Improvements in Apparatus for Anchoring Boats or Vessels, Applicable for use in Deep Seas where the Depth is Too Great to Admit of an Ordinary Anchor to be Cast to the Bottom.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1889
Complete Specification Left. 27th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar.,
1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFI ATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Anchoring Boats or Vessels,
Applicable for use in Deep Seas where the Depth is Too Great
to Admit of an Ordinary Anchor to be Cast to the Bottom.
We, ROBERT MCKENZIE and SAMUEL HENRY MCKENZIE members of the firm
of E. M. Crawford, both of 34 Bold Street, and 57, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Umbrella Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows
The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for anchoring vessels or boats,
which affords a large area of resistance to the water. It is particularly applicable for
use in deep seas or in the ocean, where the depth is too great to admit of an ordinary
anchor being cast to the bottom. In the case of ship-wreck in mid ocean, the boats
have sometimes drifted away by the force of the wind, and have been lost, whereas, if
they kept in the vicinity of one another, they would have more hope of rescue.
invention is, however, not only applicable for use in deep seas, but generally for
anchoring vessels or boats where the currents or tides are not strong, such as in the
ocean.
The
In carrying out the invention, we construct the anchor somewhat in the form of an
umbrella, or parachute, and so made as to afford a large area of resistance to the water.
It is preferably made of light material, such as cane, or other suitable wood, though
if preferred, it can be constructed of metal. The shank or shaft is provided with a
collar at one end, firmly secured thereto having a suitable number of grooves or slots
cut in its periphery. From these slots, ribs or arms proceed, which are jointed to
said collar. To the ribs or arms are jointed other ribs, which are pivoted at the
opposite end to a ring or collar sliding on the shank in a manner similar to an ordinary
umbrella. The part of the shank on which the ring or collar slides, may be provided
with a stop or shoulder to prevent it moving more than the desired distance. The
main ribs are prevented from opening more than the proper distance by means of
cords or their equivalent attached near the end of the ribs, and fastened to the shank
of the apparatus.
We find it is important not to attach the ends very close to the
end of the ribs, otherwise they are liable to become entangled or caught by the same.
To further assist in keeping the cords free and unentangled, we prefer to attach to
them other cords, which proceed at an angle therefrom, and are firmly secured to the
To the ends of the shank are firmly
shank of the anchor in any convenient manner:
secured ropes or chains, one for forming an attachment to the vessel, and the other
attached at the opposite end for hauling up the anchor. The main ribs are covered on
the inside with canvas, oilcloth or other suitable material, preferably not on the outside
as in an ordinary umbrella.
The mode of action is as follows:
When the apparatus is thrown into the water, the movement or drifting of the boat
or vessel, causes the arms or ribs to open, and being covered with canvas or other
material, present a large area of resistance in the water, and consequently retard or
altogether stop the motion of the vessel. The arms or ribs may be made to open
about at an angle of 45 degrees with the shank, but this is quite optional, the length
of cords being adjusted to suit. When the anchor is to be shipped, the hauling cord
which is attached to the shank at the opposite end to the anchor cord, is lifted, and
the movement of the apparatus through the water causes it to close. The anchor,
when not in use, occupies little space, and can, for convenience, be inserted in a case
or covering or a portion of the cover may be adapted to wrap round the apparatus so
as to form a case or covering and can be tied round by strings or tapes.
Dated this 30th day of May 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Anchoring Boats or Vessels,
Applicable for use in Deep Seas where the Depth is Too Great
to Admit of an Ordinary Anchor to be Cast to the Bottom.
We, ROBERT MCKENZIE and SAMUEL HENRY MCKENZIE members of the firm
of E. M. Crawford, both of 34, Bold Street, and 57 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Umbrella Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for anchoring vessels or
boats, which, while affording a large area of resistance to the water, may be readily
stowed away into a small space. It is particularly applicable for use in deep seas or
in the ocean, where the depth is too great to admit of an ordinary anchor being cast
to the bottom. In the case of shipwreck in mid ocean, the boats have sometimes
drifted away by the force of the wind, and have been lost, whereas, if they had kept
in the vicinity of one another, they would have had more hope of rescue. The
invention is, however, not only applicable for use in deep seas, but generally for
anchoring vessels or boats where the currents or tides are not strong, such as in the
ocean.
