IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PASSAGE AND CONTROL OF CABLES AND OTHER CHAINS, AND ADDADAMITO FOR ANVILIARY PROPULLSION
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Maze Kilner, Chaplain of Chester Castle,
in the County of Chester, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR THE PASSAGE AND CONTROL OF CABLES AND OTHER CHAINS, AND
ADDADAMITO FOR ANVILIARY PROPULLSION"
Sealed the 14th April 1870, and dated the 20th January 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Maze Kilner
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 20th January 1870.
I, JAMES MAZE KILNER, Chaplain of Chester Castle, in the County
of Chester, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PASSAGE AND CONTROL OF CABLES AND OTHER
CHAINS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR AUXILIARY PROPULSION," to be as follows:-
I form an oblong block of cast iron which is securely fastened to a
ship's deck. Near the casting is a trunk or tubular passage which
extends from the deck out through the bottom or any submerged part of
a ship. The outer skin of the vessel partially overlaps the lower end of

page_text: the trunk, and forms supports for the shoulders of a sliding hawse pipe,
which when lowered protrudes beyond the ship. A chain passes along
a channel in the casting through the hawse pipe and thence is attached
to the mushroom anchor of a floating light ship, or as a spring to the
bower cable of an ordinary ship. In either case considerable case is
afforded to vessels exposed to heavy riding by the strain of the cable
being brought to bear on the ship at a low point. Chains thus passed
may also be used for sea towing, for careening, raising sunken vessels,
cleansing the bottoms of vessels and other purposes.
66
For the Control of Chains.--I attach to the casting (by means of a
strong iron pin, on which it freely works) a shackle or
grab link"
which has a claw shaped bend and narrow bight, the latter in com-
bination with the channel in the casting locks by self-action every
alternate link of the chain when being wound in by the windlass or
capstan, or aided by a lever (on its position being reversed) acts as a
brake on the chain when paid out. The bent grab link is also used
for attaching the spring to the bower chain and for other purposes.
t
For Auxiliary Propulsion.-I lower through such a trunk as has been
described a slide somewhat like a ladder, between the lower extremities
of which, when protruded beneath the ship, two screw propeller blades
are revolved by either an endless rope, or chain, or by a crank and rod
connection with an engine on deck. On the removal of either the
apparatus or hawse pipe from the trunk a plug may be inserted which
restores the integrity of the vessel's outer skin.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Maze Kilner in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 20th July 1870.
"
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
MAZE KIENER, Chaplain of Chester Castle, in the County of Chester,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-third

page_text: year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said James Maze Kilner, Her special licence that I,
the said James Maze Kilner, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said James Maze Kilner, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR THE PASSAGE AND CONTROL OF CABLES AND OTHER CHAINS, AND IN APPARATUS
FOR AUXILIARY PROPULSION," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said James Maze Kilner, my executors or administrators, 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 James Maze Kilner, do hereby.
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in.
and by the following statement:
The chief objects of this Patent are shewn in the accompanying
Drawings, they represent the development of ideas originally patented
in 1867. They comprise in their aim the saving of human life, of boats
and possibly of ships from destruction. The grab link in its various
forms, in its extreme simplicity and infallibility of action, will scarcely.
fail to commend itself for many of the purposes to which it may be
applied, and it is hoped the "under ship propellers" worked by cranks
beneath the run, will offer solution of the difficulty which practically
shuts the Suez Canal against sailing vessels. I form an oblong block
of cast metal which is securely fastened to a ship's deck (X); near the.
casting is a trunk, which extends from the deck out through the bottom
run or bows of a ship. The outer skin of the vessel partially overlaps
the lower end of the trunk, and forms supports for the shoulders of a
sliding hawse pipe, which when lowered protrudes beyond the ship,
Fig. 7. A chain passes along a channel in the casting through the

