Boat-Cloak or Cloak Boat, constructed of MacInosh India-Rubber Cloth. with paddle, umbrella-sail, Bellows etc. : Also, an inflated India-Rubber Cloth-Boat for two paddlers
1848
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Halkett designed a waterproof cloak made from an early form of Macintosh cloth, cotton impregnated with India rubber by using naphtha as a solvent. The lining of the cloak contained an airtight and watertight inflatable ovoid, split into four separate airtight compartments in case of puncture, and a pocket containing a paddle blade and a small bellows. The wearer of the cloak would carry a walking stick, which would double as the shaft of the paddle, and a large umbrella to serve as a sail. The cloak weighed around 7 1⁄2 pounds (3.4 kg) in total, and took three to four minutes to inflate; once inflated, it could support the weight of six to eight people. The book contains illustrations of what the Cloth-Boat looked like and how it was constructed. Inserted at the back of the book are Copies of the Letters, Extracts etc. relating to the Cloth-Boat Invention of Leutenant Peter Halkett, R.N. Printed for information and use of his brother-officers, and other aquatic Amateurs (not for publication). The cost of the book is priced at three shillings and sixpence. Lieutenant Peter Halkett was born in 1820 and died in 1885, during the 1840's he joined the Royal Navy.
Main title:
Imprint:
London : Wall and Hiscoke, 1848.
Collation:
22p. : illus. ; 21 cm.
Local class:
4/HAL
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
3420574