US1037519A - Submarine or submergible boat. - Google Patents

Description

E. L. PEACOGK. SUBMARINB 0R SUBMEEGIBLE BOAT.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 17, 1911. 1,037,519, Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

SHEET 1.

6 SHEETS- APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912,

Suva atop witnesses L. PEAOOGK. SUBMARINE OR SUBMERGIBLE BOAT.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 17, 1911.

Patented Sept. 3,1912

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w 3141.10" lov wituzooeo E. L. PEACOUK.

SUBMARINE 0R SUBMERGIBLE BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1911.

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E L. PEAOOOK.

SUBMARINB OR SUBMBRGIBLE BOAT.

urmoumn FILED JULY 17. 1911. 1,037,5 1 9, Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

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EDWARD LASIUS IPEACOCK, or imi'nenronr, CONNECTICUT, AssIGNoR 1'0 THE LAKE .TORPEDO BOAT COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPO RT,

NEW JERSEY.

CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF snBMARinE on 'SUBMERGIBLE Boar.

Specification of Letters Patent;v Patented Sept, 3, 1912.

' Application filed July 17, 1911. Serial No. 638,884.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD LAsiUs PEA; COCK, a subject of the King of Great Britain, at present residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecti- Tut; haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Submarine or-Submergible Boats, of which the following is a specification. i

The object of the invention is to construct a submarine or submergible torpedo boat whereby a greater number. of torpedoes and torpedo expulsion tubes may be carried .within the hull than has heretofore been possible in this class of vessels:

.In attaining this object I provide an end,

usually the bow, of the boat with eight, more or less, torpedo tubes, and a rotary sleeve, in the nature of a casing or cover for the outboard ends of the tubes and their covers that shall preserve the true linesof the hull and avoid all speed resisting surfaces or projections, said sleeve being revolubly mounted, upon the hull and provided with one or more torpedo exits which are protected or housed when the boat is operating under normal conditions, thereby providing a smooth even hull surface which is essential in attaining high speeds both upon and be low the surface of the water.. This sleeve -is rotatable so as to provide for adjustment of its exits into alinement with the torpedo .tubes when the torpedoes are to be discharged, the said sleeve being also con structed so' that the outboard covers for the torpedo tubes may be separately or collectively opened to permit ready expulsion of the torpedoes and also the admission of water to the tubes to' compensate for the weight-of the expelled torpedoes and thus avoid any tendency to disturb the buoyancy or the center of gravity of the boat when the tor edoes are launched.

' he invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination andarrangementof parts, as hereinafter-fully described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, in the severalfigures of Whicli' like parts are similarly designated,

Figure 1 is a side elevation'of the forward end of a submarine or submergible' torpedo boat embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a front'vie'w, and Fig. 3. is aplan View of the same. F A is aidiagrammatic side elevation of the boat on a greatly reducedv scale illustrating my improvement arranged at both ends of the hull. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the forward end of the boat, the central portions-of the torpedo tubes and the shafts for operating the out-.

board covers for the tubes being broken away and their after ends moved forwardly.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section drawn on the line 66 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a transverse section drawn on the line T7 of'Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a transverse section drawn on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5, the inboard coversof the fourlower torpedo tubes being shown in open position. Fig. 9 is ahorizontal section drawn on .a larger scale on the line 9f.-.9 of Fig.8 illustrating the locking mechanism Fig. 10 is a vertical. transverse section drawn on the line 1-0 10- of the firing levers.

of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail section drawn through one of thelocking pin cylinders illustrating-one of the locking pins for holding the revoluble sleeve carried by't-he hull ofthe boat in its adjusted. position and which pins automatically arrest the move-' so .ment of said sleeve at any particular tube.

Fig..12 is a perspectiveview of tlieouter I end of one of the pin supporting wcylinders,

illustrating the cams carried .by. said cylinders for holding the locking pins iii-1nactive position- Fig.' 13 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the forward-end of the hull of the boat. Fig. 14 is asectional side elevation of the revoluble sleeve carried by the hull; .Fig. 15 is an end view of the inner end of the sleeve.

