IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATER, ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING
Year: 1877

page_text: In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to Cornelius Edward Kelway,
of Portsea, in the County of Hants, dated the 12th day of June in the
year 1877 N° 2292.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME We, CORNELIUS
EDWARD KELWAY of Bridge Street, in the City of London, FRANK DYER of Bridge
Street, in the City of London, and THOMAS GRAHAM GRAHAM of Bedford Row, in
the County of Middlesex, send greeting:
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters Patent
under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland bearing date the twelfth day of
June One thousand eight hundred and seventy seven in the fortieth year of Her
Reign did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto Cornelius
Edward Kelway, of Portsea, in the County of Hants, Her Special license that
he the said Cornelius Edward Kelway his executors administrators and assigns
or such other as he the said Cornelius Edward Kelway his executors administrators
or assigns should at any time agree with and no other 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 of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE PASSING
THROUGH THE WATER, ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH
STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING."
And whereas in pursuance and performance of a proviso in the said Letters Patent
contained the said Cornelius Edward Kelway did within six Calendar months next
after the date of the said Letters Patent cause a specification in writing under his
hand and seal particularly describing the nature of the said Invention and in what
manner the same was to be performed to be duly filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office.
•

page_text: And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment bearing date the twenty second
day of October One thousand eight hundred and seventy seven made between
the said Cornelius Edward Kelway of the one part and James Lyon Thorne of
Southsea in the County of Hants, of the other part, one half part or share of and
in the said Letters Patent and Invention and of and in all and singular the
rights and privileges thereby granted became absolutely vested in the said James
Lyon Thorne. And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment bearing date the
thirteenth day of September One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight made
between the said Cornelius Edward Kelway of the one part and the said James
Lyon Thorne of the other part, the said Letters Patent and Invention and all
and singular the rights and privileges thereby granted became absolutely vested
in the said James Lyon Thorne. And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment
bearing date the twenty eighth day of September One thousand eight hundred and
eighty one made between the said James Lyon Thorne of the one part and Frank
Dyer, of Yiewsley, in the County of Middlesex of the other part, the said Letters
Patent and Invention and all and singular the rights and privileges thereby
granted became absolutely vested in the said Frank Dyer. And whereas by
an Indenture of Assignment bearing date the eighth day of November, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one, between the said Frank Dyer of the
one part and the said Cornelius Edward Kelway of the other part, one half
part or share of and in the said Letters Patent and Invention and of and in
all and singular the rights and privileges thereby granted became absolutely vested
in the said Cornelius Edward Kelway. And whereas by an Indenture of Assign-
ment bearing date the eleventh day of March One thousand eight hundred and
eighty two made between the said Frank Dyer and Cornelius Edward Kelway of
the one part and Arnold E
Williams and William John Grahan, both
of Lawrence Pountney Hill in the City of London of the other part, One sixth part
or share of and in the said Letters Patent and Invention and of and in all and
singular the rights and privileges thereby granted became absolutely vested in the
said Arnold E
Williams and William John Graham. And whereas by
an Indenture of Assignment bearing date the twenty ninth day of April, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, made between the said Frank Dyer of the
one part and the said Cornelius Edward Kelway of the other part, one half part or
share of and in the said Letters Patent and Invention and of and in all and
singular the rights and privileges thereby granted became absolutely vested in the
said Cornelius Edward Kelway. And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment
bearing date the twenty ninth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and
eighty two, made between the said Cornelius Edward Kelway and Frank Dyer of
the one part, and Frederick Noel Mackey of New Bridge Street in the City of
London of the other part, one third part or share of and in the said Letters Patent
and Invention and of and in the rights and privileges thereby granted became
absolutely vested in the said Frederick Noel Mackey. And whereas by an Inden-
ture of Assignment bearing date the eighteenth day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty two, made between the said Arnold E
Williams and
il
..
William John Graham of the one part and William John Graham of the other
part, one-sixth part or share of and in the said Letters Patent and Invention and
of and in the rights and privileges thereby granted became absolutely vested in
the said William John Graham. And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment
bearing date the twenty seventh day of October, One thousand eight hundred and
eighty two, made between the said Frederick Noel Mackey of the one part and the
said Frank Dyer of the other part, the one third part or share of and in the said
Letters Patent and Invention and of and in all and singular the rights and privileges
thereby granted held by the said Frederick Noel Mackey became absolutely vested
in the said Frank Dyer; And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment bearing date
the thirteenth day of October One thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, made
between the said Cornelius Edward Kelway and Frank Dyer of the one part and
William John Graham of the other part, a further one-sixth part or share of and

