A NEW OR IMPROVED DRIFT ANCHOR OR APPARATUS FOR KEEPING A VESSELS' HEAD TO WIND AT SEA
Year: 1884

page_text: I GEORGE RUNDLE KING of Pier Road, Gorleston in the County of Suffolk,
Smack owner, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "A NEW OR
IMPROVED DRIFT ANCHOR OR APPARATUS FOR KEEPING A VESSELS' HEAD TO WIND
AT SEA," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to an improved drift anchor for keeping the head of a
vessel to wind when laying to in a gale or when unmanageable from any cause.
The apparatus consists of a spar (about one third longer than the beam of the
vessel) covered with cork enclosed in canvas to give it buoyancy and to which a
square sail or tarpaulin of a strength proportioned to the tonnage of the vessel is
attached in the same way that a sail is bent on a yard. Instead of a sail or
tarpaulin a coir paunch or sword mat would be used for ships of heavy tonnage.
The sail or other sheet is attached by its upper side to the spar and is weighteḍ
at the lower side so as to hang like a curtain in the water. For this purpose a
heavy bar may be attached along its lower edge. The spar is attached by shackles
at each end to a hawser on the port and starboard bow and the lower end of the
sail or mat is attached by shackles to wire ropes which run through sheaves fixed
to the vessels hull at the water line just before the beam, the ropes being.led up.
amidships through sheaves in the ships stanchions.
The relative length of the upper and lower pair of ropes is such that the sheet or
curtain hangs at a suitable inclination to maintain its hold on the water.

page_text: I, GEORGE RUNDLE KING, of Pier Road, Gorleston, in the County of Suffolk,
Smack Owner, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "A NEW
OR IMPROVED DRIFT ANCHOR OR APPARATUS FOR KEEPING A VESSEL'S
HEAD TO
WIND AT SEA," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My Invention relates to a drift anchor for keeping the head of a vessel to wind
when laying to in a gale, or when unmanageable from any cause.
The apparatus consists of a spar or beam (about one-third longer than the beam
of the vessel) covered with cork (which may be enclosed in canvas) to give it
buoyancy and to which a square sail or tarpaulin of a strength proportioned to the
tonnage of the vessel is attached in the same way that a sail is bent on a yard.
Instead of a sail or tarpaulina coir paunch or sword mat would be used for
ships of heavy tonnage.
The sail or other sheet is attached by its upper side to the spar and is weighted
at the lower side so as to hang like a curtain in the water, and for this purpose a
heavy bar or length of wire rope may be attached along its lower edge.
The spar is attached by shackles and bridles at each end to a hawser on the port
and starboard bow and the lower end of the sail or mat is attached by shackles to
wire ropes which run through sheaves fixed to the vessel's hull at the water line
just before the beam, the ropes being led up amidships through sheaves in the
ships stanchions.,
The relative length of the upper and lower pair of ropes is such that the sheet or
curtain hangs at a suitable inclination to maintain its hold on the water.
In the drawings forming part of this specification figure 1 shews a front view of
the apparatus extended and figure 2 an edge view, while figure 3 represents the
same in use.
a is the sail tarpaulin, or mat attached at its upper edge or side to the spar b
which is covered with cork 61, and at its lower edge secured to a metal bar or wire
rope c.
b is provided with bends and shackles for hoisting it up to the davits
when the apparatus is not in use.. d, d are hawsers attached by shackles to each
end of the spar b and by which the apparatus is secured to the port and starboard'
bow of the vessel, and e, e are ropes which are attached to the lower side of the
sheet, tarpaulin, or mat, and pass over sheaves in the vessel. By means of these
ropes the inclination at which the sheet hangs may be readily adjusted as
circumstances may require.
It can
The apparatus is comparatively inexpensive and when not in use may be rolled
up and stowed away on board the vessel where it will occupy but little space. It
is adapted for vessels or ships of all sorts; also to their boats of all sizes.
also be used as a steering apparatus and likewise by all vessels and boats coastways
that are aground on a lee shore, beyond the reach of the rocket apparatus, for more
rapidly establishing communication with the shore by the time the lifeboat or
rocket apparatus arrives on the scene of a wreck.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
A drift anchor or apparatus for keeping a vessel's head to wind at sea, consisting
of a tarpaulin sword mat or sheet of fabric attached at one edge to a buoyant beam
or spar and at its opposite edge to a heavy bar or wire rope and provided with
ropes for connecting the apparatus to a vessel, substantially as described and shown
in the Drawings.