1 designates the hull of a submarine or subiiiergible torpedo .boatwhich is constructed of aserics of circular ribs or frames 2 throughout its amidships section over which is arranged the skin or shell plating 3, said ribs or frames being of gradually drical section 5 of the hull of gsmallei diameter than the tapering endsection of thehull and whose axial center is'arranged in horizontal alinement with the center of the frame plate 4 thereby forming an annular shoulder of even width around the entire hullof the boat. Tothe forward end of the cylindrical section 5 is connected a hollow substantially conoidal casting 6"which forms the end or nose of the boat. WVithin the nose portion 6 isarrangedj a strengthening bulk-head 7. V The cylindrical section of the hull is strengthened by suitable ribs or frames 8 and by bulk-heads 9, the latter dividing the space in said section into seve'fil compartments 5 which may be utilized as storage compartments for fuel or water or, if desired, as comprssed air-supply tanks. The inner bulk-head 9 is provided with a manhole 10 that is .controlled by a cover 11 whereby access maybe had to the inner compartment 5. for the purpose as will hereinafter appear.

' i i Arranged within I the" hull and upon either side thereof, are serie's'of stationary torpedo expulsion tubes 12 whose forward ends extend through openings formed injghe; frame plate it and held water-tight therein by suitablefianged rings 13 which are sci cured-to said tubes and to said frame plate. The outer ends of said torpedo-tubes are controlled by outboard caps 14 which are carried by levers 15 that extend from the outer ends of short shafts 16 which are j ournaled in cylindrical bearings 17 that extend radially through the cylindrical section 5 of the hull adjacent to the frame plate 4:- The outer ends of the bearings 17 are fitted with packing glands to prevent leakage around the shafts. The inner ends of the shafts 16 are provided with segmental worm wheels 16' which are meshed by worms 18 carried at the forward ends ofoperating shafts 18 which are journaled at their outer or forward ends in suitable bearings 19 and at their inner ends in bearings 20 extending from base plates which are secured to the inner ends of the torpedo expulsion tubes 12. The inner ends of the shaftsare provided with crank handles 21, or if desired with hand wheels, by which the shafts'are revolved. It will be evident that by revolving the shafts 18 in one direction motion will be imparted to the shafts 16 to adjust the caps 14 to open the outboard ends of "the tubes 12 and when revolved in the opposite direction the caps will be moved to close the said tubes. Theinner ends of the tubes are closed by the usual form of caps shown diagrammatically in Figs. 5-and 8 and designated by the reference numeral 22.

Upon the cylindrical section 5 of the hullv is revolubly mounted a hollow sleeve 23' which provides a fair-water cover or shield for the outer ends of the torpedo tubes 12 formed in the hull by the reduced cylindrical section 5 thereby preserving the even tapering form of the hull from the end of the hull plating to the nose of the boat.

The sleeve 23 is of truncated conoidal profile; it has an inner cylindrical member 24 by which it is revolubly mounted upon the cylindrical section 5 of the hull 1, and an outerlmember 25'wl'iich is of gradually lncr'easing diameter from its forward end toward its rear end-and of a shape to conform to the contour of the tapering end 6 'of the hull 1. The outer member 25 is securely connected at its forward end to the forward end of the cylindrical member 26% and its inner or after end is extended be yond the after end of the said member 24 and is connected to said after end of the member 2 by a circular plate 26 thus providing an annular space 27 betweenthe inner end of the member 25 and the inner end of the cylindrical'hull section 5 into which the outboard caps of the torpedo tubes open when said caps are adjusted to uncover the ends of said tubes. The outer member 25 of the sleeve is provided with a lo gitudinal opening 28 to the edges of w ich are connected the edges of a curved plate 29 which extends fromthe plate 26 to the forward end. of the sleeve providing an 9 exit 29 that is adapted to be adjusted into alinementnvith the torpedo tubes to permit the free passagenor escape of the torpedoes when expelled froni said tubes. As shown the plate 26 is cut to-fit the shape of the inner,end of the plate 29, and 'said plates are connected in any suitable manner.

