APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING SHIPS FROM THE EFFECTS OF COLLISION AND WHICH CAN BE USED FOR OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES r
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Beverley of the Town and County of Aberdeen
North Britain and Grome Alexander MacLaverty of Glasgow in the County
of Lanark North Britain for an Invention of "APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING
SHIPS FROM THE EFFECTS OF COLLISION AND WHICH CAN BE USED FOR
OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES
r
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Beverley and
Grome Alexander MacLaverty at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents
on the 23rd November 1882.
WILLIAM BEVERLEY, of the Town and County of Aberdeen, North Britain, and
GREME ALEXANDER MACLAVERTY of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING SHIPS FROM THE EFFECTS OF COLLISION
AND WHICH CAN BE USED FOR OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES,"
14
"
This Invention relates to apparatus having for its object to afford safety and
protection against loss of life and property by collisions between vessels at sea.
When applied to vessels having a perpendicular stem, the apparatus is or may be
mounted somewhere at or about the position ordinarily or sometimes occupied by
the figure-head, or it may be placed upon or attached to a a ship in other suitable or
required position. The apparatus consists of a strong framing of iron or steel
having a flat surface situated transversely with the stem, and the said framing is
provided with wings or back-pieces capable of being moved backwards. To the
said framing, strong arms are jointed, a series of three or more arms being pre-
ferably mounted at each side of the apparatus. In a position directly in front of
the apparatus, a massive cushion of india-rubber or other suitable elastic material,
in the form of a thick continuous band is carried by the said arms. The said arms
are so pivoted and jointed that they can only alter their position by being forced
backwards against the resistance of the india-rubber and by virtue of this arrange-
ment when a collision takes place "stem on," the cushion of india-rubber, carried
by and covered by the said arms, 'strikes the opposing vessel, receives the shock,
and from the angle at which the arms lie, causes them to be spread apart upon
their pivots; the force of the collision in thus causing the arms to be spread apart
is partially expended in stretching the cushion of india rubber to the increased
span of the expanded arms,-By virtue of the thickness and depth of so large a

page_text: body of india rubber the resistance thereof to stretching is very great and when
this resistance has been overcome there still remains, as a protection, the compression
resistance of the cushion as it rests against the flat surface of the frame which acts
as a buffer and prevents or is intended to prevent any cutting by the stem of the
sides of the other colliding vessel whilst still additional resistance is gained by the
continued tension that is being exerted to bring back the pivoted arms to their
normal position thereby toning down the intensity of the blow due to a collision,
and increasing the natural tendency of the colliding vessels to recoil from each
other.
When a vessel strikes another obliquely the stems of the two vessels aro
prevented from striking each other by the one vessel striking one arm of the
apparatus or that part of the cushion which is moved to the arm so struck, so that
the arms at that side of the apparatus are forced backwards against the resistance
of the india rubber, one half or portion only of the said cushion being thus in
contact with the striking vessel.-The head of the said vessel is thus turned or
bounded off by the elasticity of the india-rubber.
The extent of the cushion surface presented by the india rubber to the opposing
vessel is preferably such as to cover three or four of the upright frames of the said
vessel and thus the risk of starting plates is reduced as well as the habit of "cutting
"down" the vessel.
The apparatus can by one man be instantly placed in the required position to
meet a collision by sliding the apparatus down by means of a chain and capstan
fixed at the stem-head-or-in-other-suitable-position-or-by-other-equivalent means.
The stem of the vessel is preferably shaped to act as a guide for the buffering
apparatus whilst it is being raised or lowered, the framing of the buffering apparatus
being so shaped at its central portion as to fit over or against the stem of the
vessel. The descent of the buffering apparatus, is checked by a stop-fixed-at-an
approved depth on the stem, and above the point of stoppage, a short flat stud
projects from each side of the vessel, the two protruding ends of the said stud are
of a shape to fit into and give support to the wings or back-pieces of the sliding
frame of the apparatus.-The said stud is preferably formed in one piece and
passes through the vessel at the back of the stem and is stayed internally to resist
the force of a direct or oblique collision. The apparatus as hereinbefore described
may be under the charge of a Watch, but to render the apparatus automatic in its
working in case of thick weather a light iron work is arranged somewhat in the
style of a bow-sprit with feelers attached, which coming into contact with another
vessel, cause the buffering apparatus to be released and to fall into position, while
the feelers are simultaneously raised and thrown back against the foretopmast stay,
in which position they are retained when not in use.
The feelers are connected with a rod which is pivotted at a part of its length to a
rod or support fixed to the stem-head which support projects out on a bowsprit.
