IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR LOWERING, RAISING, AND RELEASING SHIPS BOATS "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles James Fox of Birkenhead in the County,
of Chester Master Mariner, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR LOWERING, RAISING, AND RELEASING SHIPS
BOATS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles James Fox at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th November 1883.
CHARLES JAMES Fox, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Master Mariner
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR LOWERING, RAISING AND
RELEASING SHIPS BOATS
My Invention has for its object to provide ready, convenient and safe means of
lowering and raising ships boats into and out of the water from the ships side and
releasing the boat from its holding tackle, when the boat is water borne.
My Invention comprises the following parts, arranged to act together and form an
apparatus for raising, lowering and releasing ships boats, namely I provide each
end of the boat with an arm, or stud, or equivalent device and projecting beyond,
or at the stem and stern of the boat, which I will term through out this description
the "boat stud." The boat stud serves as a means of hanging the boat to the
lowering and raising apparatus on the ship one such apparatus being provided for
each end of the boat. Each apparatus consists of an arm pivotted at one end to a
suitable part of the ship, for instance a little inboard (on the deck) where the
boats keel will lie, when carried inboard, the arm being stepped, or pivotted on the
deck in such a manner that when released the boat will fall outwards and be
carried clear of the ships rail or the top of the ships side as the case may be by the
rocking of the arms. From the outer end of this rocking arm, there is a second
bar, or its equivalent, the lower end of which is connected to a third arm, or bar,
the lower end of which works on the ships side, or in a permanent way on the
ships side and the outer end is attached to, or connected with the boat stud before
spoken of in such a manner that the arm (which I will hereafter term the crutch
arm) will work freely at either end whilst supporting the weight of the boat, or
when the boat is water borne. The crutch arm may be made tubular and telescopic,
Price S1

page_text: or as a sliding gunter and it may be provided with springs so as to ease the "riding"
of the boat. The outer end of the crutch arm may be curved to project into the
boat and receive the boat holding and releasing tackle, or the end of the crutch arm
is formed to receive the boat stud in such a manner that when the crutch arm is
perpendicular, the boats weight will rest upon it, and when horizontal the boat will
be free to leave the support. A rope, or chain, or wire, or their equivalent is
attached to the outer end of the crutch arm, either directly to the arm, or to a
ferrule, or ring working on the same. This rope, or its equivalent is led through
rings, or their equivalent on the ends of, and also inside the boat. The rope, or its
equivalent at each end of the boat may be made fast inside the boat separately, or
preferably there is a loop in the end of one through which the end of the other
may be passed and secured either to itself, or to the boat in such a manner that the
rope will keep the end of the crutch arm in the proper position to connect with the
boat stud. Attached to the inner end of the crutch bar there is a chain, rope, wire,
or their equivalent which leads on board ship for the purpose of hoisting and
lowering the boat and apparatus. The outer end of the crutch arm is also provided
with guy ropes leading to the ship to serve as fore and aft stays. Attached to the
outer end of the crutch arm is a rope, or its equivalent which leads through &
suitable sheave on the end of the rocking arm and leads on board ship for the
purpose of hoisting and lowering the boat and apparatus.
The beforegoing being the principal features of the apparatus according to my
Invention, I will now describe its application to the lowering, releasing and raising
of a ships boat.
The boat rests inboard on the ships side on chacks so arranged that the outside
portion of the chocks can be "knocked away," or hinged down. A rocking arm
and crutch arm with their connecting bar constructed as before described are
provided at each end of the boat, the stem of the boat being held by one crutch
arm and the stern of the boat being held by the other crutch arm and the rocking
arms being pivotted, or hinged to the ships deck inboard of the line of the boats
keel so that when the outer chocks are knocked away and the weight of the boat
comes on the rocking arms, it will swing out broadside and clear of the ships side by
the rocking of the arms, the rocking arms taking a horizontal position with the boat
hanging outboard and the lower end of the crutch arms working on the ships side
or in the permanent way thereon; then by lowering, or swinging out the crutch
arms by the tackle provided for that purpose and worked by any suitable appliance
on the ships deck, the boat will be lowered with the crutch arms until it becomes
water borne, the crutch arms keeping the boat. clear of the ships side and by the
crutch arms being able to work freely on the ships side, and at their point of
connection to the boat they compensate and adjust themselves to the motion of the
boat in relation to the motion and position of the ship. The elastic, or telescopic
provision, or construction of the crutch arms further tends to compensate for the
variable positions of the boat (when water borne) in relation to the ship. To
release the boat, the holding lines, which attach the ends of the crutch arms to the
stem and stern of the boat are let go and the boat is free to leave the apparatus.
