AN IMPROVED MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING MESSAGES AND ARTICLES OF PROPERTY FROM SHIPS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Redknap, of No. 2, Albion Villas, Arragon Road,
Twickenham, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of " AN IMPROVED
MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING MESSAGES AND ARTICLES OF
PROPERTY FROM SHIPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Redknap at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th August 1881.
HENRY REDKNAP, of No 2, Albion Villas, Arragon Road, Twickenham, in the
County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING
MESSAGES AND ARTICLES OF PROPERTY FROM SHIPS."
My Invention consists of an appliance or apparatus having for its object the
safe conveyance of letters, documents, and portable articles of value from vessels
wrecked, or in distress at sea, and is also a means of conveying intelligence of the
whereabouts and circumstances of disabled ships, resulting frequently in the saving
of valuable lives and property.
The method of carrying my Invention into effect is as follows :-I construct a
large indestructible and waterproof ball, preferably made of india rubber, and of
sufficient size to contain the papers and valuables above-mentioned, together with
any bank notes, specie, &c. it is desired to secure, and of such construction as to
remain partly under water even when full. To the base of this ball I affix and
secure by a nut, or other suitable contrivance, a long mast of whalebone or equivalent
material, extending therefrom up through the centre of the ball to a considerable
height above its surface, and I make this inast of sufficient weight to keep it
always in an upright position. To the summit of this mast is firmly secured a
flag, made of the lightest indestructible material.
This india rubber ball is rendered watertight by means of a flap of like material,
which is secured to the edges of its apex in such a manner as to enable it to be
closed firmly and tightly round the upright mast. The whole is so proportioned.

page_text: and balanced as to keep it upright in the roughest sea. I affix to the aforesaid
mast in a convenient position a case and pencil, so as to be ready for immediate
use in case of sudden emergency.
I do not confine myself to any particular size of ball, as it is obvious that this
may be varied, but preferably of sufficient size and capacity to contain letters to i
friends, money, and jewellery, together with ships log book, &c.
16
Having now described the nature of the Invention, and its 'adaptability for
the purposes set forth, I purpose that whenever occasion shall occur, auch as the
foundering of the ship and so forth, the ball having been filled with such articles
as are deemed necessary, it should be conveyed manually to the water."
]

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Redknap in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th February 1882.
HENRY REDKNAP, of 2, Albion Villas, Arragon Road, in the County of
Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING MESSAGES
AND ARTICLES OF PROPERTY FROM SHIPS."
My Invention relates to "an improved means or apparatus for conveying
messages and articles of property from ships," and has for its object the construction
of an apparatus or vessel, wherein letters, documents, specie, and any articles of
value it may be desired to save in the event of a wreck or accident, or any other
circumstances, can be placed and safely consigned to the sea.
The apparatus or vessel is so constructed as to remain partly above the surface
of the water, even when filled.
To the apparatus or vessel is secured in a manner hereinafter explained, a mast
or flagstaff, to which is attached a flag, made of any suitable light indestructible
material, and which serves the purpose of rendering the apparatus or vessel a
conspicuous object when afloat, and also indicates the nationality of the vessel to
which the same belongs. I also attach to this flagstaff a small case, in which a
lead pencil can always be kept, so as to be ready for immediate use in any sudden
emergency.
In carrying my Invention into effect, I proceed as follows:-I construct my
apparatus or vessel in the form of a hollow ball or cylinder, made of any suitable
metal, and I prefer to cover it with a coating of indestructible and waterproof
material (preferably india rubber). This coating of india rubber not only gives
increased buoyancy to the apparatus or vessel, but preserves the same from injury
by the waves or rocks, &c., or when thrown violently upon the shore. I make this
ball or cylinder in two separate parts, viz. the ball or cylinder, and the cover or
lid. I attach this lid or cover to the ball or cylinder by a suitable worm and screw,
in such a manner as to prevent the ingress of water to the interior of the ball.
The base of this ball or cylinder I make heavier, and of sufficient weight to
maintain the vessel in an upright position in the water.
The mast or flagstaff is firmly screwed to the base of the apparatus or vessel, and
extends up through the lid or cover, in which is a suitable aperture for the purpose,
to a sufficient height above the same. In order to render the apparatus or vessel
watertight at this aperture, I adjust on to the top of the lid or cover at this part a
stuffing box, which effectually prevents the entrance of any water at this opening.
And in order that my said Invention may be clearly understood, I now proceed
moro particularly to describe the system, mode, or manner, in or under which the
same is or may be used or carried out in practice, reference being had to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the Letters and Figures marked thereon,
that is to say:-
Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus or vessel, shewn in section.
Figure 2 is a front view of the same, shewing it closed, watertight, and afloat.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the
Drawings
A, Figure 1, represents the metallic ball or cylinder.
B shows the lid or cover which is screwed tightly to the ball A by means of a
worm and screw, shewn at G, G.
C is the stuffing box, by means of which the water is prevented from entering
through the aperture a.

page_text: D is the mast or flagstaff which is firmly screwed into its socket I in the base F,
and is shewn extended through and for some distance above the top of the
apparatus or vessel. I may make this mast or flagstaff, of any suitable material
(preferably of metal tubing), but I do not confine myself to this, as it may
obviously be varied according to the dimensions and weight of the apparatus
without departing from the nature of my Invention.
E is the screw by means of which the mast or flagstaff is secured and held in the
socket I, in the base F.
F is the heavier base of the metallic ball or cylinder A, and to which is welded
or rivetted a worm or socket I, which receives the screw E, and securely holds the
mast or flagstaff D in the required position.
G, G, shew the worm and screw, by means of which the lid or cover B, and the
ball or cylinder A, are firmly and tightly screwed together.
H, H, H, represent the outer covering or coating of waterproof_material
(preferably india rubber). The thickness of this coating or covering H, I vary
according to the size and dimensions of the ball or cylinder A, which it is quite
clear I may make of varying dimensions. The aforesaid coating or covering must
however always be of sufficient thickness to give the apparatus the requisite
buoyancy.
a is the case for containing a lead pencil, which is secured to the mast or flagstaff
in any safe manner.
a¹ is the flag, which is likewise secured to the mast or flagstaff in a suitable
manner.
Figure 2 shews the apparatus closed watertight and afloat, the several parts of
which are sufficiently explained by Figure 1.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
of carrying the same into effect, I declare that I make no claim to any of the parts
herein mentioned separately, but what I claim as the Invention to be protected by
the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
The improved apparatus or vessel, with an exterior coating or covering of
waterproof and buoyant material (preferably india rubber), for conveying messages
and articles of property from ships, constructed, combined and operating,
substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Redknap, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this 16th day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.