AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CONVEYING ELECTRIC SIGNALS AND TELEGRAMS NO CONTINUOUS ARTIFICIAL CONDUCTOR
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Haworth, of No. 22, Southampton Street,
Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CONVEYING ELECTRIC SIGNALS AND TELEGRAMS
NO CONTINUOUS ARTIFICIAL CONDUCTOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Haworth at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
March 1862.
I, JOHN HAWORTH, of No. 22, 'Southampton Street, Bloomsbury, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CONVEYING ELECTRIC SIGNALS AND
TELEGRAMS WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF ANY CONTINUOUS ARTIFICIAL CONDUCTOR,"
to be as follows:-
The object of the present Patent is to supersede the necessity of employing a
continuous artificial conductor, such as metallic wires or other artificial medium
in working the electric telegraph.
In order to effectuate my purpose I make use, of the following agencies:-
Firstly, I bury in the earth an equal number of copper plates, marked A upon
the accompanying plan, and zinc plates, marked Z, the copper plates being
separate and apart from the zinc plates and retained in an upright position. I
also bury two other plates, that is to say, a single plate of copper and a single
I Doice 87 1

page_text: plate of zinc, marked respectively in the accompanying plan G and F (G
being copper and F zinc), and also retained in an upright position and apart
from each other, as indicated in plan. Between these two plates G and F,
but not in contact with either, I bury a wooden box, covered with zinc or other
material, to preserve it from damp, containing a coil of insulated copper wire
marked J. The insulated coil I have used is a coil 12 miles in length of
No. 15 wire.
Secondly, I connect plates A and Z by means of wires to each end of the
primary coil in an apparatus next herein-after described and marked B in the
plan. The apparatus B consists of a wooden box containing two coils of in-
sulated copper wire, the one over the other, not intertwining, but one over the
other, and separated by shellac or other insulating material. They are, as it
were, two hair springs of a watch placed one on the other with shellac between
them. The shellac is not shewn in the plan, as it would conceal from view
one of the coils. The primary coil is marked in black ink on the plan, and
the secondary coil in red ink. These two coils are in construction very similar
to the electric coils attached to medical galvanic apparatus, with the exception
that those I use are flatter in form and greater in circumference. The length
of the primary one I have employed is twelve miles, and the secondary one
about forty miles in length. The primary wire being No. 15, and the secondary
No. 32.
i
Thirdly, I connect the internal end (see plan) of the primary coil by means
of a wire to one of the poles of an ordinary galvanic battery (marked C in the
plan), and the internal end of the secondary coil (see plan) to the opposite
pole of the same battery.
Fourthly, I then connect the same ends of the primary and secondary wires
of the insulated coils in box B by means of wires to a dial plate marked D
(see plan).
Fifthly, I then connect dial plate D by means of wires from the coil sur-
rounding the magnetic needle to binding screws (e) and (f) in condenser
marked E in the plan. The condenser E is constructed in the following
manner: It consists of glass plates enclosed in a box with grooves to admit
the plates to slide into, the box is constructed of well-seasoned red deal in a
case of zinc. The glass plates are covered partially with pure gold leaf,
extending about half way (namely) from the top to the centre. One end of
the box I shall call (y), and the other end (z), see plan. At the end (2) on the
inside of the box is a coil of round gold wire, the coil resembling in shape the
form of a watch spring, about twelve feet long, marked (c). This coil of gold
wire (c) communicates with the exterior of the box. At the same end (z), but on

