Improvements in Apparatus for Playing a Geographical Game.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Playing a Geographical Game.
GEORGE BARNARD, 5, Zetland Terrace, Lansdowne Road, Old Charlton, Kent,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A piece of oblong cardboard made to fold in centre, with two maps of Eastern
& Western Hemispheres, joined at North Pole, a dark line is drawn starting at
Liverpool, to Gibraltar, Malta, Port Said, Aden, Colombo, Penang, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco, New York & Liverpool, a margin round
the hemispheres oblong shape with lines traced to the above places on the maps
On these lines in the margin are written the names of the places on which the
lines terminate on map, between these lines are shorter lines representing miles,
between each place, on line of map, each line represents one hundred or two
hundred miles, the number of miles between the above places is correctly stated
in figures below the margin. The same can be applied to any map or country in
the world, starting from any point or town. There are signs shewn on the lines
indicating obstacles namely wrecks, fogs, coaling stations, collision & two total
wrecks. The game is placed with small boats and small engines, or small turned
pedastals. The players to choose their boat, engine, or pedestal, place them on
the line of starting. The players in turn draw from a bag a number signifying
the number of lines, or miles the player has to move, a dice can be used for the
same purpose. The players who finish their move on a line indicating obstacle,
loose their next turn. Total wreck withdrawn from game the first player to arrive
at finish is declared the winner of the game.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1899.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Playing a Geographical Game.
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I. GEORGE BARNARD, of 77, Lansdowne Road, late 5, Zetland Terrace, Old
Charlton, in the County of Kent, Engineer, 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:-
This invention for improvements in apparatus for playing a geographical game
relates to a game in which a geographical map is employed the principal object
of the game being to combine with its recreative qualities considerable educational
advantages.
According to this invention a playing board is employed on which a geo-
graphical map is drawn in a central position, while lines radiating from different

page_text: geographical points on it are produced on to a marginal space or course surround-
ing it.
The whole of the marginal spaces formed between the said lines are so
subdivided that the various subdivisions represent, approximately, equal distances,
while at different points in the course obstacles are represented to which are
assigned various functions or values in accordance with the rules of the game.
In order that the invention may be fully understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawing.
The design of game board shown represents on the inner space A the Eastern
and Western Hemispheres joined together at their north poles, radiating lines,
showing the names of the places from which they radiate, being drawn from
various points or towns to the marginal playing course B.
Radiating lines u b c d e f g h, i, l, m, n, are drawn to the edge of the
marginal course B from points on the map representing Liverpool, Gibraltar,
Malta, Port Said, Aden, Colombo, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, Yokohama,
San Francisco and New York. The distances between the various places are
marked on the outer margin C and the spaces between the various radiating
lines on the marginal course B are subdivided by lines o so as to represent
approximately equal distances apart. Various figures are placed at different parts
of the playing course B to represent obstacles to which certain values are assigned
as will be hereinafter explained, for example, represents a wreck, q a fog, r
a coaling station, s a collision and a total wreck.
The game is played with any suitable pieces such as models of boats, engines,
or with pedestals or discs.
One way of playing the game is as follows:-
The players having selected their pieces place them on any principal radiating
line such as, for example Liverpool. Each player then draws a number by means
of numbered tickets in a bag, dice, tec-to-tum or other means, such number repre-
senting miles or subdivisions on the playing course. The numbers having been
duly drawn each player moves forward a number of divisions corresponding to
the number drawn, a fresh set of numbers being drawn at each set of moves
until the whole of the course has been traversed, the first to complete the course
being the winner of the game.
The figures representing obstacles are distributed on lines about the playing
course and any player whose move is finished on a line covered by a figure repre-
senting a wreck, fog, coaling station or collision loses the next move while a
player finishing a move on a line covered by a figure representing a total wreck,
withdraws altogether from the game.
The drawing represents a course round the world but obviously any map or
plan may be substituted for the hemispheres shown, as will be readily understood.
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. An apparatus for playing a geographical game comprising a playing board
on which a geographical map is drawn in a central position, a marginal playing
course surrounding the said map and on which lines radiating from points on the
said map are produced, the space between such lines being filled by subdivision
lines, representations of obstacles covering selected lines on the playing course
and playing pieces substantially as described.
2. Apparatus for playing a geographical game, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1900.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, Agents.