IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING AND TELEGRAPHING FROM SHIPS AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of Chancery Lanc, London,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING AND
TELEGRAPHING FROM SHIPS AND OTHER PLACES." A communication from
abroad by Carl Gustaf von Otter, of Stockholm, Sweden.
ed the 12th January 1877, and dated the 17th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th July 1876.
EDWARD GRIFFITII BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING AND TELEGRAPHING FROM SHIPS AND OTHER PLACES."
A communication from abroad by Carl Gustaf von Otter, of Stockholm, Sweden.
In order to gain exactitude in the duration of signal flashes or sounds and
certainty or control, the signal lantern is, according to this Invention, considerably
improved, and the same or other flash or sound apparatus is also brought into
connection with two auxiliary apparatus, of which one mechanically regulates the
duration of the different flashes or sounds independently of the judgment of the
signaller as to the length of time intervals, and the other also mechanically prints
the signalled letters, cyphers, or signs on a travelling strip of paper.
In signalling or telegraphing between two stations the. Morse alphabet or cyphers
are used, which by drawing one of two outer cords of the regulating apparatus
(which has three cords) namely, say the left-hand cord for a long and the right
hand one for a short flash are given by the signaller and repeated by the receiver,
thus giving the former the opportunity to make any required corrections in the
apprehension of the latter.
The different groups of signs, each representing a letter, a cypher, or a reference
to some other special signification, are separated by pauses, which are produced by
pulling the middle cord of the three aforesaid cords, and are indicated either by a
red light, or in case of great distances where such light could not well be seen, by
absolute shutting off of the light, the duration of which is likewise regulated by
the apparatus.
The different words are distinguished by two pauses, that is, by two pulls of the
middle cord.
Calling signals, closing signals, and others may be given and indicated in the

page_text: same way, as arranged according to certain rules laid down. As the communi-
cations made in this way by the apparatus of the sender and receiver are without
mistakes an efficient control appears to be obtained. In the same way, and by the
same apparatus, sound signals may also be regulated and controlled, and when these
apparatus are used with the steam whistle on board ship a certain and quick
method of communication is obtained not only with other ships, but also with
stations on shore provided with corresponding apparatus. The mercantile signal
code or direct telegraphing may be used at will.
The lantern is made with Venetian blind-like appliances, which may be simul-
taneously opened or closed, according as one of the lines are pulled for the opening
or let go for the closing. The lantern is suspended from a strong iron pole movable
on its axis, and provided with a heavy counterweight below in order to keep the
vertical position.
The controlling apparatus consists of a metal box in two compartments, of which
the one contains the revolving mechanism for a type wheel, and the other
contains the said type wheel, together with the necessary paper strip and coloring
appliance.
In the revolving mechanism there are vertical tangential bars provided with
teeth racks. These bars have the same action, wherefore I will now only consider
the one.
When this one is depressed a tooth wheel is put into rotation, on the
spindle of which a segment with eight teeth and four step-like set offs. During its
movement this segment is in gear with a tooth wheel, which, by means of a lever,
is also movable along its longitudinal axis; but the segment also gears with a
pinion, which also is put in motion. The tooth wheel aforesaid drives a wheel on
which the type wheel is fastened. The type wheel has on its periphery say 30
letters and 10 cyphers, each of which can be moved from the centre in a radial
direction towards the periphery, and are kept from falling out of their spaces by
means of a spiral spring uniting them inside and wound round the wheel. It is of
great importance that the letters assume a certain mutual position; the same holds
good with regard to the cyphers.
The printing apparatus has a tangential bar, which by means of the middle cord
and a lever can be pulled down. When it strikes against another lever this latter
is pushed towards a movable type, which thereby is pushed against a silk band
colored red wound round two rolls, and as it goes further down prints the desired
letter on the paper strip, below which latter is wound round a roller, and by means
of another roller is pushed on through a groove or gutter.
The regulator is connected to the control apparatus by means of metal bars, but
can also easily be detached therefrom. It consists of a metal box with two fusce
boxes, each provided with an eccentric disc, which by pulling of the outer cords
act on two levers, which in their turn depress the tangent pieces of the control
apparatus whereby the aforesaid wheel gearing is put in motion, turning the type
wheel to the right or the left, all according as it is desired to make a short or long
sign of the Morse alphabet. The right-hand cord and tangent piece give a short
sign, and the left-hand cord and tangent piece a long sign. To produce short and
long flashes of the lantern a movable bar is made use of. This bar is provided with
a metal chain, which connects the regulator with the lantern, and it has below a
fixed lug, against which a bent lever presses by pulling the left-hand line, that is
when a long flash is desired. The bars of the lantern are thus always open so long
as the left-hand line continues to be pulled and a long flash will be observed. But
in order to produce a short flash the bar has besides a so to say movable lug, viz.,
a nose at the lower end of a projecting steel spring, against which another bent
lever acts when the right-hand cord is pulled. As the bar is thus pulled down and
touches a peg the spring is pushed to one side, and the bar is then immediately
drawn up by means of another spring in the lantern, the bars of the latter are
closed, that is, a flash light is only seen for a moment, whatever length of time the
cord may be pulled.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-In order to print, for instance, the

