IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LOWERING SHIPS' BOATS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LOWERING SHIPS' BOATS." A communi-
cation from abroad by Thomas Thomson, of Bluff Harbour, Otago, New
Zealand, Harbour Master.
Sealed the 14th November 1876, and dated the 4th July 1870
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th July 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LOWERING
SHIPS BOATS." A communication.
This Invention relates to novel apparatus for lowering boats from ships or vessels
afloat. I hinge the davits to the side of the ship or vessel, and provide a cradle
between them to carry the boat; or instead of the cradle I make projecting lugs or
catches to fit into slots made in the stern and stern post of the boat. A topping lift
is attached to each davit and to each end of the boat in such a manner that they
can be used both for lowering and hoisting. These are brought together after
passing through two blocks at the masthead, or a span between the masts, so that
they can be led to a winch, and so connected that both are let go simultaneously.
The davits are fastened to the rail when not required for lowering, whilst a hori-
zontal rack is provided to secure the davits when hoisting, and also to prevent their
coming back on the side before they are far enough out, as might be the case in the
event of the ship rolling heavily. When the boat is to be lowered the davits are
allowed to fall outward from the vessel until reaching the water, when the davits
with the cradle are still allowed to fall, sinking altogether below the boat so as to
allow it to float quite freely. When required the davits are then hoisted again.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal: Patent Office on the 3rd January
1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LOWERING
SHIPS BOATS." A communication from abroad by Thomas Thomson, of Bluff
Harbour, Otago, New Zealand, Harbour Master.
water.
According to this Invention the boat is supported in a cradle between two davits
so hinged to the outside of the vessel as to admit of their falling outward and away
from the vessel. When the boat is lowered the ends of these davits are allowed to
descend. This they continue to do until some distance below the surface of the
When the boat reaches the water and floats it frees itself from the cradle,
which remains submerged with the davits until the boat is beyond their reach.
Davits and cradle are then hoisted up. Instead of a cradle the boat may be carried
by a lug projecting from cach davit, one fitting in the stem and the other in the
stern post of the boat. At or near the top of each davit I attach a block through
which I reeve a rope, having a hook at its end. These ropes I call topping lifts.
They both extend to another block attached to the masthead, or to a span between
the masts, and thence are led to a winch or to any other suitable contrivance for
raising and lowering them simultaneously. When about to lower I pull the eye of
the said hooks on the topping lifts close up. to the frame of their respective blocks
on the davits, and take a bight of the rope around a hook provided for the purpose
on each davit, and then lower away.
'
When the boat is to be lifted I do not lower the davits to the water, but only to
such a degree out of the perpendicular as to permit of the boat, being lifted without
any fear of its knocking against the side of the ship. The same topping lifts that
arc used for lowering the davits, with the boat are also used for hoisting the boat,
only in this case there are no bights taken in the ropes which run freely through
their respective blocks. Whilst the boat is being hoisted the cradle is tripped up
on the inner side of the davits, but when it is hoisted the tripping line is let go,
and the cradle allowed to swing around the boat again as at first. The ends of two
racks projecting from the side of the vessel and pressing against the davits prevent
their falling inboard whilst the boat is being hoisted. When the boat is in its
cradle said racks are withdrawn and the davits brought up against the ship's side.
The inner half of the cradle (which is hinged) is then let down to allow the boat to
be run inboard on skids and lashed fast.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of part of a ship's side,
showing the cradle and the method of fixing the topping lifts when the davits with
the boats are to be lowered, the sections at either end showing how said lifts are to
be arranged when the boat is to be hoisted.
Figure 2 is a cross section of the ship clearly illustrating the method of lowering
and raising.
Figure 3 is an elevation of part of the ship's side showing the boat being hoisted
when fitted with projecting lugs instead of the said cradle.
Figures 4 and 5 are side and end views of the same arrangement when the boat
is being lowered.
Figure 6 illustrates the method of arranging the hoisting rope when the vessel is
without masts.
A, A, are the davits, and A¹, A³, are their hinges; A2, A3, are stays; A³, A³, are
slots and bolts for securing the davits when not in use; B is the cradle swivelling
on bolts B¹, and fixed when required by bolts B2; C, C, are the topping lifts; C¹, Cr,
the blocks through which they reeve; C2, C3, the hooks around which the bight is
taken;
Cs, the hoisting rope in Figure 6; D is the rail on the bulwarks of the ship;
and E, E, are the boat skids.
In Figure 2 the cradle supporting the boat on the edge of the vessel is shown
with the hinged arms B³ opened to allow of the removal of the boat inboard; F is

page_text: the rack supporting the davit when it and the cradle are in position for hoisting
the boat; G is the tripping line; H, H, are the projecting lugs on davits (see
Figures 3 and 4); and I, I, the recesses in stern post and stem to receive them.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the inanner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim―
First. The rigid cradle in combination with hinged davits for supporting the
boat when the same is being lowered.
Second. The lugs and recesses as a substitute for the said cradle.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
W. ROB. LAKE, (L.S.)
KUB.