To take the boat on board the lines of the crutch arms are recovered and the ends
of the crutch arms hauled to and made fast to the boat studs the tackle which leads
from the ends of the crutch arms on board the ship is then hauled upon by a winch,
or other mechanical appliance by hand and the ends of the crutch arms are together
raised to the outer end of the rocking arms, advantage being taken when possible
of the rolling of the ship to facilitate this operation. When the boat has been
brought up to the ends of the rocking arms, the tackle which is connected to the
lower end of the crutch arms and leads on board ship is hauled upon by a winch, or
other mechanical appliance, or by hand and the boat is further raised and swung
inboard by the lifting of the apparatus and the rocking inboard of the arms.
Balance weights springs, or equivalent counterpoises are provided and attached by
lines to the apparatus to facilitate the action of raising and lowering. The boat
after raising is again held by the outer chocks being replaced.

page_text: By an apparatus according to my Invention a boat may be lowered very quickly
without applying force and the apparatus provides for lowering the boat directly
without having to swing, or operate davits as is usual in ordinary boat lowering
and raising apparatus, and the boat is always ready for use and she is prevented
from striking the ship, or swinging too far off and she can be put into the water
safely with, or without a crew.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
. by the said Charles James Fox in the Patent Office on the 13th May 1884.
CHARLES JAMES Fox, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Master Mariner
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR LOWERING, RAISING AND
RELEASING SHIPS BOATS
"
My Invention has for its object to provide ready, convenient and safe means of
lowering and raising ships boats into and out of the water from the ships side and
releasing the boat from its holding tackle when the boat is water borne.
My Invention comprises the following parts arranged to act together and form
an apparatus for raising, lowering and releasing ships boats, namely I provide each
end of the boat with an arm, or stud, or equivalent device and projecting beyond,
or at the stem and stern of the boat which I will term throughout this description
the "boat stud." The "boat stud" serves as a means of hanging the boat to the
lowering and raising apparatus on the ship one such apparatus being provided for
each end of the boat. Each apparatus consists of an arm pivotted at one end to a
suitable part of the ship for instance a little inboard (on the deck) where the boats
keel will lie when carried inboard, the arm being stepped, or pivotted on the deck
in such a manner that when released, the boat will fall outwards and be carried
clear of the ships rail, or the top of the ships side as the case may be by the
rocking of the arms. From the outer end of this rocking arm, there is a second
bar, or its equivalent, the lower end of which is connected to a third arm, or bar
the lower end of which works on the ships side, or in a permanent way on the
ships side and the outer end is attached to, or connected with the "boat stud"
before spoken of in such a manner that the arm (which I will hereafter term the
crutch arm) will work freely at either end whilst supporting the weight of the
boat, or when the boat is water borne. The crutch arm may be made tubular and
telescopic, or as a sliding gunter and it may be provided with springs so as to ease
the "riding" of the boat. The outer end of the crutch arm may be curved to.
project into the boat and receive the boat holding and releasing tackle, or the end
of the crutch arm is formed to receive the "boat stud" in such a manner that
when the crutch arm is perpendicular, the boats weight will rest upon it and when
horizontal the boat will be free to leave the support. A rope, or chain, or wire, or
their equivalent is attached to the outer end of the crutch arm, either directly to
the arm, or to a ferrule, or ring working on the same. This rope, or its equivalent

page_text: is led through rings, or their equivalent on the ends of and also inside the boat.
The rope; or its equivalent at each end of the boat may be made fast inside the
boat separately, or preferably there is a loop in the end of one, through which the
end of the other may be passed and secured either to itself, or to the boat in such
a manner that the rope will keep the end of the crutch arm in the proper position
to connect with the "boat stud." Attached to the. inner end of the crutch arm
there is a chain, rope, wire, or their equivalent, which leads on board ship for the
purpose of hoisting and lowering the boat and apparatus. The outer end of the
crutch arm is also provided with guy ropes leading to the ship to serve as fore and
aft stays. Attached to the outer end of the crutch arm is a rope, or its equivalent
which leads through a suitable sheave on the end of the rocking arm and leads on
board ship for the purpose of hoisting and lowering the boat and apparatus.
The beforegoing being the principal features of the apparatus according to my
Invention, I will now describe its application to the lowering and releasing and
raising of a ships boat.
