CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR STEERING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
JOHN SMITH, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Thirteenth day of January, in the fifteenth year of Her reign, did give and
grant unto me, the said Robert John Smith, my exors, adññors, and assigns,
Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
Robert John Smith, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I,
the said Robert John Smith, my exors, admors, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make,
use, and vend, within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland called England, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR STEERING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said Robert John Smith, shall
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery in England within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.
.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Robert John Smith, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly.

page_text: described and ascertained in and by the following Instrument in writing,
reference being had to the figures and letters therein contained, and to the
Drawings thereunto annexed, that is to say :-
My Invention, which relates to certain improvements in steering ships and
other vessels, and which-(may be divided into. three distinct heads) bas
reference, first, to the application of certain machinery or apparatus in connec-
tion with the steering wheel of ships and other vessels for the purpose of more
effectually transmitting the motion from the said steering wheel to the rudder
than hitherto, whereby the number of revolutions of the steering wheel now
required to carry the rudder midships (to the larboard) and starboard sides of
the vessel, is diminished, and the steersman enabled to bring the ship within
about half a turn of the steering wheel.
..
11.
Secondly, my Invention has reference to the construction of certain
machinery or apparatus to be employed in connection with the. ordinary tiller
of ships and other vessels for the like purpose of more effectually transmitting
the motion from the said tiller to the rudder than hitherto; whereby the motion
produced in the said rudder from every motion of the said tiller is increased or
quickened.
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Thirdly, my Invention having reference to the application of steam or other
motive power as an auxiliary agency in overcoming the additional resistance
offered to the steering wheel or tilleras aforesaid, by reason.of the loss of
leverage sustained in transmitting the motion, as aforesaid, and likewise to the
application of the said steam or other motive power as an auxiliary agency in
the process of steering by the ordinary machinery and apparatus,, and inde-
pendently of my "improvements in machinery or apparatus to be employed
in connection with the tiller or steering wheel, as aforesaid:
Before proceeding to detail more definitely the leading characteristic advan-
tages to be derived from the introduction of these my, said improvements,, I
would here just briefly remark, that by the present arrangement of the steering
machinery it has been required in the practice hitherto, when employing the
steering wheel, that the said steering wheel should: move with much greater
speed than the rudder, the effect of the said difference in: the movement being
necessary for giving to the helmsman the requisite power. and command over
the rudder when steering. It is therefore to overcome the comparative dis-
advantages resulting from the diminished speed transmitted to: the rudder that
my present improvements are particularly directed; that is to say, to ensuring
greater speed and certainty of action to the rudder, and rendering the operation
of steering less difficult, so as to bring the ship about within a half, turn of
the wheel, as aforesaid, I adjust in connection with the cap or rudder head or

page_text: grooved disk or drum which I designate a drum head, the uniform concentric
action of which takes up the slack chain as soon as it is given off either from
the chain barrel in connection with the steering wheel or from the intermediate
parts, as herein-after described, enabling the helmsmań to act upon the rudder
and put the same in motion without the loss of time as at present.".
But in order that these my said improvements may be more readily under-
stood and carried: into effect, I will now proceed to describe: the Drawings
hereunto annexed, reference being had to the letters and figures marked
thereon; that is to say:
"
In reference to the first part of my improvements, Figure I., Sheet I.,
represents a front elevation of the stern of a ship, steamboat, or other
vessel, with my improved steering machinery or apparatus; Figure II.,
a side elevation with the deck of the ship or vessel in section; Figure III.,
a top or plan view thereof; Figure IV., longitudinal section of the screw
motion gear; Figure V., detached view of the traversing screw.rod or
steering bar; and Figure VI., VII, VIII, IX.; and X., different transverse
sections taken through the dotted lines. In each Figure the same letters
of reference denote similar corresponding parts. A, A, the steering wheel;
B, B, standards for supporting the same; C, C, the chain barrel round which
the steering chain works; D, D, small pin or stud for securing the chain to
the said barrel to fit or prevent the same from slipping or shifting upon the
surface; E, E, the shaft upon which the steering wheel and chain barrel work,
being firmly keyed thereto; F, F, plumber block bearings in which the shaft
revolves; G, G, the steering chain; H, I, friction rollers for directing the
movement of the steering chain; I, I; openings through the platform for the
passage of the steering chain; J, J, the screw motion gear, consisting of two
rotatory grooved spiral shafts or chases bored and wormed throughout with
right and left handed screw and socket motion-K, K, into which the traversing
screw ends of the rod-or steering bar takes and receives its lateral motion;
L, L, caps for supplying oil or other lubricating matters to the screw.and
socket motion aforesaid; M, M, tubes or passages for releasing or equalizing
the atmospherical pressure consequent on the traversing of the screw rod or
steering bar; N, N, bearings or plumber blocks in which the said rotatory
shafts revolve, these also are furnished with caps for supplying oil to the
bearings, but if necessary stuffing boxes or glands may be substituted in lieu
thereof; 0, 0, screw rod or steering bar which passes through the bearings,
stuffing boxes, or glands in a fixed horizontal position with the deck of the
strip or vessel; the screw ends P, P, of the said: rod or steering bar taking
into corresponding threads of the same rake and pitch, causing by the rotation