page_text: opposite sides of the box E, there are also two binding screws situated outside
the box, marked respectively (a) and (b). There is also a third binding screw,
marked (d), on the outside of the box, see plan. A ribbon of pure gold metal
is passed alternately over and under the partially covered glass plates, so as to
be between them all. The red dotted line is supposed to mark the course' of
the ribbon inside the box. The extremity of the ribbon at end (2) of the box
is attached to the centre of the coil of gold wire (c) above described. The
same gold coil is also connected by means of a copper wire attached to its
centre with the external binding screw (a). The other extreme end of the
gold coil is connected with the binding screw (d). The binding screw (b)
is connected by means of a gold wire. covered with sealing wax or other insu-
lating material with the further extremity of the gold ribbon. On the two
sides of the box E towards end (y) are two binding screws, one on each
side of the box, marked respectively (e) and (f). In the plan (f) is supposed
to be on, the side of the box opposite to that supposed to be seen by the
spectator. The binding screw (e) is connected by copper wires to the extremity
of the gold ribbon at end (y) of the box, and (f) is similarly connected with
the same gold ribbon at the same end of the box.
Sixthly, I further connect by means of copper wires with plate F and.
with one of the poles of the battery C, and I connect (b) with plate G and
with the other pole of battery C (see plan).
Seventhly, at the distance marked (a) from coil J to which it is intended to
transmit the message, I bury in the earth zinc plates, marked H on the plan,
and copper plates, marked Y, similar in number, construction, and position,
and for similar uses as the plates A and Z, already described. These plates
H and Y should be as nearly as practicable opposite and parallel to plates G
and F, the copper opposite to the zinc, and the zinc to the copper.
Eighthly, I connect the plates H and Y by means of wires to an apparatus
similar to that already described and marked B on the plan, which again I
connect with a battery and dial plate similar to those already described. I
also connect the dial plate with a similar condenser, and the condenser with
the battery.
These several corresponding apparatus are marked respectively K, L, M,
and N.
Ninthly, I similarly bury in the earth opposite to plates A and Z plates
marked P and O respectively, similar to plates F and G.already described, and
a box containing an insulated coil, marked R, similar and similarly situated in
respect to plates P and O, as the box containing coil J in respect of plates G
and F (see plan.)

page_text: The electric fluid is generated by battery C in conjunction with the metal
plates A and Z on the one side of the interval (x) and by the battery L in
conjunction with the plates H and Y on the other side of internal (x). In
sending signals and telegrams a similar process is had resort to as that em-
+ployed in working the ordinary electric telegraph. The course supposed to
be taken by the electric fluid in conveying a message from the first-mentioned
side to coil J is indicated by arrow heads; but I do not intend to be under-
stood as saying definitely that that is the actual direction it takes. Having
arrived at coil J it passes through the intermediate space to plates H and Y,
and from thence through K to dial plate M. The return message is similarly
effected after making the ordinary alterations in the dial plates, well known to
all persons accustomed to the use of the electric telegraph.
Having thus described the object, the nature of the agencies I employ, and
my mode of proceeding, I have only in conclusion to add, that I limit my
claim of Invention to having discovered the general principle that electric
signals and telegrams may be transmitted indifferently either through water or
land, either wholly or partially covered with water, without the intervention of
any continuous artificial conductor, and to having also discovered and explained
a method by which the same may be done; but I do not claim to have dis-
covered that electric signals and telegrams may be transmitted from one bank
to the opposite bank over an intervening space wholly covered with water
without the intervention of any continuous artificial conductor. In respect
to the apparatus I employ, I do not claim any originality of Invention in
the construction of any part or portion of it, but merely in the use and com-
bination of its several parts for the purposes of this Patent.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Haworth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th September 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HAWORTH, of Southampton Street, Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in. the twenty-fourth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Haworth, Her special licence that I, the said John
Haworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,

page_text: the said John Haworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN
IMPROVED METHOD OF CONVEYING ELECTRIC SIGNALS AND TELEGRAMS WITHOUT THE
INTERVENTION OF ANY CONTINUOUS ARTIFICIAL CONDUCTOR," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Haworth, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, ог one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE. that I, the said John Haworth, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement and accompanying Drawings (that is to say) :-
The object of the present Invention is to supersede the necessity of
employing a continuous artificial conductor such as a metallic wire or other
artificial medium in working the electric telegraph.
In order to effectuate my object I proceed as follows:-First, I bury in the
earth a plate of copper marked A on plan (see plan filed herewith) and another
plate of zinc marked Z. Each separate and distant about one foot from
each other, retained in an upright position and slightly bent so as to form
the segment of a cylinder, the axis of which is perpendicular to the surface
of the earth. They are buried in such a position as to present their convex
sides towards the place to which it is intended to send signals. For a dis-
tance of twelve miles and up to seventy-five miles I have found plates
of one square foot sufficient. For a distance beyond that up to two hundred
miles I have made use of plates, each twenty-four inches by sixteen inches.
I also bury two other plates that is to say, a plate of copper and a
plate of zinc marked respectively in the plan G and F (G being copper
and F being zinc) in position as shewn on plan, each of similar size to
plates A and Z and also similarly curved in an upright position, and
about two feet distant from each other, with their convex faces also towards
the place to which it is intended to send signals. Between these
two plates G and F, but not in contact with either plate, I bury a wooden
box marked J (as shewn in plan) covered with zinc or other material