page_text: hawse pipe described, or through the ordinary hawse pipe of a ship or
vessel for anchoring, towing, careening or other purposes.
1
<<
For the Control of Chains.-I attach to the casting (by means of a
strong pivot pin on which it freely works) a shackle or
grab link"
(X) which has a claw shaped bend and narrow bight, the latter in
combination with the channel in the casting locks by self-action every
alternate link of the chain when being drawn in, or aided by a runner
and tackle purchase (on its position being reversed) acts as a brake on
the chain when being paid out. The beut grab link is also used for
many other purposes.
For Auxiliary Propulsion.-I lower through such a trunk as has been
described a slide somewhat like a ladder, between the lower extremities
of which when protruded beneath the ship two screw propeller. blades
are revolved by either an endless rope or chain, or by a connection of
cranks and sliding rods with an engine on deck.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
P.I., Fig. 1. Half section of sailing ship with screw lowered through
garboard streak.
:
Fig. 2. Fore and aft bi-section of ditto, shewing ladder frame sliding
in angles of trunk.
Fig. 3. Crank and rod apparatus through section of trunk A-F, fore
and aft surface line of ship's bottom or run.
Fig. 4. Pitch chain and wheel, detail of Fig. 2 (not itself a part of
this Invention).
Fig. 5. Twin trunks and screws through vessel's run, placed in the
ship one a little abaft the other that the ladders may be more readily
drawn from the trunks.
N.B. The steering of the ship may be controlled by these twin
propellers which are suggested for the navigation of the Suez Canal.
Fig. 6. Plug of trunk which restores the integrity of vessel's outer
skin when the "ladder" is withdrawn (side view)..
Fig. 7. Sliding hawse pipe for the passage of chain through trunk, to
be used for sea towing, &c. &c. (fore and aft view).
Fig. 8. Drawing of detail model, shewing the bearing of the propeller
shaft at the points B, B, and B, Figs. 2 and 3.
Lower half of bearing removed from Fig. 8.

page_text: Fig. 10. Horizontal section of propener shall and bearing
line B.
τον αντι
Further particulars of Figs. 8, 9, and 10:-A, perpendicular of
ladder; B, smaller termination of ditto to pass througli liole in Figs. 9
and 10, and finally through a screw nut, which keeps the parts (here
disconnected) together; C, iron shell of cup bearer, round whichi a hoop
passes; D, the "cup bearer" made of lignum vitæ or other hard wood;
E, enlarged end of shaft; F, neck or diminished part of shaft; G,
shaft extended to a corresponding bearing at the opposite perpendicular
of ladder. It will be seen by this arrangement that a cohesion which
counteracts the thrust of the screw is maintained between the lower
extremities of the ladder B, B, while at the same time the "faces" of
the perpendicular A and the shell of cup bearer C (through which
the diminished end of A passes) are kept smooth for working up and
down in the angle of trunk indicated by the dotted lines, Fig. 10.
.
This Invention in its primitive form received the only prize medal
awarded for "propulseurs," class 1, sec. 3, at the Havre International
Maritime Exhibition, 1868. It has been practically tested in a small
boat (which by the hand labour of one man was propelled at the rate.
of four miles an hour by the rope connection) and in a large Liverpool
ship of 1,274 tons; in the latter case with partial success only, because
the close linked chain (like that in Fig. 7, which was the mode of
connection adopted) could not be kept from slipping round the sub-.
merged driving sheave. The pitch chain (shewn, in Fig. 4) is now
proposed as a substitute, where chain is used at all, but I specially
commend; instead of chain, the crank and rod method of connection
shewn in Fig. 3, as best calculated to answer the purposes of the
Invention. The model, from which the Drawing, Fig. 3, is taken,
has been successfully used by hand in a boat, and has been driven 300
revolutions a minute when attached to a factory steam lathe.
-
For the trunk I prefer a square section. I place it, diagonally in
the ship; the perpendiculars of the ladder slide down and up in the
angles that point forward and aft; the angles that point sideways are
overlapped at their lower extremities by the vessel's outer skin, which
thus forms supports for the shoulders of the plug (Fig. 6) and of the
hawse pipe (Fig. 7). These trunks supply wells of water in ships"
centres, their use as such is always great; their value in case of fire
can scarcely be over estimated..

page_text: The Grab Link Stopper and Cable Brake (X.).-Ships or vessels fitted
with this apparatus may use it for cither or both of the following
separate and totally distinct purposes :---.
1. As a self-acting stopper placed before the windlass with its small
end pointing forward.
2. As a cable brake abaft the windlass with its small end pointing
aft.
I. As a self-acting stopper.-The reader must suppose the instru
ment divested of the rope and pulley block shewn in the Drawing, and
the cable in the act of being drawn in by the windlass along the
channel of the casting from left to right, thereby raising the grab link
slightly on the passage of every horizontal link of the chain, and
permitting it to fall when the vertical links are successively drawn into
its narrow bight. By this simple self-acting process the cable is
permitted to pass freely inwards, while the heaviest of strains will only
increase the compression which prevents the possibility of its being
drawn outwards. Besides this compression (produced by the combination
of the permanent and moveable parts of the instrument and sustained
by the "stud" or cross bar of the vertical link of the chain) the cable
is held in restraint (or "toggled") by contact of the shoulders of the
grab link bight with the horizontal link of the chain, but so slight is
necessarily this toggling that a tackle from one of the forecastle beams
hooked on to the part through which the rope passes in the drawing
will at any time "trip" the bight of the grab link and leave the chain
at liberty to run freely out.
Numerous cases might be cited to shew how the grab link stopper
is calculated to prove itself a life saving apparatus; the following
examples will be sufficient for the present purpose. In both instances
the sudden out rush. of cable, which resulted in fatal consequences,
would have been prevented by the grab link.
The "Great Eastern" when getting under weigh in the Mersey before
proceeding to Sheerness to take on board the Atlantic cable broke the
pawls of her capstan, in consequence of which the cable flew out at the
hawse and the capstan bars were whirled with great rapidity. Three
men were killed by them and others much hurt. A mail steamer of
the line when weighing in the Mersey, had two men knocked
overboard from the forecastle deck by the capstan bars; they were both
drowned, and others of the crew were severely injured. These cases

