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Patch's Propeller From Scientific American, Volume 4, Issue 5: p. 33. October 10, 1848 This is is a new propeller invented by Mr. John Patch, a very ingenious mechanic of Boston, which he calls the "Double Action Propeller," and which was tried on a small boat in Boston, with only one propeller of three fans made of thin metal and a chronometer spring for a motive power, and was very successful—some good practical men expressing themselves highly pleased with its action and simplicity. Its novelty consists in applying the propeller on a horizontal shaft, one propeller on each side as represented in the engraving. A A, is the shaft connected with the driving power and made to work in a proper suspension bearing D. B B and C C, are angular fans made of metal and joined together at the parts where they meet on the shaft, being bolted to the same. Each fan is bent in an elliptical form, and when two fans meet their relative position to the shaft is at an angle of about 30 degrees. Owing to this shape of the fans and their position to the shaft, they act upon the water when the shaft is turned to propel a vessel as has been proven, with a great propelling tendency. Every person will at once see by the above engraving, that it is different from other propellers that have been used and that it is exceedingly simple. It is intended to act as a fin as used by some of the monsters of the deep, in propelling a vessel on the sculling principle, and combining something of the screw at the same time. Each fan has thus an independent propelling action in the water and it is so formed as to cut the water which resists the motion of the vessel—therefore its action in the water is very smooth, and it merits the attentions of naval men. The two fans as united at the top, keep one another from springing and from its simplicity it is not apt to get out of order. The inventor would like if some of our enterprising ship owners would try one on a large scale and he would be perfectly willing to superintend its erection, at a fair mechanic's wages—a very small consideration indeed. This is a propeller which we would like to see tried. Those who have seen it operate, consider it very much superior to Erricson's, and while a dolphin can distance a steamboat, we must not consider ourselves at the ultima of steam boat speed. Measures have been taken to secure a patent. Letters relative to the invention may be directed to Mr. B. B. Redding, Boston, Mass., from whom any further particulars may be obtained. • highlight all quotes your browser does not support highlighting • back to index