The one end of the rod carrying the feelers is connected with a line or light chain
which is in connection with a pawl or equivalent device upon the drum of the
capstan of the buffering apparatus.-When therefore the one end of the rod carrying
the feelers is struck by a vessel, the other end, by virtue of the rod being supported
upon a pivot is caused to pull the line or chain and release the pawl whereby the
buffering apparatus is caused to fall down the side of the stein.-The aforesaid
arrangement of feelers after having acted as described can be thrown out of the
way by the weight of the buffering apparatus causing the line or chain, connected
to the feelers to be wound up but the raising of the gear of the feelers can be
operated by any other equivalent apparatus.
It is to be understood that a vessel may be fitted with one two or more of such
buffering apparatus as are herein before described and the apparatus may be carried
on deck so as to be slid over the ship's stem or sides when required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Beverley and Groeme Alexander MacLaverty in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 22nd May 1883.
WILLIAM BEVERLEY, of the Town and County of Aberdeen, North Britain and
GRŒEME ALEXANDER MACLAVERTY, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark North
Britain " APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING SHIPS FROM THE EFFECTS OF COLLISION
AND WHICH CAN BE USED FOR OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES
"
Our said Invention relates to apparatus having for its object to afford safety
and protection against loss of life and property by collisions between vessels at
sea. When applied to vessels having a perpendicular stem, the apparatus is or
may be mounted somewhere at or abont the position ordinarily or sometimes
occupied by the Figure-head.-The apparatus consists of a strong framing of iron or
steel having a flat surface situated transversely with the stem, and the said framing
is provided with wings or side pieces lying back wards. To the said framing, strong
arms are jointed a series of two or more arms being preferably mounted at each
side of the apparatus.-In a position directly in front of the apparatus massive
cushion or cushions of India-rubber or other suitablo elastic material in the form of
a thick continuous band or a number of such bands is or are carried by the said
arms. The said arms are so pivoted and jointed that they can only alter their
position by being forced backward against the resistance of the india-rubber and
by virtue of this arrangement when a collision takes place "stem on," the cushion
or bands of india-rubber carried by and projecting beyond the said arms, strikes
the opposing vessel, receives the shock, and from the angle at which the arms lie
causes them to be spread apart upon their pivots; the force of the collision in thus
causing the arms to be spread apart is partially expended in stretching the cushion
or lands of india-rubber to the increased span of the expanded arms. By virtue
of the thickness and depth of so large a body of india-rubber the resistance thereof
to stretching is very great, and when this resistance has been overcome there still
remains as an additional protection, the compression resistance of the cushion or
bands as it rests against the flat surface of the frame which acts as a buffer and
prevents or is intended to prevent any cutting by the stem, of the sides of the
other colliding vessel whilst still further resistance is gained by the continued
tension that is being exerted to bring back the pivoted arms to their norinal
position thereby toning down the intensity of the blow due to a collision and
increasing the natural tendency of the colliding vessels to recoil from each other.
When a vessel strikes another obliquely its stem is prevented from coming into
direct contact with the side of the opposing vessel, as the nearest projecting arms
must first touch it, so that the arms at that side of the apparatus are forced back-
wards against the resistance of the india-rubber, one half or portion only of the
said cushion or bands being thus in contact with the opposing vessel.-The head of
the striking vessel is thus turned or bounded off by the elasticity of and tension
on the india-rubber.
The extent of the cushion surface presented by the india-rubber when expanded
to the opposing vessel is preferably such as to cover three or four of the upright
frames of the said vessel and thus the risk of starting plates is reduced as well as
the habit of "cutting down" the vessel.
The apparatus can by one man be instantly placed in the required position to
meet a collision by sliding the apparatus down by means of a chain and capstan
fixed at the stem-head or in other suitable position or by other equivalent means-

page_text: The stem of the vessel is preferably shaped to act as a guide for the buffering
apparatus whilst it is being raised or lowered, the framing of the buffering
apparatus being so shaped at its central portion as to fit round or against the stem
of the vessel. The descent of the buffering apparatus, is checked by a stop fixed at
an approved depth on the stem, and above the point of stoppage, a short flat stud
projects from each side of the vessel, the two protruding ends of the said studs are
of a shape to fit into and give support to the wings or back-pieces of the sliding
frame of the apparatus.-The said stud is preferably formed in one piece and
passes through the vessel at the back of the stem and is strongly stayed internally
or the diagonal space may be filled in solid with wood or iron to resist the force
of a direct or oblique collision.-The apparatus as hereinbefore described may be
under the charge of a Watch, but to render the apparatus automatic in its working
in case of thick weather, light iron work is arranged somewhat in the style of a
bow-sprit with feelers attached, which coming into contact with another vessel,
cause the buffering apparatus to be released and to fall into position while the
feelers are simultaneously raised and thrown back against the foretopmast stay, in
which position they are retained when not in use.