page_text: to preserve it from damp, containing a coil of coated copper wire insulated
from a box by shellac or sealing wax poured in a melted state around it.
The length and size of the coil which I have found effective has been twelve
miles of No. 15 wire. The coil is of a flat form about three and a half
inches thick and about sixteen inches 'diameter. *
Secondly, I connect A and Z by means of copper wires, those which. I
generally use are of No. 15, to each end of the primary coil in an apparatus
next herein-after described and marked B in the plan. This apparatus B
consists of a wooden box containing two coils, that is to say, a primary
and a secondary coil, of insulated copper wire, the one coil by the side of
or upon the other and insulated from it by shellac. There are many other
insulating materials, which would answer the purpose, but I am of opinion
that shellac is the best. These are flat coils separated by a layer of shellac.
The shellac is not shown in the plan, as it would conceal from view one of
the coils. The primary coil is marked in black ink on the plan, and the secon-
dary coil in red ink. The length of the primary coil I have employed is
twelve miles of wire No. 15 for experiments varying from twelve miles up to
seventy-five miles; for a distance from seventy-five miles up to two
hundred I find seventeen miles of primary coil sufficient. The coils are
about sixteen inches diameter and the primary one about. three inches
and a half thick, the secondary about one inch and a half. The secondary
coil I have used for distances varying from twelve to seventy-five miles
has been forty miles in length of wire No. 32. For distances between
seventy-five and two hundred miles I found forty-seven miles in length
¡sufficient. It will be observed as to the length whether of the primary or
the secondary coil, though their respective lengths require to be varied with
distances the variations are not in direct proportion with each other nor
with the distances, but à little practice will enable the operator to ascertain
the most economical quantities.
Thirdly, I connect the internal end (see plan) of the primary coil by
means of a wire to extreme copper or silver plate of an ordinary galvanic
battery (marked C in the plan), and the internal end of the secondary
coil (see plan) to the opposite or zinc end of the same battery; I have
employed Smee's battery. The size and power of the battery will depend
in some degree upon circumstances, such as the distance to which it is intended
to convey the message, the strength and direction of the earth's currents,
and even the state of the weather, more power being required in dry than in
damp weather. These points must be taken into consideration and allowance
made for them. For a distance of ten miles from Notting Hill, Bayswater,

page_text: Middlesex, to Croydon, in Surrey, I have found a Smee's battery of two cells
at each end containing plates three by five inches to suffice. For about fifty
miles, from Notting Hill, Bayswater, to Brighton, in Sussex, 1 have used with
success a Smee's battery of three cells at Notting Hill, and the same number at
Brighton. For two hundred miles from Notting Hill, to Bangor, in Wales
I have required six cells with plates of the size above named, I have found
that less power is generally required to convey a message from north to
south and from south to north than from east to west, or from west to
east.
Fourthly, I connect by similar wires the same ends of the primary and
secondary coils in box B, which are connected with the battery to the binding
screws of an ordinary telegraphic indicator marked D (see plan) so as to be
capable of being brought into connection with its coil by the motion of the
handle.
Fifthly, I bring the ends of the coil surrounding the magnetic needle of D
into permanent metallic connection by binding screws (e) and (f) with the
apparatus next herein-after described, which I call the condenser or safety
valve marked E in the plan. Care must be taken that the wires connecting
the dial plate with (e) and (f) do not come in contact with the zinc covering
of the box E. This condenser or safety valve is constructed in the following
manner: It consists of glass plates inclosed in a box with grooves for the plates
to slide into. The box is made of well-seasoned red deal, and is enveloped in
a case of zinc. The glass plates are covered with pure gold leaf extending
down them about half the way, namely. from the top to the centre, but are
insulated from the box by shellac; one end of the box I shall call (y) and the
other end (z), (see plan.) At the end z on the inside of the box are two coils,
primary and secondary, of insulated gold wire, marked (c) and (c¹) on the plan,,
each coil resembling in shape the form of a watch spring and each insulated
from the other by shellac. As I have shewn in reference to box B, there are
many other insulating materials that would answer the purpose, but I prefer
shellac. The primary coil is of No. 15 wire, twelve feet long, and the secondary
coil is of No. 32 wire, twenty, six feet long or thereabouts. The primary coil is
placed next the end z of the box. It is insulated from the box and from the
secondary coil by cork or shellac, sealing wax, or gutta percha, and its outer
extremity projects through the box and communicates with binding screw d,
see plan. At the same end z on the opposite sides of the box E there are
two binding screws situated outside the box marked respectively a and b.
A ribbon of pure gold marked in plan is passed alternately over and under
The extremity
the partially covered glass plates so as to be between them all.

