IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS® WINDLASSES, CAPSTANS, AND CABLE STOPPERS, APPLICABLE GENERALLY TO HAULING AND WORKING WITH CHAINS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Jardine Alderman, of 59, Guildford
Street, in the Parish of Saint George's, Bloomsbury, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS®
WINDLASSES, CAPSTANS, AND CABLE STOPPERS, APPLICABLE GENERALLY TO
HAULING AND WORKING WITH CHAINS."
Scaled the 27th February 1868, and dated the 8th September 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Jardine Alder-
man at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 8th September 1862.
I, ALEXANDER JARDINE ALDERMAN, of 59, Guildford Street, in the Parish
of Saint George's, Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS'
WINDLASSES, CAPSTANS, AND CABLE STOPPERS, APPLICABLE GENERALLY TO HAULING
AND WORKING WITH CHAINS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of an improved cable stopper, by which the
cable can be held firmly, its paying out checked and controlled, and the ship
gradually brought up without any sudden pull or jerk upon the cable, and
which can be worked with less power than is required for any of the stoppers
or compressors now in use, and with less difficulty and danger to the persons
working it, and with much less vibration; and, secondly, of an improved con-
struction of whelp, by which the overlapping or riding of one link of the chaio

page_text: upon another, and the working of the cable up to the smaller end of the
barrel, and the jamming of the cable against the bits are prevented, and a
greater hold of the cable upon the barrel of the windlass or capstan obtained.
That part of my Invention which relates to an improved cable stopper
consists in making the stopper in the form of a tube, open at both ends,
which is bolted to the ship's deck, forward or abaft the windlass or capstan
as may be desired, the axis of the tube being in the direction in which the
cable passes. The tube is wide enough for the chain to pass freely through
it, and the transverse section of the interior of the tube is a square, the
corners of which are rounded off. There is a ridgo running lengthways along
the centre of the bottom of the tube in the inside, and a similar ridge running
lengthways along the centre of the top of the tube in the inside. The trans-
verse section of the tube on the outside is square, with flanges running along
the sides at the bottom for the bolts to pass through, which fasten it to the
deck. The central part of the bottom of the tube throughout its whole
length is formed in a separate piece from the rest of the tube, and is
moveable, in the manner herein-after described. One or more grooves are cut
in each side of the tube in the inside of it, slanting upwards and forwards,
and there are corresponding projections on the sides or edges of the moveable
bottom of the tube. These projections fit into and work in the above-
mentioned grooves. There is a slot on each side of the tube slanting upwards
and forwards at the same angle as the grooves, and reaching nearly to the top
of the tube, and there are projections on each side of the edge or side of the
moveable bottom of the tube which pass through the slots and project a
little way outside the tube. There is a forked lever which works upon two
pins fixed one on each side and outside of the tube in front of the slots, the
pins passing through holes at the ends of each branch of the fork. At the
lower end of each branch of the forked lever, and forming part of the lever,
there are curved pieces of metal, which work loosely in holes in the ends of the
projections which come through the slots, as above mentioned, and so arranged
that when the lever is pulled backwards to an angle of about forty-five
degrees the moveable bottom of the tube is brought as low as it will go,
and
when the lever is moved forward into a nearly upright position the curved
pieces of metal, above mentioned, acting upon the projections from the sides
or edges of the moveable bottom of the tube which pass through the slots,
cause the moveable bottom of the tube to move upwards and forwards,
thereby contracting the interior of the tube. The moveable bottom of the
tube is guided and steadied in this motion by the projections from its sides or
edges working in the grooves, above mentioned. The upper part or handle