The invention may be carried into effect as follows, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, in which―
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one form of the apparatus shown in its open
position, with its cover attached.
Figure 1, enlarged detail (view) of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus looking at the inside thereof.
Figure 3 shows the apparatus stowed away within its cover.
Figure 4 shows the method of using the apparatus.
Figure 5 is a section, similar to Figure 1, of a modified form of the invention, and
Figure 6 is a plan of the same, parts being broken away.
We construct the floating drift anchor either somewhat in the form of an umbrella
with a central rigid "stick," ribs, stretchers, etcetera, (as in Figures 1 to 4), or
somewhat in the form of a parachute without a rigid stick or ribs, and with only just
so many rigid stretchers as are necessary to keep the mouth of the body or casing of
the anchor distended, (as in Figures 5 and 6). In any case, the apparatus is made so
as to afford a large area of resistance to the water.
When constructed as in Figures 1 to 4, the rigid framework which supports the
casing is, by preference, made of light material, such as cane or other suitable wood,
though, if desired, it may be constructed of metal.
A, is the central shaft or « stick," at or near one end of which the radial arms or
ribs B are pivoted or otherwise flexibly attached. The attachment may be effected in
the well known manner by means of a collar or "top-notch" C, Figures 1 and 1ª,
fixed rigidly on the shaft A and having a suitable number of radial slots or notches c
in its flange adapted to receive the ends of the ribs. These ends are each pivoted upon
a wire ring c¹, lying in a circumferential groove on the notch as is well known in
umbrellas. Other modes of attaching the ribs may be employed in large drift anchors
or where otherwise found desirable.
D are a series of arms or "stretchers" which are pivoted as at d to the ribs, and, at
their opposite ends, are jointed to a sliding collar or runner E by means of any
suitable device, such as that described with reference to Figure 1ª. E' is a collar or
other stop device fixed to the shaft A, and serving to limit the inward movement of
the runner E. The stretchers thus act as ties to support the central portion of the ribs
and casing, and, in conjunction with the collar E¹, they limit the opening of the drift
anchor. The ribs may be made to open to any convenient angle, preferably so as to
form an angle of 45 degrees with the shaft. By adjusting the length of the cords F,
hereinafter described, and the position of the stop E¹, the inclination of the ribs may
be altered.

page_text: The ribs are also prevented from opening beyond the proper point by means of
cords or ties For their equivalent, which, at their outer ends, are attached to the ribs
at or near the outer ends thereof, as at f, and at their inner ends are secured to the
shaft A, as at f¹, in any convenient manner. We find it is important not to attach
the ends very close to the end of the ribs, otherwise they are liable to become
entangled or caught by the same as the anchor opens. To further assist in keeping
the cords F from entanglement, we prefer to attach to them other cords f³, which proceed
at an angle therefrom, and are firmly secured to the shaft of the anchor in any
convenient manner, as at f³.
To the ends of the shaft are firmly secured ropes or chains G H or their equivalent,
one, G, for attaching the anchor to the vessel, and the other, H, which may be of
slighter make and is attached at the opposite end, for hauling up the anchor.
It will be seen that the shaft A acts as a central guiding device to keep the anchor,
when immersed, concentric with the axis of the rope G and its mouth perpendicular
to said axis. Without some such guiding device, there would be a tendency for one
side of the anchor to lie or be dragged over nearer to the rope than the opposite side,
and the efficiency of the apparatus would thereby be diminished.
The canvas, oil-cloth, or other suitable material forming the body J of the anchor is
attached to the inside of the ribs as at j and not to the outside thereof as in an
umbrella. The attachments may be made in any suitable manner.
