Improvements in Signalling.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 26th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling.
We, CHARLES ALBERT UNDERWOOD, of "Westwood," Sale, Cheshire, England,
Mariner, and GEORGE FREDERICK WILLIAM SHORT, of Kleine, Gartnerstrasse
9511, Altona, Elbe, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:
-
This invention relates to improvements in connection with signalling at sea or
on land, and has primarily for its object to provide an improved means by which
signals may be transmitted and received on board ship at night or during fogs
either between ship and ship or ship and land, or vice versa. The system is also
applicable to railway signalling.
According to one arrangement we propose to employ flashes of white light or
white and red or other coloured light. When only white light is employed short
and long flashes are used which may be of any suitable duration such as 5 seconds
for a long flash and 2 seconds for a short. When two lights are employed, the long
anu short flashes are dispensed with, the coloured light serving in place of either
the long or short flash as found most convenient.
A code of signals is employed consisting of a number of sentences, the number
varying according to the circumstances. These sentences are divided into a series
of groups one form of which is 12 sets each containing 12 sentences or words 12
groups each containing 12 sets or 144 sentences, 12 sections each containing 12
groups or 1728 sentences and 12 tables each containing 12 sections or 20736
sentences. In order to transmit the required signal a series of signs must be
given, the first one denoting the table in which the sentence is to be found, the
second denoting the section, the third the group, the fourth the set, and the fifth
the number of the sentence in the set. Five separate signs are thus included in
the signal each .sign representing a number referring to the division to which it
belongs. The signs are given in a definite order as above described so that the
sentences can be easily found.
In order to signal the numbers four flashes are employed for each number, these
flashes following each other rapidly.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the code employed for signall-
ing the numbers, 4 short flashes being employed for 1, 3 short flashes and a long
one for 2 and so on, any convenient arrangement of four signs being employed.
12 numbers are thus transmitted but more may be provided if required.
Instead of using numerals to denote the signs we may use the alphabetical signs.
Fig. 2 shows portion of a table in which each figure in each of the second
columns represent a sentence. 12 such groups and an equal number of sets are
arranged on each table.
Fig. 3 shows an index card which is employed with this method of signalling,
the card being divided into perpendicular and horizontal columns. The perpen-
dicular columns are shown as referring to the tables and the horizontal to the
sections, each square being numbered so as to indicate the sentences belonging to

page_text: the respective tables and sections. A few of these numbers only are shown.
Supposing that a signal "Want immediate medical assistance" is to be trans-
mitted and this is No. 862, (Fig. 2) the signs given are shown in Fig. 4 dots being
used for the short flashes and lines for the long ones. This signal means that the
first table, viz., that shown in Fig. 2 is to be referred to, the first section in the
table, the sixth group in the section, the twelfth set of the group and the tenth
figure in the set.
For fog signalling a steam whistle or siren is employed or both of these are used
together. When only one is employed long and short blasts are given or if both
are used the blast may be of any or the same length, or in the case of a steam
whistle, high and low tones may be used to indicate the difference given by the long
and short sounds or flashes.
As a uniform number of flashes or blasts is given for each sign 4 being employed
as above described, there is no need of any interval between the signs so that the
signals can be given very rapidly.
Fig. 5 shows an arrangement of semaphore signalling, the semaphore being pro-
vided with 4 short and 4 long arms corresponding to the dots and dashes. The
drawing shows the semaphore arranged to give a signal, the tables, sections, etc.
being marked against the respective divisions. The figure represents a single
semaphore arrangement in successive positions.
For a greater number of signals the signs may be increased and instead of 12, 16
may be used, but in the arrangement described it is possible to transmit 248, 832
distinct signals by means of only 5 signs for each signal.
As all the most important signals would be arranged in the first table, first sec-
tion first group and first set, if found desirable a great number of signals could be
made with considerably less than 20 flashes or sounds as it would only be necessary
to give the index of the set and the position of the number of sentence in the set.
By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that 144 urgent signals could be made by
means of 8 flashes or sounds and 1,584 by 12. In the latter case it will be necessary
to give the index of the group as well as the particulars relating to the set and the
position of the sentence. As however, a very short time is required to give signals
in the complete manner above described it would not be necessary to use the urgent
system unless particularly desired as in the case of a private firm say of shippers.
An officer of a ship or any other person wishing to signal to another vessel or to
or from the land would signify his intention by flashing a light preferably white
continuously until answered and simple signals such as "yes," or "no" and
repeat" could be indicated by short or long flashes.
66
"
If a smaller number of signals be required instead of the large series mentioned
above simpler combinations of signs can be used, three flashes or signs only being
employed for each number as shown in Fig. 6 which gives the dots and dashes
corresponding to the numbers. With this arrangement 8 tables 8 sections, 8 groups,
8 sets, and 8 figures or sentences could be given so as to provide 327,768 distinct
signals with only 15 flashes or signs for each signal without an interval, or two
signs only may be used as in Fig. 7 giving 32 distinct signals.
Instead of numbering the sentences and referring to the index card to find the
position of the sentence required the position may be marked directly.
When arranging the signals the compiler would give in the margin the position
of the signal in its set, group, section, and table instead of numbering the sentences
or word and leaving the person signalling to find the position. Supposing that 144
sentences were printed on each page of a cede book, the number of the table, section
and group could be printed on top of the page with the corresponding signals, and
the number of the set and the figure in the set could be printed in the margin in
order to facilitate the signalling. The person receiving the signals must note the
dots and dashes in any suitable manner and then refer to the code.
The lamp or lamps employed for signalling may be placed a short distance above
or below the usual mast head light or in any other convenient and prominent posi-
tion and may be connected with the chart room, bridge or captain's cabin by means

page_text: of wires if the signals are transmitted by electric light. In cases where the electric
light is not supplied a shutter or shutters may be employed to cut off the light.
If preferred a red light may be employed giving short and long flashes for ships
in distress and other immediate or urgent signals.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
(1). An improved method of signalling at sea or on land in which a series of
optical or audible signals is employed, given in a uniform series and in sets each
representing a number referring to the signal or a letter substantially as described
and for the purposes specified.
(2). An improved method of signalling at sea or on land in which a bright flash
light is employed or one bright and one coloured flash light, the signals being given
by a series of flashes arranged in regular order and with long and short flashes or
flashes from both lights, indicating the numbers or letters of the tables, sections,
groups sets and sentences, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(3). An improved means for signalling at sea or on land during night, consisting
of a bright flash light or a bright and a coloured light, the signals being trans-
mitted by a succession of flashes arranged to give numbers referring to the signal
and an index for the said signals arranged substantially as described and shown in
Figs. 1, 2 & 3 of the accompanying drawings, and for the purposes specified.
(4). Improvements in the method and means of signalling at sea or on land
during fogs consisting of audible signals such as steam whistles or sirens or a com-
bination of both, the signals being given by means of short and long sounds or by
the combination of two distinct sounds which are arranged in groups indicating
numbers or letters in the index referring to the signals, substantially as described
and for the purposes specified.
(5). An improved means for signalling consisting of one or more semaphores
having a combination of long and short arms, the arms being extended to indicate
numbers by means of which the signal can be discovered from the index, substan-
tially as described and for the purposes specified.
Dated this th day of December 1897.
GEO. H. RAYNER.
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicants.