A Load-line Gauge or Level Indicator for Ships.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 16th June, 1889-Accepted; 3rd Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Load-line Gauge or Level Indicator for Ships.
We, ALEXANDER SAUNDERS of 106 Conway Street, Birkenhead in the County of
Chester, Cork Manufacturer, and WILLIAM SAUNDERS of 31 Diggon Street Stepney
London in the County of Middlesex, Ships Carpenter, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
When ships are receiving cargo it is necessary that the external load-line or water-
line painted on the hull should be frequently inspected 'in order to see if the cargo is
evenly distributed, and that neither the bow or stern are unduly depressed..
Our load-line gauge or indicator is designed to avoid the trouble and delay of
this observation, by indicating within the vessel itself any deviation from the
desired level.
It consists of a pendulum or index suspended on a flexible chain or spring or
working on a.suitable bearing, as free from friction as possible; and also of an are or
segment of a circle placed immediately. below the index,. and so marked with a
scale as to indicate every deviation from the level to which the instrument is originally
set. Thus for example the gauge being placed amidships and adjusted so that the
point or lower end of the index stands at .zero,. that is to say in the middle of the
scale on the arc, any alteration of the ships level will be immediately shewn by
the index swinging to right or left, and the spaces marked on the scale will
indicate in feet or otherwise as desired, the amount of such variation.
The instrument will of course be placed so that the pendulum swings in the line
of the ships length, when indicating variations of level between bow and stern,
or in the line of its width if variations of level between the ships sides have to be
indicated.
It may be so mounted on a pivot as to be readily turned from one direction to
the other.
The instrument can also be used for indicating the pitching or rolling of the ship
in rough weather.
A small.screw or pin is attached to: the pendulum to fix it firmly to the arc when
it is not in use.*
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Load-line Gauge or Level Indicator for Ships: .
We, ALEXANDER SAUNDERS of 106 Conway Street Birkenhead Cork Manufacturer
and WILLIAM SAUNDERS 31 Diggon Street London Ships Carpenter do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed; to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention is designed to facilitate the proper loading of ships, and ensure their
being kept level whether in loading or unloading, without the necessity of frequently
examining the external load-line or water-line painted on the outside of the hull.
When ships are receiving cargo it is important to distribute the load evenly, so that
neither side is above the other, and neither bow nor stern, are unduly depressed. The
simple apparatus herein described enables the officer superintending the loading, to
see at a glance whether the ship is deviating from its correct horizontal position.
My loading gauge consists of a pendulum or index suspended on a flexible cord
chain, or spring, or of a rigid bar, working on a suitable bearing, as free from friction
[Prins d

page_text: as possible; and also of an arc or segment of a circle placed immediately below the
index, the said arc or segment being if desired marked with a scale, so as to indicate
the extent of every deviation from the proper level of the vessel, or from the horizontal
plane to which the instrument was originally set.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 shews a simple form of the gauge with the
index out of the centre, thus indicating that the vessel on which it is supposed to be
placed, is higher on the left side of the gauge and lower on the right. A is a wooden
backboard which can be dispensed with if not required. B is the frame which may
also be omitted if preferred. C is the arc marked with a scale as described. D is the
swinging index hanging on the bearing E. F is a screw or pin to fix the indicator D
when not in use. Fig. 2, shows a sectional side view of the indicator at the line x-y.
It will be readily understood that on the gauge being placed amidships and adjusted
so that the centre of the arc is perpendicular to the bearing of the index when the ship
is level, the lower end or point of the indicator being then at zero, that is to say
in the middle of the scale on the are; any alteration of the ships level will be
immediately shewn by the index swinging to right or to left and the spaces marked on
the scale will indicate in feet or otherwise as desired, the amount of such variation
of level.
The length of the index can if preferred be proportioned to the length of the ship.
For example a ship 400 feet long might have an index or pendulum 400 × 16th of an
inch, or 40 inches in length, and so on in like proportions for other vessels. The
instrument will of course be so placed that when indicating variations of level between
bow and, stern line, the pendulum swings in the line of the ships length, and it
will be placed, in the line of the ships width if required, to indicate variations of
level between the ships sides. It may be so, mounted on a pivot as to be readily
turned from one direction to the other.
The instrument can also be used for indicating the pitching or rolling of the ship
in rough weather, or for calling attention to any displacement or shifting of cargo
during the voyage. It might also be fitted with an ordinary bell or caused to touch
a button and connect the current of an electric bell, so as to give warning of any
serious amount of displacement occurring. The instrument can of course be constructed
to act in the reverse way so that the index is fixed while the arc is caused to
swing. This is a mere detail of construction which does not affect the principle
of the gauge.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ;
1. An instrument for. indicating the level of vessels, consisting of an arc or segment
with or without a scale. for measurements, and a pendulum or index one of which
swings to and fro, as herein explained and set forth.
2. An adjustable load-line gauge or level indicator for ships, mounted on a swivel
or hinge, so that it can be readily altered to act from length to width, or width to
length as required; and which can be proportioned to the ships length if desired, and
can be arranged, to sound an alarm automatically if preferred.
Dated this 18th day-of June 1889
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Patent Agent.