a similar section showing the vessel partially raised. Fig. 7 is a vertical central cross-section through the engine-room and well. Fig. 8 is an end elevation. Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-secti0n through one of the pockets.

A A are two like pontons or ships, each of the following construction: Bis the hull, forming the Water-chambers, the top 0 of which forms the main deck. Upon this hull is constructed the deck-house D. The hull is divided into a suitable number of water-coinpartments by the partitions E.

In the drawings I have shown a hull formed into three compartments E, E and The compartments E and E are connected with the main well F by means of the conduits F. These conduits are controlled by valves G,

Serial No; 348,062. (No model.)

which have the shafts G provided with suit able hand-wheels extending through the upper deckd l. The compartment F. likewise connects with the well F, and is controlled by a similar valve G, having a similar shaft G. The suction pipe I extends into this well and connects with a suitable pump 1", having a discharge-pipe 1 extending through the side of the deck-house. This pump is driven by any suitable engine, which is located in a pump-house, which I preferably locate beneath the upper deck and within the deckhouse, as shown.

.I are suitable vents for the lower main chambers, and J are vents for the deck-house.

L are inlet-valves controlling openings in the lower side of the hull to be used in filling the hull with water.

On the inner side of a ponton thus constructed I form a series of pockets or wells M through the hull, and a series of corresponding pockets M through the deck-house, the pockets h being Wider than the pockets M, a shoulder N being formed at the junction of the two pockets which forms abearing for the block N, suitably apertured to allow the chain Q to pass through, a pin or shackle 0 be ing used on the top of this block to hold the chain in its adjusted position.

'P is a stanchion secured above the well M, upon which is secured the sheave P, and at the base of which is secured the sheave P.

has a suitable hook at its end adapted to be engaged in the chain, and at its other end connects to the winding-drum Q in the engineraised or lowered by the engine.

To offset the loss in buoyancy upon the inside of the 'pontons caused by forming the wells, I place the water-ballast tank R upon the opposite side of the ponton, which I intend to keep filled with water at all times, so that in the upper position of the ponton, as shown in Fig. 6, it may remain as nearly level as possible.

The parts being thus constructed and arranged, they are intended to operate as follows: The pontons being towed over the sunken vessel, the valves L being open, the hull B is gradually filled with water and the Over these sheaves is looped the rope Q,which.

house, so arranged that the chain may be.

- from the deck-house.

pontons sunk. If the lift is great, I can sink my h'ull still farther by opening the valves S in the deck-house to partially fill it. The engine-house being Water-tight will be entirely secure, although partially under water. The chains may be now adjusted beneath the vessel and passed upward through the wells M tirely pumped from the hull and the full effeet-of the buoyancy of the pontons exerted *irilifting'it as far as possible, the pontons are towed intoshallow water until the vessel *rests' upon the ground. The pontons are "separated a sufficient distance to allow the vessel to come between their inner edges, and are held in their separated position by means of the girders S, secured in suitable bearings S formed upon the main deck. The chains are carried to the upper deck and pass through suitable blocks S thereon, and the pontons -can be filled, pumped out, and the vessel lift-ed, when it will be in ordinary cases clear from the-water, as shown in Fig. 6, and may *thenbe towed to any desired point.

\ necting with the outer end. 4

In order that I may pass from one ponton "to the other when they are separated, 1 arrange-the gangways T, which I slidingly secure upon the ends of the ponton, supporting its outer edge by means of the chain or rope T passing over the stanchion T and con- T are suitable derricks connected to the engine, preferably to the drum Q, sothat small articles may "be liftedou-t of the water, or forany desired purpose.

What I claim as my invention is 1; In acamel, the combination of the hull,

I asei'ies of vertical wells in one side thereof, adeck-house having corresponding wells of larger diameter, chains in said wells, and adjn'stable blocks on the chains in the upper wells of adiameter greater than the lower well, substantially as described.

The valves S be- 2. In a camel, the hull formed of two independent sections, each having" water tight compartments, a conduit connecting the lower part of the end compartments, and a connection between the conduit and the central compartment, a suction-well leading from the con duit, suitable suction means, ingress and egress valves for the compartments, a deckhouse, pockets in the inner portion of the hull, and wells between the pockets, substantially as described.

3. In a camel, the combination of the hull divided centrally, having a series of adjacent pockets in its inner portion, a counterbalance water compartment in the on ter portion of the parts, and intervening watertight compartments, and a deck house on each section formed with water-tight co1npartmen-ts,substantially as described.

4. In a camel, the combination of the hull, a series of Vertical wells in one side" thereof, a deck-house having corresponding wells, stanchions above said well, pulleys upon said stanchions, a winding-drum,'and a rope on said drum adapted to connect to the chain in any well, substantially as described.

5. In a camel, the combination of the hull, a series of vertical wells in one side thereof, a deck-house having corresponding wells, a bearing at the top of each well. of both series, the blocks'N, chains 0, passing through the wells'on which the blocks are placed, rope Q, connected to the chains, pulleys P P", over which the rope passes, and winding-drum Q for winding up the rope, substantially'as-dcscribed.

6. In a camel, the combination of the hull, a series of vertical wells in the 'hullon one side, pockets in the inner part, and a counterbalancing water-compartment at the other side, and an intervening water-tight compartment, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature, in presence of two witnesses, this 22d day of January, 1890.

CHARLES n; BROWN.

Witnesses: I

(E0. 0. GREGG, M. B. ODoeHnRTY.

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