GB1134312A - Improvements in sailing ships - Google Patents

Abstract

1,134,312. Sailing ships. A. P. PEDRICK. 6 June, 1967, No. 25965/67. Heading B7V. A sailing ship has a central main mast 1 rotatable by an engine 8 at its base, horizontal upper and lower booms 2, 3 being secured to the main mast whilst auxiliary masts 4 extend between the booms. To each of the masts 4 is hinged a pair of rectangular panels or sails 5 of light alloy, fibreglass or stretched canvas. The position of the booms relative to the fore and aft line of the ship and the angle between the panels 5 in each pair is set by the engine 8 and by servomotors respectively which are all controlled from a cabin 6. Thus with the wind on the beam, Fig. 2B, the booms are set fore and aft and the panels set at the angle shown to provide a forward driving force. With the wind from aft the booms can be set athwartships and the panels aligned therewith, Fig. 2C (not shown), or, with the wind on the quarter, the booms set fore and aft and each of the panels of the pairs set at an equal angle thereto, Fig. 2D (not shown). The course of the ship may be automatically controlled by radio signals received by an aerial 10 either directly from land based stations or via a satellite and, if desired, the ship can sail unmanned under this control for the major part of its voyage. At the beginning and end of its voyage the ship is manned by a crew embarking and disembarking by helicopter for which a platform 13 is provided. The ship may also carry a nuclear rocket 14 for defence &c. purposes.