page_text: letter H, which in Morse's alphabet is rendered by four dots, the cord on the right
is pulled once, the corresponding tangent bar is then brought down and the bars of
the lantern show a short flash. The rack of the tangent bar turns the wheel in
gear therewith and the tooth segment on the latter so that one of the four steps
thereon turns wheel gearing with the wheel on the type wheel to the extent of two
teeth. The cord is let go, the tangent bar is pulled up by the spiral spring, the
segment and the wheel gearing with the type wheel gear assume their original
position, but the type wheel is clutched out and remains standing. On pulling the
same cord again the same takes place again, but the type wheel has by that time
become shifted to the extent of four teeth, (as the tooth wheel actuating it is lifted
by the lever, which is moved separately by the segment. By pulling the same cord
the third time the wheel on the type wheel is shifted 6 teeth, and by pulling a
fourth time it is shifted 8 teeth, hence 20 teeth in all, that is, exactly so much that
the letter H is pushed exactly under the aforesaid tangential bar. When this bar
now is depressed by pulling the middle cord, then 'it will strike the letter H and
press it against the paper strip, whereon it prints the letter H in red ink, as soon
as the middle line is let go, but not before the type wheel and the lever assume
their original places ready for another signal. To separate two words the middle
cord is pulled twice consecutively, in consequence of which the paper strip will be
moved two letter spaces, but without any printing taking place.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
January 1877.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING AND TELEGRAPHING FROM SHIPS AND OTHER PLACES."
A communication from abroad by Carl Gustaf von Otter, of Stockholm, Sweden.
From time to time various methods have been proposed for communicating by
means of revolving or flash lights, or by sounds of different duration corresponding
to the dashes and dots of the electric telegraph alphabet. Some of these methods
have been partly applied in practice, but none of them seem to answer the require-
ments so as to be depended upon absolutely. Different persons judge differently of
the flashes or sounds (if long or short), the operator or the observer is liable to
commit mistakes unwittingly, easily causing misunderstandings, occasioning some-
times most serious mishaps, as is well known. Hence the need of a greater
exactitude as regards the duration of the flashes or sounds, independent of the
judgment of the operator and the need of an efficient control as to the giving and
understanding the signal rightly.
In order to gain this exactitude in the duration of signal flashes or sounds and
certainty or control the signal lantern is, according to this Invention, considerably
improved, and the same or other flash or sound apparatus is also brought into
connection with two auxiliary apparatus, of which one mechanically regulates the
duration of the different flashes or sounds independently of the judgment of the
signaller as to the length of time intervals, and the other also mechanically prints
the signalled letters, cyphers, or signs on a travelling strip of paper.
In signalling or telegraphing between two stations the Morse alphabet or cyphers
are used, which by drawing one of two outer cords of the regulating apparatus
(which has three cords) namely, say the left-hand cord for a long and the right
hand one for a short flash are given by the signaller and repeated by the receiver,
thus giving the former the opportunity to make any required corrections in the
apprehension of the latter.
*The different groups of signs, each representing a letter, a cypher, or a reference

page_text: to some other special signification, are separated by pauses, which are produced by
pulling the middle cord of the three aforesaid cords, and are indicated either by a
red light, or in case of great distances, when such light could not well be seen, by
absolute shutting off of the light, the duration of which is likewise regulated by
the apparatus.
The different words are distinguished by two pauses, that is, by two pulls of the
middle cord.
Calling signals, closing signals, and others, may be given and indicated in the
same way as arranged, according to certain rules laid down. As the communications
made in this way by the apparatus of the sender and receiver are without mistakes
an efficient control appears to be obtained. In the same way, and by the same
apparatus, sound signals may also be regulated and controlled, and when these
apparatus are used with the steam whistle on board ship a certain and quick method
of communication is obtained, not only with other ships, but also with stations on
shore provided with corresponding apparatus. The mercantile signal code or direct
telegraphing may be used at will.
It is clear that such a system when generally used would afford the navigation
incalculable advantages. As a matter of fact it may be mentioned that among
persons totally unacquainted with this system most of them by a few minutes
instruction have given and received signals without mistakes, the signals being
printed quite correctly, although the receivers themselves did not know the contents
of the messages which they had printed themselves till they read them on the strip
of paper.
And in order that this Invention may be fully understood I will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying Drawings, of which Figures
6 and 7 are front view and side view of a lantern with Venetian blind-like
appliances, which may be simultaneously opened or closed, according as one of the
lines fff", are pulled for the opening, see Figure 6, or let go for the closing,
see Figure 7. The lantern A is suspended from a strong iron pole movable on its
axis e, and provided with a heavy counterweight w below in order to keep the
vertical position.
11
Figures 1, 2, and 5 represent the controlling apparatus, Figure 1 showing the
back part, Figure 2 the front part, and Figure 5 a plan of same. It consists of a
metal box in two compartments, as shewn at Figure 5, of which the one A contains
the revolving mechanism for a type wheels and the other contains the said type
wheel, together with the necessary paper strip and coloring appliance.
In the revolving mechanism Figure 1, there are vertical tangential_bars i, k,
provided with teeth racks. These bars have the same action, wherefore I will now
only consider the one k. When this one is depressed a tooth wheel is put into
rotation, on the spindle of which there is a segment m with eight teeth and four
step-like set offs. During its movement this segment is in gear with a tooth wheel
n, which by means of a lever o is also moveable along its longitudinal axis; but the
segment also gears with a pinion p, which also is put in motion. The tooth wheel
naforesaid drives a wheel 9 on which the type wheel 8 is fastened (see Figure 5).
The type wheel has on its periphery say 30 letters and 10 cyphers, each of which
can be moved from the centre in a radial direction towards the periphery, and are
kept from falling out of their spaces by means of a spiral spring uniting them
inside and wound round the wheel. It is of great importance that the letters
assume a certain mutual position, such as shown on the Drawing at Figure 8.
same holds good with regard to the cyphers, see Figure 9.
The printing apparatus is shown at Figures 1 and 2.
bar v, Figure 2, which by means of the middle cord f" and a lever 21 (Figure 1)
can be pulled down. When it strikes against another levert (Figure 2) this latter
is pushed towards a movable type H, which thereby is pushed against a silk band
colored red wound round two rolls, and as it goes further down prints the desired
letter on the paper strip, below which latter is wound round a roller x, and by
means of another roller is pushed on through a groove or gutter y.
The
There is a tangential