The boat rests inboard on the ships side in chocks so arranged that the outside
portion of the chocks can be "knocked away," or hinged down. A rocking arm
and crutch arm with their connecting bar constructed as before described are
provided at each end of the boat, the stem of the boat being held by one crutch
arm and the stern of the boat being held by the other crutch arm and the rocking
arms being pivotted, or hinged to the ships deck inboard of the line of the boats
keel, so that when the outer chocks are "knocked away" and the weight of the
boat comes on the rocking arms it will swing out broadside and clear of the ships
side by the rocking of the arms, the rocking arms taking a horizontal position with
the boat hanging outboard and the lower end of the crutch arms working on the
ships side, or in the permanent way thereon; then by lowering, or swinging out
the crutch arms by the tackle provided for that purpose and worked by any
suitable appliance on the ships deck, the boat will be lowered with the crutch arms
until it becomes water borne, the crutch arms keeping the boat clear of the ships
side and by, the crutch arms being able to work freely on the ships side, and at
their point of connection to the boat they compensate and adjust themselves to the
motion of the boat in relation to the motion and position of the ship. The elastic,
or telescopic provision, or construction of the clutch arms further tends to com-
pensate for the variable positions of the boat (when water borne) in relation to the
ship. To release the boat, the holding lines which attach the ends of the crutch
arms to the stem and stern of the boat are let go and the boat is free to leave the
apparatus. To take the boat on board, the lines of the crutch arms are recovered
and the ends of the crutch arms hauled in and made fast to the boat studs; the
tackle which leads from the ends of the crutch arms on board the ship is then
hauled upon by a winch, or other mechanical appliance or by band and the ends of
the crutch arms are together raised to the outer end of the rocking arms, advantage
being taken, when possible, of the rolling of the ship to facilitate this operation.
When the boat has been brought up to the ends of the rocking arms, the tackle
which is connected to the lower end of the crutch arms and leads on board ship is
hauled upon by a winch, or other mechanical appliance or by hand, and the boat is
further raised and swung inboard by the lifting of the apparatus and the rocking
inboard of the arms. Balance weights, springs, or equivalent counterpoises are
provided and attached by lines to the apparatus to facilitate the action of raising
and lowering. The boat after raising is again held by the outer chocks being
replaced.
By an apparatus according to my Invention a boat may be lowered very quickly
without applying force and the apparatus provides for lowering the boat directly
without having to swing, or operate davits as is usual in ordinary boat lowering
and raising apparatus and the boat is always ready for use and she is prevented
from striking the ship, or swinging too far off and she can be put into the water
safely with, or without a crew.

page_text: The beforegoing being the nature, object and purposes of my Invention, I will
now describe more in detail how the same may be carried out into practical effect
and for that purpose, I have hereunto attached three sheets of Drawings, illus-
trative of my Invention, which Drawings are marked with figures and letters of
reference corresponding with those in the following explanation, like letters and
figures being used to denote like, or corresponding parts throughout the various.
views.
and for that purpose, I have hereunto attached three sheets of Drawings, illus-
trative of my Invention, which Drawings are marked with figures and letters of
reference corresponding with those in the following explanation, like letters and
figures being used to denote like, or corresponding parts throughout the various.
views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 sheet 1 is an end elevation of a boat lowering, raising and releasing
apparatus according to my Invention; the dotted lines show the boat and
apparatus in the several positions when working the apparatus.
Figure 2 sheet 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged end view being a detail of the apparatus shown at
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a modification of part of the apparatus shown at Figure 1.
Figure 6 shows an alternative of the apparatus shown at Figure 1.
On reference it will be seen that in carrying out my Invention I provide each
end of the boat A with a hook a or equivalent device which project beyond the
stem and stern of the boat respectively hereafter termed the boat hook and
constructed to allow of the rudder head passing between the hook and the boat
and so as to take the position shown in dotted lines when not in use This boat
hook a serves as the means of hanging the boat to the lowering and raising
apparatus on the ship B, one such apparatus being. provided for each end of the
boat A. Each apparatus consists of an arm 6 pivotted at b¹ to a suitable part of
the ship B, for example a little inboard (on the upper deck) where the boats keel
will come when carried inboard, the arm b being pivotted on the deck in such a
manner that in working, the boat A will fall outwards and be carried clear of the
ships rail, or side by the rocking of the arms b and take the position shown in dotted
lines at A Connected to the outer end of the rocking arm b, there is a bar c,
the lower end of which is connected to a bar, or arm d hereafter termed the
crutch arm. The connections between the arms b and bar c are formed by a
horizontal bar e and the connections between the bar c and the arm & are formed
by a horizontal bar f. These bars e and f connect together the apparatus at each
end of the boat. The lower end of the bar c and the inner end of the crutch
arm d are at their point of connection provided with a roller f¹ or equivalent
device which works on the ships side as shown in the Drawings, or in a permanent
way which may be a groove, or rail on the ships side the outer end of the crutch
arm & is provided with a projecting piece d' on or against which the boat hook a
bears in such a manner that the crutch arm d will work freely whilst supporting
the weight of the boat A, or when the boat A is water borne. The crutch arm d
may be made tubular and telescopic as shown at Figure 5. The boat hook a rests
upon the outer end of the crutch arm d in such a manner that when the arm & is
perpendicular, the boats weight will rest upon the projecting piece d'and when
horizontal and in its lowered position as shown at A2, it will rest upon the end of
the arm & and be free to leave the support when released as hereafter described.
