Improvements in Danger Indicators for Use on Shipboard..
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 19th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 24th Feb., 1888
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE ALLMAN, of Dunedin, in the Provincial
District of Otago, New Zealand, Master Mariner.]
Improvements in Danger Indicators for Use on Shipboard..
1 HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings, Chancery
Lane in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to facilitate the transmission of signals and orders
relating to the steering and manoeuvring of ships.
It is now common to transmit by hydraulic or other apparatus orders from the
Officer of the watch to the Engineer, and the steersman,-a dial and index hand or
pointer being used for the purpose.
It is now proposed still further to facilitate the transmission or orders, by providing
a novel construction of indicator for the look-out man, and providing in the captain's
cabin a similar indicator, the movement of which shall correspond with that of the
look-out man's indicator, and show to both what orders under the circumstances should
be transmitted.
These indicators I so arrange that the judgement of the Officer shall be taxed to the
least possible amount in reading the indications which they present to view, the
object being to guard against error in the transmission of orders to the steersman or
Engineer.
To this end the indicator dial is divided into three parts radially. Near the outer
periphery of the dial is a band, the first division carrying the device "Light on Port
Bow ; the second and central division carries the device, "Light right ahead;'
and the third division carries the device "Light on Starboard bow."
"
Within this band, each division of the disc is divided radially into three, the "Port"
division having a band of three colours, viz., white, red, and green. The "Light
ahead" division has the same three colours, but differently disposed, viz., green, white,
and red. The "Starboard" division also carries the saine three colours disposed thus,
viz., red, green, white,

page_text: Beyond these divisions are two others carrying respectively, say, in white letters on
a black ground, the devices "Course clear" and "Signal understood."
The dial is fitted with two radial fingers, the one attached to a central shaft, and
worked from the Captain's cabin, and the other carried by a loose radius arm fitted
with a handle for the operator to grasp.-The same arrangement will be used by the
look-out man and the Captain, and the movement of the radius arm of the one dial
will serve to actuate the central indicator of the other.
Within the band of colours is a third band divided into five parts, the division on
the Port side extending past the white and red divisions, and carrying the device
"Port," that being the proper instruction to be given to the Steersman.--The next
division carries the device "Starboard," and includes the green divisions of "Port
Bow" and "Light ahead."-The third division, which corresponds to "White light
ahead," carries the device "Stop."-The fourth division, corresponding with the two
red divisions of "Light ahead" and "Starboard Bow," carries the device "Port,"
and the fifth division corresponding to the green and white divisions of "Starboard
Bow" carries the device "Starboard."
When the look-out man sees a light ahead, he will move his index finger to the part
of the dial which corresponds in colour and position, with respect to the ship, of the
light seen. This movement will be simultaneously transmitted to the indicator in the
Captain's cabin, and a bell or other alarum being sounded, his attention will be
called thereto, and the nature of the order to be transmitted will be at once evident
to him.
Should, however, this indication, from any cause, be neglected, the look-out man
will be able to transmit the correct order to the Engineer or Steersman, as circumstances
may require.
.תוית
171 1
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1005
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMEDIE SPECIEIATION.
Improvements in Danger Indicators for Use on Shipboard.
I, HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what mannor the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to facilitate the transmission of information and orders
relating to the steering and manoeuvring of ships.
It is common to transmit, by hydraulic or other apparatus, orders from the officer
of the watch to the engineer and steersman, a dial and index hands or pointers being
used for the purpose.
It is now proposed to facilitate the transmission of look-out information, by providing
a novel construction of indicator for the use of the look-out man, the officer in charge
upon the bridge, and the captain in his cabin. Like indicators, the movement of
which shall correspond, are, for this purpose, placed on the forecastle for the look-out
man, on the bridge, and in the captain's cabin, the two latter being for the purpose of
shewing respectively to the captain in his cabin, and the officer in charge on the
bridge, the nature of the danger descried, and the orders, which, under the circumstances
should be transmitted.
The dials of these indicators are so arranged that the judgment of the officers shall
be taxed to the least possible extent in reading the indications which they present to
view, the aim being to guard against error in the transmission of orders, and also to
keep the captain, while in his cabin, aware of any obstruction to navigation, or neglect
of duty on board.
