IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS FOR DREDGING, DISCHARGING CARGO, AND OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD OR SYSTEM OF WORKING SUCH APPARATUS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL. SPECIFICATION left by William Dent Priestman and Samuel
Priestman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th
September 1878.
WILLIAM DENT PRIESTMAN and SAMUEL PRIESTMAN, both of Kingston-upon-Hull,
in the County of York, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND
ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS FOR DREDGING, DISCHARGING CARGO, AND OTHER
ANALOGOUS PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD OR SYSTEM OF WORKING SUCH
APPARATUS."
Our Invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of apparatus for
dredging, discharging cargo, and other analogous purposes, whereby we are enabled
to dispense with "tailing" gear and loss of time connected therewith, and avoid
having occasion to impart a "list" to barges when used for discharging cargo by
having to "tail" or turn a crane with its suspended weight athwart ships.
That our Invention may be understood we will describe the same as applied to a
barge for dredging or discharging cargo. At one end of the barge we construct an
elevated splash board or shoot discharging at one side, or of breeches construction
discharging at both sides. Behind this splash board or shoot there is a post, pillar,
or frame, at or about the centre of which is hinged a moveable jib, which is
controlled by a balance weight and chain working on the post, pillar, or frame, and
connected to the top of the jib by the chain passing over a suitable sheave at the
top of the post, pillar, or frame, which is provided with stops to regulate the travel
of the balance weight, and thereby the travel or position of the jib.
The dredging or discharging apparatus and gear may consist of an automatic
grapple bucket or fork and hoisting mechanism and manipulating mechanism, such
as that described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to us,
No. 1243, A.D. 1877, No. 2196, A.D. 1877, No. 3803, A.D. 1877, No. 2150, A.D.
1878; or other automatic discharging apparatus manipulated by other means may
be used, our present Invention consisting in the construction and arrangement of
apparatus, whereby we obtain a dredging or discharging system automatic in its
action, and dispensing with "tailing " or canting, or turning of tho jib.

page_text: In oporation the ordinary hoisting chain may be provided with a stop, so that at
a given point the jib will rise by the continued winding of the lifting chain, the
balance weight overcoming the extra weight of the jib that would otherwise be
thrown on the lifting chain. After arriving in a position over the splash board or
shoot the contents of the bucket or its equivalent are automatically discharged and
the jib then lowered into position for the bucket to go down for another fill.
Where an automatic bucket is used, such as that described in our former Patents
herein-before referred to, we provide both the lifting and discharging chains with
stops or catches, and both chains may assist in elevating the jib.
Although we have described our Invention and system of dredging or discharging
cargo as applied to a barge, it will be evident that it is applicable to other analogous
purposes whore a lifting or lowering, loading or unloading operation has to be
performed.
It will also be evident that our Invention can be fixed on a quay side or ware-
house, or in other position; also where a post, pillar, or frame is not available or
suitable our Invention can be adapted to a wall or some other equally convenient
support.
Further, it will be understood that our Invention can be worked by hand, stoam,
hydraulic, or other suitable power.