Adjacent to its inner end the cylindrical member 2 lis formed vith an annular rack section 30 which is meshed by a pinion 31 carried at the outer end of a shaft 31 which is journaled in the hull 1. The pinion 31 extends through an opening or slot formed in the cylindrical hull portion 5 and is incased in a suitable housing 82 that is connected airand water-tight to the said section 5 and to the forward side of the inner bulk-head 9 which prevents ingress of water to the hull of the boat. The shaft 31 extends through the bulkhead 9 and through a stufling box surrounding the shaft and has its inner end journaled in a bearing 33 mounted within the main hull 1, the extreme inner end of the shaft being .pnouided with ah'and wheel 34 by which the shaft is 2 revolved to rotate the sleeve 23 so to bring the exit 29 into alinement with any one of the torpedo tubes.

In order to indicate to the occupants of the boat the position of the exit 29 and to insure its perfect alinement with the torpedo tubes I provide the following mechanism: Mounted upon the inner end of the shaft 31 in advance of the hand wheel 34,

andtheir caps or covers 14 and which also (35 serves to fill in the space or depression is a pinion 35 of the same diameter as the the shafts 18, as shown most clearly in Figs;

8, 9, and 10. The ring 37 is formed with a socket 38 which is adapted to receive spring actuated locking pins 39 carried by and operating through short cylinders 40 which are supported at the outer ends of' short arms 41 extending from thebase, plates of the bearings 20. By this arrangement as the sleev'e23 is rotated the ring 37 will be correspondingly rotated and the moment the exit 29 of the sleeve 'is brought into register with the torpedo tube from which the torpedo is to be expelled, the locking pin 39 co-acting with the tube will be forced into the socket 38 and thus hold the sleeve against further movement. In order to hold the pins from engagement with the ring 37 so that the exit 29 of the sleeve may be moved'past anyone or more of the'torpedo tubes or be completely rotated I form the outer endsof the cylinders 0 with cam surfaces 41 which are engaged by detents 42 carriedby the locking pins 39 so that by revolving the locking pins the detents will ride up on the cam surfaces and be .drawn' away from the ring against the tension of their springs thereby permitting the free movement of the sleeve as will be readily understood by reference to Figs/ll and '12.

The apex of eachcam surface is formed with a locking notch 42 into which the detents lit. to hold the pins against accidental displacement when they have been adjusted to their inactive positions. It will be under stood that when any one of the pins 391s revolved so that its detent will lie at the base of the cam surface its spring will force it into engagement with the ring 37 and into.

the socket '38 the moment the latter is brought into register with the pin when the sleeve 23 and the ring I)? are rotated.

' Air is supplied to the torpedo expulsion tubes for expelling the torpedoes through pipes 43 which extend from suitable high pressure air-tanks (not shown) and are connected to controlling valves ltwhich in turn are connected to the torpedo tubes adjacent to their inner ends. The valves are operatedby firing. levers 45 which extend from. said valves toward the center of the ring 37'. To prevent the accidental operation of any one of the firing levers ll-T) and to permit the operation only of the levercontrollingthe admission of air to the tube with which the exit of the revoluble sleeve is alined, I provide each lever *5 with a segmental locking plate $6 each having a notch 49 in which the peripheralcedge of the ring fits and in order to permit the levers being operated when he exit 29 is in the proper rioting under normal conditions position I provide the peripheral edge of the ring 37 with a notch 50 which is'designed io be brought into register with the lever to be operated when the movement of the sleeve 23 and the ring 37 are arrested. 7

' 51 designates the superstructure of the boat which extends to the extreme end or nose of the hull and is connected at its lower side edges to the skin or plating of the bull in the usual manner and at its forward end to the nose casting G and to a skeleton frame 52 that is also connected to said nose casting and to the forward end of the keel 53 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. The lower edges of the sides of the superstructure that extend over the revoluble sleeve 23 are coir nected by an arcuate plate 5-1 whose forward the skin or plating 3 the keel is slightly re;

. cessed upon its uppcrside to permit of the free movement of the sleeve 20 when it is revolved. The sleeve 23 is held upon the cylindrical section of the hull by a ring 23 of substantially wedge-shape in cross-sew tion which also serves the purpose of fairing up the abutment at the forward end of the sleeve.