page_text: "
Her special license that I the said Cornelius Edward Kelway my executors
administrators and assigns or such others as I the said Cornelius Edward Kelway 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 APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH
VESSELS ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATER, ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING
THE RATE AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING
upon the condition
(amongst others) that I the said Cornelius Edward Kelway my executors or
administrators by an Instrument in writing under my or their or one of their
bands 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 Cornelius Edward Kelway Do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, and
accompanying Drawing, (that is to say):-
"
My invention has reference to apparatus used for the purpose of measuring and
indicating the rate at which ships or other vessels are moving through the water
and the distances passed over by them. It has for its objects improvements in the
construction of such apparatus, and the means whereby it is attached or connected
to the ship or vessel, by which improvements its indications are made more
reliable and are more easily observed, and the apparatus itself is more conveniently
accessible than ships' logs as ordinarily constructed and used.
For the purpose of so measuring and indicating speed the ship's log in ordinary
general use consists of a rotating apparatus, having helically arranged blades,
which is drawn or towed through the water by a bar or rod and so made to
revolve, its rotations being communicated to wheelwork contained in a box or
case in the log itself. This wheelwork indicates upon suitable dial plates the
number of rotations, and consequently (when the "pitch" of the helical blades of
the rotator is accurately adjusted to the indications upon the dial plates) the speed
at which the vessel is moving.
My improvements are applicable more especially to ships' logs, in which the
indications of the wheelwork are pointed out not only upon dial plates in the log
itself, but also upon dial plates on board the vessel, to which latter dial plates the
indications are conveyed by means of currents of electricity, operating in the
manner described, and shewn in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me,
dated April 5th, 1876, and numbered 1455.
In order to put in operation this part of my present Invention I arrange in
a suitable position, preferably near the centre of the length of the ship and
adjacent to the keel, a vertical tube or pipe, the lower end of which is open,
its upper end being carried up within the ship to any convenient height above
the level of the water. This tube may be made of cast iron, wrought iron, or
other suitable material, and of any convenient section, preferably circular or
rectangular.
The tube, arranged as described, is provided with one or more interior guides,
upon which fits a frame carrying the log itself, consisting of a box or case
containing suitable wheelwork, connected to and actuated by helical blades of a
rotator which projects below the bottom of the box or case.
The frame carrying
the log, as described, can be raised or lowered upon the guides in the vertical tube
by means of a cord, or chain, or a bar, or rack, or screw, or other convenient means,
and at the bottom of the vertical tube I arrange a flange or stop which allows the
helical rotator to pass through it into the water, whilst the box or case containing
the wheelwork driven by the rotator rests upon the flange or stop, and may be
firmly held there by a screw, or lever, or other convenient means operated from

page_text: within the vessel. The frame carrying the log is so arranged that when they are
lowered into their position, as described, the horizontal axis of the helical rotator
is in a position parallel to the keel of the vessel, and I prefer to surround the
rotator with a framework or with a horizontal tube, open at the front and back,
and attached either to the box or case described, or to the lower end of the vertical
tube, for the purpose of guiding in the desired direction the water which drives
the rotator and of preventing the latter from becoming fouled, and a frame of bars
or network may also be arranged round the rotator, or across the ends of the
horizontal tube described, for the same purpose. The rotator with its helical blades
may be made of any suitable form, but if the vertical tube is circular in section
I prefer to make it also circular, or nearly so, in plan, or its forward end circular
in plan, so that the surface of the helical blades upon which the water acts may
be as large as possible. In this case the horizontal centre or axis upon which
the rotator is supported and revolves may be made spherical, or partly spherical,
with pointed ends, so that the water is directed towards the circumference of the
helical blades.
The revolving rotator driven in this way communicates by means of toothed
wheels or endless screws and worm wheels with the wheelwork in the box or case
above by which the number of revolutions is indicated upon dial plates, as already
described, and I prefer to carry insulated metallic wires from the box or case up
through the vertical tube to corresponding electro-magnetic indicating apparatus
eituated in any convenient part of the ship, and actuated by means of apparatus
for making and breaking electric contact between the insulated wires, and
preferably similar to the apparatus for such purpose described and shewn in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me April 5th, 1876, and numbered 1455,
already referred to, or by apparatus for the said purpose of the kind herein-after
described.
I prefer to use an arrangement to prevent the apparatus from being injured by
the revolution of the rotator in the wrong direction, as, for instance, when the ship
is moving astern; and for this purpose I sometimes use upon the axis of the
rotator a ratchet wheel provided with a spring catch or detent, which prevents the
rotator from turning backward; or I use a suspended lever, having a detent
attached to it, which enters between the blades of the rotator, or a catch upon the
latter when pressed in one direction, but leaves the rotator free to revolve when
pressed in the other direction. A plate is provided upon this suspended lever so
that the pressure of the water presses it in one or the other direction, depending
upon the direction in which the vessel is moving. I prefer, however, to make the
helical rotator revolve freely upon its axis, but to be capable of a small amount of
endlong movement upon the latter, so that when the ship moves forward the
rotator is pressed back upon the axis until a clutch upon it engages with a corre-
sponding clutch upon the latter, but when the ship moves backward the rotator ia
pressed forward and disengages the clutches; or the rotator may be fixed to the
axis, which is allowed a short movement end ways in the way described. When
the ship or other vessel is moving forward through the water, the apparatus
constructed and arranged as above described is constantly in action, and it indicates
upon the dial plates on board the ship the distance travelled by the latter. At the
same time the wheelwork and indicating apparatus in the box or case also give the
same indications, which may be examined when desired and compared with the
former by withdrawing the apparatus up through the vertical tube into the ship.
Either the indicating apparatus in the log or that within the vessel may be omitted,
if desired.
When the vessel is not moving the apparatus may be withdrawn up the tube to
prevent the rotator from being set in motion by currents or waves.
Another part of my Invention consists of apparatus to reduce the expenditure of
electricity which passes through the insulated wires when contact is made between
them, as described and shewn in the Specification of my Letters Patent hereinbefore
referred to.

