Patent application for a minesweeping device designed by William Love, mechanical engineer at London. The application, no. 24728, was submitted to the British patent office on 29 December 1914. The application itself includes the patent specification form, Love's description of the minesweeper (5 pages), and four blueprints with diagrams illustrating the function of the device. The application is accompanied by earlier diagrams and annotated drafts of the description, along with several letters discussing the merits of Love's minesweeper design.

According to the application, Love's invention would have the following advantages: "Certainty of picking up any mine coming within the area swept. Safety of the boat and crew using the apparatus. Facility of handling and of recovering or destroying the captured mine. Quick replacement of any injured or lost part of the apparatus without skilled labor. Small horsepower required to drive the apparatus. Minimum of interference with the steering of the operating vessel. Quick and easy attachment to and detachment from any vessel ... Simplicity, rapidity, and cheapness of construction."

Love's diagrams show plans and elevations of multiple versions of the device. They also illustrate configurations for deploying the device with various vessels, including a submarine. Included are Loves original drawings, in pen and black ink.

A small set of letters conclude the file. There are several letters to Love from the patent office, requesting more information for the patent application. A letter from Lieutenant Commander Carlton Sherman, to "Cuthbert," dated 31 December 1914, notes: "The idea appears to be well thought out, which is refreshing after the flood of crude inventions with which we are deluged ... [but] The gear in question seems rather complicated & the very sensitive mines with which we have to deal would inevitably be exploded when they come in contact with the 'curtain' and thus destroy the gear." These sentiments are echoed in a letter from C. [Cuthbert?] C. Collingwood to Love, on 5 January 1915. Finally, there is a letter to Love from W.F. Nicholson, for the Secretary, in which the Admiralty declines to adopt Love's minesweeper.

Sherman, Carlton Collingwood, 1884-1956 > Correspondence.

Collingwood, Cuthbert C. > Correspondence.

World War, 1914-1918 > Naval operations > Submarine.

Blueprints.

Photographs.

Correspondence.

Diagrams.