Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Draught of Vessels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1897.-Accepted; 22nd Jan., 1898.11
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
ces I
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Draught of Vessels.
HAROLD BREWER, , Howard Terrace, Roath, Cardiff, Consulting Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
3.
'My invention consists of a tube either of Indian rubber or any suitable material
or metal. To the center of which is fixed a gauge glass. The end of the tube
is to be suspended over a vessels side untill the gauge glass is in the water the upper
end of the tube will then be closed & the exact draft of the vessel ascertained in
disturbed water, in the tube.
:
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Draught of Vessels.
I, HAROLD BREWER, of 5, Howard Terrace, Roath, Cardiff, in the County of
Glamorganshire, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 a portable gauge to be applied to vessels loading in
disturbed water, to ascertain the true water level & is constructed as follows.
A glass tube of suitable demensions, the top & bottom of which is closed with
metal plates, these plates are held together with four small rods at either side of the
glass, so that the glass is watertight.
A hole is drilled through the centre of the top and bottom plates for the purpose
of allowing the valve spindle to pass through, and also with sufficient clearance
to act as the contracted inlet hole for the water to enter at the bottom flange and
the air to escape through the top as hereafter described.
Referring to the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 represents a side view in section.
Figure 2 front view.
B represents the valve spindle described, passing down through the centre of
the glass A. To the bottom of the spindle B is attached a valve C as shewn, the
top of the spindle being attached to lever D and held in place by spring E. The
use of the lever D is for hooking the gauge to the ship's side by means of hook F
which may be adjusted for different vessels. The lever also answers as the index
plate for the load line to be marked on.
To the top platie is attached ring G to which the cord H is fixed and to the
bottom plate a pipe I about 2 feet in length to extend below the broken water

page_text: surface. The gauge is then lowered over the ship's side Z in line with the load disc
upon the ship's side and hauled tight. The hook F catching under the edge of
the plate or under a special bar placed in proximity to the load disc, holds the
gauge in position and compresses the spring which opens the valve Ċ owing to
the holes in the top and bottom plates through which spindle B passes, being
drilled sufficiently clear to allow the water and air to pass slowly in and out so as
not to be affected by the quick movement of the disturbed water outside.
When the water is at a level in the glass the cord is released, the valve closes
and the gauge is drawn up, when the true level is ascertained.
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. A portable gauge to be used outside the vessel as herein described for the
purpose of obtaining a steady water level with a checked inlet and outlet so as to
reduce the motion of the water in the gauge as described.
2. The means of opening and closing the inlet valve as described, and using
the landing edge of the ship's plate for this purpose and holding the gauge in
position or fixing a bar to substitute the landing plate edge when required.
3. The combined construction and arrangement of the various parts substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 15th day of November 1897