MENTS IN FOG SIGNAL COMPASS
Year: 1879

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Hughes at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th March 1879.
"
WILLIAM HUGHES, of San Francisco, California, U. S. A., Mariner. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FOG SIGNAL COMPASS."
My Invention relates to an improved fog signal compass, by means of which,
when combined with a series of arbitrary signals indicated on the compass card, the
master of a vessel is enabled to indicate to any other the course he is steering, so as
to avoid collision in time of fog, as is more fully described in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a view of my compass.
The object of this Invention is to establish a universal code of fog signals, by
which collisions at sea, or in rivers or harbors, shall be prevented. It is well known
that collisions frequently occur between steamers in rivers or harbors, even when
the captains know of the proximity of the other vessel by the sound of the whistle.
In foggy weather, however, the direction of sound is difficult to determine, and
while the sound may appear to come from off the port bow, for instance, it may
really be dead ahead, or off the other bow, and the actual position of the other
vessel may not be determined until too late to avert collision. If however the
masters could indicate to each other the course of each vessel by any established
code of signals, such collisions could be avoided; and it is this which I intend to
accomplish by my Invention.
In order to have this code of signals unmistakeable in its character, and simple
in its action, I provide an improved compass card which may be used on any kind
of compass, and in no way changes any of the existing conditions as far as the
points of compass or government rules are concerned.
On the outer circle of the compass card are the usual marks and letters indicating
the points of compass. Just inside of this outer circle is another circle in which is
printed a series of arbitrary numbers as shown, which correspond to definite points
of the compass; said figures to be printed in the same place on all cards alike, with
relation to the same points.
Then on a separate card, which may be fixed on the inside of the cover of the
compass box, or in any convenient place where it and the compass may be seen at

page_text: Z w misties, Fort.
The use of this key may be understood from the following examples :-Suppose
for instance a vessel is steering due north in a fog, and the master wishes to indicate
to other vessels the course he is on; his compass points due north, and under the
point on the compass card are the Figures 212. He then sounds 212 by his
whistle in the manner indicated on the key, viz., two distinct sounds by whistle,
horn, or bell, and then an interval, then a single note, followed by an interval, and
then two more notes, said sounds representing 212.
The master of the other vessel hearing the whistle, bell, or horn sounded in this
way, looks on his key for the corresponding number, which tells how that the vessel
from which the sound comes is steering due north. Again, North by East is indicated
by the numeral 12, and by the sound of a single note followed by an interval, and
then two distinct notes. The course north east by north is represented by the
numeral 15, which is indicated by one single note and an interval, and then five
successive notes. All the different points of the compass, have their respective,

page_text: figures marked on the circle as described, and the key shows the method of
sounding any desired one. There is never any doubt which one to sound, for it is
indicated on the compass for any course the vessel is steering. On looking at the
key, it will show how the number must be sounded. The first column of the key
contains the marks or dashes to show the number of consecutive sounds and
intervals to correspond with the numbers and points of compass. The master of
each vessel can always tell by this means which course the other is pursuing.
In the center of the card is a circle having three or more phrases printed with
corresponding numbers to be used in the same way. For instance, the words "to
stop her
are represented by the number 122. This is sounded by a single note
followed by an interval, two notes and an interval, and then two more notes.
back her" is indicated by the figures 222, indicated by two notes repeated three
times, with intervals between each two notes. At anchor is represented by the
numbers 223 sounded in a corresponding manner. These phrases represent that
the vessel is stopping, is being backed, or is at anchor, as the case may be.
"
"To
"
On another circle is printed the words and figures "1 starboard," and "2 port
on opposite sides of the card, which are the usual signals for steamers to pass to
starboard or port.
It will be seen that these sound symbols, when combined with the card, will
indicate on dark nights or in fogs the position and courses of vessels, so that they
may pass and repass without danger of collision, each one knowing what the other
is doing, or what course he is on. The starboard signal (1) should be sounded at
all times in thick or foggy weather, and when any approaching sound should be
heard, the course should be immediately sounded as described, to indicate the
course of the vessel.
I claim that my Invention is the best guide for steam ships and sailing ships
steered by compass in thick weather.
By the use of this code of signals and compass; accidents are not liable to happen
from collision, even in a fleet of vessels sailing in the same general direction in
company with each other. In time of war, when the vessels of a fleet are close
together, they are sometimes liable to collide when going in the same general
direction. In case two vessels are near each other in a fog, and are steered at an
angle towards each other, in the absence of any such code of signals and compass as
I describe, they are liable to collide. With this code and compass, however, such
accidents would not occur, as each master would know what course the other was
on, and instead of steering across each other, the courses can be changed so as to be
parallel, or the vessels steered at a slight angle away from instead of toward each
other.
This system does not in any way interfere with any of the customs or laws
governing navigation, nor does it alter the compass in any way. The printed
inatter on the compass card is merely supplemental and placed there for convenience
and immediate reference, and because the same conditions exist in all compasses, so
the signals can be alike.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hughes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
Witnesses,
GEO. H. STRONG.
FRANK A. BROOKS.
WILLIAM HUGHES. (L.S.)