The feelers are connected with a rod which is pivoted at a part of its length to
a rod or support fixed to the stem-head which rod or support projects out in the
style of a bow-sprit.-The one end of the rod carrying the feelers is connected with
a line or light chain which is in connection with a pawl or equivalent device upon
the drum on forecastle deck.-When therefore the one end of the rod carrying the
-feelers-strikes-an-opposing vessel, the other end-by-virtue-of-the-rod-being supported
upon a pivot is caused to pull the line or chain and release the pawl whereby the
buffering apparatus is caused to fall down the stem.-The aforesaid arrangement
of feelers after having acted as described are thrown upwards out of the way by
the weight of the buffering apparatus causing the line or chain connected-to-the-
feelers to be wound up but the raising of the gear of the feelers can be operated by
any other equivalent apparatus.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we now
proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode or manner in or under
which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and Figures marked thereon
that is to say :—
Figure 1, represents in side elevation the fore part of a vessel fitted with
apparatus constructed according to our present Invention.
Figure 2, is a part plan of the same.
Figures 3, and 4, are front elevations of a part of the mechanism constructed
according to our present Invention.
Figure 5, is a perspective view of another part of the mechanism constructed
according to our present Invention.
Figure 6, is a plan and Figure 7, a front elevation of a part of the mechanism
represented at Figure 1, of the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 8, is a part side elevation of the mechanism represented at Figure 1.
Figures 9, and 10, are part plans of mechanism constructed according to our
present Invention, and represented as in contact with a colliding vessel.
Figure 10a, represents in side elevation the fore part of a vessel fitted with a
modified form of apparatus constructed according to our present Invention.
Figures 11, 12, and 13, are sectional views of a part of the said mechanism.
Figure 14, is a part plan of the apparatus represented at Figure 10a, and is here
represented as in contact with a colliding vessel.
Figure 15, is a plan representing an alternative method of constructing a part of
the apparatus constituting our present Invention
Figures 16, 17, and 18, represent in plan different forms of buffers constructed
according to our present Invention.
The apparatus represented at Figures 1, to 10, inclusive, is mounted at or near

page_text: the part ordinarily or sometimes occupied by the figure head of the vessel, and in
its application to a vessel having a perpendicular stem (as it is in those Figures
represented to be) 'consists of the strong framing a, of iron or steel, having the flat
surface b, situated transversely with the stem c, of the vessel and the said framing a,
is provided with the wings or side pieces d, lying backwards.-To the framing a,
the arms e, are jointed by the vertical bars f, which are carried in the eyes g,
formed on the framing a, for their reception.-A series of two or more such arms e,
being preferably mounted at each side of the framing a.-In a position directly in
front of the apparatus and carried by the said arms e, is provided the massive
cushion h, or as represented more particularly in Figure 15, the cushions h, of India-
rubber or other suitable elastic material and are constructed of a thick continuous
band as represented more particularly at Figures 5, and 16, or of a number of such
bands as represented more particularly at Figures 17, and 18.-These cushions are
carried in the said arms e, by the bars a*, represented as detached from the other
mechanism at Figure 4, or they may be carried in any other suitable manner.-
The arms e, are so mounted and pivoted upon the vertical bars f, that they can
only alter their position by being forced backward against the resistance of the
band or bands of India-rubber constituting the cushion or cusbions h, and by virtue
of this arrangement when a collision takes place the vessel fitted with this
apparatus striking the side of the other or opposing vessel "stem on" at or
nearly at right angles thereto as represented in part plan at Figure 9, the cushion
or cushions h, of india-rubber carried by and projecting beyond the said
arms e, strike the opposing vessel, receives the shock or concussion and from the
angle at which the arms e, lie, causes them to be spread apart upon their pivots f;
the force of the collision in thus causing the arms e, to be spread apart, is partially
expended in stretching the cushion or cushions h, of india-rubber to the increased
span of the extended arms e,-By virtue of the thickness and depth of so large a
body of india-rubber as is contained in the cushion or cushions h, the resistance
thereof to stretching is very great and when this resistance has been overcome by
the nearer approach of the two colliding vessels towards each other the compression
resistance of the cushion or cushions h, as it or they are pressed against the flat
surface b, of the frame a, still remains as an additional protection acting as it does
when so pressed as a buffer and so prevents any cutting by the stem of the vessel
fitted with this apparatus of or into the sides of the vessel with which it has come
into collision whilst still further resistance is gained by the continued tension that
is being exerted by the elasticity of the cushion or cushions h, to bring back the
pivoted arms e, into their normal position, thereby toning down or reducing the
intensity of the blow due to the collision and increasing the natural tendency of
the colliding vessels to recoil from each other.