page_text: For this purpose I sometimes connect the end of one of the insulated wires in
the closed chamber of the log with a metallic spring having a projection upon it
actuated by the inner end of the lever, which is operated by one of the revolving
spindles of the log. The end of the other insulated wire is connected to a lever or
a segment of a wheel turning upon a centre, and having its outer end or circum-
ference formed of ebonite or other non-conducting material, into a part of which is
inserted a plate or plug of metal, which is in metallic connection with the second
insulated wire. The spring first described and the lever or segment are so arranged
that the spring or a metallic point upon it presses upon the outer circumference
of the segment or lever, and the latter can be turned upon its centre through a
certain distance backward and forward, the length of the stroke being limited by
stops, against one of which it is held by a spring. A projection or cam is arranged
upon the spring first described, and another projection upon the lever or segment;
both being operated by the inner end of the lever actuated by one of the revolving
spindles of the log, as already described. When the lever is actuated by the wheel
it presses against the spring, and removes it from contact with the lever or segment,
and at the same time it moves round the latter until the metallic plate or plug
upon it has passed from under the point of the spring, and it then releases the
latter, which falls upon the non-conducting part of the segment or lever.
Shortly afterwards the lever is released, and the segment is brought back to its
original position by its spring, and electrical connection is made only during the
time when the metallic plate or plug is passing under the point of the spring.
A hinge or spring allows the projection which raises the spring to return without.
affecting the latter.
Different modifications of this arrangement may be used for the purpose of
economizing electricity.
For instance, the non-conducting segment may be formed upon the inner end of
the principal lever itself..
Another novel form of arrangement of apparatus for conveying the indications
of the log to the indicating apparatus in the ship is the following:-I attach the
front end of the case which carries the indicating wheelwork of the log to a hollow
cylindrical block, preferably of metal. The front end of this block has a flange,
which passes into the screwed end of a corresponding metallic tube, and is held
firmly and water-tight by a screwed ring or gland, which is screwed into the tube
into which one or more india-rubber packing rings have been first inserted upon
the flange on the block. The other end of the tube I extend forward, but I make
it taper down to a much less diameter, and its extreme front end is provided with
a cylindrical recess screwed inside, and having formed upon or fastened to it
suitable attachments by which the log can be drawn through the water. Two
insulated metallic wires pass from the ship to the log, and their ends are brought
through this front cylindrical recess into the tapering part of the tube above
described, a water-tight joint being made in their passage by means of one or more
india-rubber packing rings or washers, each of which has two holes for the
insulated wires to pass through, and is compressed by metallic rings or washers,
also each provided with two holes, and prevented from turning round by projections
or grooves in their edges, fitting corresponding grooves or projections in the
cylindrical recess into which they fit.
These several washers are forced down into the recess by a screwed-ring or gland
screwed into it. To the front end of the hollow cylindrical block first described
two metal bars or supports are fixed, but insulated by non-conducting material,
so as not to be in metallic connection with the block, and the ends of the insulated
wires are fixed in metallic contact each to one of these bars or supports. To one
of these bars is attached a metal spring, the loose end of which presses toward the
point of a metal screw screwed transversely through the other metal bar or support,
but separated from it by a piece of metal (preferably triangular in shape), which is
fixed upon the front end of a lever or bar, which passes freely through the hollow
cylindrical block above described, and turns upon a centre fixed in the proper

page_text: •
position in the frame or case of the indicating wheel work. The other end of the
lever is prolonged and bent over so as to rest upon the edge of a wheel provided
with a sufficient number of ratchet teeth, and fixed upon one of the spindles of the
indicating apparatus, preferably the "mile" spindle. The triangular shaped piece
of inetal is separated by insulating material from the lever, upon the inner end of
which it is fixed, and the lever is made to pass water-tight through the hollow
cylindrical block by means of a short piece of tube of india-rubber or other
sufficiently flexible material fixed to the block, and round the lever in a way
similar to that described and shewn in the Specification of my former Letters
Patent already referred to.
As each tooth of the ratchet wheel passes under the end of the lever it lifts the
latter, and forces the triangular pieco at its other end away from the point of the
metal screw, against which it is normally pressed, and so breaks the metallic
circuit between the two insulated wires. When the tooth passes and releases the
lever the triangular piece is pressed back against the point of the screw by the
spring upon the other metal bar or support, and the electric circuit is thus again
completed. At each such contact the indicating apparatus is actuated, and thus
the number of revolutions of the rotator of the log indicates the speed of the ship
on board the latter.
24
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of my invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section and Figure 2 an end view showing a vertical
tube a (passing through the bottom of the ship). "6 is a guide upon which fits the
frame c, carrying the log having the rotator d, driving wheel work in the case e, the
indications of which are conveyed into the ship by insulated wires f'and g, contained
in the rope h, by which the frame o can be raised or lowered. i is a stop which
carries the frame. In figures 3 and 4 the tube a is shewn passing down through
the bottom of the ship v, and a short longitudinal tube t is shewu at its lower end
to contain and guard the rotator d. In figures 1 and 2 the rotator blades a, a, a, a,
are shewn nearly circular in plan, the axis b being made of corresponding shape.
In figure 5 the rotator a is shewn revolving loose upon the axis b, and it is fitted
with a clutch c, which engages with the clutch & when the vessel is moving forward.
If the direction is reversed the clutches are disengaged, as shewn.
Figures 6 and 7 shew (on an enlarged scale) the method described for economizing
the electricity used; a is the case of the log containing the wheel b, driven by the
"Inile" spindle; c is a lever actuated at intervals by the wheel b, and turning
upon the centre d in the water-tight joint e. The inner end of the lever has
segment f, the two extremities of which are covered with ivory or ebonite at y and
h, the intermediate part fl being of metal.
The spring i presses against the segment f, but when the lever is being moved
by the wheel b the spring i is lifted from contact with the segment when the metal
part fis passing by the hinged projection k. When the lever is released and
returned to its position by its spring the projection k is lifted and passes over the
spring i, and a short electrical communication is made between the spring i and the.
segment f. The insulated wire is connected to the segment f, and the insulated
wire m to the spring i. Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13 shew the novel arrangement
of apparatus which I sometimes adopt for conveying the indications of the
rotator to the dial plates on board the ship. a is the case carrying the wheelwork b,
actuated by the rotator through a cord or shaft attached at c. The front end of a
is attached to the hollow block d, having a flange e fitting in the tube f, and held
by the washers and screwed gland. The tube f tapers down in front and is
attached to a towing cord at h, where there is also formed a recess i, through
which the insulated wires and pass, being held and kept watertight by the
perforated washers and screw m. Two metal bars, n and o are fixed to the block d
(but insulated from it) and one of them is connected to the wire k,,and the other
to the wire l. To the bar o is fixed the spring p, which presses towards the screw r,
fixed in the other barn, but separated from it by the triangular piece s fixed upon,
but insulated from, the end of the lever t, which turns upon the centre u, and the

