IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GRAPPLING SUBMERGED OBJECTS AND TAKING SOUNDINGS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GRAPPLING SUBMERGED OBJECTS AND TAKING
SOUNDINGS." -A communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste
Toselli, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 2nd May 1874..
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GRAPPLING SUBMERGED OBJECTS AND
TAKING SOUNDINGS," to be as follows:-

page_text: The apparatus is provided with not less than two arms, Figures 1
and 2, furnished at their lower ends with claws or hooks of suitable
shape for catching the articles to be recovered. The upper ends of these
arms are pivoted to the shank of the apparatus at A and are held apart
or suspended by the attraction of two electro-magnets B, B, so con-
tained within the shank of the apparatus as to leave only the two poles
exposed. The said arms are further provided with ribs or sides carrying
metallic or other netting to prevent the articles when caught escaping
from the apparatus.
The electro-magnetic action is produced by an electric current from
batteries on board the vessel, the conducting wire f being enclosed in
the rope by which the grapnel is suspended. Thus arranged the
apparatus is lowered with the arms expanded to the bottom of the
water and within a short distance of a diving apparatus, or of a diver
supposed to have been previously lowered near the spot from which the
articles are to be recovered, and by whom the grapnel is placed in
position.
The apparatus or grapnel may be readily moved either forward or
backward, or to the right or left, up or down, according to the directions
telegraphed by the diver to the vessel. When the grapnel is brought
over the rock or over the object to be raised a simple pressure of the
finger on a stud breaks the circuit of the electric current which passes
through the connecting wire in the grapnel rope and from the latter to
the diving apparatus through the medium of the water itself. On
breaking the circuit the action of the electro-magnets at once ceases and
the grapnel arms are consequently released and fall by their own gravity
and cannot fail to grasp the object over which they have been placed.
The word is then given to raise the grapnel, after which it is again
lowered with the arms extended as before, and so on.
In order that the said arms after being once closed may not open.and
drop the article raised, they are provided with extensions at their upper
párt furnished with ratchet teeth into which engage pawls c, c, Figure 1,
so as to prevent the slightest play of the arms and avoid all chance of
the object being let go when once caught.
Permanent magnets may be substituted for the soft iron cores of the
electro-magnets in order to save the expense of maintaining a constant
electric current, whose action is only suspended at the moment of

page_text: grasping the article. In this arrangement the action of the permanent
magnets employed to hold the arms open is caused to cease from the
moment when by pressing the clectric stud in the diving apparatus the
circuit is closed and the current is passed through the wire surrounding
said permanent magnets, whose action is thereby neutralized and the arms
are allowed to fall on to the article to be raised.
It will be readily understood that this second arrangement is much
more economical in practice than the former without being less speedy.
or efficient in its action; but a third arrangement, which I will now
describe, is preferable to cither of the foregoing, as I entirely dispense
with the use of the electric current and of magnetism. This arrange-
ment is shewn in vertical section in Figure 3. Instead of an electric
wire covered with caoutchouc I employ an uncovered tubular wire of
copper which I lodge in the centre of the rope by which the grapnel is
suspended: The lower end of this small tube, whose external diameter
does not exceed 12th of an inch, is soldered at d to a metal cap or hood
having a tubular central stem which passes through a stuffing box b into
a small cylinder in the body c of the apparatus. The upper end of this
tubular wire is connected to a small pump by means of which water may
be forced through the tubular wire into the cylinder and so raise the cap,
the bottom edge of which holds the arms of the grapnel,, as shewn at ƒ, I,
Figure 9. This ascensional movement may be effected from the inside
of the diving apparatus itself by connecting a tubular wire enclosed in.
a telegraphic cord similar to that contained in the grapnel rope, or the
order may be given by telegraphic signal to the person in charge of the
grapnel on board the vessel, supposing it to be carried by an independant
vessel.
Immediately the cap is raised by the hydraulic pressure the arms of
the grapnel will be liberated, as seen in Figure 4, and fall on the object
to be raised. The weight of the cap or hood should be equal to that of
the liquid column (which naturally gravitates into the cylinder c) at
the depth desired, otherwise if the weight were insufficient the cap would
rise of itself too soon and without the assistance of the pump, as above
mentioned, and would thus fail to hold the grapnel arms extended.
This being clearly understood I will now explain a fourth arrange-
ment of the grapnel whose action is the reverse of that last described.
In this arrangement, which is shown in vertical section in Figure 5, I
employ exhaustion instead of pressure. Instead of forcing water through

