New or Improved Means for Distinguishing Vessels in Fogs.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 10th May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Means for Distinguishing Vessels in Fogs.
A communication from abroad by WOLFRED NELSON, of 165, Broadway, in the
City, County and State of New York, United States of America, Doctor of
Medicine and Master of Surgery.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.F., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner 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 provide simple and effective means whereby.marine
vessels may be distinguished, and their courses ascertained, from each other or from
other points, in a fog.
It is well known that when a fog hovers over water there is always a clear space
a few feet in height between the surface of the water and the bottom layer of the fog.
This invention designed to take advantage of this fact, and consists, generally, in
providing the hull of the vessel with visual signals and sighting devices, preferably,
at the bow of the vessel, just above and in the region of "Plimsoll's line," being the
highest water-line, so as to be in range with the clear space referred to.
In order that the invention may be fully understood, the mode in which it may be
carried into effect will first be described, and the distinctive features then pointed out
in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specifica-
tion, in which,
Figure 1 is a side view of the forward part of a vessel to which the invention has
been applied.
Figure 2 is an opposite side view of the forward part of the vessel.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of a part of the same on the line xx, Figure 2.
The vessel A is provided on one side of its bow just above and in the region of
"Plimsoll's line," being the highest water-line, so as to be below the usual fog-line,
with a horizontal row of glazed port-holes B and on the opposite side with a vertical
row of glazed port-holes C.
Electric or other penetrating lights being arranged behind the respective port-
holes B and C so as to throw corresponding series of light beams forward and
laterally, but not rearward, the same will be easily distinguished from such points on
other vessels or places as may be also between the water and fog lines, and tho
different arrangement of the lights on the opposite sides of the vessel will show the
course of the vessel.
In order that these signal lights may be observed from other vessels, each vessel is
provided, on opposite sides forward of said lights, and in range therewith, that is,
between the water and fog lines, with sighting devices D.
These consist, by preference, of open port holes E, which may be provided with the
usual shutters, if desired, and over the inner sides of which, when the said shutters
are removed or opened, are detachably secured, by tension screws F, sectional cover
plates G, each formed with a spherical bearing H, in which is mounted, so as to swing
universally, a ball I, carrying a telescope J.
The telescope J can be readily pointed in any direction for searching for and
receiving the signal lights of other vessels, and when not needed can be detached and
the shutter replaced.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invențion
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a marine vessel, means provided and arranged near or just above the
"Plimsoll's" or load line for throwing light outwardly and horizontally therefrom,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
or
2. In a marine vessel, means provided and arranged at or near the "Plimsoll
load line thereof for throwing light outwardly and horizontally therefrom, and also for
observation and for receiving light from other vessels, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 2nd do of Ansil 1900
.WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.