IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF TORPEDOES FROM SHIPS OR OTHER VESSELS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLI- CABLE IN TAKING NAVAL, MILITARY, AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS, FOR USE IN SIGNALLING, AND ALSO AS A MEANS OF SAVING LIFE FROM FIRE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Donald Fergusson, of Victoria Villa, Queen's Road, Buck-
land, in the Parish of Portsea, in the County of Hants, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF TORPEDOES
FROM SHIPS OR OTHER VESSELS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLI-
CABLE IN TAKING NAVAL, MILITARY, AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS, FOR USE IN
SIGNALLING, AND ALSO AS A MEANS OF SAVING LIFE FROM FIRE.”
Sealed the 18th February 1879, and dated the 17th October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Donald Fergusson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1878.
DONALD FERGUSSON, of Victoria Villa, Queen's Road, Buckland, in the Parish
of Portsea, in the County of Hants. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILI-
TATE THE DELIVERY OF TORPEDOES FROM SHIPS OR OTHER VESSELS, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE IN TAKING NAVAL, MILITARY, AND OTHER
OBSERVATIONS, FOR USE IN SIGNALLING, AND ALSO AS A MEANS OF SAVING LIFE
FROM FIRE."
The apparatus is formed of iron or steel, and is constructed and worked in the
following manner:-There are two sets of herring bone parallel bars of any practi-
cable length and number for the strakes or sides of it, the two strakes or sides
being connected together by shouldered nut and screw rods. The ends of these rods
from the pivots on which the bars hinge and swing in extending or collapsing the
apparatus. The bars may be plain, or with fish bellied double flanges on one side;
the other side may have slightly projecting faces or washers to define the points of
contact, and confine the friction to the points surrounding the rods.
The end bars are of such length only as to make the centre rods and pivots the
terminals; those at one end to be attached to both sides close to the bottom of a
square frame forming the butt, the two opposite sides of which frame are slotted
parallel to form slides for the ends of the centre pivots of the first full sized double
Price B71

page_text: pair of bars to work in, by which means the whole is at command when placed in
any position. The ends of these pivots have grooves to work on the slides, or when
working horizontally 'double flanged wheels may be used, outside of which are
driving nuts, through which a pair of right and left handed screws are worked
parallel with the slides by a cross journal with two pairs of wheels, which may be
worked by hand or steam or other power.
The screw arrangement may be substituted by racks and pinions with pawls or
other stops, or by hydraulic pistons. The outer terminal connecting rod is formed
square to receive one or two forked-shaped guides with width enough apart to take
the whole of the centre rods when drawn together, and long enough to take the one
next it when at full stretch. The nut and screw bolts fixing the same at the
crutches to also secure the clips of other appliances to be afterwards described, and
which are kept in position by the action of the fork slides on the centre rods.
In the use of the apparatus for the delivery of torpedoes, say, at close quarters
from a port or from alternate ports according to circumstances, the butt or frame is
supported on small wheels, and is capable of quick transportation, provision being
also made for thoroughly securing the same to the deck during the process of
working. The appliance attached to effect the delivery of the torpedo is a three
pronged clutch fork, with clips to fit over the clutch of the slide forks, and they are
bolted through the same to the terminal connecting rod with nut and screw bolts.
Two of the prongs are under (and one above), made to the curve of a cylindrical
torpedo, and of a size to hold the same, the outer edges being stop rimmed to form
a sort of cradle, the inner face of the lower prongs to be toothed to receive corre-
sponding teeth in the torpedo, and to be in length equal to the diameter of the
torpedo.
The upper prong is plain, and projects considerably beyond the lower prongs, and
to have a flat spring on its under side curving over the torpedo, for its security after
insertion.
To expel the same, two strong lines or bands are attached to the ends of the
lower prongs, inside which they curve back under and half round the torpedo,
where they join together.
The single line continuing under the upper prong, and passing through the same
over a sheave, runs back to the butt, where it is fixed full stretch at the full stretch
of the apparatus before the insertion of the torpedo, observing that it is displaced
into curved form after that operation and the tripping of the line, which can be
performed during any part of the transit, is effected by stretching, thereby rolling
the torpedo from its place with considerable force, and transferring it to the security
of an anchor, which is attached thereto, and hung with line in coil from a pin in
the upper side of it, which on the turning forward of the torpedo becomes dis-
engaged.
The buoyancy of the torpedo is regulated for a certain amount of immersion, and
the length of the cable to the depth of the water.
Provision is made in the usual way for firing the torpedo by electricity from the
vessel.
For effecting naval observations the apparatus is turned butt on to the deck, and
secured thereto, the wheels having projection enough to clear the driving gear or
cross journal and bevil wheels.
The torpedo appliance is then removed from the guides, and a circular platform
with close bannister and hand rail substituted and fixed by clips on the under side
as already described. The driving is now performed by the substitution of a
ratchet lever, in the event of the driving gear being too close to the deck, the appa-
ratus and platform being right under a hatchway, and taken possession of, is
extended upwards to its full elevation and depressed at pleasure.
For use in making military or other land observations the preceding, with the
exception that it may be fixed on stone or stone and concrete or other kind of
foundations with holding down bolts, and is kept sufficiently high to admit of its
being driven by a handle on the cross journal.