page_text: the small tubular wire finto chamber c the air is exhausted, whereupon
the pressure of the surrounding water acting on stem d which works in
a stuffing box causes it to liberate the tail ends g, h, of the grapnel arms
which are thus allowed to fall on to the article to be raised.
By a still further modification of the grapnel the same is operated.
without the aid cither of magnetism, electricity, or pumps of any kind.
This fifth arrangement, which may be termed self acting, is illustrated.
in Figures 6, 7; and 8. It is composed of eight arms (Figure 6)
provided with claws at their lower ends, with ribs or sides to retain the
articles recovered.
The tail ends of the arms are held by a ring a, b, Figures 6 and 7,
supported by a central stem c, d, Figure 7, having a weight p of about
thirteen pounds at its lower end. This weight p by holding down
ring a, b, secures the upper ends of the arms in the position' shown in
Figure 7; but when the grapnel thus expanded is lowered to the bottom
the weight strikes the article to be raised before the arms reach it, and
ring a, a, rises (see Figure 8), and the apparatus continuing to descend
by its own gravity the arms become liberated from the ring and fall
upon and grasp the article to be raised.
In a modification of this latter arrangement I substitute for the ring
for holding the arms and the self-acting weight for liberating the same
a second and smaller rope which simply serves to hold the arms open at
the time of lowering, as shown in Figure 9. When once the apparatus
is in position over the object to be grasped the second rope is slacked
out to allow the arms to fall and grasp the object, whereupon the
apparatus is raised by the other and stronger rope. This arrangement
possesses the advantage of great simplicity while it also permits of
raising the grapnel only and abandoning the object grasped when the
rope or the power available proves insufficient to raise it. The number,
form, and dimensions of the arms will vary according to the nature of
the objects to be recovered, and the apparatus may be constructed of
iron, gun metal, or other material.
By adapting two arms only to the grapnel described with reference to
Figures 6, 7, and 8, and hollowing out the claws, the cavities being pro-
vided with hinged lids as in Figures 13 and 14, I obtain simple and
effectual means of sounding the depth of the sea and of bringing up at

page_text: same time specimens of the bottom or even of the plants growing there,
if the said cavities are made with cutting edges.
:
Finally, a still further modification of the apparatus made with a view
to render it yet more simple and applicable for collecting hydrophytes
and zoophytes growing on rocks consists of a simple inverted cone of
sheet iron or other metal having a ring of hooks or teeth as in Figure 10.
This apparatus is allowed to fall by its own gravity, and in order that
the ring of teeth may descend in a horizontal position so as to be readily
inserted into cavities in rocks and catch anything projecting therefrom,
the apparatus is weighted by a lead weight attached to the apex of the
cone. It will thus be readily understood that if such an instrument be
drawn over submerged rocks it will not fail to penetrate the cavities in
the rocks and gather anything, such as coral, growing beneath.
The ring of hooks or teeth may with advantage be furnished with nets
of hemp or other fibrous material, such as those commonly used by coral
fishers.
This grapnel, notwithstanding its simplicity, may be still further
modified by substituting for the cone with ring of teetli a simple ring
provided with teeth, as shown in Figure 11, said ring carrying a net or
bag of hemp or other material in which are received the objects detached-
from the under side of the rocks. I may also substitute for the hooks
or teeth on the ring a simple turned in edge, as in Figure 12, which
edge might be sharpened in special cases, as for example for detaching.
hydrophites which it is desired to obtain entire.
:
25 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 31st October 1874.
'
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
30. Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-