page_text: forward end of which is actuated at intervals by the ratchet wheel v upon the
"mile" spindle of the log. The levert passes through the flexible watertight
tube w.
The
Figures 8 and 9 shew the metallic contact made between the point of a screw c
fixed to the lever a and pressed against the plate b by the spiral spring c.
different arrangements of apparatus described may be applied to measuring the
velocity of streams or currents, as well as that of ships.
Having now described my invention and the manner in which it is to be performed,
I do not claim the arrangement of a tube or pipe passing through the bottom of a
ship through which tube or pipe a log provided with a rotator can be introduced
and withdrawn, but I claim,—
The methods of throwing the rotator of a log, so introduced into the tube out of
gear with the indicating apparatus when the ship is moving astern, substantially as
described and shewn in the Drawing.
Also in ships' logs, in which electricity is used for the purpose of transmitting
the indications of the rotator, the method of economizing the expenditure of
electricity by shortening the duration of the metallic contact between the insulated
wires, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
Also the general construction and arrangement of the indicating apparatus in the
ship's log, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
In witness whereof, we the said Cornelius Edward Kelway, Frank Dyer, and
Thomas Graham Graham, have hereunto set our hands and seals the 10th day of
April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Notice of the application for leave to file this Disclaimer and Memorandum of
Alteration having been advertized in accordance with my directions:-I hereby grant
my Fiat giving leave to the above named Cornelius Edward Kelway, Frank Dyer, 3
and Thomas Graham Graham to file in the Office of the Commissioners of Patents
with the Specification to which the same relates the foregoing Disclaimer and
Memorandum of Alteration. Dated this 12th day of November 1883.
FARRER HERSCHELL

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cornelius Edward Kelway, of Portsea, in the County of
Hants, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING
THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATER, ALSO
APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS
ARE FLOWING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cornelius Edward Kelway
16
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1877.
CORNELIUS EDWARD KELWAY; of Portsea, in the County of Hants. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE
PASSING THROUGH THE WATER; ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE
AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING."
This Invention has reference to apparatus used for the purpose of measuring and
indicating the rate at which ships or other vessels are moving through the water
and the distances passed over by them, and it has for its objects improvements in
the construction of such apparatus and in the means whereby it is attached or
connected to the ship or vessel, by which improvements its indications are more
reliable and more easily observed, and the apparatus is itself more easily accessible
than ships' logs as ordinarily constructed and used:
'
The ship's log in most general use consists of a rotator, having helical blades,
which is drawn through the water and made to revolve by a bar or rod which com-
municates the rotations to wheelwork contained in the log itself, which wheelwork
indicates upon suitable dial plates the number of rotations, and consequently (when
the "pitch" of the helical-blades of the rotator is accurately adjusted) the speed of
the vessel.
My improved supporting apparatus is applicable more especially to ships' logs in
which the indications of the wheelwork are pointed out, not only upon dial plates
in the log, but also upon dial plates on board the vessel, to which latter dial plates
the indications are conveyed by means of currents of electricity, operating in the