page_text: of the spiral grooved shafts or chases a traversing lateral motion in the rod or
steering bar by reason of the alternate action of the left and right handed
screws, the effect of which through the intervention of the various working
gear imparts the desired motion to the rudder. Q, Q, motion rod or arm
firmly keyed to the boss or centre of the intermediate segment beams or
yoke R, R; S, S, adjusting slot head, the object of which is to allow free
action to the traversing movement of the steering rod or bar; T, T, fixing stud
or bolt which passes through the screw rod or steering bar in such position.
with regard to the slot head, as aforesaid, that when lateral motion is given
to the steering rod or bar by reason of the revolving action. of the grooved
spiral shafts or chases, as hereafter described, the said stud or fixing bolt will
retain the screw rod or steering bar in the same uniform horizontal position,
being free to .act through the medium of the slot, so that lateral action only is
communicated to the rod or steering bar, whilst the grooved spiral shafts or
chases revolve, producing by their rotatory action in gear with the screw ends
and internal socket motion K, K, the lateral action of the steering bar and
motion indirectly to the rudder; U, U, grooved disk or drum head; V, V, cap;
W, W, chain gear couppling the yoke and drum head; X, X, fixing bolts
and shackles for securing the chain; Y, Y, the platform; z, z, deck or stern
of the vessel. Note, in the event of accident, as in all cases, the tiller A', A',
which is shewn attached to the stern rail B', B2, may be removed and brought
into a position for steering, by being placed upon the drum head or rudder
shaft, as shewn at Fig. II.
In conclusion to the foregoing remarks with respect to the mode of working
the rudder round within a half turn of the wheel, as aforesaid, I would further
state that the employment of the screw rod and steering bar, as set forth and
described, furnished at each end with alternate left and right hand screws
taking into gear with the socket motion thread, is the distinguishing feature of
these my said improvements under the first head thereof, the broad surface
gearing and increased rake and number of the threads giving the requisite
power and making them less liable to get out of order than where threads of
narrow surface and single nuts only are employed.
My Invention for improvements in steering having reference, secondly, to
the construction and arrangements of certain machinery or apparatus to be
employed in connexion with the ordinary tiller of ships and other vessels for
the purpose of more effectually transmitting the motion from the said tiller to
the rudder than hitherto, whereby the motion produced in the rudder from
every other motion of the said tiller is increased or quickened, consists in
employing a yoke or cross head firmly keyed upon the end of an ordinary tiller

page_text: for the purpose of giving or transmitting through the medium of the drum
head and coupling chains an increase of speed to the action of the rudder,
whilst any loss of power is compensated by the additional length of tiller.
Figure I., Sheet II., of the accompanying Drawings represents a top or
plan view of my improved steering apparatus, shewing a portion of the stern
or deck of the vessel; Figure II., a side elevation; and in Figure III. a back
elevation of the same. A, A, deck or platform; B, B, the tiller; C, C, steer-
ing yoke or cross head; D, D, central bearing or axis upon which the yoke
or cross head works; E, E, grooved disk or drum head; F, F, rudder shaft or
cap; G, G, coupling chains; II, H, rudder; I, I, stern of the vessel. On
communicating motion to the tiller it will be evident, without further explana-
tion, that the radical difference in action between the steering yoke and drum
head will cause the latter to move with greater speed, whereby the objections
to the slow motion of the tiller alone are overcome.
Thirdly and lastly, my Invention having reference to the application of the
steam or other motive power as an auxiliary agency in overcoming the addi-.
tional resistance offered to the steering wheel or tiller, as aforesaid, by reason
of the loss of leverage sustained, as aforesaid, or to the application of the said
steam or other motive power as an auxiliary agency in the process of steering
by the ordinary machinery or apparatus, as aforesaid.
In order that this third part of my Invention may be more thoroughly
understood, I proceed to explain the manner in which it may be brought to
bear upon my application of machinery or apparatus, in connexion with the
steering wheel of ships and other vessels, as described under the first head of
my Invention, from which explanation it will be readily understood how this
third part of my Invention may be brought to bear on my improved machinery
or.apparatus in connexion with the tiller of strips and other vessels, and also
on the ordinary apparatus for steering ships and other vessels, as aforesaid,
although the arrangements for the above circumstances be not severally
described.
Figure IV., Sheet II., represents a sectional front elevation of the stern of
a ship with the machinery or apparatus attached; Figure V., a plan view
thereof; and at Figure VI. a side elevation. A, A, a steering wheel;
B, B, shaft or axle upon which the same revolves; C, C, vertical standards;
D,. D, chain barrel; E, E, steering; F, F, openings through the platform;
G, G, friction rollers; H, H, steering yoke; I, I, drum head; J, J, rudder
shaft; K, K, connecting rod; L, L, working cylinder; M, M, piston rod;
N, N, the piston ;.O, O, cylinder slide; P, P, boss head; Q, Q, slide rod;.
R, R, friction wheel for giving motion to the slide; S, S, strap or band;

