The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-11-03 00:00:00

INVENTION OF A MOST USEFUL MACHINE

FOR THE TRIMMING OF SHIPS Al' SEA.
We have been favoured, through the politeness of the
Chairman of the Dock Committee, with a sight of an in-
strument called "A Ship-Trimmer," the invention of a
talented officer in the naval service—Captain llathorn.
Considering the importance of its practical resuAs, it is
simple in construction, and in working ; yet is such that
we cannot, without the aid of diagrams, (which we cannot
readily get up,) well and distinctly describe it. The in-
strument we have seen, and which is intended for common
uses, consists of a heavy pendulum, turning an index as
the vessel pitches, and is contained within a mahogany
box, 44 to 15 inches square, and about 5 inches in thick-
ness, with a lateral door so far glazed as to show the
operation of the index. This flat box is to be hung, or
suspended, with links, as near as possible in the centre of
the vessel, and on a line parallel with the keel, giving it
also room for the rolling motion. There is an arc, or
segment of a circle of brass, and similar to a bridge, on
which are indications on each side from the top, and to
which points a hand or arrow. If the vessel be upon art
even keel, the hand will point to the centre, or key-stone
of the arc. If not on en even keel, the hand will indicate
the fact, and the gradations, when lead off, indicate the
trim at the time, in inches,—that is, how much the
ship is down, both fore and aft. There are instruc-
tions for the use of the instrument, with an expla-
natory table, referrable to vessels of from 57 to 230
feet in length of keel. It is supposed, as a matter of
course, that the best sailing trim of a ship has been pre-
viously ascertained (when under weigh) ; and when this
happens to be a foot or more by the stern, the instrument
must be adjusted to that trim, and placed parallel to the
horizon. The object is, that vessels, whether under sail
or steam propulsion should, in fine weather or in rough,
after alteration through consumption of provisions and
water, or other causes, be so trimmed by removal of weight
from place to place that her progressive qualities may be
best elicited,—and this even during stormy weather, when
the depth of draught or depression, fore or aft, cannot
otherwise he ascertained. The inventor states that his
instrument is, be conceives, of equal importance to steam
as it is to sailing vessels ; that most ships already have the
common pendalum, to show the angle of inclination due
to the rolling motion ; but that to indicate the quantity
that a ship is out of trim. fore and aft, by any common
pendalum, would he very difficult. The " Ship Trimmer"
is recommended as a simple, portable, and cheap instru-
ment, for indicating fore and aft, as well as lateral trim.
A compound lever forms a pendalum for vibrating
fore and aft, " and (says the ingenious and Disinterested
inventor, who generously throws open his contrivance
for his country's good), any lone can construct such an
instrument for a few shillings, ar►d in future no ship need
go to sea without this means of indicating her trim, in the
day of trial, chasing, or being chased, or desiring to
make a quick passage." The " ship trimmers" are
manufactured and sold by Messrs. D. and E. Bailey, 272,
High Holborn, London. The instrument we have seen

has a pendulum of lead, 9 inches long, 1 inch thick, and
weighs about 121 b. The price required appears to us to
be extremely moderate ; but we refrain from all further
commendation, preferring to recommend parties interested
to communicate with the inventor or the n.anufacturers,
and to judge for themselves.