GB175046A - Improvements in or relating to the raising of sunken vessels and other submerged bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

175,046. Vickers, Ltd., and Thurston, Sir T. G. O. Nov. 6, 1920. Sunken ships, raising.-A submersible pontoon for raising sunken ships and other objects comprises a cylindrical air bag A, Fig. 4, with a dome-shaped upper end a over which is disposed a network a<1> of wire ropes to which lifting-cables a<2> are attached, and an open-bottomed steel casing B, Figs. 6 and 7, constructed in sectional lengths b'. The lower part of the bag A is divided into two parts a<3>, a<3>, Fig. 4, and the lower end which projects from the casing B is surrounded by a rope-net a<5>. Reef-points are provided so that the bag may be shortened to fit a shorter casing. Apertures a<6> are provided for the admission or discharge of water, and pipes a', a<8>, Fig. 6, for the admission and escape respectively of air. An exterior buoyancy chamber C is provided, and an interior buoyancy chamber is located between the top of the air bag and the interior of the casing. The lower part of the casing B is inwardly tapered and slightly flared outwardly round the lower edge. Exterior lifting- cables E, Fig. 6, are attached to flat wire strips e which bear on a wooden fender e<2> secured to the dome of the casing B. The exterior cables E and the interior cables a<2> pass respectively through exterior and interior cleats e<5> and e<4> forming part of a bracket e<6> and are connected together at their ends to form loops adapted to engage eye-plates F attached to the wreck. A fender H and guard-booms I are disposed as shown in Fig. 10, and an internal strut hand bracing- rods i, i, Fig. 7, connect the guard-booms and lie between the two parts of the air-bag. Fig. 11 shows a shorter form of pontoon in which the exterior buoyancy-chamber and the guard-booms are omitted.