GB236291A - Improvements in and relating to floating docks - Google Patents

Abstract

236,291. Hitzemann, R., and M³ller, M. April 4, 1924. Hulls.-A mobile floating dock also adapted for use in raising sunken ships &c. comprises two lateral pontoons connected by two or more intermediate pontoons, onlv the front or rear intermediate ponton being permanently connected to the lateral pontoons, the remaining pontoons being removable to enable sunken ships to be raised. The lateral pontoons 1, 2, Fig. 1, are connected in front to a removable middle pontoon 3 by means of detachable pontoon members 7, 8, of less draught than the pontoons 1, 2, 3. The pontoons 1, 2 are connected at the stem by means of a member 6 of less draught than the lateral pontoons. Removable pontoons 4, 5 are located between the pontoons 1, 2 and connected thereto bv removable intermediate members 9, 10. The pontoons 1, 2 are bow-shaped in front and sternshaped at the rear and are provided with steering gear and propellers, and the front of the pontoon 3 is also bow-shaped. For use when the pontoons 4, 5 are removed to raise a sunken ship &c., a U-shaped pontoon 11, Fig. 4, is provided which supports a crane structure 12 carrying lifting gear 13 and can be placed over the free space m the middle of the dock. The raised ship is lowered on to a pontoon 14 and removed thereon from the dock. In overhauling, the dock is trimmed laterally to bring the side compartments out of the water and longitudinally to enable the bottom of the pontoon 3 to be reached. The pontoons 4, 5 may be separately docked upon the floating dock.