page_text: of the lever works in a vertical plane which passes through the axis of the
tube. The action of the stopper is as follows:-The cable passes through the
tube, and in heaving the anchor, or if it is desired to let the cable run freely
out, the lever is pulled backwards, and the moveable bottom of the tube being
by this means brought to its lowest position, there is no impediment to the
passage of the cable. If it is desired to retard the cable when running out,
the lever is pushed forward with the requisite force, and the moveable bottom
of the tube being by this means moved upwards and forwards, it presses the
cable against the inside of the top of the tube, and the friction thus caused
retards the cable in proportion to the force used. If sufficient force is
applied to the lever, the cable is nipped so tightly as to be held fast. The
action of the curved pieces of metal upon the ends of the projections from the
sides or edges of the moveable bottom of the tube is such that the pressure
increases in proportion as the lever is pushed forward and the moveable
bottom raised, and the friction of the cable over the moveable bottom assists
in bringing it upwards and forwards. Very little vibration is communicated
to the lever, and it is for that reason more easy and safer to work than many
of tho stoppers now in use. The cable may be let go suddenly by merely
pulling the lever quickly back, or gradually if the lever is pulled back slowly.
The form of the interior transverse section of the tube, above described, causes
the links of the chain to pass through the tube inclined at an angle of about
forty-five degrees, slanting alternately right and left, and this causes the
action upon the cable to bo less rigid, the chain yielding in some degree to
the pressure brought to bear upon it by the action of the stopper. I do not
by the apparatus above described hold or retard the cable by deflecting it, but
I do it by nipping it between the bottom and the top of the tube, as abovo
described.
The second part of my Invention relates to an improved form of the whelp.
known as Gryll's Patent whelps. In the present form of these whelps,
although the cable is by their peculiar shape worked away from the paul bits
towards the proper part of the barrel, yet one link of the cable frequently
overlaps and rides upon a link in the adjoining turn of the cable, which
prevents the anchor being hore in until the cable has been freed, an operation
that is often both difficult and dangerous. To prevent this I construct my
improved whelp similar to Grylls Patent whelps, except that I form upon the
upper surface of the whelp at the junction of the horizontal and slanting part
of it a wedge-shaped projection, the width of which is somewhat less than the
width of the whelp, and the upper surface of which slants in the saune
direction as the slanting part of the whelp, but at a less angle. In this way

page_text: I act not only upon the chain as it comes on to the windlass, but also on the
next succeeding turn, my improved form of whelp tending to move it towards
its proper place on the barrel, clear of the chain as it comes on when pressed
upon by the latter, and if an overlapping should occur, as it will take place
on a slanting part of the whelp, the cable will immediately free itself. I also
gradually increase the width of the whelps from about the distance of the
width of the chain for which the windlass is intended from the junction of
the slanting and horizontal part of the whelp towards the end nearest to the
bits, so that when the chain as it comes on the barrel presses the adjoining
turns sideways towards the bits, one or more of the said turns shall be forced
on to a gradually increasing and expanding circumference, by which means
the chain will be more tightly and effectually held, and prevented from
slipping round the barrel, and also prevented from jamming against the bits.
I have described this part of my Invention as applied to windlasses, but it
is obvious how the same may be advantageously used in the construction of
capstans, and with reference to both parts of my Invention I have described
the same as they may be applied on board ships, but it is also obvious that
they are applicable generally to hauling and working with chains.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Jardine Alderman in the Great Seal Patent Offico
on the 7th March 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
JARDINE ALDERMAN, of 59, Guildford Street, in the Parish of Saint George's,
Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the 26th year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alexander Jardine Alderman, Her special licence that I, the said
Alexander Jardine Alderman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Alexander Jardine Alderman, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' WINDLASSES, CAPSTANS, AND CABLE

