US387324A - Storms at sea - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

0. H. STEBBINS.

METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING 0 IL DURING STORMS'AT SEA. No. 387,324.

Patented Aug. 7, 1888.

N. PErERS. Phomlimn n her. Washington, D (L llnrra ATENT tries.

CHARLES H. S'IEBBINS, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,324, dated August 7, 1888.

Application filed January 6, 1888. Serial No. 259.974.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. STEBBINs, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and-State of New York, have invented new and useful improvements in Methods of Distributing Oil During Storms at Sea, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to methods of using oil to lessen the dangerous effects of heavy seas during gales of wind. It is well known that the violence of the waves is greatly diminished and an area of comparatively smooth water secured around the vessel by the use of oil,which spreads upon the surface and breaks the force of the waves. It is also well known that in scudding or when running in a direction different from that of the wind and waves great difficulty has been experienced in so scattering or distributing the oil as to enableit to spread properly over the surface around the ship, as the latter will have left the spot before the desired result is accomplished. So, also, when lying to,the oil-containing bags have been suspended by lanyards from the weather-bow and mizzeuchains with. sufficiently long lines to allow them to tend to windward for a proper distance, according to the shift of the ship, and in crossing bars on a flood-tide oil has been put overboard and allowed to float in advance while an oil-bag is towed astern. In crossing a bar upon an ebb-tide no advantage has yet been obtained from the use of oil, as the tide carries it from the bar before the vessel can pass. In riding at anchor the oil-bag has been secured to an endless line rove through a block at the sea-anchor to spread the oil Well ahead of the boat. Moreover, great waste of oil occurs in using bags and oakum, and the time required for the oil to spread over a sufficient area is frequently a factor of the last importance in savinga vessel from having her decks swept byheavy seas. It is my purpose,therefore, to provide a simple method of distributing or scattering oil in any suitable quantities over any necessary area to any required distance and in any direction from the vessel, the invention consisting in the novel mode of procedure hereinafter fully set forth,and definitely pointed out in the claims.

(No model.)

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown one form of apparatus for the practice of my invention, Figure 1 is an elevational view, and Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing a slight modification of the device. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the deck of an oceansteamer.

In the said drawings,the reference-numeral 1 designates the deck of the vessel, having a pump, 2, of the class ordinarily used for washing down the decks. This pump may, however, be of any known form, provided it be capable of projecting a stream to a distance, and is provided with a discharge capable of being turned in various directions. The supplypipe 3 leads from the pump-cylinder to the sea, or to any water-supply, and t-hepump, though frequently operated by steam, may be worked by hand.

Situated in convenient proximity to the pump-cylinder is an oil-reservoir, 4., having a pipe, 5, which may enter either the supplypipe 3 or the bottom of the pump-cylinder. This pipe 5 is supplied with a shutoff, 6, whereby the oil may be either wholly shut olf or the volume of the current passing through the pipe modified as required. The oil-vessel may also be so placed as to utilize the gravity of the oil in passing to the pump, as seen in Fig. 1, or it may be so located as to depend upon the suction of the pump. lVhen in use, the cock 6 is so arranged as to admit a given quantity of oil at each stroke of the pump piston. This oil mingles with the water which is drawnin at the same time, andis also ejected with the same at each stroke. The pump is provided with a nozzle, 7, flexibly connected thereto, whereby the escaping stream may be thrown in any direction. The water ejected instantly finds its level,'and this result may be promoted by scattering the stream over the surface throughout the necessary area. The oil carried with the water is thus spread over the surface with great rapidity and at a dis tance from the ship, the direction being such as may be required by the circumstances of each case.

It will be seen that the gist of my invention consists in the employment of the water as a vehicle for the oil, the larger body of the former being capable under a proper force of being thrown to a great distance, whereas the same result could not be accomplished with the small quantity of the latter carried by each stroke of the piston.

A double nozzle may, if desired, be connected to the pump to throw the water and oil out upon each bow, as shown in Fig. 3. This connection may be so arranged that when made it is only necessary to let the pump operate while the crew seek shelter or take to the rigging, the double nozzle having a rigid support,whereby the divided stream is thrown in the necessary direction.

What I claim is- 1. The method set forth of distributing oil upon the surface of the ocean in storms. said method consisting in introducing said oil into the cylinder of a pump and projecting it, to-

gether with the water driven by the pump, 20

suitable source and forcing it through a flexi- 25 bly-connected nozzle, oil being admitted in fixed quantities to the pump-cylinder at each stroke, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. H. STEBBINS. Witnesses:

JAMES L. NORRIs. J. A. RUTHERFORD.

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