page_text: are quoted from recollection of the circumstances as reported in news-
papers; they are, however, confirmed as substantially correct by former
officers of the respective ships.
The grab link stopper saves labour by superseding the "devil's claw,"
to work which one or more hands must of necessity leave the windlass
at the very time their strength is most wanted there.
"
II. As a cable brake.-The reader will best understand the working
of the grab link by supposing himself on board a large ship the anchor
of which has just been let go and taken its hold. Under the influence
of a swift tide and strong wind acting on her unfurled sails she gathers
stern way rapidly, the cable surges round the windlass or bits and flies
out at the hawse with fearful velocity. To check it suddenly is to break
it, possibly to involve the destruction of the ship and the lives of all on
board. There are r
I compressors" which will stop a cable on its outward
passage, and again release it, and stop and release it again and again if
needful and so bring a ship up. There are also brake windlasses of
recent Invention, but it is believed there is no detached instrument,
unless it be this, that will literally perform the functions of a “brake
on every
successive link of a cable, and case a ship up at her anchor as
gradually as a licavy train is cased up at a railway station: To
understand how this is to be accomplished it must be borne in mind that
as a cable brake the position of the instrument is reversed, its small
end pointing aft, and that the cable in its outward course passes from
left to right towards the windlass, and thence out at the hawse. The⚫
small rope and double block in the Drawing indicate the way in which a
large strong rope and tackle are applied. The "fall" of the latter may
be in the hands of any requisite number of men, who, holding it slack,
allow the cable to pass freely or by different degrees of tightness
gradually brake the progress of the chain until the ship is finally eased
up at her anchor.
It is a fact too well known to scamen and underwriters that ships
parting their cables in the majority of cases do so in the act of bringing
up, thence it follows that a really good cable brake must lessen the
danger thus involved.
The Grab Link for Lowering and Hoisting Boats at Sea.-Boats fitted
with this apparatus on being lowered, whether manned or not, arc
infallibly released directly the strain is off the tackles, however great
their angle from the perpendicular.

page_text: To prevent the prior detachment of one cnd (from which cause
thousands of lives have been lost): it is necessary to keep the grab link
from tumbling until both ends of the boat are afloat. This may be done
by either of the following methods:-
1. By having at each end a sustaining, hand which is withdrawn at
the word "let go" from the officer in charge.
2. By sustaining lanyards held by one man in the center of the boat
at A, who controls the release of tlic boat at his own individual
discretion..
3. By langyards spliced into the final links of the chain tails also
controlled by one man in the centre of the boat. It may here be
noticed that the lanyard's last mentioned, when a boat is to be hoisted;.
should first be passed through the grab links, though in circumstances:
of difficulty not necessarily through the tripping shackles, concurrent
action of the men employed will then secure the simultaneous attach-
ment of both ends for hoisting, an object that is sometimes as: essential
to the safety of human life as the simultaneous release of both ends of a.
boat. when lowered at sea.
P. II., Fig. 1, the apparatus attached to a tight tackle, as in a boat
suspended from a ship's davits:
Fig. 2. shews (on a larger scale) the effect produced on the shacklo
being relaxed, i.c., the upper shackle, in its. fall " trips" the, chain.
from the narrow bight of the grab link, and the chain thus released is:
withdrawn without further impediment in the direction of the upper
arrow.
Fig. 3, the apparatus here is supposed to be attached, e.g., to the fore-
end of a boat, which on being lowered has touched the water first. A..
sustaining hand in this case keeps the chain securely locked until
the signal “let go
end..
commands its release at the same as the other
Fig. 4, longitudinal mid-section of a boat supposed to be suspended.
from a ship's davits. The thick lines forming the angles Band C indicate.
the mode of attaching the apparatus. The perpendiculars represent iron
or copper bolts passing through the keel and dead wood, and thence
upwards as high as the boat's thwarts, here they are flattened and
pierced with holes corresponding with those countersunk in the apparatus..
Through the upper of these holes horizontal bolts pass respectively