When a collision occurs between a vessel fitted with the apparatus hereinbefore
mentioned, such vessel striking the side of the other or opposing vessel at an angle
as represented in part plan at Figure 10, its stem is prevented from coming into
direct contact with the side of the other or opposing vessel as the projecting arms e,
nearest to that vessel must first touch it, so that the arms e, at that side of the
apparatus are forced backwards against the resistance of the India-rubber, one
half or portion only of the said cushion h, being thus in contact with the striking
vessel. The head of the said vessel is thus turned or bounded off by the elasticity
of the India-rubber forming the cushion or cushions h
The extent of the surface of the cushion h, presented by the India-rubber to
the opposing vessel is preferably such as to cover three or four of the upright
frames i, of the said vessel (as represented at Figure 9) and thus the risk of
starting plates is reduced, as well as the danger of "cutting down" the opposing
vessel.
In order to protect the cushion or cushions h, from the heat of the sun or from
cold, damp, or other climatic influences, it or they may be encased in a telescopic
or other expanding casing or casings, of canvas or other suitable material which

page_text: may be painted or coated with any material that will render the same impervious
to such changes
The apparatus can be instantly lowered into the position required to meet a
collision by the bandle q, being pulled downwards so that the pawl r, is disengaged
from the links of the chain ;, one end of which chain j, is secured to the framing a,
and to the other end of the chain, the ring d³, as represented more particularly at
Figure 10a, is secured to prevent that end of the same from passing through the
side frames of the drum k, or this disengaged end of the chain j, may be secured
in any other suitable manner.-In drawing the buffering apparatus up into the
position represented at Figure 1, from that position in which it is represend at
Figure 8, a chain or rope may be made fast to the ring d', and may thereby be
operated from any convenient capstan or winch on board or it may be drawn into
that position by any other equivalent means.-The stem c, of the vessel is
shaped, as shewn, to act as a guide for the buffering apparatus whilst it is
being raised or lowered, or any other suitable guides may be formed upon the stem
of the vessel for this purpose, the framing of the said apparatus being so shaped
as at m, as to fit over and slide upon the stem c, of the vessel.-The descent of the
buffering apparatus is checked by the stop n, which is fixed at the required part of
the stem c, or it may be fixed in any other convenient manner. At the required
distance above the stop n, there projects from and is fitted to each side of the
vessel a short flat stud o, as represented more particularly at Figure 1, the two
protruding ends of which are of a shape to fit against and give support to the
wings_or_side_pieces_d,_of_the_sliding frame a, of the apparatus. The said studs o,
are each preferably formed in one piece and they pass through the sides of the
vessel at the back of the stem c, and they are stayed internally by the frame-
work p, as shewn more particularly at Figures 9, and 10, or by any other suitable
-means, to resist the force of a direct or obliquo-collision. The apparatus hereinbefore
described may be under the charge of a "Watch," who, when they require to lower
the buffering apparatus, pull the handle q, in a downward direction and so
disengage the pawl r, from the links of the chain j, when by its own weight the
apparatus will slide down the stem c, of the vessel on to the stop n, that is to say
in the position in which it is represented at Figure 8, from which position it can be
drawn up by means of a capstan or by any other convenient means as hereinbefore
described. The apparatus may also be rendered automatic under which circum-
stances the light framework 8, of iron or other suitable material is arranged as
shewn on the accompanying drawings somewhat in the style of a bowsprit with
the rod t, carrying at its end the feelers u, the rod t, being pivoted at v, to the
framework 8, At the upper end of this rod t, there is formed the eye w, to which
eye one end of the cord x, is attached, the other end of the cord x, being attached
to the eye y, formed on the lower end of the weight 2, which is pivoted at a¹, to
the framing of the drum k,.-In the event of the feelers u, coming into contact
with an opposing vessel, the upper end of the rod t, and with it the cord x, is
drawn outwards, the weight 2, by this means being thrown over on to the handle q,
releases the pawl r, from the links of the chain j, and thus as herein before described
allows the apparatus to fall into the required position, and in so falling this
apparatus causes the framework a, and its attachments to be thrown back out of
the way before the actual collision takes place between the vessels.-This motion to
the framework is imparted by means of the chain 6', whose one end is secured to
the framing a, and whose other end is passed over the elongation c², formed at the
end of framework 8, at the inner side of the drum k, and is between these two
parts passed respectively over and under the pulleys c*, and e', a small groove being
formed beneath the surface of the one in which the cbain j, works in the pulley c*,
for the reception of the chain b¹, as shewn more particularly at Figure 6.-The
cord x, herein before referred to, may be replaced by a light chain if found
necessary and other equivalent means may be used for drawing the framework 8,
and its attachments into the position represented at Figure 8.