page_text: The electro-magnetic action is produced by an electric current from
batteries on board the vessel, the conducting wire f being enclosed
in the rope by which the grapnel is suspended. Thus arranged the
apparatus is lowered with the arms expanded to the bottom of the water
and within a short distance of a diving apparatus, or of a diver supposed
to have been previously lowered near the spot where the articles are to
be recovered, and by whom the grapnel is placed in position. .
The apparatus or grapnel may be readily moved either forward or
backward, or to the right or left, up or down, according to the directions
telegraphed by the diver to the vessel. When the grapnel is brought
over the rock or object to be raised a simple pressure of the finger
on a stud breaks the circuit of the electric current which passes through
the conducting wire in the grapnel rope and from the latter to the diving
apparatus through the medium of the water itself. On breaking the
circuit the action of the electro-magnets at once ceases and the grapnel
arms are consequently released and fall by their own gravity and cannot
fail to grasp the object over which they have been placed. The word is
then given to raise the grapnel, after which it is again lowered with the
arms extended as before, and so on.
In order that the arms after being once closed may not open and drop
the article they are provided with extensions at their upper part fur-
nished with ratchet teeth in which engage the pawls c, c, Figure 1, so
as to prevent the slightest play of the arms and avoid all chance of the
object when once caught being lost again.
I may also substitute permanent magnets for the soft iron cores of
the electro-magnets in order to save the expense of maintaining a
constant electric current whose action is only suspended at the moment
of grasping the article, and I therefore construct a second apparatus in
which the action of the permanent magnets employed to hold the arms.
open is caused to cease from the moment when by pressing the electric.
stud in the diving apparatus the circuit is closed and the current is.
passed through the wire surrounding said permanent magnets, whose.
action is thereby neutralized and the arms are allowed to fall on to the
article to be raised.
It will be readily understood that this second arrangement is much
more economical in practice than the former without being less speedy or.
efficient in its action; but a third arrangement, which I will now describe,..

page_text: is preferable to either of the foregoing, as I entirely dispense with the
action of the electric current and magnetism. This arrangement is shown
in vertical section in Figure 3. Instead of an electric wire covered with
caoutchouc I employ an uncovered tubular wire of copper which I lodge
in the centre of the rope by which the grapnel is suspended. The lower
end of this small tube, whose internal diameter does not exceed 1/₁th of an
inch, is soldered at d to a metal hood or ring having a tubular central
stem which passes through a stuffing box 6 into a small cylinder in the
body c of the apparatus. The upper end of this tubular wire is con-
nected to a small pump, by means of which water may be forced through
the said tubular wire into the cylinder and so raise the hood or ring, the
lower rim of which holds the arms of the grapnel, as shown at f. g.
This ascensional movement may be effected from the inside of the diving
apparatus itself by connecting a tubular wire enclosed in the telegraphic
cord similar to that contained in the grapnel rope, or the order may be 1
given by telegraphic signal to the person in charge of the grapnel on
board the vessel, supposing it to be carried by an independent vessel.
Immediately the hood or ring is raised by the hydraulic pressure the
arms of the grapnel will be liberated, as seen in Figure 4, and fall on
the object to be raised. The weight of the hood or ring should be equal 2
to that of the liquid column (which naturally gravitates into the
cylinder c) at the depth desired, otherwise if the weight were insufficient
the hood or ring would rise of itself too soon and without the assistance
of the pump, as above mentioned, and would thus fail to hold the
grapnel arms extended.
2
This being clearly understood I will now explain a fourth arrange-
ment of grapnel whose action is the reverse of that last described.
In this arrangement, which is shown in vertical section in Figure 5, I
employ exhaustion instead of pressure. Instead of forcing water through
the small tubular wire finto chamber c the air is exhausted, whereupon 3
the pressure of the surrounding water acting on stem d which works
through a stuffing box causes it to vibrate the tail ends g, h, of the
grapnel arms which are thus allowed to fall on to the article to be
raised.
By a further modification of the grapnel the same is operated without 3
the aid either of magnetism, electricity, or pumps of any kind. This
fifth arrangement, which may be termed self-acting. is illustrated in