The mode of action is as follows:-
When the apparatus is thrown into the water, as in Figure 4, the movement or
drifting of the boat or vessel by the wind causes the ribs to open, and, being covered
with canvas or other closely woven material, the anchor presents a large area of
resistance to the water, and consequently retards or altogether stops the motion of the
vessel. When the drift, anchor is to be shipped, the shipping cable H, which is
attached to the further end of shaft is lifted or hauled in for a short distance, so that
the apparatus collapses and can then be shipped without difficulty.
The anchor, when not in use, occupies little space, and can be readily stowed away
in a convenient position. In order to protect it from the weather when not in use, it
may be enclosed in a case or covering K, as in Figure 3, and such covering may be
secured by strings or tags k or other fastening device, which can be readily unloosed.
The covering K may also, if desired, be attached to one of the ribs B, as shown in
Figure 1, so that it cannot be lost.
When a cheaper article than that above described is required, I form the drift
anchor somewhat in the form of a parachute, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Here the
ribs and rigid central shaft are dispensed with and the body J takes the form of a
conical or pyramidal bag, which is preferably provided at its apex with a small
opening j¹.
The mouth of the anchor is held distended, when in operation, by three or more
rigid stretchers D¹, preferably of wood, which slope in the opposite direction to the
stretchers D and ties F, but act in a similar manner thereto, to prevent the casing
from collapsing when immersed. The outer ends of the stretchers D¹ are, by preference
reduced in diameter, as at j³, and pass through eyelets 12 at or near the outer edge of
the casing, though they may be secured thereto in any other convenient manner.
Their inner ends are threaded upon or otherwise attached to a central rope A¹ having
an eye or loop a, to which the anchoring rope may be secured. The outer ends of the
stretchers D are also connected to this rope by means of ropes A² or their equivalent,
the connections between the ropes A² and stretchers D¹ being preferably made in such
a manner that they serve to prevent the stretchers from slipping out of the eyelets j
when the anchor collapses. To this end, each rope may be hitched round its stretcher
on the outside and inside of the canvas, as at a¹ a², and part of one of said hitches
may pass through the stretcher, as at a³, Figure 6. The central rope A¹, in con-
junction with the ropes A2 A2, serve-in a similar manner to the rigid shaft A,
(Figures 1 and 2)-as a guiding device to keep the mouth of the casing perpendicular
to the axis of the anchoring rope. The ropes A2 also act, to a certain extent, as ties
to keep the stretchers D₁ from collapsing in an outward direction. The relative

page_text: lengths of the ropes A' A² and the stretchers D' are preferably such that, when the
ropes A¹ A are all taut, the month of the anchor shall be fully distended by
the stretchers, as seen in Figure 5. h is a loop on the apex of the anchor for
attachment of the shipping cable. It will be obvious that the ribs, stretchers and
ties may be arranged and combined in a variety of ways, but we do not limit our
invention to any particular arrangement of these, and the two examples herein set
forth will be sufficient to enable the nature, construction, and operation of our invention
to be fully understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A collapsible floating drift anchor, consisting of an approximately conical or
pyramidal casing or body of canvas or other suitable fabric, a series of radial jointed
arms, stretchers or ties or a combination thereof adapted to hold said casing, when
immersed, distended as described, and a central guiding device to which the con-
verging ends of said arms, stretchers or ties are connected and to the outer end of
which the anchoring rope or its equivalent is attached, the apex of the casing being
constructed either with or without means for attaching a shipping cable or its
equivalent, substantially as described.
2. The improved drift anchors capable when immersed of opening on the principle
of an umbrella or parachute so as to offer a large area of resistance to the water, and
of folding up into a small space, each combined and arranged as a whole substantially
as herein described and as illustrated in Figures 1, and 2, and 5 and 6 respectively.
Dated this 26th day of February 1800.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, and London, Patent Agents.