page_text: manner described, and shewn in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me,
dated April 5th, 1876, and numbered 1455.
In a suitable position, preferably near the centre of the length of the ship, and
adjacent to the keel, I arrange a vertical tube or pipe, the lower end of which is
open, whilst its upper end (which is also open) is carried up within the ship to any
convenient height above the level of the water. I make this tube of cast iron,
wrought iron, or other suitable material, and of any convenient section, preferably
circular or rectangular. I make the log itself consist of a box or case containing
suitable wheelwork, which is connected to and actuated by a suitable helical rotator
which projects below the bottom of the box or case. The box or case is connected
to a vertical bar or cord, by which the apparatus can be lowered down the vertical
tube from within the vessel, and at the bottom of the tube I make a flange or stop
which allows the helical rotator to pass through it whilst the box or case rests upon
the flange or stop, and may be firmly held there by a screw or lever worked from
within the vessel, or by any other convenient means.
The box or case and the helical rotator are so arranged that when they are
lowered, as described, into their position at the bottom of the tube the horizontal
axis of the rotator is in a position parallel to the keel of the vessel. I prefer to
surround the helical rotator with a framework or horizontal tube, open at the front
and back, attached either to the box or case or to the lower end of the tube for the
purpose of guiding in the desired direction the water which drives the rotator. A
framework or network of metal may be placed round the rotator or across the
openings through which the water passes in order to prevent it from being injured
or impeded in its action by sea-weed or other substances.
If the vertical tube be circular in section, I prefer to make the helical rotator
circular, or nearly so, in plan, so that the surface of the blades upon which the water
acts may be as large as possible, and in this case I sometimes make the horizontal
centre or axis upon which it revolves spherical, or nearly so, with pointed ends in
front and behind, so that the water may be directed towards the circumference of
the blades. I make the revolving axis communicate by means of toothed wheels, or
endless screws and worm wheels, with the wheel work in the box or case by which
the number of revolutions is indicated upon dial plates, as already described, and I
prefer to carry insulated metallic wires from the box or case up through the vertical
tube to electro-magnetic indicating apparatus situated in any convenient part of the
vessel, and actuated by means of apparatus for making and breaking electric contact
between the wires contained in the box or case, and, preferably, similar to the
apparatus for the purpose described and shewn by me in the Specification of the
Letters Patent granted to me, dated April 5th, 1876, and numbered 1455, already
referred to.
In order to prevent the apparatus from rotating in the wrong direction (when, for
instance, the vessel is moving astern), I prefer to use an arrangement by which the
rotator can only revolve in one direction. For this purpose a ratchet wheel upon
the axis of the rotator, provided with a spring catch, may be used; or a suspended
lever having a detent which enters between the blades of the rotator or of a catch
upon the teeth when pressed in one direction, but leaves the rotator free when
pressed in the other direction. This lever is provided with a plate, so that the
pressure of the water presses it in one or other direction, depending upon the direction
in which the vessel is moving. Or the spindle of the rotator may be arranged so that
when revolving in the wrong direction it is caused to move endways until it is
disengaged from the wheelwork which it actuates, as already described.
The apparatus, constructed and arranged as described, is constantly in action
when the vessel is moving through the water, and it indicates upon the dial plates
on board the vessel the distance travelled since the vessel started. At the same time
the wheelwork and indicating apparatus in the box or case also give the same
indications, which may be examined, when desired, and compared with the former
by withdrawing the apparatus up through the vertical tube into the vessel. When

page_text: the vessel is not moving the apparatus may in the same way be withdrawn up the
vertical tube so as to prevent it from being set in motion by currents or waves.
In order to reduce the expenditure of electricity which passes through the wires
when contact is made between their ends in the log, as described and shewn in the
Specification of my before mentioned Letters Patent, I sometimes adopt the following
arrangement:-I connect the end of one of the insulated wires in the closed chamber
of the log with a metallic spring having a projection upon it actuated by the inner end
of the levers, which is operated by the revolving spindle of the log. The end of the
other insulated wire is connected to a lever, or a segment of a wheel, turning upon a
centre, and having its outer end or circumference formed of ebonite or other non-
conducting material, into a part of which is inserted a plate or plug of metal, which
is in metallic communication with the second insulated wire.
The spring first described, and the lever or seginent, aro so arranged that the
spring or a metallic point upon it presses upon the outer circumference of the
segment or lever, and the latter can be turned upon its centre through a certain
distance backward and forward, the length of stroke being limited by stops, against
one of which it is held by a spring. A projection or cam is arranged upon the
spring first described, and another projection upon the lever or segment, both pro-
jections being operated upon by the inner end of the lever, actuated by the revolving
wheel of the log.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-When the lever is actuated by the
wheel it presses against the spring and removes it from contact with the lever or
segment. At the same time it moves round the lever or segment until the metallic
plate or plug upon the latter has passed from under the point of the spring, and it
then releases the latter, which falls upon the non-conducting part of the segment or
lever. Shortly after the lever is released and the segment is brought back to its
original position by its spring, and electrical communication is made only during
the time when the metallic plate or plug is passing against the point of the spring.
A binge or spring allows the projection which raises the spring to return without
affecting the latter.
I employ different modifications of this arrangement for economizing electricity.
For instance, the non-conducting segment may be formed upon the inner end of the
principal lover itself.
-
Another novel form of arrangement which I sometimes adopt is the following
I attach the front end of the case which carries the indicating wheelwork of the
log to a hollow cylindrical block, preferably of metal. The front end of this block
has a flange which passes into the screwed end of a corresponding metallic tube,
and is held firmly and water-tight by a screwed ring or "gland," which is screwed
into the tube, into which one or more india-rubber packing rings have been first
inserted upon the flange on the block. The other end of the cylindrical tube is
extended forward but tapers down to a much less diameter, and its extreme front
end is provided with a cylindrical recess screwed inside, and having suitable attach-
ments by which the log can be drawn through the water. The ends of two insulated
metallic wires which pass from the vessel to the log are brought through this front
cylindrical recess into the tapering part of the apparatus, a water-tight joint being
made in their passage by means of one or more india-rubber packing rings or
washers, each having two holes for the insulated wires to pass through, and the
washers being separated from each other by metallic rings or washers; also each
provided with two holes, and prevented from turning round by projections or
grooves in their edge, fitting corresponding longitudinal grooves or projections in
the cylindrical recess.
The several washers are forced down into the recess by a screwed ring or gland,
which is screwed into it. To the front end of the hollow cylindrical block first
described two metal bars or supports are fixed, but insulated so as not to be.in
metallic contact with the block, and to the front end of each of these the end of one
of the insulated wires from the vessel is fixed in metallic contact. To one of the
metal bars is attached a metal spring, the loose end of which presses towards the 'point

