IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED ON BOARD SHIP FOR CONTROLLING, REGULATING, AND INDICATING THE MOTIONS OF SUSPENDED SALOONS, FLOORS, OR PLATFORMS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR THE DISCHARGE OF MARINE ARTILLERY."
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Bessemer, of Denmark Hill, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE
EMPLOYED ON BOARD SHIP FOR CONTROLLING, REGULATING, AND INDICATING
THE MOTIONS OF SUSPENDED SALOONS, FLOORS, OR PLATFORMS, APPLICABLE
ALSO FOR THE DISCHARGE OF MARINE ARTILLERY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Bessemer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd March 1873.
I, HENRY BESSEMER, of Denmark Hill, in the County of Surrey, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED ON BOARD SHIP FOR CONTROLLING, REGULATING, AND
INDICATING THE MOTIONS OF SUSPENDED SALOONS, FLOORS, OR PLATFORMS, APPLICABLE
ALSO FOR THE DISCHARGE OF MARINE ARTILLERY," to be as follows:-
The ordinary condition of a ship at sea is one of constant motion about

page_text: a more or less variable centre of oscillation, and consequently all objects
in the ship constantly describe arcs of circles more or less perfect; hence
it becomes difficult to determine or register the angle of elevation
assumed by the fixed decks, or the floors of saloons mounted on axes, or
the degrees of elevation of guns, or of other objects in the absence of 5
any fixed point or datum line coincident with the plane of the horizon.
The main object therefore of my present Invention is the construction
of an apparatus certain parts of which do not partake of the oscillatory
motions of the vessel in a particular direction although subject to other
movements, and hence by this absence of motion serve to indicate the 1
movement of surrounding objects, or to give motions to objects brought
in contact with the comparatively motionless part, and thus to cause the
opening and closing of valves, the contact of electrical conducting wires,
or the movements of a hand or pointer over a dial. These objects are
effected by the vis inertia of a heavy circular mass of metal truly turned :
and accurately balanced on horizontal axes, preferably of very small
diameter and resting in suitable bearings. The upper side of such small
axes are strengthened and supported by a more massive portion of the
axle, against which the small part rests. Or the mass of metal may be
supported on stouter axes resting on antifriction wheels or rollers, or on
knife edges of hard steel resting on a hard flat surface or in a slight
groove; or it may be supported on the points of steel screws. In either
case the bearings will rest on a strong iron frame embracing the heavy
and
may be securely fixed to any convenient part of the floor or
decks of the vessel or saloon, but preferably at such part of the vessel as
will subject the apparatus to as little of the rolling or pitching motion
of the vessel as may be. To the axis or to some other convenient part
of the circular mass of metal I attach a fine toothed segment gearing
into a small toothed wheel, on the axis of which is a hand or pointer
surrounded by a dial plate on which degrees of a circle are engraved;
the dial and its small wheel are attached to the frame, so that whenever
the floor or platform which supports the frame is moved in either
direction from a true horizontal plane the frame will partake of this
motion and carry with it the dial and its wheel, the latter running over
and in gear with the toothed segment will cause the pointer to move
round the dial and indicate the number of degrees which the floor or
platform has moved from the horizontal line, and thus enable the steers-
man or man (operating the hydraulic apparatus employed to control the
suspended saloon) to ascertain the extent of such movement.
mass,