By extending the superstructure to the extreme forward end of the boat I provide a housingfor the exit 29 when the boat is opwhich avoids all speed re sisting recesses or obstructions and leaves the hull perfectly smooth and as the outer surface. of the sleeve is of the same contour as the hull section 1 it will be observed that an unbroken surface is providedthroughout the length of the boat which tends to lessen the spred resistance to the boat when operating both upon the surface and submerged.

When the boat is engaged in hostile pursuits, and it is desired to expel one or more of-.its torpedoes from either side of the boat, the outboard cover or cap of the tube from which the torpedo is to be expelled is first opened, or if desired all of the outboard caps may be opened in the event of more than one torpedo being expelled; the locking pin of the tube to be tired is then released to arrest the movement of and lock the sleeve in position the moment the exit '29 of said sleeve is brought into alinenient with the particular tube. The sleeve is then rotated by revolving the shaft 31 to adjust the exit 'struction posite the firing lever of the tube to be fired. The lever is then free to be operated the moment. thecominand is given. It

desired to fire a second torpedo, the locking pin of the tube to be fired is first set,

the lever that has been operated returned to its position and the sleeve then rotated fas before described.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I not only provide an exceedingly simple congreater numberof torpedoes and torpedo expulsion tubes may be carried in the hull of submarine or subm-ergible torpedo boats than has been possible heretofore, but also a' construction that provides a perfectly smooth hull surface when the boat is operating under normal conditions, a construction whereby all of the outboard caps of the torpedo tubes may' be open at the same time which permits of the more rapid expulsion of the torpedoes, and a construction whereby.

the firing levers are locked against accidental operation.

If desired the rotatable sleeve 23 may be constructed with twoexits 29 which may be arranged at diametrically opposite points so that they may be completely housed except when the sleeve is adjusted to permit the expulsion of the torpedoes. In such construction one exit would be housed under the superstructure and the. other exit in the keel as shown in dotted lines at 60 in Figs. 6 and 7.

In practice the space between the inner and outer members of the sleeve 23 will be filled with a light weight cement such as paratlin or paraffin and cork, or with a resilient material which avoids the necessity of bracing thcouter member by ribs or frames thereby producing a lightweight construction and also one that will take up the shock and avoid injury to the circular section 5 of the bull in the event of a headon collision with an object.

I desire it understood that I do not limit myself to the minor details of construction as shown in the drawings as slight changes therein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. I further desire itunderstood that I do not limit myself to the shape of the cylindrical section 5 of the hull as this section may be i'nade of varying diameters, that is to say, of gradand arrangement whereby a ually tapering diameter from its inner toward its outer end in order to give greater clearance for the torpedoes as they are expelled from the tubes.

hat I claim is I 1. The combination with a submarine or submergible boat having torpedo expulsion tubes, of a rotatable sleeve'mounted on and surrounding a portion of said hull and providing a fairwater for the outer ends of said tubes and having an exit for the torpedoes, and means for rotating said sleeve to expose the outboard ends of said tubes for the discharge of the torpedoes.

2. The. combination with a submarine or submergible torpedo boat having torpedo expulsion tubes extending through the hull thereof, of a sleeve rotatably mounted on the hull between the ends of the boat providing aifairwater for theoutboard ends of said tubes and having an exit that is adapted for alinement with said tubes, and means for rotating said sleeve, for the purpose specified.