page_text: The regulator is shewn at Figures 3 and 4, and is connected to the control
apparatus by means of metal bars b, but can also easily be detached therefrom. It
consists of a metal box with two fusec boxes d, each provided with an eccentric
disc C, which by pulling of the outer cords and f1 act on two levers g and h,
which in their turn depress the tangent pieces i and k of the control apparatus,
whereby the aforesaid wheel gearing is put in motion, turning the type wheel to
the right or the left, all according as it is desired to make a short or long sign of
the Morse alphabet. The right-hand cord f and tangent piece k give a short sign
and the left-hand cord f¹ and tangent piece i a long sign. To produce short and
long flashes of the lantern a movable bar h², Figure 4, is made use of; this bar is
provided with a metal chain, which connects the regulator with the lantern (see
Figure 6) and it has below a fixed lug, against which a bent lever presses by
pulling the left-hand line f¹, that is, when a long flash is desired. The bars of the
lautern are thus always open so long as the left-hand line f¹ continues to be
pulled, and a long flash will be observed. But in order to produce a short flash
the bar has besides a so to say movable lug, vizt., a nose at the lower end of a
projecting steel spring, Figure 10, against which another bent lever acts when the
right-hand cord f is pulled. As the bar is thus pulled down and touches a
peg h the spring is pushed to one side and the bar is then immediately drawn
up by means of another spring in the lantern. The bars of the latter are closed,
that is, a flash light is only seen for a moment, whatever length of time the cord f
may be pulled.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-In order to print, for instance, the
letter H, which in Morse's alphabet is rendered by four dots, the cord on the right
is pulled once, the corresponding tangent bar is then brought down and the bars
of the lantern shew a short flash; the rack of the tangent bar turns the wheel in
gear therewith, and the tooth segment m on the latter, so that one of the four
steps thereon turns wheel n gearing with the wheel 7 on the type wheels to the
extent of two teeth. The cord is let go, the tangent bar is pulled up by the spiral
spring, the segment m and the wheel n gearing with the type wheel gear assume
their original position, but the type wheel s is clutched out and remains standing.
On pulling the same cord again the same takes place again, but the type wheel has
by that time become shifted to the extent of four teeth. As the tooth wheel
actuating it is lifted by the lever o which is moved separately by the segment m
(Figure 1). By pulling the same cord the third time the wheel q on the typo
wheels is shifted 6 teeth, and by pulling a fourth time it is shifted 8 teeth, hence
20 teeth in all, that is exactly so much that the letter H is pushed exactly under
the aforesaid tangential bar 1, Figure 2. When this bar now is depressed by
pulling the middle cord f", then it will strike the letter H and press it against
the paper strip, whereon it prints the letter H in red ink. As soon as the middle
line is let go, but not before the type wheel and the lever assume their
original places ready for another signal. If it be desired, for instance, to print the
letter J, that is. -, then the right hand cord f is first pulled once, then the
left hand cord f¹ twice, and then the right hand cord once; the letter J of the type
wheel will then be just under the tangential bar r; by then pulling the middle
cord f the letter J will be printed on the paper strip simultaneously with the
ascent of the middle cord f". After the printing of the letter the paper strip is
pushed so far forward as is necessary to make room for another letter by the side
of the one just printed. To separate two words the middle cord is pulled
twice consecutively, in consequence of which the paper strip will be moved two
letter spaces, but without any printing taking place.
And having thus fully described the nature of this Invention, I declare that I
claim,
Firstly. The construction of the so-called controlling apparatus, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth, and also specially the order in which the types
are grouped,

page_text: Secondly. The construction of the regulating apparatus and its mode of
connection with the controlling apparatus, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
E. G. BREWER. (L.S.)