page_text: It must be understood that the heavy mass of metal on its almost
frictionless axes will by reason of its vis inertia remain in a stato of rest
and without a semi-rotatory motion being imparted to it, and thus by
retaining its position it acts as though it were a fixture and serves to
indicate the motions of the other parts in reference to it. But in order
to prevent the constant action of the bearings against the axis from
partially turning round the mass in course of time I employ a sliding
weight with an adjusting screw, by means of which I project the weight
vertically downward from the centre of the suspended mass of metal to
such an extent as will by its pendulous action tend to keep the mass of
metal from gradually altering its position, but which sliding weight is
nevertheless so small in proportion to the large mass of metal as not to
impart to it any axial motion when the rolling of the ship gives a more
or less backward and forward traversing motion to the whole apparatus,
as such traversing motion would do if the pendulous weight were not
controlled by the vis inertia of the larger mass.
In lieu of the wheel and dial indicator described, a simple fixed
pointer may be used traversing over much finer graduations engraved on
an arc attached to the frame, or two straight edges may be placed one
behind the other and in a paralell line when the apparatus is subject to
no motion, and in order to avoid the absorption of power in a small
apparatus by the wheel and dial arrangement, a small reflector may be
mounted so as to throw a ray of reflected or refracted light over a
graduated arc of large dimensions and thus register the smallest
amount of motion without any power being absorbed in the act of
registering it.
When constructing apparatus on the principle herein-before described
for the purpose of working the controlling apparatus of suspended
saloons, or for indicating the angle of elevation, and for the discharge of
marine artillery, I prefer to make the mass of metal much larger than
is necessary in an apparatus used simply for indicating the degrees
of motion, the mass of metal being of several feet in diameter, and in
some cases also of several tons in weight and by preference placed as
near as possible to the mean point about which the vessel pitches
or rolls.
When ships' saloons or platforms are suspended on axes placed at
right angles to each other in order to counteract both the rolling and
pitching motions, I prefer to mount the apparatus on the saloon floor

page_text: and I employ two such apparatus each with their axis in a line with
that axis of the saloon which they respectively control, and so in
like manner when the apparatus is to be employed for indicating the
angle of and discharging marine artillery. .
I also employ two distinct apparatus, one having its axis in a line
with the keel of the vessel for discharging the broadside guns, and the
other apparatus with its axis placed transversely for discharging the
bow guns, and in ships where guns are mounted in turrets I prefer to
place the apparatus into or in connection with the turrets. When
employing this apparatus for the discharge of artillery on board ship
at any given angle of elevation by means of the movement of the ship,
I make use of this large circular mass of metal which is suspended on
almost frictionless axes and is therefore capable of being retained in
a state of rest so far as axial motion is concerned, although its bearings
or supports have a motion about the axis of the inert mass.
I also employ a secondary pendulous weight as in the case of using
the apparatus as a mere indicator of the angular motion of the saloon
or ship, and I mount on the frame an adjustable quadrant or scale
divided into degrees and moved by an endless screw or worm. Wires
to and from a galvanic battery are by this means made to communi-
cate between the battery and a fusee in the gun to be discharged
by means of the motion of the vessel, and at any angle of the vessels
inclination that may be desired and which is regulated by the divided
quadrant which alters and adjusts the stops or pieces which make and
break contact with the conducting wires. And when the said apparatus
is employed for indicating and controlling the motions of suspended
saloons or platforms on board ship, I place the valves (which are used to
supply water under pressure to the mechanism used for this purpose) on
the frame which supports the heavy mass of metal, and I place them
in such a position that the rolling or pitching motion of the frame shall
bring the spindles of the valves in contact with projections formed on
the inert mass of metal, or I connect the spindles of the valves to it by
a joint, in either case so that a very slight motion of the frame shall
work the valves, and I prefer that valves which are to be governed or
controlled by means of the said apparatus should have a very short
stroke and should be of the class known as equilibrium valves either
coned or knife edged, or a double D valve flat or circular may be used.
but in all cases so constructed as to move with a very small amount of
.

page_text: force, and in some cases these valves may be moved by power derived
from the motion of smaller valves, or by the power derived from an
electro-magnet.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Henry
Bessemer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th October 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BESSEMER, of Denmark Hill, in the County of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors
give and grant unto me, the said Henry Bessemer, Her special
license that I, the said Henry Bessemer, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Bessemer, 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 TO BE EMPLOYED ON BOARD SHIP FOR CONTROLLING, REGULATING,
AND INDICATING THE MOTIONS OF SUSPENDED SALOONS, FLOORS, OR PLATFORMS,
APPLICABLE ALSO FOR THE DISCHARGE OF MARINE ARTILLERY," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Henry Bessemer, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or ono
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 on or before the Fourteenth day of October One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-three.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Bessemer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to bo
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say :-
-
The ordinary condition of a ship at sea is one of constant motion

