GB169421A - Wreck salvaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

169,421. Neeper, W. M. June 22, 1920. Sunken ships, raising; diving- chambers. - A diving-chamber 1 suspended from a salvage ship and having means for propulsion is provided with a grappling-device held thereon by an electromagnet and suspended from a floating pontoon. The chamber 1 is formed with double walls 2, 3, Figs. 3 and 4, ovate in cross-section, in contact at the ends and separated at the sides by ribs 4 forming spaces 9. A ceiling 5 with a, dome 7 is provided. between which and the outer shell are radial ribs 6. Below the floor 8 is a ballast compartment 10, with radial ribs 11, pierced at 33, and a central chamber 12, with water-tight covers 13, 14, which may be used as an air-lock in entering a sunken ship. The device is lowered by cables 19, Fig. 1, and flexible conduits 21 are provided for compressed and fresh air, electric cables, telephone lines, &c. The compressed air is led direct to the space 9. Propellers, driven by motors 24, 25, and a rudder 27 protected by a grating 28, together with an anchor 31 on a cable wound on a windlass 29, enable the chamber to be manoeuvred. The ballast compartment 10 may be flooded by means of a valve 32, Fig. 3, and emptied by the admission of compressed air through the pipe 34. At the forward end of the device are an electromagnet 36 and stay members 37, 38 adapted to engage the beam 39, Fig. 2, which is provided with an armature 40 and carries at its lower end a hook 43 adjustable by means of bolts 45. The chamber 1 is lowered with the beam 39 in position till the hook 43 is level with the keel of the wreck, and then moved forwards and backwards till the hook catches under the keel. A compressed-air nozzle 60, Fig. 2, is used in this operation to clear away silt &c. The chain 42, Fig. 1, by which the beam is independently suspended, is then tightened, and the beam released by de-energizing the magnet. A hook 48, with a part 49 having crossed slits 50, 51, Fig. 19, through which pass the links of the chain 42, is lowered till it engages the gunwale, and, when tension is applied to the chain to raise the ship, binds on the chain. Fig. 25 shows a method of passing a chain 102 under a ship 103 by means of a grapple 95 bolted to the stays 37, 38 and magnetized by contact with the electromagnet 36. The chain is attracted to the grapple 95 and pushed under the ship 103 by manipulating the chamber. The grapple is then de-magnetized and drawn back, leaving the chain beneath the ship. The chamber is then movec. to the other side of the ship, and the grapple mag. netized and pushed beneath the keel to pick up the end of the chain, which is then drawn through and lifted to the surface.