In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 shews the improved indicator, consisting of a
dial divided up with colours, and fitted with two index fingers, the colours on the dial
corresponding to the colours used in signalling on ships of all nations. Fig. 2 shews
a slight modification of the dial of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 illustrates the mode of working
the indicator.
The indicator, Fig. 1, is designed for the use of the officer on the bridge, and the
like arrangement serves for the use of the captain in his cabin.-This form of indicator
may also be provided for the look-out man at the forecastle, but it is preferred to
provide him with a dial like that illustrated at Fig. 2, where certain devices are
omitted, the look out man not being required to give orders respecting the manoeuvring
of the ship.
The indicator dial, Fig. 1, is divided into three parts radially, and near the outer
periphery of the dial is a band, the first division of which carries the device " Light
on the Port Bow;" the second and central division carries the device "Light right
ahead;" and the third division "Light on the Starboard Bow."
"
Within this band, each division of the dial is divided radially into three, the Port
division having a band of three colours, viz.:-White, red, and green; the " Light
ahead" division has the same three colours, but differently disposed, viz. :-Green, white,
and red. The "Starboard" division also carries the same three colours, disposed thus:
Red, green and white; the colours of the three divisions therefore, correspond with
the lights used at sea by all nations. Beyond these divisions are two others, carrying
respectively, say, in black letters on a white ground, the devices, "Course clear," and
'Signal understood."
At the outer edge of the dise are the radial divisions marked "Danger," intended

page_text: to indicate other than floating obstructions, such as rocks or land, and whether on the
"Port bow," "Ahead," or on the "Starboard bow." Of the two radial fingers with
which the dial is fitted, the one is attached to a central shaft, and worked from the
captain's cabin, and the other carried by a loose radius arm fitted with a handle for
the operator to grasp. The same arrangement will be used by the look-out man, the
officer in charge upon the bridge, and the captain in his cabin, and the movement of
the radius arm of the one dial, will serve to actuate the central indicators of the
others.
In the drawing it was not thought necessary to show the connection of the several
indicators with each other, or the mechanism by which the movements of the look-out
man's indicator are transmitted to that of the officer in charge, or the captain in his
cabin, as the invention may be used in conjunction with, and worked by, either
"Chadburn's Patent Marine Telograph," or other like apparatus, and with the aid of
electricity.
Within the band of colours is a third band divided into five parts, the division on the
port side extending past the white and red divisions, and carrying the device "Port,”
that being the proper instruction to be given to the steersman.
The next division carries the device "Starboard," and includes the green divisions
of "Port bow," and "Light ahead. The third division, which corresponds to "White
light ahead," carries the device "Stop."-The fourth division, corresponding with the
two red divisions of "Light ahead," and "Starboard bow," carries the device "Port,"
and the fifth division, corresponding to the green and white divisions of "Starboard
bow," carries the device "Starboard." These divisions of "Port" and "Starboard
may be omitted on the dial used by the look out man, as illustrated at Fig. 2 (who is
not required to give orders), and as it will be perceived that the dial is graduated
according to what nautical men call "the rule of the road," it is also possible to
omit them on the other indicators also. When the look-out man sees a light ahead,
he will move his index finger to the part of the dial which corresponds, in color
and position, to the position of the ship or the light seen. This movement will be
simultaneously transmitted to the indicator on the bridge, for the information of the
officer in charge, and also to the indicator in the captain's cabin. A bell or other
alarum, being at the same time sounded, attention will be called to the dials, and
the nature of the order to be transmitted will be at once evident to the officer
and the captain. In the case of danger, other than that of ships, it is proposed that
the alarum be continuously rung until a reply is obtained. It is preferred to
make the dials of glass, or other suitable transparent substance, to be lighted up when
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, as communicated to me from abroad, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The manufacture of danger indicators as described, for use on shipboard, the
dial of such indicators displaying coloured segments which correspond with the
regulation lights used at sea, and so disposed as to admit of those devices which
interpret the signals given, and notify the action to be taken, being placed in
proper juxtaposition with the colours, as and for the purpose above set forth.
2. The means above described for transmitting signals, and counter signals, to and
from the look-out man, captain, and officer of the watch, irrespective of the mechanism
employed for actuating the central pointers.
Dated this 10th day of January 1888