3.-The combination with a submarine or submerg'ible iboa-t having a torpedo expulsion tube or tubes and caps for closing the outboard end or ends of said tube or tubes, of a sleeve rotatably mounted on the hull of the boat providing a fairwater for the outboard end or ends of said tube or tubes and its or their cap or caps, said sleeve having an exit that is adapted to be alined with said tube or tubes, and means for rotating said sleeve.

siibmergible boat, of torpedo, expulsion tubes extending through the hull of the boat, caps for closing the outboard ends of said tubes, means'operable from within the hull for opening and closing said "caps, a rotatable sleeve mounted on said hull providing a fairwater shield for said outboard ends of said tubes and said caps and "having an exit for the torpedoes, and means for rotating said sleeve to expose said outboard ends of said tubes for the discharge of the torpedoes.

5. The combinat on with a submarine or submergi'ble boat having torpedo tubes extending through the hull thereof, caps for closing the outboard ends ,of said tubes, and mechanism operable from within the boat for opening and closing, the said caps, of a sleeve rotatably mounted on and. surrounding a portion of said hull providing a fairwater for the outboard ends ofsaid tubes and their caps, said sleeve having a longitudinally arranged torpedo exit, and means operable from within the boat for rotating said sleeve to move said exit; to alinement with said tubes.

6. The combination with a submarine or submergible boat having a plurality of torpedo expulsion tubes arrai'iged within and 100 at. The comblnatlon with a submarine or opening through the hull of the boat, caps for closing the outboard ends-of said tubes, 7 and mechanism operable from Within the boat for opening and closing said caps, of a sleeve rotatably mounted on said hull'providing a far water for the outboard ends of said tubes and their caps, said sleeve having a longitudinally arranged exit adapted to be alined with the tubes, mechanism operatively connected to said sleeve for rotating said sleeve, for the purpose specified, and

mechanism operatively connected to said rotating mechamsm for locking sald sleeve against rotation.

'7. The comblnation wlth'a submarine or submergibleboat having a superstructure, of

- torpedo expulsion tubes carried within. and

opening through the hullgof the boat, caps for closing the outboard ends of said tubes,

means for opening and closing said caps, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said hull providing a fairwater for said tubes and their caps, said sleeve having a longitudinal exit which is adapted to lie under the said superstructure when the boat is operating under normal conditions, and mechanism operable with the torpedo tubes when the said sleeve isrotated, and means for rotating said sleeve.

1 9.'The combination with a submarine or submergible boat having a plurality of torpedo expulsion tubes and caps for, closing the outboard ends thereof, of a sleeve to- .tatably mounted on the hull of the boat providing a fairwater for the outboard ends of said tubes and their caps, said sleeve having an'exit that is adapted to aline with saidtubes when said sleeve is rotated, means for rotating said sleeve, and means co-actmg with said sleeve to indicate the position of said exit. y

10. A submarine or submergible'boat having a reduced hull section providing a shoulder, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in said hull and opening through said shoulder, caps for closing the outboard ends of said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said hull providing a fairwater for said 'tubes and their caps, said sleeve having a torpedo exit and means for rotating said sleeve to adjust its exit into, alinement with i said torpedo tubes.

11. A submarine or submergibl boat having a shoulder formed on the hull between the ends thereof, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in said hull extending through said shoulder, a sleeve rotatably mounted on and surrounding aportion of said hull providing a fairWater for said shoulder and said torpedo tubes and having an exit that is adapted to register with said tubes when said sleeve is rotated.

12. A submarine or submergible boat having a shoulder formed on the hull thereof, a plurality of torpedo expulsion tubes fixedly arranged in said hull and opening through said shoulder, caps for closing the outboard ends of said tubes, a sleeve rotat'ably mounted on said hull providing a fair tube caps, said sleeve having a torpedo exit to register with said torpedo tubes when the torpedoes are tobe expelled, means -for rotating said sleeve, means for locking said sleeve, and means for indicating the position of said exit.