page_text: of a metal screw, screwed transversely through the other metal bar, but separated,
from it by a piece of metal (preferably triangular in shape), which is fixed upon the
front end of a lever or bar which passes through the hollow cylindrical block, and
turns upon a centre in the frame or case of the indicating wheelwork. Its other
end is prolonged and bent over so as to rest upon the edge of a wheel provided
with ratchet teeth, and fixed upon one of the spindles of the indicating apparatus,
preferably the "inile" spindle. The triangular piece of metal described is separated
by insulating material from the lever upon the end of which it is fixed, and the
lever passes water-tight through the hollow cylindrical block. by means of a'
sufficiently flexible piece of tube fixed against the block and round the lever, in the
way described and shewn in the Specification and Drawings of my Letters Patent
already referred to.
.As. each tooth of the ratchet wheel or the mile spindle passes under the end of
the lever it lifts the latter and forces the triangular piece at its other end away
from the point of the metal screw against which it is pressed and so breaks the
électrical circuit between the two insulated wires.. When the toothì passes and
releases the lever the triangular piece is pressed back against the screw by the
spring upon the other metal bar, and the electrical circuit is again complete.'. At
each such contact.the indicating apparatus in the ship is actuated, and thus the
revolution of the log and the speed of the ship'are indicated on board the latter.
My improved apparatus may be used for measuring the speed of streams or
currents, as well as for measuring the speed of vessels.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Cornelius Edward Kelway in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
December 1877.
"
CORNELIUS EDWARD KELWAY, of Portsea, in the County of Hants. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN' APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE
PASSING THROUGH THE WATER, ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE
AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING."
My Invention has reference to apparatus used for the purpose of measuring and
indicating the rate at which ships or other vessels are moving through the water
and the distances passed over by then. It has for its objects improvements in the
construction of such apparatus, and the means whereby it is attached or connected
to the ship or vessel, by which improvements its indications are made. more reliable
and are more easily observed, and the apparatus itself is more conveniently
accessible than ships' logs as ordinarily constructed and used.
For the purpose of so measuring and indicating speed the ship's log in ordinarily
.general use consists of a rotating apparatus, having helically arranged blades, which
is drawn or towed through the water by a bar or rod and so made to revolve, its
rotations being communicated to wheelwork contained in a box or case in the log
itself. This wheel work indicates upon suitable dial plates the number of rotations,
and consequently (when the "pitch" of the helical blades of the rotator is
accurately adjusted to the indications upon the dial plates) the speed at which the
vessel is moving.
My improvements consist, first, of apparatus for supporting the log, and are

page_text: applicable more especially to ships' logs, in which the indications of the wheelwork
are pointed out not only upon dial plates in the log itself, but also upon dial plates
on board the vessel, to which latter dial plates the indications are conveyed by means
of currents of electricity, operating in the manner described, and shewn in the Speci-
fication of Letters Patent granted to me, dated April 5th, 1876, and numbered 1455.
In order to put in operation this part of my present Invention I arrange in a
suitable position, preferably near the centre of the length of the ship and adjacent
to the keel, a vertical tube or pipe, the lower end of which is open, its upper end
being carried up within the ship to any convenient height above the level of the
water. This tube may be made of cast iron, wrought iron, or other suitable
material, and of any convenient section, preferably circular or rectangular.
The tube, arranged as described,. is provided with one or more interior vertical
guides, upon which fits a frame carrying the log itself, consisting of a box or case
containing suitable wheelwork, connected to and actuated by helical blades of a
rotator which projects below the bottom of the box or case. The frame carrying
the log, as described, can be raised or lowered upon the guides in the vertical tube
by means of a cord, or chain, or a bar, or rack, or screw, or other convenient means,
and at the bottom of the vertical tube I arrange a flange or stop which allows the
helical rotator to pass through it into the water, whilst the box or case containing
the wheelwork driven by the rotator rests upon the flange or stop, and may be
firmly held there by a screw, or lever, or other convenient means operated from
within the vessel. The frame carrying the log is so arranged that when they are
lowered into their position, as described, the horizontal axis of the helical rotator
is in a position parallel to the keel of the vessel, and I prefer to surround the rotator
with a framework or with a horizontal tube, open at the front and back, and
attached either to the box or case described, or to the lower end of the vertical
tube, for the purpose of guiding in the desired direction the water which drives the
rotator and of preventing the latter from becoming fouled; and a frame of bars or
network may also be arranged round the rotator, or across the ends of the hori-
zontal tube described for the same purpose. The rotator with its helical blades
may be made of any suitable form, but if the vertical tube is circular in section I
prefer to make it also circular, or nearly so, in plan, or its forward end circular iu
plan, so that the surface of the helical blades upon which the water acts may be as
large as possible. In this case the horizontal centre or axis upon which the rotator
is supported and revolves may be made spherical, or partly spherical, with pointed
ends, so that the water is directed towards the circumference of the helical blades.
The revolving rotator driven in this way communicates by means of toothed wheels
or endless screws and worm wheels with the wheelwork in the box or case above, by
which the number of revolutions is indicated upon dial plates, as already described,
and I prefer to carry insulated metallic wires from the box or case up through the
vertical tube to corresponding electro-magnetic indicating apparatus situated in any
convenient part of the ship, and actuated by means of apparatus for inaking and
breaking electric contact between the insulated wires, and preferably similar to
the apparatus for such purpose described and shewn in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to me April 5th, 1870, and numbered 1455, already referred to, or
by apparatus for the said purpose of the kind herein-after described.
I prefer to use an arrangement to prevent the apparatus from being injured by
the revolution of the rotator in the wrong direction, as, for instance, when the ship
is moving astern; and for this purpose I sometimes use upon the axis of the rotator
O a ratchet wheel provided with a spring catch or detent, which prevents the rotator
from turning backward; or I use a suspended lever, having a detent attached to it,
which enters between the blades of the rotator, or a catch upon the latter when
pressed in one direction, but loaves the rotator free to revolve when pressed in the
other direction. A. plate is provided upon this suspended lever so that the pressure
of the water presses it in one or the other direction, depending upon the direction
in which the vessel is moving. I prefer, however, to make the helical rotator
revolve freely upon its axis, but to be capable of a small amount of endlong move-

