An Improved Draught Indicator for Use on Ships.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Draught Indicator for Use on Ships.
We, DAVID SMAIL, of 19, Waterloo Street, Glasgow, Engineer and Marine
Surveyor, and ROBERT BAY, Kincardine-on-Forth, Master Mariner, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to a draught indicator for use on ships for the purpose of
preventing overloading. The apparatus is of a simple construction, and, by its
use, the depth of the ship in the water can be easily ascertained and when the
ship sinks to the "Plimsoll mark" it is automatically indicated upon a scale.
In order that the invention may be properly understood we have hereunto
appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon,
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the draught indicator.
Fig. 2 is a front view and Fig. 3 a side view of the same.
Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views, drawn to an enlarged scale.
Fig. 6 shows the draught indicator fitted in position on the side of a vessel.
The same reference letters wherever repeated indicate the same parts.
The apparatus consists of a long narrow tube a or its equivalent made of metal
or other suitable material having a scale m of inches or feet and inches upon it
and also, by preference, marks corresponding to the "Plimsoll mark." Working
upon the scale is an indicator i which is attached to a wire, cord, or equivalent e
passing through a guide eye h at the bottom of the tube and over a pulley hat
the top. The lower end of the wire e is connected to a float f of any suitable
construction but preferably made of wood, whilst the upper end is connected to
a counter balance weight & working up and down within the tube a.
The indicator i (see Figures 4 and 5) consists of a strip of metal which is bent
round so as to partially encircle the outside of the tube a. It can move freely up
and down the tube. The indicator is attached to the wire e by means of a clip
plate and screws j¹.
The lower end of the tube is preferably removably fitted upon a bracket or
holder which is attached to the side of the ship g, about the level of the deck,
by means of bolts and nuts or the like whilst the upper end can be connected to
the rail above the deck by means of a wire stay or cord secured to the rail and to
the eye k.
When the ship is being loaded it sinks in the water with the result that the
weight d falls and pulls up the indicator i on the scale in exact proportion so that
the depth of the vessel in the water is automatically and accurately indicated.
When the ship is loaded the device can be readily disconnected and stowed
away until again required for use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we consider novel and desire to claim is;-
1. A draught indicator for ships having its part constructed arranged and com-

page_text: bined together substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
drawings annexed.
2. A draught indicator for ships consisting of a tube (or its equivalent) having
a scale thereon, a bracket or holder secured to the side of the ship and upon which
the tube can be removably fitted, and means, such as a weight, cord, float, and
indicator, for automatically indicating the draught of the ship upon the scale,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 24th day of October 1899.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.