| Description | Higginson’s Floors, Dickson’s Propellors and Hays’ Propellor Regulators (31 items).
1336. Lt. Francis Higginson's Patent Floor Cramps etc. Nov. 1843, Feb., Aug., Dec. 1844, Jan., Feb., May 1845, Feb. 1846. 31 items.
Screw cramps, cast iron flooring, cast iron girders and joists etc.
Screw cramps and fastenings:
3 sheets of drawings of screw cramps for securing the deck planking to mainbeams of ships, all marked "From particulars received from Lieutenant Francis Higginson R. N. at Soho, 30 Nov. 1843"; printed sheet of drawings of Higginson's "Patent Improvements in fastenings for parts of ships & other vessels…"; small coloured drawing of a screw fastening.
Cast iron flooring:
Plan of cast iron flooring for Lt. Francis Higginson, Feb. 1844; cast iron flooring for Lt. Francis Higginson - partially coloured reverse copy of the previous drawing, with sections of the flooring and plan of the plates on the same sheet, dated Feb. 1845; sketch of floor plate - this drawing has been punched with small circles to represent a floor plate.
Shops and Assembly Room - iron girders, joists, columns, lintels and floors:
Set of numbered drawings: No. 1 - drawings for girders; No. 2 - elevations of girders to assembly rooms and back parts of shops; No. 3 - trimming girders for fire places etc.; No. 4 - trimming joists for fire places etc. (partially coloured); No. 5 - trimming girders; No. 6 - drawings for joists; No. 7 - plan of the wall plate showing dovetail to receive joists of floor (coloured); No. 8 - plans and sections of girders and columns (coloured). Nos. 1 to 7 are on parchment, No. 8 is on paper.
Unumbered drawings: Plan of girders and columns to support water closets of shops (partially coloured); elevation of inner lintel and plan and section of double lintels, plan of floor and floor plates - coloured drawings, on parchment; plan of ground floor joists for new buildings in Oxford Street, London - coloured drawing.
Correspondence:
Letters from Francis Higginson, St. Margaret's Bank, Rochester to Boulton Watt & Co.:
12 Aug. 1844, docketed "Orders 2 pieces of his patent flooring. Remarks on the price etc. Will send us a piece of such flooring as a sample."
28 Dec. 1844, docketed "Has just returned from the Continent. Wishes us to proceed with sundry patent girders, cramps etc. according to patterns to be sent to London St. Progress in the introduction of his patent."
Pencil sketch of flooring etc.
2 Jan. 1845, docketed "Cannot get his models finished before Monday. How long shall we be in furnishing the 2 tons of cramps ordered by him? The small ones wanted first. Finds his iron girders quite applicable to fire proof buildings."
9 Jan. 1845, docketed "Complains that his letters have not been answered. Has separated from Mr. Coles."
14 Jan. 1845, docketed "Expects to deliver his models at London St. tomorrow or next day. Some directions respecting them, and about the cramps etc. already ordered."
10 Feb. 1845, docketed "His flooring joists must be marked 'Higginson Patentee'. We need not confine ourselves to any particular number of the joists. Wishes us to ascertain the expense of casting the dovetail groove."
5 May 1845, docketed "His negotiations with the Commissioner of Woods & Forests are nearly completed. Major Hall has not fixed any time for coming here. Wants a drawing of the floor we have made for him. Thinks he will be at Soho next week."
Also original portfolio cover, with 2 newspaper cuttings stuck inside; one from The Globe, 4 Feb. 1845, re Higginson's patent joists etc., and another re the patent fastenings.
Original Portfolio or 'Book' No. 972. Catalogue of Old Engines p. 338.
Patent designs by Lt. Francis Higginson R. N. Higginson ordered his patent flooring and girders and joists from Boulton Watt & Co. and supplied drawings and models for the purpose. The correspondence was probably added to this portfolio by Henry Hazleton. Further correspondence from Higginson will be found in the London Office Incoming Correspondence. |