Design of a movable floating battery by captain John Moody dated 1865

Moody described his invention as a strong, impenetrable, light-draft floating battery suitable for shore, harbour and river defence. Four equal rays projected from a cnetral circular fort of hwich surfaces were protected with thick armour and sloping upwards from the edge or circumference of the battery towards the centre.’ Nearly flat bottom ‘sloping more suddenly upwards out of the water to the horizontal line creating a sharp projecting continous ridge between the upper and under surfaces and at the same a efficient protections against ramming. Vertical bulkheads divided the battery into a series of water-tight compartments in rays and central fort.Very light draught.

Described by Samuel J. Mackie in his “The National Defences of Great Britain, especially with reference to the future requirements of floating forts”. According to Moody who supplied models and draings were the costs around 80,000 pound sterling. Mackie described a floating fort with an extreme diameter of 180 feet from the end of one ray to the other, a central cone with an external diameter of 114 feet, armed with 8-600 ponders propelled via the hydraulic principle with 200 nhp. Inside diameter of main gundeck was 74.4, the heights between decks 10.10, depth of hold below the gundeck 12.3 and the draught of water 8.4 feet with a calculated displacement of 3,327 tons.The circle of the guns had a radius of 30 feet from the centre of the battery. Estimated speed according to Moody 8-9 knots, Mr. Ruthven believed 6 knots more likely. Coal supply calculated on 30 tons/day or 24 hours/full speed at 8 knots. With modifications of the hull lines for foreign operations was 12-14 knots possible.Nine main watertight segments consisting of 1 central circular hold and 8 divergent compartments.

Note

1. John Moody (13 December 1801 York, England-5 March 1872, Bridlington, England). Owner and managing director of the Goole Steam Shipping Company established in 1864.

Sources

Floating batteries, light-ships, beacons and lifeboats by captain John Moody, late maniging director of the goole steam-shipping compan. London, 1867.

Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall Yard. Vol. XII. London, 1869.

English Patents of Inventions, Specifications: 1865, 2131-2200. No. 2173 dated 24 August 1865.