page_text: of the ribbon at the end 2 of the box is attached to the centre of the secondary
coil of gold wire above described. The outer end of the secondary gold coil
is connected with the centre or inner end of the primary coil. I have found
it advantageous also to connect the zinc case of the box with the binding screw
d by a copper wire. The binding screw b is connected by means of a
gold wire covered with sealing wax, or other insulating material with the
further extremity of the gold ribbon at end y of the box. On the two sides
of the box E towards y are two binding screws before mentioned, one on
each side of the box called respectively (e) and (f). In the plan (e) is
supposed to be on the side of the box opposite to that supposed to be seen by
the spectator and is consequently not shewn in the plan. The binding screw (e)
is connected in the inside of the box by an insulated copper wire with binding
screw (b), and (f) in like manner is connected with a. These two connecting
wires being inside the box are not shewn on plan. Each of these copper wires
from (e) to (b) and from (f) to (a) in its course through the box is connected
by a short piece of copper wire, terminating in a piece of copper foil with the
gold leaf or any two of the glasses above described, by being placed between
and in contact with them.
Sixthly, I connect by means of copper wire a with plate F and also with
the zinc pole of the battery C, and I connect b with plate G and with the
other pole of battery C (see plan).
Seventhly, at the point to which it is intended to transmit the message I bury
in the earth a zinc plate H, see plan, and a copper plate Y, see plan, similarly
curved and similar in size and position, and for similar uses, as plates A and Z
already described. The plates H and Y should be buried with their convex
sides towards plate G and F. The letters X, X, are supposed to indicate the
intermediate space.
Eighthly, in a similar way to that by which I connect A and Z to box B, I
connect plates H and Y by means of wires to an apparatus marked K in plan,
and in construction similar to that already described, and marked B in plan,
which again I connect with a battery marked L and dial plate marked M,
similar to those already described and marked respectively C and D; I also
connect the dial plate with a condenser or safety valve marked N, similar in
construction to E and the condenser or safety valve N, with the battery L and
also with plates P and O, and coil R herein-after mentioned in a manner
similar to that in which E is connected with plates G and F and coil J.
Ninthly, I similarly bury in the earth opposite to plates A and Z plates
marked P of zinc and O of copper respectively, similar to plates F and G
already described, and a box containing an insulated coil marked R, similar

page_text: and similarly situated in respect to the plates P and O as the box containing
coil J is in respect to plates G and F, (see plan). The several corresponding
sets of plates, that is to say, the plates A, Z, G, F, and coil J, and plates
P, O, H, Y, and coil R, should be buried as nearly as practicable opposite and
in a line parallel to each other, the copper plates being placed opposite to the
zinc and the zinc to the copper (see plan). I would suggest that the con-
necting wires be insulated to prevent accidental contact. In sending signals
and telegrams a similar process is had resort to as that employed in working
the ordinary electric telegraph. The return message is similarly effected,
after marking the ordinary alterations well known to all persons accustomed to
the use of the electric telegraph.
Having thus described the apparatus I employ and my mode of proceeding,
I have only in conclusion to add that what I claim is the method herein-before
described, and any mere modification thereof, of transmitting electric signals
and telegrams from one point to another without the intervention of any
continuous artificial conductor.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Haworth, have heretofore set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
W. S. MASTERMAN.
Sol, 15, Cliffords Inn,
London.
JOHN HAWORTH. (L.S.)