page_text: The chain j, is preferably run over the pulley e*, which is fixed at the upper end
of the stem c, or in any other suitable position.
The apparatus represented at Figures 10a, to 14 (inclusive) is a modification of
that apparatus hereinbefore described and consists of a cushion which is made up
5 of two, three or more parts.-This cushion or the parts thereof is or are composed
of India-rubber and are preferably formed in a mould and they consist of the
body f¹, upon which is formed the ring g', for forming a joint around the cover ',
which is formed as a separate moulding as shewn more particularly at Figures 10a,
11, 12, and 14. The body f', when cemented by the ring g¹, to the cover h¹, forms
with the said cover h¹, a hollow sphere the space of which is filled with granulated
cork mixed or unmixed with Rubber solution.-This filling i¹, is passed into the hollow
of the sphere through the opening j', which is closed when the cushion then complete
is cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the cup k', formed on the disc ', of iron
or other suitable material for its reception.--Around the disc ', is fitted the hollow
collar m¹, of India-rubber or other suitable material, this collar m³, is preferably
constructed in two circular parts, to admit of the filling n', of granulated cork or
other suitable material being placed therein, this may be effected by first filling the
lower half and then the upper half and to retain the filling n', contained in the
upper half from falling out when turned over to be placed upon the lower half, a
thin film of India-rubber or cloth may be cemented over it or any other suitable
means may be adopted.-This collar m², is fitted on to the disc ', and in the event
of a vessel fitted with this apparatus striking the side of an opposing vessel at an
angle, it prevents the edge of the disc ', and the heads of the bolts l, for holding
on the same, from injuring the side of the colliding vessel.-This buffering
apparatus is secured to the frame o', by a collar formed in two halves, which
encircle the neck of the cup k', and are bolted to the frame o¹, by the bolts l, and
pins q', the frame o³, being fixed to the stem of the vessel in any suitable manner
such for example as that represented at Figure 10, by the brackets -The form
of buffering apparatus herein last mentioned is specially applicable for river steamers
and tug-boats and other similar vessels.
It is to be understood that cushions or buffers either of solid or hollow India-
rubber to be used without the expanding arms e, can be applied to the apparatus of
any shape or form and consisting either of one, two or more parts, and this apparatus
may either be fixed as herein before mentioned by the brackets r', or may be carried
similar to the buffering apparatus represented more particularly at Figures 1, and 8,
by the chain j, and its attachments.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and the system, mode or manner in or under which the same is or may
be used or practically carried into effect we would observe in conclusion that we
do not limit ourselves to the precise form or detail hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings but what we consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein before in
part recited Letters Patent is :—
First. The apparatus for protecting ships from the effects of collision or for other
analogous purposes consisting of the frame a, arms e, bars f, cushion h, pawl r,
stop n, studs o, and their attachments operating substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described or the mechanical equivalents of all or any of the
said parts.
Second In the apparatus for protecting ships from the effects of collision or for
other analogous purposes as claimed in the preceding claiming clause, the combi-
nation therewith of mechanism for rendering the same automatic consisting of the
framework 8, rod t, cord or chain a, weight 2, chain 61, pulleys c*, and e', and their
attachments substantially as and for the purposes herein before described or the
mechanical equivalents of all or any of the said parts.
Third. In apparatus for protecting ships from the effects of collision or for
other analogous purposes, the apparatus consisting of the body f¹, ring g³, cover h¹,

page_text: cup, disc, collar m², frame o¹³, and their attachments substantially as herein-
before described or the mechanical equivalents of all or any of the said parts.
In witness whereof we the said William Beverley and Groeme Alexander
MacLaverty have hereunto set our hands and seals this Nineteenth day
of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighty-
three.
WILLIAM BEVERLEY
(L.S.)
GRŒEME ALEXANDER MACLAVERTY (LS.)