m*- w - Clpdigital.org

SCIENCE, MECHANICS, INVENTION 869
\E3X ,:< ..'i
No Water Can Enter This Ventilated Life Boat
A novel life boat of the enclosed type with several entirely
new features has just been invented by a man in
Hampton, Virginia. The boat was approved recently by
the inspectors of the Department of Commerce.
Oneof the main features is a water-proof air valve which
operates in such a manner that while ventilation is constant,
no water can enter. This valve is made of a rubber
ball supported on small pins inside a cast iron ball, with
pipes opening from both ends. One end opens to the outside
air and the other inside the boat. The air travels
around the ball and thus enters the boat, but water floats
the ball and closes the opening. Another clever device is
a water-tight oar lock, which is closed to the sea by a canvas
sleeve attached around the oar and slipped over an
oval collar which surrounds the lock opening.
The passengers enter through manholes, which are then
closed and locked. In case there should be difficulty in
freeing the boat from the davits or cradles, all restraining
ropes and cables can be freed from the interior of the boat
by simply pulling a lever.