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Haworth at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
March 1862.
i
1
I, JOHN HAWORTH, of No. 22, Southampton Street, Bloomsbury, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CONVEYING ELECTRIC SIGNALS
TELEGRAMS WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF ANY CONTINUOUS ARTIFICIAL CONDUCTOR,"
to be as follows:-
AND
The object of the present Patent is to supersede the necessity of employing a
continuous artificial conductor, such as metallic wires or other artificial medium
in working the electric telegraph.
In order to effectuate my purpose I make use of the following agencies:-
Firstly, I bury in the earth an equal number of copper plates, marked A upon
the accompanying plan, and zinc plates, marked Z, the copper plates being
separate and apart from the zinc, plates and retained in an upright position. I
also bury two other plates, that is to say, a single plate of copper and a single
Dice 87 1

page_text: plate of zinc, marked respectively in the accompanying plan G and F (G
being copper and F zinc), and also retained in an upright position and apart
from each other, as indicated in plan. Between these two plates G and F,
but not in contact with either, I bury a wooden box, covered with zinc or other
material, to preserve it from damp, containing a coil of insulated copper' wire
marked J. The insulated coil I have used is a coil 12 miles in length of
No. 15 wire.
Secondly, I connect plates A and Z by means of wires to each end of the
primary coil in an apparatus next herein-after described and marked B in the
plan. The apparatus B consists of a wooden box containing two coils of in-
sulated copper wire, the one over the other, not intertwining, but one over the
other, and separated by shellac or other insulating material. They are, as it
were, two hair springs of a watch placed one on the other with shellac between
them. The shellac is not shewn in the plan, as it would conccal from view
one of the coils. The primary coil is marked in black ink on the plan, and
the secondary coil in red ink. These two coils are in construction very similar
to the electric coils attached to medical galvanic apparatus, with the exception
that those I use are flatter in form and greater in circumference. The length
of the primary one I have employed is twelve miles, and the secondary one
about forty miles in length. The primary wire being No. 15, and the secondary
No. 32.
i
Thirdly, I connect the internal end (see plan) of the primary coil by means
of a wire to one of the poles of an ordinary galvanic battery (marked C in the
plan), and the internal end of the secondary coil (see plan) to the opposite.
pole of the same battery.
Fourthly, I then connect the same ends of the primary and secondary wires
of the insulated coils in box B by means of wires to a dial plate marked D
(see plan).
Fifthly, I then connect dial plate D by means of wires from the coil sur
rounding the magnetic needle to binding screws (e) and (f) in condenser
marked E in the plan. The condenser E is constructed in the following
manner-It consists of glass plates enclosed in a box with grooves to admit
the plates to slide into, the box is constructed of well-seasoned red deal in a
case of zinc.
The glass plates are covered partially with pure gold leaf,
extending about half way (namely) from the top to the centre. One end of
the box I shall call (y), and the other end (2), see plan. At the end (z) on the
inside of the box is a coil of round gold wire, the coil resembling in shape the
form of a watch spring, about twelve feet long, marked (c). This coil of gold
wire (c) communicates with the exterior of the box. At the same end (z), but on