'13. A submarine or submergible boat having a plurality of torpedo expulsion tubes opening through the hull thereof adjacent to one end, caps for closing the outboard -water for said shoulder and said torpedo ends of said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mount- 'ed on said'hull and covering the'cidischarge endsof said tubes and thelr caps, and having an exit for the: discharge of the torpedoes, and mechanism-for rotating saidsleeve to adjust its e'xit into alinement with the discharge ends of said tubes.

14:. A submarine or submergible boat. having a plurality of torpedo expulsion tubes arranged within and-extending through the hull thereof, said tubes opening through the hull adjacentto one end thereof, caps for closing the discharge ends of said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said hull providing a fairwater for the outer ends of said tubes and their caps, said sleeve hav-. ing a normally protected torpedo exit that is adapted to be alined with said torpedo means for rotating said sleeve.

15. A submarine or submergible boat-having a superstructure arranged thereon, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged within and opening through the hull of "the boat adj acent to one end thereof, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the hull providing a fa'irwater for the discharge ends of said tubes, said sleeve having a torpedo exit that is normally covered bysaid superstructure, and means for rotating said sleeve to aline the said exit with said torpedo tubes, for the purpose specified.

16. A submarine or submergible boat having a reduced hull section, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in said hull and open- .ing over the said reduced section, caps for" tubes when the said sleeve is rotated, and

over the reduced section thereoi, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the said reduced secinto alinement withsaid torpedo tubes.

17. A submarine or submergible boat having one end of its hull reduced to provide an annular shoulder on said hull, torpedo expulsion tubes opening through said shoulder, a sleeve rotatably mountedon said reduced section of the hull providing a fairwater for said shoulder and said torpedo tubes, said sleeve having a torpedo exit that is adapted for alinement with said torpedo tubes, and means for rotating said sleeve to expose the discharge ends of said tubes.

18.' A submarine or submergi-ble boat having one end of its hull terminating in a cylindrical section of less diameter than the amidships section thereof providing an annular shoulder on said hull, torpedo expulsiontubes arranged in said hull and openingthrough said Shoulder, caps for closing the discharge ends of said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the said cylindrical hull section providing a fairwater for said shoulder and said torpedo tube caps and having a torpedo exit, and means for rotating said sleeve to expose the discharge ends of said tubes.

19. A submarine or submergible boat having one end of its hull terminating in a cylindrical section of less diameter than the amidships section of the hull providing an annular shoulder on said hull, torpedo extubes, for the purpose specified.

20. A submarine or submergible boat, having one end of its hull terminating in a cylindrical section otsmaller diameter than the amidships section of the hull providing an annular shoulder on,said. hull, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in said hull and opening through said shoulder, caps for closing the outboard ends of said torpedo tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said cylindrical section and having a torpedo exit, said sleeve comprising a hub member and an outer member of gradually increasing diameter from the forward end of said sleeve to the after end and of greater length than'usaid hub member thereby providing,- with said shoulder, an annular space at the I after end of saidsleeve into which said torpedo tube caps open, and means for rotating said sleeve to adjust its exit into alinement with said torpedo tubes.

21: A submarine or submergible boat, having a superstructure arranged thereon, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in and opening through the'hull of the boat, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said hull providing a cover for the outboard ends of said torpedo tubes, said sleeve having a torpedo exit which is normally positioned under said superstructure, and means for rotating said sleeve to adjust its exit int-o alinement with said, torpedo tubes when the torpedoes are to be expelled.

22. A submarine or suomergible boat, having its hull provided with areduced section adjacent to one end providing an annular shoulder on said hull, a-plurality of torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in said hull and opening through said shoulder, caps for closing the outboard ends of said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said reduced section and having a profile conforming to the lines of the hull and whose after end. is located immediately adjacent to the outer edge of said shoulder to provide an annular space at said after end into which said torpedo tube caps open and also having a torpedo exit, and means for rotating said sleeve to adjust said exit into aline ment with its torpedo tubes.

