IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS BINNACLES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, CHARLES FREDERICK SWAN of N° 44 Market Street in the City and County
of San Francisco and State of California; one of the United States of America,
Mariner do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHIPS BINNACLES" to be as follows:-
i
My invention relates to the class of ship's binnacles; and it consists in a
non-conducting Envelope or shell around the binnacle compass; and in the novel
construction of said Envelope or shell.
On iron ships it is difficult to so arrange the binnacle as to overcome the local
attraction.
t
Much anxiety and worry, and many accidents are due to this cause, as the local
attraction causes a deviation of the compass.
It is the object of my invention to so insulate the compass as to prevent this
deviation, due to the local attraction.
In my improved binnacle there is around the usual binnacle-box containing the
compass a casing made of glass.. This has a removable glass cover.
Around the exterior of the glass casing and its cover is a shield of rubber,
between which and the glass is a layer or body of non conducting material of some
description, such as charcoal.
*
Spaces or apertures are made in the sides of the rubber shield, and the charcoal
is so arranged at these points as to leave the glass exposed for the admission of
light from the lamps-On top is a similar space to permit observation:
The compass thus arranged is completely insulated, and will not be subject to
local attraction.
It will therefore remain as true as its natural variation will permit, having no
deviation at all;

page_text: Improvements in Ships' Binnacles.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK SWAN residing at 44 Market Street, in the City and
County of San Francisco, and State of California, one of the United States of
America, Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SHIPS BINNACLES" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to the class of ships binnacles; and it consists in a
non-conducting Envelope or shell around the binnacle compass, and in the novel
construction of said Envelope or shell.
On iron ships it is difficult to so arrange the binnacle as to overcome the local
attraction.
Much anxiety and worry, and many accidents are due to this cause, as the local
attraction causes a deviation of the compass.
It is the object of my invention to so insulate the compass as to prevent this
deviation, due to the local attraction.
Referring to the accompanying drawings: The figure is a section of my binnacle.
A is the usual binnacle-box containing the compass. Around this box is a
casing B made of glass. This has a removable glass cover b. Around the exterior
of the glass casing and its cover is a shield, of rubber C, between which and the
glass is a layer or body of non-conducting material of some description, such as
charcoal, and designated by E
Spaces or apertures F are made in the sides of the rubber shield, and the charcoal
is so arranged at these points as to leave the glass exposed for the admission of
light from the lamps G. On top is a similar space F' to permit observation.
The compass thus arranged is completely insulated, and will not be subject to
local attraction.
It will therefore remain as true as its natural variation will permit, having no
deviation at all.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The insulation of a binnacle compass, by providing it with a completely
inclosing Envelope or shell of some non-conducting substance or substances,
whereby the deviation due to local attraction is prevented, substantially as
described,
2. A glass Envelope or shell, completely inclosing the binnacle compass, substan
tially as and for the purpose herein described.

page_text: 3. An Envelope or shell, completely inclosing the binnacle compass, and consisting
of a glass casing and exterior shield or rubber, substantially as and for the purpose
herein described.
4. The Envelope or shell, for completely inclosing and insulating a binnacle
compass, comprising the glass, the rubber, and the intervening charcoal or other
non-conducting substance or body, said Envelope or shell having suitable light and
observation spaces, substantially as described.