page_text: opposite sides of the box E, there are also two binding screws situated outside
the box, marked respectively (a) and (b). There is also a third binding screw,
marked (d), on the outside of the box, see plan. A ribbon of pure gold metal
is passed alternately over and under the partially covered glass plates, so as to
be between them all. The red dotted line is supposed to mark the course of
the ribbon inside the box. The extrémity of the ribbon at end (z) of the box
is attached to the centre of the coil of gold wire (c) above described. The
same gold coil is also connected by means of a copper wire attached to its
centre with the external binding screw (a). The other extreme end of the
gold coil is connected with the binding screw (d). The binding screw (b)
is connected by means of a gold wire covered with sealing wax or other insu-
lating material with the further extremity of the gold ribbon. On the two
sides of the box E towards end (y) are two binding screws, one on each
side of the box, marked respectively (e) and (f). In the plan (f) is supposed
to be on the side of the box opposite to that supposed to be seen by the
spectator. The binding screw (e) is connected by copper wires to the extremity
of the gold ribbon at end (y) of the box, and () is similarly connected with
the same gold ribbon at the same end of the box. '
Sixthly, I further connect by means of copper wires (a) with plate F and
with one of the poles of the battery C, and I connect (b) with plate G and
with the other pole of battery C (sec plan).
.
Seventhly, at the distance marked (2) from coil J to which it is intended.to
transmit the message, I bury in the earth zinc plates, marked H on the plan,
and copper plates, marked Y, similar in number, construction, and position,
and for similar uses as the plates A and Z, already described. These plates
H and Y should be as nearly as practicable opposite and parallel to plates G
and F, the copper opposite to the zinc, and the zinc to the copper.
Eighthly. I connect the plates H and Y by means of wires to an apparatus
similar to that already described and marked B on the plan, which again I
connect with a battery and dial plate similar to those already described. I
also connect the dial plate with a similar condenser, and the condenser with
the battery.
These several corresponding apparatus are marked respectively K, L, M,
and N.
Ninthly, I similarly bury. in. the earth opposite to plates A and Z plates
marked P and O respectively, similar to plates F and G. already described, and
a box containing an insulated coil, marked R, similar and similarly situated in
respect to plates P and O, as the box containing coil J in respect of plates G
and F (see plan.)
:

page_text: The electric fluid is generated by battery C in conjunction with the metal
plates A and Z on the one side of the interval (a) and by the battery L in
conjunction with the plates H and Y on the other side of internal (x). In
sending signals and telegrams a similar process is had resort to as that em-
ployed in working the ordinary electric telegraph. The course supposed to
be taken by the electric fluid in conveying a message from the first-mentioned
side to coil J is indicated by arrow heads; but I do not intend to be under-
stood as saying definitely that that is the actual direction it takes. Having
arrived at coil J it passes through the intermediate space to plates H and Y,
and from thence through K to dial plate M. The return message is similarly
effected after making the ordinary alterations in the dial plates, well known to
all persons accustomed to the use of the electric telegraph.
Having thus described the object, the nature of the agencies I employ, and
my mode of proceeding, I have only in conclusion to add, that I limit my
claim of Invention to having discovered the general principle that electric
signals and telegrams may be transmitted indifferently either through water or
land, either wholly or partially covered with water, without the intervention of
any continuous artificial conductor, and to having also discovered and explained
a method by which the same may be done; but I do not claim to have dis-
covered that electric signals and telegrams may be transmitted from one bank
to the opposite bank over an intervening space wholly covered with water
without the intervention of any continuous artificial conductor. In respect
to the apparatus 1 employ, 1 do not claim any originality of Invention in
the construction of any part or portion of it, but merely in the use and com-
bination of its several parts for the purposes of this Patent.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Haworth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th September 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HAWORTH, of Southampton Street, Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fourth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Haworth, Her special licence that I, the said John
Haworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,

page_text: the said John Haworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN
IMPROVED METHOD OF CONVEYING ELECTRIC SIGNALS AND TELEGRAMS WITHOUT THE
INTERVENTION OF ANY CONTINUOUS ARTIFICIAL CONDUCTOR," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Haworth, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent..
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Haworth, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement and accompanying Drawings (that is to say):-
The object of the present Invention is to supersede the necessity of
employing a continuous artificial conductor such as a metallic wire or other
artificial medium in working the electric telegraph.
In order to effectuate my object I proceed as follows:-First, I bury in the
earth a plate of copper marked A on plan (see plan filed herewith) and another
plate of zinc marked Z. Each separate and distant about one foot from
each other, retained in an upright position and slightly bent so as to form
the segment of a cylinder, the axis of which is perpendicular to the surface
of the earth. They are buried in such a position as to present their convex
sides towards the place to which it is intended to send signals. For a dis-
tance of twelve miles and up to seventy-five miles I have found plates
of one square foot sufficient. For a distance beyond that up to two hundred
miles I have made use of plates, each twenty-four inches by sixteen inches.
I also bury two other plates that is to say, a plate of copper and a
plate of zinc marked respectively in the plan G and F (G being copper
and F being zinc) in position as shewn on plan, each of similar size to
plates A and Z and also similarly curved in an upright position, and
about two feet distant from each other, with their convex faces also towards
the place to which it is intended to send signals. Between these
'two plates G and F, but not in contact with either plate, I bury a wooden
box marked J (as shewn in plan) covered with zinc or other material