page_text: ment upon the latter, so that when the ship moves forward the rotator is pressed
back upon the axis until a clutch upon it engages with a corresponding clutch upon
the latter, but when the ship moves backward the rotator is pressed forward and
disengages the clutches; or the rotator may be fixed to the axis, which is allowed
a short movement endways in the way described. When the ship or other vessel
is moving forward through the water, the apparatus constructed and arranged as
above described is constantly in action, and it indicates upon the dial plates on
board the ship the distance travelled by the latter. At the same time the wheel-
work and indicating apparatus in the box or case also give the same indications,
which may be examined when desired and compared with the former by with-
drawing the apparatus up through the vertical tube into the ship. Either the
indicating apparatus in the log or that within the vessel may be omitted, if desired.
When the vessel is not moving the apparatus may be withdrawn up the tube to
prevent the rotator from being set in motion by currents or waves.
Another part of my Invention consists of apparatus to reduce the expenditure of
electricity which passes through the insulated wires when contact is made between
them, as described and shewn in the Specification of my Letters Patent herein-
before referred to. For this purpose I sometimes connect the end of one of the
insulated wires in the closed chamber of the log with a metallic spring having a
projection upon it actuated by the inner end of the lever, which is operated by one
of the revolving spindles of the log. The end of the other insulated wire is con-
nected to a lever or a segment of a wheel turning upon a centre, and having its
outer end or circumference formed of ebonite or other non-conducting material, into
a part of which is inserted a plate or plug of metal, which is in metallic connection
with the second insulated wire. The spring first described and the lever or seginent
are so arranged that the spring or a metallic point upon it presses upon the outer
circumference of the segment or lever, and the latter can be turned upon its centre
through a certain distance backward and forward, the length of the stroke being
limited by stops, against one of which it is held by a spring. A projection or cam
is arranged upon the spring first described, and another projection upon the lever or
segment, both being operated by the inner end of the lever actuated by one of the
revolving spindles of the log, as already described. When the lever is actuated by
the wheel it presses against the spring, and removes it from contact with the lever
or segment, and at the same time it moves round the latter until the metallic plate
or plug upon it has passed from under the point of the spring, and it then releases
the latter, which falls upon the non-conducting part of the segment or lever. Shortly
afterwards the lever is released, and the segment is brought back to its original
position by its spring, and electrical connection is made only during the time when
the metallic plate or plug is passing under the point of the spring. A hinge or
spring allows the projection which raises the spring to return without affecting the
latter:
Different modifications of this arrangement may be used for the purpose of
economizing electricity. For instance, the non-conducting segment may be formed
upon the inner end of the principal lever itself.
Another novel form of arrangement of apparatus for conveying the indications of
the log to the indicating apparatus in the ship is the following:-I attach the front
end of the case which carries the indicating wheelwork of the log to a hollow
cylindrical block, preferably of metal. The front end of this block has a flange,
which passes into the screwed end of a corresponding metallic tube, and is held
firmly and water-tight by a screwed ring or gland, which is screwed into the tube,
into which one or more india-rubber packing rings have been first inserted upon
the flange on the block. The other end of the tube I extend forward, but I make it
taper down to a much less diameter, and its extreme front end is provided with a
cylindrical recess screwed inside, and having formed upon or fastened to it suitable
attachments by which the log can be drawn through the water. Two insulated
metallic wires pass from the ship to the log, and their ends are brought through this
front cylindrical recess into the tapering part of the tube above described, a water-