page_text: about a more or less variable centre of oscillation, and consequently
all objects in the ship constantly describe arcs of circles more or less
perfect, hence it becomes difficult to determine or register the angle
of elevation assumed by the fixed decks, or the floors of saloons
mounted on axes, or the degrees of elevation of guns, or of other
objects in the absence of any fixed point or datum line coincident
with the plane of the horizon. The main object therefore of my
present Invention is the construction of an apparatus, certain parts
of which do not partake of the oscillatory motions of the vessel in a
particular direction although subject to other movements, and hence
by this absence of motion serve to indicate the movement of sur-
rounding objects, or to give motions to objects brought in contact
with the comparatively motionless part, and thus to cause the opening
and closing of valves, the contact of electrical conducting wires, or
the movements of a hand or pointer over a dial. These objects are
effected by the vis inertia of a heavy circular mass of metal truly
turned and accurately balanced on horizontal axes, preferably of very
small diameter, and resting in suitable bearings; the upper side of such
small axes are strengthened and supported by a more massive portion
of the axle against which the small part rests, or the mass of metal
may be supported on stouter axes resting on antifriction wheels or
rollers, or on knife edges of hard steel resting on a hard flat surface,
or in a slight groove; or it may be supported on the points of steel
screws; in either case the bearings will rest on a strong iron frame
embracing the heavy mass, and may be securely fixed to any con-
venient part of the floor or decks of the vessel or saloon, but preferably
at such part of the vessel as will subject the apparatus to as little of
the rolling or pitching motions of the vessel as may be.
An apparatus intended to register on a dial the angle assumed by
the floor of a suspended saloon or other part of a ship at sea is
represented on Sheet A. of the Drawings hereunto annexed, where
Figure 1 is a front elevation, Figure 2, a side elevation, Figure 3,
a plan, and Figure 4, a vertical section taken on the line A, B, of
Figure 3.
To the axis a, or to some other convenient part of the circular mass
of metal g, I attach a fine toothed segment 6 gearing into a small
toothed wheel c, on the axis of which is a hand or pointer & surrounded
by a dial plate e on which degrees of a circle are engraved, the dial

page_text: and its small wheel are attached to the frame f, so that whenever the
floor or platform which supports the frame is moved in either direction
from a true horizontal plane the frame will partake of this motion
and carry with it the dial e and its wheel c, the latter running over
and in gear with the toothed segment 6 will cause the pointer & to
move round the dial and indicate the number of degrees which the
floor or platform has moved from the horizontal line, and thus enable
the steersman or man (operating the hydraulic apparatus employed to
control the suspended saloon) to ascertain the extent of such move-
ment.
It must be understood that the heavy mass of metal 9 on its almost
frictionless axes will, by reason of its vis inertia, remain in a state
of rest and without a semi-rotatory motion resulting from the roll
of the ship being imparted to it, and thus by retaining its position
it acts as though it were a fixture, and serves to indicate the motions
of the other parts in reference to it, but in order to prevent the
constant action of the bearings against the axis from partially turning
round the mass in course of time, I employ a sliding weight h with
an adjusting screw i, by means of which I project the weight h
vertically downward from the centro of the suspended mass of metal g
to such an extent as will, by its pendulous action, tend to keep the
mass of metal from gradually altering its position, but which sliding
weight is nevertheless so small in proportion to the large mass of
metal as not to impart to it any axial motion when the rolling
of the ship gives a more or less backward and forward traversing
motion to the whole apparatus as such traversing motion would do
if the pendulous weight h were not controlled by the vis inertia of
the larger mass g.
In lieu of the wheel and dial indicator described a simple fixed
pointer may be used traversing over much finer graduations engraved
on an arc attached to the frame, or in lieu of this mode of registering
two straight edges may be placed, one behind the other and in a
parallel line when the apparatus is in a state of rest, so that any
deviation from their parallelism will indicate to the eye the amount
of movement of the floor supporting the apparatus, and in order to
avoid the absorption of power in a small apparatus by the wheel
and dial arrangement a small reflector may be mounted so as to
throw a ray of reflected light over a graduated arc of large dimensions,