page_text: T, T, platform; U; U, stern rail; V, V, deck of the ship or vessel. This last-
mentioned improvement shews a modification of the former principle applied
to steamboats only or such other vessels in which the power of the engine
employed in propelling the same may be brought to act in connection with the
steering wheel, so as to enable the helmsman by the assistance thus obtained to
gain a quick command over the rudder and bring the ship about within a half
turn' of the steering wheel, as set forth and described under the first head.
To effect, this object I employ in connection with the drum head and yoke a
small working cylinder, with the usual' rods and slide .gear, I then cause the
piston rod to communicate. direct motion to the boss head of the .connecting
rod or arm K, K, the action of which when put in motion: by the working
cylinder, produces a vibrating movement to the yoke and drum head to which
the rudder is attached, actuating the latter. so as to require little or no exertion
on the part of the steersman. As one method: of working the slides so as to
reverse the power of the engine simultaneously with the wheel, it' may 'be
stated that I pass an endless cord or band round, the periphery of the chain
barrel, and from thence downwards to a small friction roller R, R, running
loosely on the shaft or axis of the small slide motion link R, I, by the effect of
which the slightest movement of the steering which is sufficient to .reverse the
slide instantaneously, so that any point within the half turn, any alternate
movement of the wheel, would at once be communicated to the valve rod or
slide; and the power thus èxerted on the piston through the action of the. slide,
as heretofore, in the direction in which the helmsman requires it to act
(supposing the wheel, as shewn, to be at midships, and the spoke I to be
brought down in a line with I, I, and a quarter of the wheel effected), it would
be evident that the roller. R, R, being free to act with the slightest movement
communicated to it from the steering wheel, as aforesaid, would cause the
same to revolve loosely upon its shaft or axis in connection with the valve rod
or slide, as seen at R, R, and by reason of its being supplied with friction
sufficient only to move the slide, but not so as to prevent its turning upon its
own axis, it will be clearly understood that beyond the motion .first: imparted
to the slide all further effect would be superfluous, taking into consideration
that the friction alone is in itself sufficient at all times to influence or main-
tain its hold. Note; in all steamboats in which engines are: used near the
stern, steam may be employed direct from the boiler, to give motion. to the
working cylinders aforesaid; but otherwise I would prefer the puematic power
for working the same; by connecting the feed or discharge pipes or passages
directly with the air pump or by other known means in connection with the
engine.

page_text: Having now described the nature of this my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be carried into effect, I would have it clearly under-
stood that I do not by any means confine myself to the precise details herein-
before given, as the same may be varied without departing from the general
principal of my Invention. But that which I do claim as new and of my said
Invention is,
First, the grooved concentric tiller head a disk fixed or keyed upon
the cap or upper portion of the rudder shaft, which I call the drum head.
Secondly, the intervention of the yoke or lever for increasing or multiplying
the speed of the said drum head.
Thirdly, the application of the grooved spiral screw and socket shaft motion,
of whatever length of rake or size of thread employed, for obtaining or trans-
mitting power direct from the steersman to the rudder, by which the half turn
of the steering wheel is effected.
Fourthly, the application of the yoke or segment beam for transmitting
increased motion from the tiller' direct to the rudder.
Fifthly and lastly, the application of the auxiliary power last mentioned
to steering machinery or apparatus generally, so that the operations of the
helmsman may be greatly assisted thereby.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert John Smith, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
ROBERT JOHN (L.S.) SMITH.
Enrolled the Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.