Improvements in Nautical Signals.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Nautical Signals.
We, GILES ORAN PERRY, of Centralia, in the County of Lewis, and State of
Washington, and JAMES RODERICK MCGREGOR, of 612 East 140th Street New
York, in the County and State of New York, all in the United States of America,
Gentlemen, 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 relates to nautical signals, and more especially to those adapted
to be used to indicate the course of a vessel; and the object of the same is to
provide improved means by which one vessel may signal another as to the exact.
course the vessel is sailing, and the exact position of a rudder, and is adapted to
be used upon all navigable waters and on all vessels or craft carrying steering
apparatus.
A further object of the device is to provide a simple, convenient, and improved
means for operating a code of signal lights.
With these ends in view, the invention consists primarily of a combination of
colored glasses suitably mounted in a semi-circular framework forming a semi-
circular disk or dial, and is graduated to correspond with the cardinal points of
the compass, and is mounted on a suitable framework supporting also a combined
index hand carrying a ships lantern or other means of illumination so that the
index hand and light will oscillate freely at the rear of the dial in such manner
that the index hand always points to corresponding colors and points on the dial
as indicated by the light given from the glass in the dial.
The invention consists further in the improved construction and combination of
parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.
In the drawings:
:―
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the signal in its normal position.
Fig. 2 is a similar view looking from the rear and showing the device as moved
to points from its normal position.
Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of the device as shown in Fig. 1.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, are diagrammatic views showing the use of the device.
Referring to the drawings, wherein similar nunerals of reference are used to
designate corresponding parts in the several figures, the numerals 1, 2, and 3,
represent the semi-circular stationary dial mounted on a suitable framework 4, and
in which 5 represents red colored glass, 6 an open space or colorless glass, arranged
in narrow triangular pieces radial to a common centre and having their prices
pointing outward, and between the said colors as shown, are green colored glasses 7,
all of the said glasses in the dial 1, 2, and 3, are made adjustable so that the dist
may be graduated to correspond to at least the cardinal points of the compas.
The numerals 8, 9, 10 and 11, represent the combined index hand being arranged
O to oscillate freely in rear of the dial 1, 2, 3. 8 represents a ball or globe or any
suitable object that may serve best to be seen at a distance and at the same time to
act as an index hand for the said dial 1, 2, 3. 9 represents the arm supporting the
globe 8 at the upper end thereof, and is provided with a circular opening or
space 10 in which the light 11 is supported by an arm 12 in such a manner that the
light will always retain a central normal position, the said light being provided
with a reflector 13.
The arm 9 is supported on a shaft 14, and as the said arm 9 has the arm 12
secured thereto, the said shaft thereby supports the combined index hand and
light 8, 9, 10 and 11. To the outer end of the said shaft 14 an operating lever 15
0 is secured and has attached thereto a weight 16 located at the upper end thereof.

page_text: and to the lower end of the said lever an operating attachment is adapted to be
secured.
It will be seen that as the combined index hand and light 8, 9, 10, and 11, is
caused to oscillate with the shaft 14, it is brought immediately into position at the
rear of the colored glasses hereinbefore set forth, thereby positioning the light 11
in such manner as to produce a variation of the reflected colors as the operation
and occasion may require. This effect is produced at night. It will further be
seen that when the combined index hand and light, 8, 9, 10, and 11, occupies such a
position that the index hand 8, points to the centre of the dial, the open space 6 in
the semi-circular dial 1, 2, and 3, is immediately before the light 11; also, when
the index hand is caused to oscillate to the right it brings the light 11 into position
in the rear of a red glass 5, and the said index hand is located over a corresponding
point on the red side of the said circular dial. Further, when the index hand is
caused to operate to the left, it brings the light 11 into position at the rear end of
a green glass 7, and the said index hand is then located over a corresponding
point on the green side of the semi-circular dial, or in other words when the
combined index hand and light is caused to oscillate in any direction, the index
hand always points to a point or color on the semi-circular dial corresponding
with the light indicated by the colored glass in the said semi-circular dial.