page_text: and thus register the smallest amount of motion without any power
being absorbed in the act of registering it.
The mode which I employ of reducing the diameter of the axes on
which the heavy mass is supported without rendering the axes too
weak for that purpose is shewn on Sheet A, at Figure 5 on an enlarged
scale. I make the axle a of steel and bore up a small hole at the centre
into which a small tempered steel wire n is inserted; a portion of the
axle a is cut away as shewn at a¹ leaving a strong segment a³ to support
the wire m, its inner end being retained in place by its entry into the
main axis a and its outer end by a projecting part a³ of the axis, so that
the thin wire axes cannot be bent under the superincumbent weight
without bending also the segment a³ of the axle a; the wire rods thus
become the supporting axes of the weight 9, and in order that they may
come fairly in contact with their bearings m I make these bearings on
their under side of a hemispherical form resting in corresponding cups
formed in the supports r, the upper side of these hemispherical pieces
having small semi-cylindrical grooves formed in them which receive the
lower side of the wires and act as a plummer block to an ordinary
journal; but at the same time allowing the supporting piece to adjust
itself to the position of the wire axis and insure a fair support; any
endway movement of axes is prevented by adjusting screws & supported
by brackets t.
When constructing apparatus on the principle herein-before described
for the purpose of working the controlling apparatus of suspended
saloons or for indicating the angle of elevation, and for the discharge of
marine artillery I prefer to make the inert mass of metal much larger
than is necessary in an apparatus used simply for indicating the degrees
of motion. The inert mass of metal being of several feet in diameter
and in some cases also of several tons in weight, and by preference placed
as near as possible to the mean point about which the vessel pitches or
rolls.
When ships' saloons or platforms are suspended on axes placed at
right angles to cach other in order to counteract both the rolling and
pitching motions, I prefer to mount the apparatus on the saloon floor, and
I employ two such apparatus each with their axis in a line with that axis
of the saloon which they respectively control, and so in like manner,
when the apparatus is to be employed for indicating the angle of and
discharging marine artillery.

page_text: I also employ two distinct apparatus, one having its axis in a line with
the keel of the vessel for discharging the broadside guns, and the other
apparatus with its axis placed transversely for discharging the bow guns,
and in ships where guns are mounted in turrets I prefer to place the
apparatus into or in connection with the turrets. When employing this
apparatus for the discharge of artillery on board ship at any given
angle of elevation by means of the movement of the ship I make use of
this large circular inert mass of metal which is suspended on almost
frictionless axes, and is therefore capable of being retained in a state of
rest so far as axial motion is concerned, although its bearings or supports
have a motion about the axis of the inert mass.
I also employ a secondary pendulous weight as in the case of using
the apparatus as a mere indicator of the angular motion of the saloon or
ship as herein-before described, and I mount on the frame of such
apparatus an adjustable quadrant or scale divided into degrees and
moved by an endless screw or worm. Wires to and from a galvanic
battery are by this means made to communicate between the battery
and a fusee in the gun to be discharged by means of the motion of the
vessel, and at any angle of the vessel's and of the gun's inclination that
may be desired, and which angle is regulated by the divided quadrant
which alters and adjusts the stops and pieces which make and break
contact with the conducting wires in a manner similar to that described
in a Patent granted to me for "Improvements in the Means and
Apparatus employed in Discharging Marine Artillery," and bearing date
the 27th of January 1871, the vis inertia of the heavy mass of metal used
in my present Invention being used in lieu of the inverted pendulum or
tumbler described in the Patent referred to, whether such conducting
wires are made to discharge artillery or to move hydraulic equilibrium
valves in apparatus employed in governing the motions of suspended
saloons, floors, or cabins.
And when the said apparatus is employed for indicating and controlling
by hydraulic apparatus the motions of suspended saloons or platforms on
board ship I place the valves (which are used to supply water under
pressure to the mechanism used for this purpose) on the frame which
supports the heavy mass of metal, and I place them in such a position
that the rolling or pitching motion of the ship and of the frame shall
bring the spindles of the valves in contact with projections formed on
the inert mass of metal, or I connect the spindles of the valves to it by