page_text: STOPPERS, APPLICABLE GENERALLY TO HAULING AND WORKING WITH CHAINS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Jardine Alderman,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Jardine Alderman, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say :-
My Invention consists, firstly, of an improved cable stopper, by which the
cable can be held firmly, its paying out checked and controlled, and the
ship gradually brought up without any sudden pull or jerk upon the cable,
and which Invention can be worked with less manual force than is required
for many of the stoppers or compressors now in use, with less difficulty and
danger to the persons working it, and with much less vibration and shaking
of the apparatus and themselves.
My Invention consists, secondly, of a whelp of improved construction, by
which the overlapping or riding of one link of the chain upon another, the
jamming of the cable against the bits are prevented, and a greater hold of
the cable upon the barrel of the windlass is obtained.
That part of my said Invention which relates to an improved cable stopper
consists in making the stopper in the form of a tube open at both ends, and
bolted to the ship's deck forward or abaft of the windlass or capstan, as may
be desired, the axis of the tube being in the direction in which the cable
passes. The transverse section of the outside of the tube is rectangular, with
flanges running along the bottom of its sides or cheeks for the bolts to pass
through which fasten it to the deck of the ship. The interior of the tube must bo
wide enough for the chain to pass freely through it. Its transverse section is a
rectangle, having its corners rounded off, and a ridge in the centre of its top
and of its bottom. These ridges run lengthways from one end of the tube to
the other; the ridge on the top may however be omitted. The aperture at
each end of the tube is somewhat wider than it is in the centre or middle
part, the edges of the sides being slightly rounded off, and the ridged bottom
slightly depressed, and the ridged top slightly raised, so as to facilitate the
entrance and exit of the chain. The sides and top of the inside of the tube

page_text: are immoveable, but the bottom of the inside of the tube is move-
able, and by means of a lever, as herein-after described, can be raised or
depressed at pleasure so as to clutch, release, or retard the passage of the
chain as may be required. The piece forming the bottom of the inside of the
tube is connected on each side with one or more projecting bars, which work
upwards and downwards in corresponding grooves formed diagonally in the
insides of the two sides or cheeks of the tube, by which means the bottom of the
inside of the tube is kept in its place, and whether raised or depressed will
always maintain a position parallel to the top of the tube. One of the bars
on each side of the tube throughout nearly half its length is made of the full
thickness of the cheek, through a slot in which it works flush with the outside
of the cheek, and upon that part of the bar which works in the slot two pro-
jections or studs are so placed as to work into a forked lever having its
fulcrum on the outside of the tube, by means of which lever the bottom of the
inside of the tubo can be raised or depressed at pleasure.
The above description will be rendered more intelligible by a reference
to the annexed Drawing, in which Figure A represents a side elevation, and
Figure B an end elevation of the cable stopper; Figure C, a side elevation
of the moveable bottom of the tube with its bars; and Figure D, an end
elevation of the same, and in which Figures the same numbers are used to
indicate corresponding parts.
Numbers 1 shew the sides, or cheeks of the tube; Numbers 2, the flanges
through which the bolts pass into the ship's deck; Numbers 3, the top piece
of the tube, which is firmly attached to the checks; Numbers 4, the moveable
bottom of the inside of the tube; Numbers 5, the bars connected with the
moveable bottom piece working in grooves formed diagonally in the insides of
the cheeks, and parallel to each other. I prefer to use three such bars on each
side of the tube, in which case it is convenient that the centre bar should be
wider than the other two. The bars may all be firmly attached to the bottom
piece, but I prefer to have only the centre bar so attached, and each of the
other bars connected with it only by means of a pin fixed to the bottom piece,
upon which the bar works loosely by means of a round hole in its lower end
into which the pin goes. The upper ends of the bars are shown in Figure A
projecting beynd the top of the tube, the moveable bottom being partly raised.
as is shewn by the dotted lines and the position of the lever. Numbers
6 shew the slot in the cheek. The thickening of the centre bar, which works
in the slot, is indicated by the Numbers 7; Figure C, Numbers 8, shew the
projections or studs placed upon that part of the centre bar which works in
the slot; Numbers 9 shew the lever working on the pins or fulcrums, Number