The dial 1, 2, 3, is to be marked to correspond at least to the cardinal points of
the compass, that is to say, the points in the triangular open space 6, or the white
or colorless glasses on the said dial are 221° distant from each other, and. the
lever 15 is of such length and is connected to the steering apparatus of the vessel
in such a manner that when the rudder is turned at right angles to the lines of
the boat, the index hand will stand horizontal, the corresponding position between
vertical and horizontal indicating the corresponding position of the rudder. Hence
the operation of the devices will be as follows:-
―:
A vessel coming straight towards the person signalled to, will present as a
headlight the white light 6, and the index hand will be directly above or vertical
and the red and green signal light on the side of the pilot house will both be
visible. If the course of the vessel is not directly towards the observer, one of
these signal lights will be hidden, as will be readily understood by any person
familiar with shipping.
Supposing now the rudder of the approaching vessel is shifted to the starboard
as seen in diagram in Fig. 4, so that while the observer is yet watching the vessel
and calculating on her course, the latter is changed and hence new calculations
must be made.
By the connection between the rudder and the device as in Fig. 8, or any other
suitable connections, a shifting of the rudder as seen in Fig. 4 for 224° will deflect
the index hand to that side of the vessel 22° over the dial, as seen in Fig. 5, and
while the rudder is held at this angle and the vessel is thus altering her course, the
light presented will be a red light and above and slightly to the left will be seen
the index hand, as indicated in Fig 5.
The red light in the semi-circular dial indicates that the rudder is standing to
the right of the centre and that the vessel is turning to the starboard, and the
deflection of the index hand indicates the extent to which the rudder is deflected,
that is, if the index hand is moved to the first colorless triangular piece 6 to the
left of the centre in Fig. 1 it will be 22° distant to the left of a vertical line
through the axis of the device. In Fig. 6 is shown a rudder deflected 45° to the
left and hence a vessel making a much sharper turn to the port; and in Fig. 7 is
shown the index hand indicating properly the degree of the rudder's deflection.
As long then us the light exposed is a white light the index hand vertically above
the approaching vessel is moving in a straight course. But if, while this position
is observed the light becomes green, it is instantly known that the rudder has been
moved to the left and the vessel is about to turn to the port. This may disarrange
calculations which have been made to pass the approaching vessel on that side, and
if close upon the approaching vessel it becomes highly interesting to know rapidly

page_text: hat the vessel is turning to the port, or in other words to what angle the rudder
as been deflected or changed. This can be ascertained by observing the degree
f deflection of the index hand. If the vessel is at considerable distance it will be
ecessary to calculate about how many degrees the index hand has moved from
he vertical but if the signal is close, the face of the dial will indicate quite plainly
etween which of the several colorless pieces 6 the index hand stands, and hence
he exact deflections of the rudder; and in the daytime the device can be read a
listance proportionate to its size.
While this signal should be placed on the bow, it is obvious that it could be
ocated amidship or aft on both sides of the vessel in addition to its position on the
dial, but the latter alone is preferred in order to prevent confusion. Thus it will
be seen when this device
placed on board ship and in the most convenient place
to be seen and caused to work in unison and conjunction with the rudder of the
ship by direct or indirect attachment to any of the various means of operating the
rudder, as by attaching the chain or rope 17 as seen in Fig. 8 to the chain or rope
operating the rudder in the ordinary way, or to the wheel or windlass as the case
may be, or by attaching direct or indirect to the steam or a hydraulic method it
will always indicate by light or position of the index hand the exact position of the
rudder.