page_text: through the forecastle and after scat of the boat, and finally through
the stem and stern post (to which in small boats the grab link may be
directly fastened).
The grab link saves labor in dispensing with any necessity for
detaching the tackles from a suspended boat. This necessity involves
considerable trouble and danger to human life on board passenger
steamers going in and out of port.
Practically boats cannot be swung with Clifford's apparatus attached,
and therefore when so swung are unprepared for being lowered. The
grab link may claim as its motto " semper paratus,”—always ready.
The grab link "pivot pin" may be made of gun metal, the better to
secure the free working which is essential to its effective operation.
The pivot pin of the tripping shackle may also be made of gun metal;
both should be kept lubricated. The grab link in its mode of attach-
ment secures for boats to which it is fitted greater strength to. their
framework, greater neatness in their equipment, and less liability to
"heel over" on eitlier side when being lowered or hoisted. It may be
adapted in strength for the heavy steam launch of the ship of war, and
in lightness for the jolly boat of the coasting craft.
Figs. 5, 6, and 7, grab link, swivel hooks for chains of all sizes.
They combine with the uses of the hook the specialities of the grab
link.
Figs. 8 and 9, "duplex grab links" for coupling chains of all sizes.
The remaining Figures shew some other of the many uses to which
the grab link may be applied.
Fig. 10, cramp for compressing together two or more bodies..
Fig. 11, drill which can be brought to bear on an object of any
girth.
Fig 12, section of a ship's yard. (Y) with sail furled thereon (S). A
short plaited gasket is fastened in the usual manner to the jackstay (J);
to it is appended a galvanized chain tail which is passed through a bent
grab link (G) and tightened as a strap to a buckle. It is believed that
the grab link thus furnishes a simple way for fastening the heavy sails
of large ships to their yards, which are often of such great diameter that
men have considerable difficulty in passing the usual gaskets. round
them. The grab link gaskets might be placed at short intervals
throughout the length of the yard. They would keep the sail secure

page_text: and neat when furled, and readily release it when required. The sail
being set these short gaskets are kept from flapping against it by tricing
up abaft the yard to their respective grab links.
Fig. 13 shews a pivot grab link with loose pin and a swivel grab link
connected by a frame and screw.
"For Setting up Chain on its 'own End."-Draw the loose pin (P),.
insert any link of an extended chain and replace the pin. The end of
the chain having been passed through a block or eye bolt must now be
drawn as tightly as possible by hand and inserted in the swivel grab
link. Finally a lever turns the screw and sets up the chain. The two
parts are secured by spun yarn and the instrument removed from it.
Fig. 13 may also be used for lifting heavy objects to a loose pendant
chain or to a tight inclined chain.
Fig. 14, a side view of my Invention, the tubular iron hammock
bedstead.
"The black dots (•) represent "chills;" those marked C are connected
by rods, nuts, and screws with a similar frame which forms the other
side of the bedstead. The ovals (0) are sections of wood stretchers
passed through an endless hammock represented by double dotted
lines :
The stretcher (S) has attached to its projecting ends
pivot grab links 7. Small strong chains are attached at C and pass
through the grab links. By this means one end of the hammock is first
adjusted, and then the other end is set tightly up by lanyards passed from
the projecting ends of the stretcher to A. These hammock bedsteads
have been practically tested and found most cleanly and comfortable.
Instead of hooks, grab links may also be advantageously used for
coupling railway carriages, for cart and harness gear, for " steelyards,"
and many other purposes.
Finally the improvements on my patented Invention of 1867 which I
hereby claim, are as follows:-
Trunk.-Its square sectional form and overlapped angle.
Sliding Hawse Pipe and Plug, especially their "shoulders."
Grab Link. 1. Its claw bend varying in degree from the slight bend
of the stopper to the severe bend of the hook.
2. The
section of its narrow bight adapting it for the reception
of close link chain.

page_text: 3. Its combination with a pivot pin or with a swivel.
4. The control of its use in combination with the instruments shewn
or with other instruments, so far as I may find it expedient to exercise
such control.
5. The duplex grab link in either of the forms shewn.
Propelling Apparatus.-1. The ladder frame, its steps pierced (or not)
with holes for sliding connecting rods.
2. The combination of cranks and hard wood bearers with the screw
shaft as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Maze Kilner, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Eighteenth day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.