page_text: tight joint being made in their passage by means of one or more india-rubber
packing rings or washers, each of which has two holes for the insulated wires to
pass through, and is compressed by metallic rings or washers, also each provided
with two holes, and prevented from turning round by projections or grooves in
their edges, fitting corresponding grooves or projections in the cylindrical recess into
which they fit.
These several washers are forced down into the recess by a screwed ring or gland
screwed into it. To the front end of the hollow cylindrical block first described two
metal bars or supports are fixed, but insulated by non-conducting material, so as
not to be in metallic connection with the block, and the ends of the insulated wires
are fixed in metallic contact each to one of these bars or supports. To one of these
bars is attached a metal spring, the loose end of which presses toward the point of
a metal screw screwed transversely through the other metal bar or support, but
separated from it by a piece of metal (preferably triangular in shape), which is fixed
upon the front end of a lever or bar, which passes freely through the hollow
cylindrical block above described, and turns upon a centre fixed in the proper
position in the frame or case of the indicating wheel work. The other end of the lever is
prolonged and bent over, so as to rest upon the edge of a wheel provided with a
sufficient number of ratchet teeth, and fixed upon one of the spindles of the indi-
cating apparatus, preferably the "mile" spindle. The triangular shaped piece of
metal is separated by insulating material from the lever, upon the inner end of
which it is fixed, and the lever is made to pass water-tight throught the hollow
cylindrical block by means of a short piece of tube of india-rubber or other suffi-
ciently flexible material fixed to the block, and round the lever in a way similar to
that described and shewn in the Specification of my former Letters Patent already
referred to.
As each tooth of the ratchet wheel passes under the end of the lever it lifts the
latter, and forces the triangular piece at its other end away from the point of the
metal screw, against which it is normally pressed, and so breaks the metallic circuit
between the two insulated wires. When the tooth passes and releases the lever the
triangular piece is pressed back against the point of the screw by the spring upon
the other metal bar or support, and the electric circuit is thus again completed. At
each such contact the indicating apparatus is actuated, and thus the number of
revolutions of the rotator of the log indicates the speed of the ship on board the
latter.
The accompanying Drawing is in illustration of my Invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section and Figure 2 an end view showing a vertical
tube a (passing through the bottom of the ship). b is a guide upon which fits the
frame c, carrying the log having the rotator d, driving wheelwork in the case c, the
indications of which are conveyed into the ship by insulated wires fand g, con-
tained in the rope h, by which the frame o can be raised or lowered. i is a stop
which carries the frame.
In Figures 3 and 4 the tube a is shewn passing down through the bottom of the
ship v, and a short longitudinal tube t is shewn at its lower end to contain and
guard the rotator d. In Figures 1 and 2 the rotator blades a, a, a, a, are shewn
nearly circular in plan, the axis b being made of corresponding shape. In Figure 5
the rotator a is shewn revolving loose upon the axis b, and it is fitted with a clutch
which engages with the clutch & when the vessel is moving forward. If the
direction is reversed the clutches are disengaged, as shewn.
Figures 6 and 7 shew (on an enlarged scale) the method described for econo-
mizing the electricity used; a is the case of the log containing the wheel b, driven
by the "mile" spindle; c is a lever actuated at intervals by the wheel b, and
turning upon the centre d in the water-tight joint e. The inner end of the lever
has a segment, the two extremities of which are covered with ivory or ebonite at
g and h, the intermediate part ƒ being of metal. The spring presses against the
segment.f, but when the lever is being moved by the wheel b the spring i is lifted
from contact with the segment when the metal part f¹ is passing by the hinged

page_text: projection k. When the lever is released and returned to its. position by its spring
the projection is lifted and passes over the spring i, and a short electrical commu-
nication is made between the spring i and the segment f. The insulated wire lis
connected to the segment and the insulated wire m to the spring i. Figures
10, 11, 12, and 13 shew the novel arrangement of apparatus which I sometimes
adopt for conveying the indications of the rotator to the dial plates on board the
ship. a is the case carrying the wheelwork b, actuated by the rotator through a
cord or shaft attached at c. The front end of a is attached to the hollow block d,
having a flange e fitting in the tube f, and held by the washers and screwed gland g.
The tube f tapers down in front, and is attached to a towing cord at h, where there
is also forined a recess i, through which the insulated wires k and Z pass, being held
and kept watertight by the perforated washers and screw m. Two metal bars,
n and o, are fixed to the block d (but insulated from it) and one of them is con-
nected to the wire l, and the other, to the wire . To the bar o is fixed the spring p,
which presses towards the screw 7, fixed in the other bar n, but separated from it
by the triangular piece s fixed upon, but insulated, from the end of the lever t,
which turns upon the centre, and the forward end of which is actuated at intervals
by the ratchet wheel upon the "mile" spindle of the log. The lever t passes
through the flexible watertight tube w
The
Figures 8 and 9 shew the metallic contact made between the point of a screw c
fixed to the lever a and pressed against the plate 6 by the spiral spring c.
different arrangements of apparatus described may be applied to measuring the
velocity of streams or, currents, as well as that of ships.
Having now described my Invention and the manner in which it is to be per-
formed, I claim,—
The arrangement of a tube or pipe passing through, the bottom of a ship through
which tube or pipe a log provided with a rotator, can be introduced and withdrawn
substantially as described, and shewn in the Drawing.
Also the methods of throwing the rotator of a log, so introduced into the tube out
of gear with the indicating apparatus when the ship is moving astern, substantially
as described and shewn in the Drawing.
}
Also in ships' logs, in which electricity is used for the purpose of transmitting
the indications of the rotator, the method of economizing the expenditure of
electricity by shortening the duration of the metallic contact between the insulated
wires, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
Also the general construction and arrangement of the indicating apparatus in the
ship's log, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Cornelius Edward Kelway, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.