US Patent: 2,081X
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Armor Clad
Ball Proof Vessel Propelled by Steam Applied Under Water
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Patentee:
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| Thomas Gregg (exact or similar names) - Connell's Ville, Fayette County, PA |
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Patent Dates:
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| Granted: |
Mar. 19, 1814 |
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Patent Pictures:
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Joel Havens
Wikipedia entry for the U. S. S. Merrimack
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Description: |
| Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. Only the patent drawing is available. This patent is in the database for reference only.
This patent was the prototype for the U. S. S. Merrimack.
THOMAS GREGG'S LETTERS PATENT.
The following are the Letters Patent, containing a description, in the words of the said Thomas Gregg himself, of his ball-proof vessel, propelled by steam power applied under her and in her concave stern : The boat is framed on an angle of about eighteen degrees all around the vessel, when the top timbers elevate the balls, and the lower ones direct them under her. The top deck, which glances the balls, may be hung on a mass of hinges near the ports. Said deck is supported by knees and cross timbers on the lower side, so that it may be sprung with powder, if required, when boarded by the enemy, to a perpendicular, where said decks will be checked by stays, while the power of the powder will be exhausted in the open air, and then fall on springs to the center of the deck again. (See Fig. 2 cross section.) The aforesaid deck will run up and down with the angle which may be coppered or laid with iron. The gun deck maybe boarded at pleasure, to give room, if required, as the men and guns are under said deck. The power is applied between her keels, where there is a concave formed to receive them, from the bow to the stern, except a small distance in each end forming an eddy.
The power may be reversed to propel her either way; said power is connected to upright levers to make horizontal strokes alternately. The elevation of her timbers .and gearing will be proportioned by her keel and tonnage.
Scientific American, V6 (New Series), 31 May, 1862, pg. 352
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