Improvements in and relating to Ships' Rudders.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
· Improvements in and relating to Ships' Rudders.
I, CAVALIERO CARLO MARCHESE DE LUNA, of Messina, in the Kingdom of Italy,
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:
-
It is well known that one of the greatest dangers to navigation, is that of
damage to the rudder of a vessel whilst at sea, and that all means hitherto devised
for obviating this danger have not afforded any practical result.
By means of my invention, the damaged rudder may be removed in a few
minutes and replaced by another in an operative condition, even during bad
weather. This operation may be successfully carried out notwithstanding the
rolling and tossing motion of the boat, and without reducing the speed of the
vessel below the normal.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the figures of which
are hereinafter referred to.
In carrying the invention into practice the rudder post or upright A is formed
in the manner of a guide, as shewn in Figure 1 which is a horizontal section
through the same. The whole length of the rudder post is provided with a groove
or slideway a which is shewn round in cross section in the drawing, but which
may be polygonal, dovetail or other suitable shape; in this groove engages the
tenon 6 of a part or slide B intended for carrying the rudder by means of eyes c
(Figure 2); this tenon exactly fits the groove a and in order that the slide B may
be more securely maintained in position, the post A may be provided with two
longitudinal pieces d (Figure 1) provided throughout its entire length and the
lower extremity e of the rudder post may be formed wedge shaped so as to enter
a corresponding recess f in the keel (Figure 3).
The tenon is provided upon its outer face with a rack, preferably inclined,
the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained.
In a chamber suitably formed in the stern of the vessel and in proximity to the
stern post, is arranged a second rudder with fittings, exactly similar to the one
in use, Figure 5 shews the two rudders arranged opposite each other.
The slide B for carrying the rudder in use, as well as the reserve slide should
be longer than the respective rudder posts A; the, reason for this is hereinafter
explained.
At a suitable point for enabling the operation to be effected, which point will
be determined by the height and construction of the vessel, a fixed platform g
is provided (Figures 6 and 7); this platform is annular in shape and its centre
corresponds exactly with the middle of the two rudders. This fixed platform
supports a smaller platform which is concentric with the first (Figures 6 and 7)
and this latter platform turns upon a pivot or upon rollers or by gear wheels,
but in such a manner that it is not possible to become detached from the larger
platform. The platform h should cover the two rudder posts, and grooves corre-

page_text: sponding with these latter are formed in said platform. Above these grooves are
fixed two stout pieces o, p, similar to the rudder posts of which they form the
continuation; in the grooves in these pieces enter the free extremities of the
slides B carrying the rudders.
At a given point in their length the two pieces o pare slotted in order to
expose the racks upon the tenons 6 and at these slots or openings are provided
two toothed wheels im which are mounted upon the platform h, and gear with the
said racks.
These two wheels, operated by hand, by steam power, or in any other convenient
manner, will raise the two slides B carrying the rudders as far as the level of
the large platform. In this latter are formed two fan-shaped openings i k
diametrically opposite one to the other, the purpose of which is to leave a free
passage for the rudders, even should the damaged rudder have become fixed at
an angle. These two openings are suitably covered when not in use.
When the two rudders have reached the platform g, the platform is caused to
rotate through half a circle, the travel being limited by means of stops. The two
rudders, having in this way been placed over the two rudder posts, the motion of
the toothed wheels is now reversed and the two slides B carrying the rudders
will descend into their inverse positions, the reserve post and rudder becoming
operative whilst the damaged one may be repaired.
The two pieces o and p should be of such a length as to be capable of supporting
the rudders during the operation of changing them, this operation being aided,
if necessary, by tackle or other means; the operation may be effected in the open
or in a fixed or rotating house, as desired..
The arrangement which has been described serves for sailing vessels and for
twin screw or paddle steamers. For steamers having only one screw, the chamber
for the reserve rudder would have to be arranged in a higher position, above the
screw tunnel. When the operation of changing the rudder is to be effected with
such an arrangement it is necessary to disengage the toothed wheel of the reserve
rudder until the damaged rudder is raised to the level of the said reserve-rudder;
the wheel is then caused to engage and the operation is carried out in the manner
already described.
6
According to the construction of the vessel, such as in the case of single screw
steamers, the reserve rudder chamber may be arranged obliquely to the axis of
the keel and tangentially to the screw tunnel. But in this case it would be
necessary to construct two chambers instead of one; one to the right hand, the
other to the left, the first for the reserve rudder and the second for the damaged
rudder when the reserve rudder has been placed in position. It is obvious, in
this case, that the platform h will not have to effect an entire half revolution, but
will merely be displaced through the sector of a circle.
If the slide B for carrying the rudder should break, its removal would neverthe-
less be ensured by providing the pintles of the rudder with pins for securing them
in the eyes, as indicated at n (Figure 8).
The rack may be double and arranged laterally, and the toothed wheels
should correspond therewith; the mechanism for effecting the raising of the
rudders may be more or less complex according to the length and weight of the
rudders to be dealt with. Any variation in this respect however will not affect
the spirit of my invention which also remains the same whether wood, iron,
aluminium or their alloys or other suitable substances are employed in the
construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The construction of the rudder post for ships or vessels in two parts, one
sliding within the other by means of a groove and tenon, and the mounting of
the rudder upon the sliding part of the said post.

page_text: 2. The method for rendering the post or slide for carrying the rudder dis-
placeable by means of a rack and two or more toothed wheels.
3. The arrangement at the stern of a vessel of a reserve rudder in a position
inverse to that which is operative, which reserve rudder may, by means of suitable
apparatus upon the vessel itself, and which is consequently independent of the
rolling or tossing motion of the vessel, be substituted for a damaged rudder.
4. The employment of a rotary platform for transporting the reserve rudder
to the position previously occupied by the damaged rudder, and vice versa, the
grooves or slide ways formed in the rudder posts being utilised for this purpose;
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Dated this 1st day of November 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.