KEPORTS 



Of Special Committees of the American Institute. 



On Cajii. G. W. Taylor^ s Marine Camels, for lightening vessels over 

 bars, and off shore, when aground. 



This invention consists of a series of cylindrical India rubber ca- 

 mels, five feet in length, and six in diameter. These camels are 

 composed of Goodyear's metallic gum elastic, or vulcanized India 

 rubber. This article is not affected by heat or cold,\vhich adds much 

 to the strength and durability of the apparatus. The air-chamber, 

 or interior of the camel is composed of two thicknesses of the 

 strongest canvass, heavily coated with the composition alluded to. 

 Outside of this is a covering of duck, somewhat smaller in diameter 

 than the air-chamber, in order that the latter may not sustain the 

 whole pressure when inflated. Externally to these is an ingenious 

 net-work of ropes, three-quarters of an inch in circumference, which 

 comes to a focus upon one side, like the meridian lines upon a globe. 

 Each of these ropes will sustain the weight of 700 pounds. At the 

 point where they unite, they are attached to a ring; through this 

 ring a five inch rope is passed, which, after being carried under the 

 vessel is made fast to a stancheon on deck. The hose by which 

 these are inflated is of the same material as the camels, than which 

 nothing can be neater or better adapted to the purpose. These, when 

 properly applied to the vessel, form a perfect cylinder, the end of 

 one camel fitting to the next beyond. The forward one is adapted 

 to the shape of the vessel for reasons obvious. 



We believe them fully competent to raise a merchantman of the 

 largest size, or ship of the line, and to float them over bars with 

 about two-thirds of their usual draft, not impeding their progress 

 through the water more than the same additional breadth of beam. 

 One thing which adds materially to the value of this invention is, the 

 simplicity of its arrangement, and the facility with which it may 

 be t.pplied in rough weather. They are inflated ."simultaneously by 

 means of a force pump; the air passing through a large hose which 

 communicates through the medium of T-coiiplirigs with each camel. 