23. A submarine or submergible ooat, having one end of its hull terminating in a cylindrical section of smaller diameter than the amidships section thereof providing an annular shoulder on said hull, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in said hull and opening through said shoulder, caps for the outboard ends of said tubes, firing levers for said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said reduced section of the hull providing a fairwater for the outboard ends of said tubes and their caps, a torpedo exitformed in said sleeve, a rack section on-said sleeve, a shaft journaled in the hull of the boat having a'pinio'n engaging said; rack section for rotating-said sleeve to adjust said exit into alinement with said tor pedo tubes, mechanism operatively connected to said shaft .for locking the. said firing levers against accidental operation, mechanism for arresting the rotation of said sleeve whereby said exit may be positively held in alinement with said tubes, and mechanism for operating said caps to open and close thecoutboard ends of said tubes.

24. A submarine or submergible boa-t, having a reduced section formed on its hull providing an annular shoulder on said hull, torpedo launching tubes arranged in said hull and opening through said shoulder, caps for the outboard ends of said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the reduced section of the hull providing a fairwater for the outboard ends of said tubes and their caps, a torpedo exit formed in said sleeve, mechanism operable from within the boat for rotating said sleeve to adjustsaid exit into alinement with said tubes, mechanism i said tubes, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the hull thereof providing with said hull an annular space into which the said caps open, said sleeve having a torpedo exit that is designed to register with said tubes when torpedoes are to be expelled from said tubes, mechanism for rotating said sleeve to aline its exit with said tubes,'mechanism operated by said rotating mechanism for indicating the location of said exit with respect to the said tubes, and mechanism for operating said caps to open and close the-outboard ends of said tubes.

26. In a submarine or submergible boat, a hull having'an annular shoulder thereon, torpedo expulsion tubes arranged in' the hull and opening through said shoulder, a superstructure arranged upon the hull and extending over said shoulder, a sleeve ro tatably mounted on the hull providing .a fairwater for said shoulder and the out-- board ends of said tubes and having a torpedo exit therein which is normally protected by said superstructure, and mechanism operable from within' the hull for rotating said sleeve to aline 'its exit with said torpedo tubes when torpedoes are to be expelled from or inserted in said tubes. 27. A. hull for submarine or submergible torpedo boats, having one end terminating in a substantially cylindrical section of' smaller diameter than the .amidships sec tion of the hull providing an annular shoulder through which the outboard ends of the torpedo tubes extend, and a sleeve rotat'ably mounted on said substantially cylindrical section the profile of which conforms to the lines of the hull, to provide a fairwater for said shoulder and said outboard ends of the torpedo tubes, said sleeve.

having a recess adapted to be registered with said torpedo tubes.

28. The combination in a submarine or submergible boat, of torpedo expulsion tubes, caps for closing the outboard ends of said tubes, a rotatable sleeve mounted on and surrounding a portion of the hull and providing a 'fairwater shield for the out-- board ends of said tubes and their caps and having a torpedo exit, said caps opening within said shield when the torpedoes are tobe expelled from said tubes, and means board end of any one of said tubes.

29. The combination in a submarine or submer ible boat, of torpedo expulsion tubes,-dips for closing the outboard ends of said tubes, a rotatable sleeve mounted on and surrounding a portion of the hull of the boat and providing a fairwater shield for the outboard ends of said tubes and their caps into whichsaid caps open, and having a torpedo exit, means for opening and closing said caps, andmeans for rotating said sleeve to bring its exit opposite a torpedo tube that is to be discharged $30. The combination with a submarine or submergible boat, having torpedo expulsion tubes extending through the hull thereof,

and caps for closingthe outboard ends/of said tubes, ofa sleeve rotatably niopnted on and surrounding a portion of said hull and providing a fairwater shield for the --outboard ends of said tubes and their caps and having a torpedo exit, and means for rotating said sleeve to cause its exit to aline with said tubes successively when the torpedoes are to be expelled.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of July, A. D. 1911.

Witnesses:

J. A. ScHorrnLD, M. .D. BLONDEL,

Washington, D. O.

for revolving said sleeve to expose the out- Copies ofthis patent may be obtained for five cents eaclnby addressing the Gommissioner of Patents.

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