The use of this device is quite obvious. If placed on board ship in a suitable
place and attached to the working parts of the rudder so as to operate therewith in
exact unison and conjunction with the same, and so arranged that the rudder
cannot be moved without moving the signal correspondingly, it must necessarily
follow that all vessels sailing in the same waters or in sight of the signal either by
way of light at night or by a view of the dial and index by day, are. immediately
and accurately apprised of the slightest tack or change of the rudder which the
Vessels approaching each other or passing at
ship carrying the signal may make.
a quarterly direction or coming out of a fog are so exactly warned of each other's
course that they can govern themselves accordingly thus avoiding collisions by
always making a full clearance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The hereindescribed signal, comprising a semi-circular dial mounted on a
framework and having white or transparent glasses with red and green glasses at
the sides thereof arranged concentrically in said dial, and an oscillating hand
carrying a white light and mounted on a shaft in the rear of said dial, and
connection between said shaft and rudder of the vessel, as and for the purpose set
forth.
2. In a nautical signal, the combination of a dial having glasses of different
colors, and an oscillating index hand carrying a light movable in rear of said dial,
substantially as described.
3. The hereindescribed nautical signal, comprising an oscillating white light
mounted on a shaft, a semi-circular stationary dial in front of said light having
5 open spaces with red and green colored glasses at the side thereof arranged
concentrically in said dial, a lever centrally on said shaft and having one end
weighted and connection between its other end and the rudder of the vessel.
4. The hereindescribed nautical signal comprising an oscillating white light
mounted on a pivotal shaft centrally in a circular opening of an oscillating arm
0 carrying an index hand, and connection between said shaft and the rudder of a
vessel for deflecting said hand correspondingly with the movement of the rudder,
substantially as described.
5. The hereindescribed nautical signal comprising a light carried within an
oscillating arm provided with a forward projecting index hand keyed on an
55 oscillating shaft, a dial in front of said index hand and having graduations thereon
the dial being colored red at one side and green on the other side of a vertical line

page_text: by means of colored glasses, and connection between said shaft and the rudder of a
vessel for deflecting said index hand correspondingly with the movements of the
rudder, substantially as described.
6. The hereindescribed nautical signal comprising an oscillating light on an
oscillated shaft journaled in hearings, an arm keyed on said shaft provided
with an index hand at its outer end, and carrying said light within a circular
opening thereof, a stationary dial in front of said light and provided with
glasses colored red at one side of a vertical line and green at the other side
thereof, and having graduation marks and connections between said shaft and the
rudder of a vessel for deflecting said hand and said light correspondingly with
the movements of the rudder, substantially as described.
7. The herein described nautical signal, comprising an upright stationary dial
supported by a framework, its face being colored red on one side and green on the
other side of a vertical line by means of colored glasses, and having white or
colorless triangular pieces for graduation marks pointing radially outward, an
oscillating shaft journaled through the centre of said dial, an arm keyed on said
shaft bearing a light and a forwardly-projecting index hand moving over the outer
and front edge of said dial, and connection between said shaft and the rudder of a
vessel for deflecting said light and said hand correspondingly with the movements
of the rudder, substantially as described.
8. The hereindescribed nautical signal, comprising an upright dial supported by
a framework, its face being differently colored at opposite sides of a vertical line
by means of colored glasses, and provided with graduation marks, an oscillating
shaft mounted in bearings and extending through the centre of the dial, an arm
keyed on said shaft and moving at rear of said dial, a light carried by said arm
and provided with a reflector, an index hand carried by said arm projecting
forward and over said dial and moving over the outer edge of the latter, and
connections between said shaft and the rudder of a vessel for deflecting said light
and said hand correspondingly with the movement of the rudder, substantially as
described.
9. In a nautical signal, the combination of an oscillating white light provided
with a reflector and mounted on an oscillating arm carrying a forwardly-projecting
index hand, and keyed on an oscillating shaft journaled in bearings supported by a
framework, a stationary graduated dial carried by said framework in front of said
light and having red and green glasses respectively on the right and left of a
vertical line, said oscillating shaft projecting through the center of said dial, a lever
weighted at one end keyed on said shaft, and connections between said shaft and
the rudder of a vessel for deflecting the light and index hand correspondingly with
the movements of the rudder, substantially as set forth.
10. In a nautical signal, a dial stationarily supported and having colored glasses
therein and open spaces or colorless glasses, and a white light movably supported
in rear of said dial, substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of March 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.