A rope, chain, or wire g is attached to the outer end of the crutch arms d, in the
Drawings they are shown attached to the ring of the projecting piece d'. These
ropes gare led through rings g' on the ends of the boat and are passed to the..
centre of the boat where they are made fast either separately, or preferable there
is a loop on the end of one rope g through which the end of the other rope g
may be passed and secured either to itself, or to the boat in such a manner that
the ropes g will keep the ends of the crutch arms & in proper position in reference
to the boat hook a. The outer end of the crutch arms d are also provided with
guy ropes.h leading to the ship to serve as fore and aft stays, Attached to the

page_text: outer end of the crutch arm d is a rope, or its equivalent k which leads through
a suitable sheave ' carried by the cross bar e and near the outer end of the
rocking arm b this rope k leads through the block 2 on the deck of the ship B
to the hoisting and lowering power.
Attached near the lower end of the bar c'
and to the horizontal bar f there is a block i' through which is passed the raising
and lowering rope i. The ends of these ropes are made fast to the ships
side at and are then led through the block and through the block i³ from
whence they are spliced and led in a single part to the raising and lowering
power.
k
It will be seen that the boat A rests inboard on the ships side in chocks D so
arranged that by releasing the holding clamp D¹ the weight of the boat A comes
on the rocking arms b and the boat will swing out broadside and clear of the ships
side and take the position shown at A¹ upon paying out the ropes i, then by
lowering, or swinging out the crutch arms d by paying out the rope / the boat A
will be lowered with the crutch arms d until it becomes water borne and takes the
position shown at A2 the crutch arms d keeping the boat clear of the ships side
and giving room to ship the boats oars as shown and by the crutch arms & being
able to work freely on the ships side and at their point of connection to the boat
they compensate and adjust themselves in relation to the motion of the boat and
ship. To release the boat A the holding lines g which attach the crutch arms & to
the stem and stern of the boat are let go and the boat is then free to leave the
apparatus.
To take the boat on board the lines g of the crutch arms d are recovered and the
ends of the crutch arms d are hauled in and made fast so that they come under
the boat hooks a, the ropes k are then hauled upon from the ship and the boat is
raised into the position A¹ advantage being taken when possible of the rolling of
the ship, To facilitate this operation when the boat is brought to the position A¹,
the ropes i are hauled upon and .the boat is further raised and swung inboard and
onto the chocks D.
In Figure 6 it will be seen that for the rocking bar b I substitute the rockers b
which answer the same purpose in swinging the boat outboard as effected by the
rocking arms b, the other features of the apparatus being similar to those before
described.
In Figure 5 it will be seen that the crutch arms & can be made telescopic and
they may be provided with springs, which construction affords an easy riding of
the boat.
Having now described my Invention and shown how the same may be worked,
I would have it understood that if desired the crutch arms d may be dispensed
with and the boat A may be hung by her usual boat tackle to the end of the
arms bor horizontal bar e and the boat lowered and raised from and to the
position A'. I would also have it understood that the bar c may be dispensed with
and in which case the arm & would support and hold the boat when inboard and
when being worked, the raising and lowering being effected through the tackle
ias shown in Figure 1. or in lieu of the bar c I sometimes may substituto a
chain, or rope so that greater length for lowering the inner end of the crutch
arm & may be obtained. This may also be effected by making the bar c of
telescopic construction.
What I claim as my Invention is
First An apparatus for lowering, raising and releasing ships boats substantially
as herein described, consisting essentially of a rocking arm such as 6 a supporting
bar c and a crutch arm d, which bears the boat by a boat hook a all in duplicate
and operating as herein set forth and as shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Second An apparatus for lowering and raising ships boats, substantially as herein
described consisting essentially of a rocking arın such as band a bar c in duplicate
and operating as herein described and set forth.
Third The means substantially herein described of bearing and releasing ships
boats, which means consist of bearing the boat by the boat hook a at each end

page_text: supported by a crutch arm, or its equivalent held to the boat by lines as herein
described and as shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Fourth An apparatus for lowering, raising and releasing ships boats substantially
as herein described, consisting essentially of a rocker b a supporting bar c and a
crutch arm & which bears the boat by a boat hook a all in duplicate and operating
as herein set forth and as shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Fifth An apparatus for lowering, raising and releasing ships boats substantially
as herein described, consisting essentially of a rocking arm such as b and a crutch
arm & which bears the boat by a boat hook a, in duplicate and operating as herein
described and set forth.
Sixth The crutch arm & constructed as described and shown in reference to
Figure 5 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
In Witness whereof, I the said Charles James Fox, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
CHARLES JAMES (L.S.) FOX.