GB141406A - Improvements relating to means for performing mechanical operations by the use of projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

141,406. Temple, R. Dec. 13, 1918. Sunken ships, raising and moving. - An apparatus particularly designed for salving sunken ships comprises means for driving a special projectile, by means of an explosive charge, into the hull of the ship in such manner as to remain embedded therein. The projectiles may be specially formed for the attachment of ropes or floats &c., or may pass through a patch as well as the hull, thus securing the patch in position. A hand tool comprises a short barrel a, Fig. 1, with an extension o of reduced diameter shouldered at o<1> and held in position, together with an annulus or disk p of material such as tough copper, by a union q. Access of water to the interior of the barrel is prevented by disks q<1> and h. At the breech end the barrel is closed by a block e seated in a copper ring g by a screwed plug i bearing on the disk h and apertured to pass the firing-pin j. The detonator f is exploded without perforating the disk h. The projectile comprises two parts, the nail-like portion b, preferably fluted, that penetrates the hull, and a light portion b<1> that serves to contain the propellant and is arrested by the ring p and shoulder o<1> thus minimizing recoil. The part b has a light screwed or similar connexion with the part b<1>, the thread being stripped when the part b<1> is arrested as shown in Fig. 2. The screw d extends through the part b<1> into the block e and is reduced at c<1> to en extent sufficient to permit fracture after the explosion pressure has risen considerably. The plug i serves also for the attachment of a firing handle, that may be used for a series of barrels, by means of a tapped sleeve l provided with a projection l<1> sliding in a groove in the holder k. The firing-pin is depressed by hand against the action of a spring n and premature action is prevented by a catch m. In modifications, a number of gun units may be secured to a base that may be secured to the ship's side and the charges may be fired electrically. The gun may be fired from its front end, a detachable nose or cover being soldered or otherwise connected to the muzzle end of the barrel and provided centrally with a rim percussion fuse. The front of the projectile has a wrapping of gun cotton to provide a flash for transmission through a firing-hole to the propellant at the rear. The nose or cover is attached to the hull by the projectile and serves for attachment of the float &c. The cover may be integral with the barrel that is necked at the desired point for fracture.