page_text: 10, which are fixed on the outsides of the cheeks. To avoid confusion this
lever is shewn only in Figure A. The lever is forked at its lower extremity
as shewn in Figure F. It may be of any convenient length, and may have
an eye at its upper end to which a tackle if necessary may be hooked. Each
of the lower ends of the lever is formed as shewn in Figure A, and so that the
curved piece which passes between the studs will raise or lower the bottom of
the inside of the tube as the lever is moved forwards or backwards. The
dotted lines, Numbers 11, in Figure A, shew the ridges running along the
centres of the top and bottom of the tube respectively.
Figures E and F exhibit another method of carrying my Invention into
effect. In this method the bottom of the tubo is as immoveable as the cheeks,
and the top of the tube is rendered moveable diagonally, in an upward and
downward direction, similar to that given by the apparatus firstly described,
to the moveable bottom of the inside of the tube. In the Figures E and F,
Numbers 1 shew the cheeks or sides of the tube; Numbers 2, the flanges
through which the bolts pass into the ship's deck; Numbers 3, the bottom
piece of the tube, which is firmly attached to the cheeks; Numbers 4, the
moveable top of the tube; Numbers 5, the bars connected with the moveable.
top piece, working in grooves formed diagonally in the insides of the cheek
and parallel to each other; Numbers 6, the slot in the cheek. The centre
bar on either side is fixed rigidly to the moveable top piece and projects
through the slot flush with the outside of the cheek. The other bars work
loosely on the pins, Numbers 7, fixed in the moveable top piece. The lever,
Numbers 8, is attached, by means of the pin, Number 9, to that part of
the centre bar which works in the slot, round which pin the lever works
loosely, and as it is moved forwards or backwards it elevates or lowers the
moveable top piece by the action of its curved part against the studs or
fulcrums, Numbers 10, which are fixed to the check. The dotted lines in
Figure E shew the side elevations of the moveable top piece and its bars,
working in grooves formed diagonally in the insides of the cheeks as well as
of the ridge running along the centre of the bottom of the tube. The appa-
ratus as above described may be constructed of any suitable material. I prefer
to construct it wholly of iron. The action of the cable stopper is as follows:-
The cable passes through the tube in the direction of the arrows on the
Figures A and E when the cable is paying out. If it is desired to heave in
the anchor or let the cable run freely out, the lever in Figure A is pulled
backwards, and in Figure E pulled forwards, and the moveable bottom of the
inside of the tube, or the moveable top of the tube, as the case may be,
according as either apparatus above described is used, being by this means

page_text: brought to its lowest or its highest position, as the case may be, there is no
impediment to the passage of the cable. If it is desired to retard the speed
of the cable when running out, the lever is pushed forward in Figure A and
backwards in Figure E with the requisite force, and the moveable bottom or
top, as the case may be, being by this means moved upwards or downwards,
as the case may be, and at the same time forwards, by reason of the diagonal
direction of the grooves in which the bars work it presses the cable against
the inner surfaces of the top and bottom of the tube, and the friction thus
caused retards the passage of the cable in proportion to the force used. If
sufficient force is applied to the lever the cable is clutched or nipped so tightly
as to be held fast. The action of the curved parts of the lower ends of the
lever upon the studs on either sido is such that the pressure increases in
proportion as the lever is pushed forwards in Figure A and backwards in
Figure E, and the moveable bottom or top, as the case may be, raised or
depressed. The friction of the cable against the moveable bottom or top,
as the case may be, has a tendency to push the moveable bottom or top
forwards by reason of the diagonal direction of the grooves and bars, and so to
assist the action of the lever when used to compress the chain. In either case
very little vibration is communicated to the lever, and the apparatus is for
that reason easier and safer to work than many of the stoppers now in use.
The cable may be held or let go suddenly or gradually by pulling the lever
backwards in Figure A, or forwards in Figure E, as the case may be, quickly
or slowly. The form of the interior transverse section of the tube causes the
links of the chain to pass through the tube inclined at an angle of about
45 degrees, slanting alternately right and left, as shewn in Figure F, Num-
bers 11, which position of the chain has a tendency to modify the pressure
upon the cable and render it less rigid, the chain, when thus placed, yielding
in some degree to the pressure brought to bear upon it by the action of the
stopper. I do not, by the apparatus above described, hold or retard the
passage of the cable by deflecting it, but only by nipping or compressing it, as
above described, between the inner surfaces of the top and bottom of the tubo
formed as above described.
That part of my said Invention which relates to an improved form of whelp
is an improvement upon the form known as " Gryll's Patent whelps." In
the present form of these whelps, although the cable is, by their peculiar
shape, worked away from the paul bit towards the proper part of the barrel of
the windlass, yet one link of the cable frequently overlaps and rides upon a
link in the adjoining turn of the cable, which prevents the anchor being hove
in until the cable has been freed, an operation that is often both difficult and