page_text: Figures 6, 7, and 8. This apparatus, which has been tried with success,
is composed of eight arms (Figure 6) provided with claws at their lower
ends, and with ribs to retain the articles recovered.
The tail ends of the arms are held by a ring a, b, Figures 6 and 7,
supported by a central stem c, d, Figure 7, having a weight P of about
13lbs. at its lower lower end. This weight P by holding down ring a, b,
secures the upper ends of the arms in the position shown in Figure 7;
but when the grapnel thus expanded is lowered to the bottom the
weight strikes the article to be raised before the arms reach it, and
ring a, b, rises (see Figure 8), and the apparatus continuing to descend
by its own gravity the arms become liberated from the ring and fall
and grasp the article to be raised.
upon
In a modification of this latter arrangement I substitute for the ring
for holding the arms and the self-acting weight for liberating the same
a second and smaller rope which simply serves to hold the arms open at
the time of lowering, as shown in Figure 9. When once the apparatus
is in position over the object to be grasped this second rope is slacked
out to allow the arms to fall and grasp the object, whereupon the
apparatus is raised by the other and stronger rope. This arrangement
possesses the advantage of great simplicity while it also permits of
raising the grapnel only and abandoning the object grasped when the
rope or the power available proves insufficient to raise it. The number,
form, and dimensions of the arms will vary according to the nature of
the objects to be recovered, and the apparatus may be constructed of
iron, gun metal, or other material.
By making the grapnel described with reference to Figures 6, 7, and 8,
with two arms only and forming cavities on the back part of the claws,
to be closed by a hinged cover m, as shown at Figures 13 and 14, I
obtain a simple and effectual means of bringing up specimens of the
sand, dirt, or even of plants from the bottom if the said cavities are
made with cutting edges.
Finally, a still further modification of the apparatus made with a
view to render it yet more simple and applicable for collecting hydro-
phytes and zoophytes growing on rocks consists of a simple inverted
cone of sheet iron or other metal having a ring of hooks or teeth, as in
Figure 10. This apparatus is allowed to fall by its own gravity, and in

page_text: order that the ring of teeth may descend in a horizontal position so as
to be readily inserted into cavities in rocks and catch anything pro-
jecting therefrom, the apparatus is weighted by lead weight P attached
to the apex of the conc. It will thus be readily understood that if such
an instrument be drawn against submerged rocks it will not fail to
penetrate the cavities in the rocks and gather anything, such as coral,
growing beneath.
The ring of hooks or teeth may with advantage be furnished with
nets of hemp or other fibrous material, such as those commonly used by
coral fishers.
This grapnel; notwithstanding its simplicity, may be still further
modified by substituting for the cone with ring of teeth, a simple ring
provided with teeth, as shown in Figure. 11, said ring carrying a net or
bag of hemp or other material in which are received the objects detached
from the under side of the rocks. I may also substitute for the hooks.
or teeth on the ring a simple turned in edge, as in Figure 12, which
edge might be sharpened in special cases, as for example for detaching
hydrophytes which it is desired to obtain entire.
The apparatus may be applied for use on land for raising and depositing
articles where desired.
Having described the nature of the Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,--
1st. The application for the purpose of recovering submerged objects
of clectricity and magnetism, together or separately, hydraulic and
atmospheric pressure or pneumatic exhaustion, as herein specified.
2ndly. The employment of the apparatus herein described and referred
to as automatic grapnels, whether these apparatus act by the agency of
electricity only, or electro-magnetism, or whether they act by hydraulic
or atmospheric pressure, that is to say, by the compression of liquids and
fluids combined, or simply by pneumatic exhaustion, or again whether
they are self-acting by means of a weight of springs or of levers whose
action is spontaneous by the mere shock of the apparatus touching the
object to be raised, whether by pulling on one or more cords to raise the
hood or ring described and shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8, or whether any
other analogous device is employed to retain the upper ends of the arms

page_text: which are to grasp the objects or merely to raise the arms themselves, as
shown in Figure 9.
3rdly. The employment of the apparatus shown in Figures 10, 11,
and 12, whether made of conical, or cylindrical, or polygonal form, in
metal, wood, or other material furnished with claws, points or teeth, or
simple cutting edges, whether provided or not with nets or bags of hemp,
or other material suitable for catching the objects to be raised.
4thly. The exclusive right to employ the said apparatus described,
whether, they are sunk to the bottom haphazard, or whether a diver in
a diving bell, diving dress, or other diving apparatus is employed to
guide them as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
Witness,
HY. SWALES,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)