TAKING SOUNDINGS AT SEA OR FOR REGIS-" TERING DEPTHS OF WATER
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
ALFRED JOPLING COOPER 37 Walbrook E.C. & EUSTACE ERNEST WIGZELL
37 Walbrook E.C. the former being Shipmaster at present in the service of the.
Pacific Steam Navigation Co & the latter Engineer & M.I.M.E. do hereby declare
the nature of this our invention for TAKING SOUNDINGS AT SEA OR FOR REGIS-"
TERING DEPTHS OF WATER to be as follows:-
:
This instrument consists of one or more pressure gauges confined in a watertight
vessel of double conical or other convenient shape at the lower end the gauges
communicato with the water outside & are moved by the pressure of the water
which motion is transferred to an index finger & represents the depth to which the
instrument is submerged in number of feet or pounds of Hydrostatic pressure
Thero is an additional pointer which is so fitted that it stops in order to record
the measured depth or pressure The bottom of the instrument is a hollowed cone
or other shape with a moveable washer or lid on top and is of such a nature that
when the instruments strikes the ground it will bring up a sample of it. On the
top is a universal swivel or shackle by which the instrument is attached to: the
sounding line or wire.
Dated this 10th 1...
1004

page_text: We, ALFRED JOPLING COOPER of 37 Walbrook, City of London, Captain of a
vessel; and EUSTACE EARNEST WIGZELL of 37 Walbrook, City of London,
" IMPROVED
Engineer; do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for an
DEEP SEA SOUNDING INSTRUMENT," and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention consists of an instrument for registering depths of water at sea, or
in lakes or rivers, by means of one or more pressure gauges, so arranged that when
submerged by means of a line or wire, the pressure or weight of the water at the
point to which the instrument has been lowered, will be indicated by a suitable
pointer or index finger recording the weight of the column of water above the
instrument in pounds pressure per square inch, or the number of feet or fathoms in
depth; or by any other mode of graduation adopted.
A suitable vessel or case is made to receive one or more gauges, and while keeping
the indicating mechanism water tight there is provision made for the access of water
pressure to that portion of the gauge which actuates the indicating mechanisın.
The bent oval tube used in the Bourdon pressure gauges or the corrugated or dished
plates used in other gauges, are suitable for the purpose in view; but we do not
confine ourselves to any special form or make of gauge, as other kinds will give the
same result. The pressure of the water acting upon the mechanism of the gauge,
(in the manner well known), is shown by a pointer which advances upon the
graduated dial from zero as the pressure increases; but is detached from the inove-
ment of the said mechanism as the pressure decreases; so that it remains at the
maximum or highest pressure attained, and indicates the same upon inspection.
Provision is made for returning this indicating pointer to zero for the next
sounding.
The case containing the gauge or the recording mechanism, is of an elliptical or
flattened form, or of any other suitable shape; preference being given to such
forms as offer the least resistance in passing through the water.
The outer case
should also be of a non-corrodable material such as gun metal, and it is desirable to
arrange suitable rings or other means whereby it may be readily attached to the
Buspending line or wire.
At the bottom of the instrument is arranged a hollow space of suitable forin
capable of holding a small portion of the gravel, sand, or other materials at the
bottom, with a moveable washer or lid arranged so as to close upon the said
material within the hollow space or cup, and retain it in position. This will
indicate the nature of the bottom, and that a proper sounding has been taken.
This device may form a part of the case of the instrument or be attached thereto as
a lead or sinker.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the instrument as arranged for use in sounding; Fig. 2
an elevation of the face or dial of the gauge, and Fig. 3 a section of the device for
holding the sand or gravel of the bottom. A is the gauge; B the containing case;
D the line or wire by which the instrument is suspended; E the hole through

page_text: which the water pressure is communicated to the indicating mechanism of the
gauge; Fthe pointer for recording the maximum pressure or depth; G the
ordinary hand which moves the pointer F; H. the hollowed space or cup; and
I the self closing washer or lid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
1. The use of a pressure gauge for taking soundings substantially as described.
2. The combination of two or more gauges substantially as and for the purpose
described.
3. The combination of an indicating mechanism actuated by the pressure of
water with a watertight case, substantially as described.
4. The combination of a gauge actuated by the pressure of water, with a case or
receptacle therefor, and a suspending line or wire, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
5. The combination of a graduated dial with a pointer indicating the maximum
pressure or depth attained and a mechanism or device actuating the same from zero,
with a case, substantially as described.
6. A case containing a gauge carrying a pointer indicating the maximum
pressure or depth attained, with a hole in the said case whereby the water pressure
is communicated to the mechanism moving the indicating pointer substantially as
described.
7: In a sounding apparatus the combination of a suspending line or wire, with a
case communicating the pressure of the water outside to an indicating mechanism
within, and a self closing vessel for picking up sand or gravel, substantially as
described.
8. A submerged pressure gauge, as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 24th day of February 1885.
ALFRED JOPLING COOPER.
EUSTACE EARNEST WIGZELL.
Witness:
J. S. FAIRFAX.