page_text: to preserve it from damp, containing a coil of coated copper wire insulated
from a box by shellac or sealing wax poured in a melted state around it.
The length and size of the coil which I have found effective has been twelve
miles of No. 15 wire. The coil is of a flat form about three and a half
inches thick and about sixteen inches diameter.
Secondly, I connect A and Z by means of copper wires, those which I
generally use are of No. 15, to each end of the primary coil in an apparatus
next herein-after described and marked B in the plan. This apparatus B
consists of a wooden box containing two coils, that is to say, a primary
and a secondary coil, of insulated copper wire, the one coil by the side of
or upon the other and insulated from it by shellac. There are many other
insulating materials, which would answer the purpose, but I am of opinion
that shellac is the best. These are flat coils separated by a layer of shellac..
The shellac is not shewn in the plan, as it would conceal from view one of
the coils. The primary coil is marked in black ink on the plan, and the secon-
dary coil in red ink.. The length of the primary coil I have employed is
twelve miles of wire No. 15 for experiments varying from twelve miles up to
seventy-five miles; for a distance from seventy-five miles up. to two
hundred I find seventeen miles of primary coil. sufficient. The coils are
about sixteen inches diameter and the primary one about three inches
and a half thick, the secondary about one inch and a half. The secondary
coil I have used for distances varying from twelve to seventy-five miles
has been forty miles in length of wire No. 32. For distances between
seventy-five and two hundred miles I found forty-seven miles in length
sufficient. It will be observed as to the length whether of the primary or
the secondary coil, though their respective lengths require. to be varied with
distances the variations are not in direct proportion with each other nor
with the distances, but a little practice will enable the operator to ascertain
the most economical quantities.
Thirdly, I connect the internal end (see plan) of the primary. coil by
means of a wire to extreme copper or silver plate of an ordinary: galvanic
battery (marked C in the plan), and the internal end of the secondary
'coil (see plan) to the opposite or zinc end of the same battery; I have
employed Smee's battery. The size and power of the battery will depend
in some degree upon circumstances, such as the distance to which it is intended
to convey the message, the strength and direction of the earth's currents,
and even the state of the weather, more power being required in dry than in
damp weather. These points must be taken into consideration and allowance
made for them. For a distance of ten miles from Notting Hill, Bayswater,

page_text: Middlesex, to Croydon, in Surrey, I have found a Smee's battery of two cells
at each end containing plates three by five inches to suffice. For about fifty
miles, from Notting Hill, Bayswater, to Brighton, in Sussex, I have used with
success a Smee's battery of three cells at Notting Hill, and the same number at
Brighton. For two hundred miles from Notting Hill, to Bangor, in Wales
I have required six cells with plates of the size above named, I have found
that less power is generally required to convey a message from north to
south and from south to north than from east to west, or from west to
east.
Fourthly, I connect by similar wires the same ends of the primary and
secondary coils in box B, which are connected with the battery to the binding
screws of an ordinary telegraphic indicator marked D (see plan) so as to be
capable of being brought into connection with its coil by the motion of the
handle.
Fifthly, I bring the ends of the coil surrounding, the magnetic needle of D
into permanent metallic connection by binding screws (e) and (f) with the
apparatus next herein-after described, which I call the condenser or safety
valve marked E in the plan. Care must be taken that the wires connecting
the dial plate with (e) and () do not come in contact with the zinc covering
of the box E. This condenser or safety valve is constructed in the following
manner: It consists of glass plates inclosed in a box with grooves for the plates
to slide into. The box is made of well-seasoned red deal, and is enveloped in
a case of zinc. The glass plates are covered with pure gold leaf extending
down them about half the way, namely. from the top to the centre, but are
insulated from the box by shellac; one end of the box I shall call (y) and the
other end (2), (see plan.) At the end z on the inside of the box are two coils,
primary and secondary, of insulated gold wire, marked (c) and (c') on the plan,
cach coil resembling in shape the form of a watch spring and each insulated
from the other by shellac. As I have shewn in reference to box B, there are
many other insulating materials that would answer the purpose, but I prefer
shellac. The primary coil is of No. 15 wire, twelve feet long, and the secondary
coil is of No. 32 wire, twenty, six feet long or thereabouts. The primary coil is
placed next the end z of the box. It is insulated from the box and from the
secondary coil by cork or shellac, sealing wax, or gutta percha, and its outer
extremity projects through the box and communicates with binding screw d,
see plan. At the same end z on the opposite sides of the box E there are
two binding screws situated outside the box marked respectively a and b.
A ribbon of pure gold marked r in plan is passed alternately over and under
The extremity
the partially covered glass plates so as to be between them all.