page_text: a joint or by other means, in either case so that a very slight motion of
the frame shall work the valves, and I prefer that valves which are to be
governed or controlled by means of the said apparatus should have a
very short stroke, and should be of the class known as equilibrium
valves, either coned or knife edged, or a double D valve, flat or circular,
may be used, but in all cases so constructed as to move with a very small
amount of force, and in some cases these valves may be moved by power
derived from the motion of smaller valves or by the power derived from
an electro-magnet acting on the spindles of the valves, or on levers or
rods connected to them, the making or breaking contact of such
electrical apparatus with the valve spindles being effected by means of
the motion of the vessel making or breaking contact with projecting
parts of the inert mass of metal. .
And in order that the mode which I prefer of mounting heavy inert
masses of metal employed for firing guns or used in connection with
hydraulic controlling apparatus may be fully understood I have repre-
sented an apparatus suitable for this purpose on Sheet B of the annexed
Drawings, where Figure 1 is a vertical section, Figure 2 a front eleva-
tion, and Figure 3 a plan of the same.
A is a massive circular frame or bed plate, within which is suspended
the inert mass B on its axle O, which is of steel, and passes through the
elongated boss B' of the circular mass B. The outer ends of the axle C
are reduced in diameter at C¹, and are made perfectly cylindrical, and
preferably tempered and highly polished, the mass A having been care-
fully turned in a lathe while revolving on the parts O' will be in perfect
balance on these axes. Any tendency to endway motion of the axle is
prevented by the screws D which pass through massive standards E
bolted to the bed plate or frame. The screws D are retained firmly in
position by tightening screws, as shewn. The ends of the axle A are
made quite flat, and the curved and polished ends of the screws D are
just brought in contact with them. The standards E also serve to
support two strong axles F, F, which carry at each end antifriction
wheels G, G. The axles F are partly cut away in order to admit the use
of a small steel pin or roller, which forms the part where the rubbing
action of the axis takes place, and as the antifriction wheels only move
through a very small portion of a revolution the segmental portion of
the axle F is left to strengthen and support the extremely small ‘axis

page_text: formed by the steel pins in a manner similar to that herein-before
described and represented at Figure 5 on Sheet A. Small pieces of
hardened and polished steel H are dovetailed into the standards E for the
steel pins to work in. I prefer to make the wheels G; G, of steel as
light as possible, consistant with the necessary strength to support a
mass of two or three tons in weight, and after tempering them in oil I
turn their peripheries quite true and polish them, so that the axes C"¹
resting upon them may roll with extreme ease and freedom from jolts or
other obstructions. Slots I, I, shewn by dots, are formed in the central
web of the mass B in order to allow the axles F, F, to pass through to
the opposite side of the apparatus, and stop screws (not shewn in the
Drawings) are to be used to prevent the endway movement of the axles F
similar to that provided for preventing the endway movement of the
axle C. Now if such an apparatus be placed on board a ship with the
main axis C parallel to the line of the keel, and as near as may be to
the point about which the vessel is calculated to roll, it will be found
that the bed plate and certain other parts will by such rolling action
make a series of slight rotatory movements in alternate directions about
the centre of the inert mass B, which would also be made to partake of
the same motion were it not for the almost entire absence of friction.
When the peripheries of the antifriction wheels (mounted on thir
extremely fine axes) pass round about the reduced axes C', and which
friction will not be sufficient to overcome the vis inertia of so heavy a
mass of metal, it will be understood that a sliding pendulous weight
similar to that shewn at h, in Figure 4, Sheet A, may also be employed in
this apparatus for the purpose of overcoming any tendency of the mass
to get gradually moved from its position by the continued action of the
antifriction wheels upon its axes.
The apparatus so arranged may be made to act on any suitable form
of equilibrium valves by attaching the valve case to the frame or bed
plate A, and connecting the valves with some convenient part of the
inert mass of metal B.
One of the modes by which this may be done is shewn in Figure 4 on
Sheet B, detached from the apparatus, in order that it may be more
clearly seen in this Figure. J represents a drum on the axle of the
inert mass of metal B, and K and L represent two very thin blades of
tempered steel lapped around the axle in opposite directions, and at
their opposite ends fastened to a bow or loop M formed on the valve

