MENTS IN SHIPS' DAVITS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING BOATS THEREFROM."
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Carsten Neibour at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1881.
"IMPROVE-
LOUIS CARSTEN NIEBOUR, of Kingston, in the County of Surrey.
MENTS IN SHIPS' DAVITS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING BOATS
THEREFROM."
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
ships' davits, and in the apparatus connected therewith for raising and lowering
boats therefrom, whereby a boat can be lowered rapidly at a moment's notice on
an even kecl, and becomes detached or freed directly it takes the water.
My Invention consists, firstly, in forming each davit in two parts, the rear part
being stationary and placed inboard for the stowage of the boat, and the front part
hinged at its lower end to the ship's side, from which it is capable of being swung
outwards or lowered with the boat to the water. At the top of this movable part
of the davit is a swinging jib to the end of which one end of the boat is suspended,
the two jibs of each pair of davits carrying the boat being swung round when not
required for use until the boat hangs inside the rear or stationary parts of the
davits, to which the jibs are then lashed and the boat made fast.
Secondly. For lowering the front or movable parts of the davits with the boat
suspended therefrom I connect their upper ends by a strong stay bar and attach
to each end a wire or other rope or chain passing through an eye at the top of the
corresponding rear or stationary part of the davit, the two ropes passing together
through one of the said eyes to the barrel of a hand or steam winch, or other
purchase as found most suitable. By this arrangement on easing the winch or
other purchase the movable parts of the davits with the suspended boat are allowed
to swing outwards or lower towards the water by their own weight, the two ropes
acting in unison and regulating their descent as required. By hauling on the
ropes with the winch or other purchase the davits are again raised to an upright
position against the ship's side.
Thirdly. For detaching or freeing the boat directly it takes the water I use two
triangular or other suitably shaped levers or brackets hinged at one of its angles to
the bottom of the boat, one at each end thereof. The upright arm or member of
each lever or bracket terminates above in a projecting bolt or finger arranged

page_text: horizontally in the same plane as the lever, and passing through two parallel
staples in the boat, and through the lowest link of the chain by which the boat is
suspended from the davit.
The whole acts in such a manner that whilst the boat remains suspended from
the davits its weight is carried by the bolts or fingers, which are thereby prevented
from leaving the suspending chains and staples; but directly the boat takes the
water and the strain is consequently taken off the suspension chains, the levers or
brackets fall back on their hinges and withdraw the bolts or fingers from the links
of the suspension chains, whereby the boat is instantly freed and away.
Amongst the advantages of my Invention are the ease and rapidity. with
which the boat can be got out and lowered, and its immediate release from all
• restraining tackle the moment it takes the water, desiderata which, it is needless
to say, are of paramount importance in all emergencies at sea.