page_text: of the ribbon at the end z of the box is attached to the centre of the secondary
coil of gold wire above described. The outer end of the secondary gold coil
is connected with the centre or inner end of the primary coil. I have found
it advantageous also to connect the zinc case of the box with the binding screw
d by a copper wire. The binding screw b is connected by means of a
gold wire covered-with-sealing wax, or other insulating -material with the
further extremity of the gold ribbon at end y of the box. On the two sides
of the box E. towards y are two binding screws before mentioned, one on
each side of the box called respectively (e) and (f). In the plan (e) is
supposed to be on the side of the box opposite to that supposed to be seen by
the spectator and is consequently not shewn in the plan. The binding screw (e)
is connected in the inside of the box by an insulated copper wire with binding
screw (b), and (f) in like manner is connected with a. These two connecting
wires being inside the box are not shewn on plan. Each of these copper wires
from (e) to (b) and from (f) to (a) in its course through the box is connected
by a short piece of copper wire, terminating in a piece of copper foil with the
gold leaf or any two of the glasses above described, by being placed between
and in contact with them.
Sixthly, I connect by means of copper wire a with plate F and also with
the zinc pole of the battery C, and I connect b with plate G and with the
other pole of battery C (see plan).
Seventhly, at the point to which it is intended to transmit the message I bury.
in the earth a zinc plate H, see plan, and a copper plate Y, see plan, similarly
curved and similar in size and position, and for similar uses, as plates A and Z
already described. The plates H and Y should be buried with their convex
sides towards plate G and F. The letters X, X, are supposed to indicate the
intermediate space.
Eighthly, in a similar way to that by which I connect A and Z to box B, I
connect plates H and Y by means of wires to an apparatus marked K in plan,
and in construction similar to that already described, and marked B in plan,
which again I connect with a battery marked L and dial plate marked M,
similar to those already described and marked respectively C and D; I also
connect the dial plate with a condenser or safety valve marked N, similar in
construction to E and the condenser or safety valve N, with the battery L'and
also with plates P and O, and coil R herein-after mentioned in a manner
similar to that in which E is connected with plates G and F and coil J.
Ninthly, I similarly bury in the earth opposite to plates A and Z plates
marked P of zinc and O of copper respectively, similar to plates F and G
already described, and a box containing an insulated coil marked R, similar

page_text: and similarly situated in respect to the plates P and O as the box containing
coil J is in respect to plates G and F, (see plan). The several corresponding
sets of plates, that is to say, the plates A, Z, G. F, and coil J, and plates
P, O, H, Y, and coil R, should be buried as nearly as practicable opposite and
in a line parallel to each other, the copper plates being placed opposite to the
zinc and the zinc to the copper (see plan). I would suggest that the con-
In sending signals
necting wires be insulated to prevent accidental contact.
and telegrams a similar process is had resort to as that employed in working
the ordinary electric telegraph. The return message is similarly effected,
after marking the ordinary alterations well known to all persons accustomed to
the use of the electric telegraph.
Having thus described the apparatus I employ and my mode of proceeding,
I have only in conclusion to add that what I claim is the method herein-before
described, and any mere modification thereof, of transmitting electric signals
and telegrams from one point to another without the intervention of any
continuous artificial conductor.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Haworth, have heretofore set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
IOUN ILAWODTU
Witness,
W. S. MASTERMAN.
Sol, 15, Cliffords Inn,
London..