US46074A - Improved construction of gun-boats - Google Patents

Description

NiTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

STEPHEN DEOATUR CARPENTER, Ol MADISON, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF GUN-BOATS.

vTo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN DEcArUR CARPENTER, of Madison, in the county of Dane and State of/Visconsin, have in venteda new and useful inode ofGonstrueting the Outer Surface or Model ofGun-Boats or War Vessels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part ofthis specification, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal elevation. a a is the water-line; B, the lower part of the hull; O C show the angles of the upper part, as appear from a side view; D, a ram that may be attached 5 e e e e e the port-holes F, a ball or projectile 5 and the red lines show the parabolic-track of said projectile at long range and the parabolic angle at which it would strike and bound from thedeck.

Eig. 2 represents an end view. a a, is the water-line, B B, the lower part ofthe hull O C, the angular projecting sides, as seen from this view, the red lines showing the course of project-iles at different ranges and in different relative positions, and f f j' balls or projectiles at -the supposed angles at which such projectiles would bound from the angular surface of the boat.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct the lower part of the hull or boat in any of the known approved methods up to a point some three feet (more or less, as may be found necessary) below the water-line, from which point I project the sides of the vessel outward at an angle, say, of forty-live (legrecs, (more or less, as may be deemed most practicable,) up to the given height required for the upper deck, substantially as exhibited in the dra-wings. The upper deck I construct level with the waterline, and freefrom obstructions. When thus constructed in its outlines, with the usual backings of timbers, planks, &c., I cover the whole outline surface, including the deck and angular sides, down to a proper point below the water-line to insure safety from projectile objects with mailed armor, adopting any of the approved modes now in use.

The object of the an gnlar outlines herein described and the level deck is to render the boat as nearly invulnerable as possible by presenting no angle to the enemy less than a number oi' degrees sufficient to ward oft the most destructive projectiles.

I do not claim the mode and manner of constructing the lower part of' the hull7 nor the ram attached, nor the kind ot' armor, or the mode and manner of putting it on, nor do I claim any ot' the internal detail arrangements ofthe boat; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

rI'he manner of constructing the portion of gun-boats or war-vessels exposed to shot, shell, or other projectiles with outward projecting angles for the sides and ends, in combination with the level deck, substantially as herein described, and for the purposes set forth in the specifications.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' STEPHEN DECATUR CARPENTER. Witnesses L. J. FAEWELL, JOHN. S. HoLiNGsHEAD.

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