IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS' STEERING APPARATUS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Lester, junior, of the Victoria
Docks, in the County of Essex, Master Shipwright, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS' STEERING APPARATUS."
Sealed the 6th December 1872, and dated the 8th June 1872.

page_text: both aft and amidships, I arrange a double chain drum, one chain
coming from underneath the drum in one direction, the other from
underneath the drum in the other direction.
Around the drum preferably in the centre, between the two grooves in
which the chains run is a cogged wheel, unto the upper edge of which
take two or more small cogged wheels, the axles of which latter work
in the same framework as that of the drum. These two or more small
cogged wheels take again into another cogged wheel mounted higher up
in the framework, and this wheel is made large or small according to
whether it is desired to revolve the drum quickly or slowly, said revo-
lution being effected by means of the ordinary steering wheel or wheels
fixed on the axle end or ends of the last named cogged wheel.
The chains after passing from the under side of the drum in opposite
directions are run on pulleys or sheaves to the tiller in the usual manner.
A bell, gong, or similar alarum fixed on the framework of the apparatus
is struck cach time the rudder is amidships or perfectly straight. A
cramp.is fitted to the latter for the purpose of taking above chains which
obviate the necessity of unshipping tiller for alteration.
By means of this improved double action steering apparatus it is
possible to bring a vessel completely round in much less time and with a
less labour than heretofore.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Edward Lester in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 7th December 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY 2
EDWARD LESTER, junior, of the Victoria Docks, in the County of Essex,
Master Shipwright, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing.date the Eighth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-fifth 3
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Henry Edward Lester, junior, Her special
licence that I, the said Henry Edward Lester, junior, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Edward

page_text: Lester, junior, my executors, administrators, 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 VESSELS' STEERING APPARATUS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Henry Edward Lester, junior, my
cxecutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain 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 Henry Edward Lester, junior, 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:—
The objects intended to be attained by this Invention are,―
-
1st. To provide a fair lead of chain under instead of over the drum or
barrel, thereby ensuring easier purchase and saving the excessive strain
upon apparatus, wheel, and so forth, caused by the chain passing over
top of drums or barrels as in other apparatus.
2nd. To secure quicker action not more than six revolutions of wheel
from port to starboard, being required.
3rd. To allow wheel to be fixed aft as well as midships by simply
disconnecting chain from rods, and fixing same on chain barrel.
4th. To prevent interference with the present arrangements attached
to any existing apparatus when this Invention is applied in connexion
therewith.
5th. To avoid the use of any special kind of chain.
6th. To provide an apparatus, complete in itself, which can be fixed
in a few hours without interfering with existing accommodation.
.
7th. To secure simplicity so that the gear cannot well get out of
order, and can easily be disconnected for cleaning and so forth.
8th. To attach a bell indicator specially adapted for night service.

page_text: 9th. To provide an improved slide cramp which can be fixed on any
ordinary tiller without alteration of same, thereby saving owners con-
siderable expense.
In suitable framework mounted on an iron or other foundation plate
bolted to the deck of the vessel, either aft or amidships, or if desired
both aft and amidships, I arrange a double chain drum, one chain
coming from underneath the drum in one direction, the other from
underneath the drum in the other direction.
Around the drum, preferably in the centre, between the two grooves in
which the chains run is a cog wheel, into the upper edge of which take
two or more small cog wheels, the axles of which latter work in the same
framework as that of the drum. These two or more small cog wheels
take again into another cog wheel mounted higher up. in the framework,
and this wheel is made large or small according to whether it is desired
to revolve the drum quickly or slowly, said revolution being effected by
means of the ordinary steering wheel or wheels fixed on the axle end or
ends of the last named cog wheel.
The chains after passing from the under side of the drum in opposite
directions are run on pulleys or sheaves to the tiller in the usual manner.
A bell, gong, or similar alarum fixed on the framework of the apparatus
is struck each time the rudder is amidships or perfectly straight. A
cramp is fitted to the latter for the purpose of taking the above chains
which obviate the necessity of unshipping tiller for alteration.
.
By means of this improved double action steering apparatus it is
possible to bring a vessel completely round in much less time and with
less labour than heretofore.
The slide cramp not shewn in the Drawings I make to slide along the
tiller, constructing the same of a shape to suit the tiller; it is in two
pieces that fix round the tiller with slots in each which open and close
according to the shape of the tiller. Two rollers are also fitted which
assist the action.

page_text: A, framework; B, double chain, drum, or barrel; C, chains; D, large
cog wheel; E, E, small cog wheels; F, another cog wheel fixed on the
axle of steering wheel; G, bell, gong, or similar alarum; G*, striker of
gong; H, steering wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and
object of my Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed
or put in practice, I hereby declare that I claim the herein-described
Invention of "Improvements in Vessels' Steering Apparatus," wherein
the introduction and use of the arrangement of toothed wheels herein-
before described, and of a lead of chain under instead of over the drum
or barrel, the gong arrangement and improved slide cramp are peculiar
and important features.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Lester, junior, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
Witness,
THOMAS MORGAN,
Secretary,
Inventors' Patent Right Ass., Limited,
21, Cockspur Street,
S.W.
H. E. LESTER, JUN. (L.S.)