page_text: dangerous. To prevent this I construct my improved whelp similar to Gryll's
Patent whelps, except that I form upon the upper surface of the whelp, at
the junction of the horizontal and slanting parts of it, as applied to the
windlass, a wedge-shaped projection the width of which is somewhat less than
the width of a whelp, and the upper surface of which slants in the same
direction as the slanting part of the whelp, but at a less angle. The form and
position of this wedge-shaped projection are shewn in Figures G and H, in
which the same numbers are used to indicate corresponding parts. Numbers
1-7 shew the whelp detached from the windlass, and Numbers 2, 3, the
wedge-shaped projection above mentioned. I also make the sides of the
whelp, from the junction of the slanting with the horizontal part of the whelp,
parallel for a distance about equal to the diameter of a chain, of suitable sizo
for the windlass, and which parallel-sided part of the whelp is shewn in the
above Figures by the Numbers 4, 5. I also make each side of the whelp
diverge from the extremity of the parallel part, shewn by the Numbers 5, to
a point about a foot distant from it, and which point is shewn by the Num-
bers 6, the extent of the divergence from the parallel part being in about the
proportion of half an inch to one foot; and I make the sides of the whelp,
from the point at which this divergence ceases, and which is shewn by the
Numbers 6, unto the end of the whelp, shown by the Numbers 7, parallel to
cach other. I also make the upper surface of the whelp, from tho points
where the divergence of the sides commences, and which are shewn by the
Numbers 5, diverge upwards, in the proportion of about half an inch to a foot,
to the points where the divergence of the sides ceases, and which are shown
by the Numbers 6; and I make the said upper surface, from the last-mentioned
point to the end of the whelp, shewn by the Numbers 7, parallel to the
under surface of the whelp. The object of the wedge-shaped projection above
described is that it may act, not only upon the chain as it comes on to the
barrel of the windlass, but also on the turn of the chain already formed on
the barrel, and which is in immediate contact with the chain as it comes on
the barrel, the improved form thus given to the whelp causing the chain, as it
comes on the barrel and presses sideways against the already formed turn of
the chain, to move it off towards its proper place on the barrel clear of tho
chain as it comes on the barrel; and in case an overlapping of the chain
should occur, inasmuch as this, by reason of the said improved construction of
the whelp, takes place on a slanting part of the whelp, the cable will imme-
diately free itself. The object and effect of making the sides and top surface
of the whelp diverge, as before mentioned, are to cause the chain, as it comes
on the barrel and presses the adjoining turns sideways towards the bits, to

page_text: force one or more of the said turns on to a gradually increasing and expanding
circumference, by which means the chain will be more tightly and effectually
held and prevented from slipping round the barrel and from jamming against
the bits. I have described both parts of my said Invention as being applicable
only on board ships, but it is obvious that they are applicable gonerally to the
hauling and working with chains.
With reference to the said second part of my said Invention I claim as new
and original only so much thereof as consists in giving to my improved whelp
a form differing from Gryll's Patent whelp in the manner above described,
and which difference of form will be obvious on comparing the Drawings
herein-before given of my improved whelp with one of the whelps called Grylls
Patent whelps.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Jardine Alderman, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of March, in the year
of our Lord 1868.