page_text: rod N which passes through a guide P at its upper end, and through
the stuffing box Q at its lower end, so that the smallest motion of axis B
would produce an upward or downward motion of the valve rod by the
winding-on of one and the unwinding of the other thin ribbon of steel K
and L.
It will be understood that the communication of water under pressure
from the pumps to the valves and its return to the waste cistern will
require a stuffing box joint to be made in both of these pipes in all cases
where the pumping apparatus is not fixed on the same floor with the
apparatus, and that such stuffing boxes should be made to pass through
or be coincident with the axis of the suspended saloon, so as at all times
to keep up a free and uninterrupted communication.
I have also shewn on Sheet B an equilibrium valve on the principlo
of the D slide used in steam engines, but it is perfectly cylindrical in
form, and works in a eylinder to which it is accurately fitted, the ports
extending all round the interior of the cylinder, and hence there is no
pressure on one side of it that is not counterbalanced by an equal
pressure on the opposite one, the sliding part answering to the D in the
ordinary slide valve has a series of openings around it at both ends, and
a plain part beyond which never passes over the ports, and thus the
circular slide cannot accidentally fall into the annular openings
around it.
I also prefer to make an opening through the centre of the valve for
the more perfect regulation of the pressures acting on it, and which will
be better understood by reference to Sheet B, where Figure 5 is a
vertical section; Figure 6, a plan; and Figure 7, an elevation of the
valve case on an enlarged scale; it consists of the outer cylindrical case a
which stands on a flanged pedestal 6 to which it is bolted, and by means
of which it may be secured to the framing of the other apparatus of
which it forms a necessary part.
Water under pressure is supplied through two openings opposite to
each other, one of which is shewn at c in the upper part of the
apparatus, and also by two similar openings, one of which is shewn at
the lower part. These four openings are connected to the air vessel or
accumulator by double elbow pipes, as shewn at c and d, Figure 7. It
will be seen that the water so admitted above and below the slide e has
free communication through the open central part of the slide thus

page_text: further equalizing the pressure on both ends of the slide and establishing
a perfect equilibrium at all times; when the valve commences to open
and occupies the position shewn in Figure 5 any water entering by the
four inlets c, c, and d, d, will flow in the direction indicated by arrows
and pass out of the nozzles f,f, to the hydraulic apparatus, while the
water escaping from the opposite sides of the hydraulic pistons will enter
the valve box by the nozzles g and following in the direction of the
arrows will pass through the slide and enter the waste port i and pass
away through the nozzles j,j, and so on. The action of the valve
being governed by the slender rod k and the direction of the currents
reversed or modified, as in the common D slide.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,—
First. The employment of a heavy inert mass of metal mounted on
axes coincident with its centre of gravity in apparatus for indicating the
motions of suspended saloons, floors, or cabins, on board ship.
Secondly. The employment of a massive wheel or other circular
heavy mass suspended on axes coincident with its centre of gravity and
resting on antifriction wheels or rollers in apparatus for working the
valves of hydraulic apparatus used for controlling the motion of
suspended saloons, floors, or cabins, on board ship.
Thirdly. The employment of a massive wheel or other circular heavy
mass suspended on axes coincident with its centre of gravity and resting
on antifriction wheels or rollers in apparatus for controlling the firing of
guns on board ship.
Fourthly. The employment of equilibrium valves constructed as
herein described in hydraulic apparatus used for controlling the motions
of saloons, floors, or cabins, on board ship.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
11