page_text: As a portable observatory the parts are arranged as in the preceding, but instead
of being fixed on foundations it is mounted on a carriage, and fixed thereto with
cup and ball attachment and adjusting screws, guy ropes being used for security in
its ascending motion.
For use in saving life from fire the apparatus is arranged as in the preceding, with
the exception that a square platform with door in one side, through which a gang-
way, if necessary, is passed, to rest on window ledges, such gangway being raised or
lowered by means of rope and tackle from a pole fixed in the centre. This gangway
is slotted in the centre for, say, half its length, or in proportion to its length, and
in width corresponding to the diameter of the pole, past which it will slide in
regulating its projection, observing that this arrangement will only be required
where areas and other projections exist between the building and roadway.
For signalling purposes there may be two apparatus arranged as for making
military and other land observations, and to be used alternately, one for lantern and
the other for skeleton, globe, or other form of beacon, both of which are capable of
being substituted in lieu of the platform, but are fixed in the saine manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Donald Fergusson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th April
1879.
DONALD FERGUSSON, of Victoria Villa, Queen's Road, Buckland, in the Parish
of Portsea, in the County of Hants. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILI-
TATE THE DELIVERY OF TORPEDOES FROM SHIPS OR OTHER VESSELS, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE IN TAKING NAVAL, MILITARY, AND OTHER
OBSERVATIONS, FOR USE IN SIGNALLING, AND ALSO AS A MEANS OF SAVING LIFE
FROM FIRE."
The apparatus is formed of iron or steel, and is constructed and worked in the
following manner:-There are two sets of herring-bone parallel bars of any
practicable length and number for the strakes or sides of it, the two strakes or
sides being connected together by shouldered nut and screw rods. The ends of
these rods form the pivots, on which the bars hinge and swing in extending or
collapsing the apparatus. The bars may be plain or with fish bellied double flanges
on one side; the other side may have slightly projecting faces or washers to define
the points of contact, and confine the friction to the points surrounding the rods.
The end bars are of such length only as to make the centre rods and pivots the
terminals, those at one end to be attached to both sides, close to the bottom of a
square frame forming the butt, the two opposite sides of which frame are slotted
parallel to form slides for the ends of the centre pivots of the first full sized double
pair of bars to work in, by which means the whole is at command when placed in

page_text: any position. The ends of these pivots have grooves to work on the slides; or
when working horizontally double flanged wheels may be used, outside of which
are driving nuts, through which a pair of right and left handed screws are worked
parallel with the slides by a cross journal with two pair of bevil wheels, which
may be worked by hand or steam or other power. The screw arrangement may
be substituted by racks and pinions with pawls or other stops, or by hydraulic
pistons. The outer terminal connecting rod is formed square to receive one or two
forked shaped guides with width enough apart to take the whole of the centre rods
when drawn together, and long enough to take the one next it when at full stretch,
the nut and screw bolts fixing the same at the crutches to also secure the clips of
other appliances to be afterwards described, and which are kept in position by the
action of the fork slides on the centre rods. In the use of the apparatus for the
delivery of torpedoes, say at close quarters, from a port, or from alternate ports,
according to circumstances, the butt or frame is supported on small wheels, and is
capable of quick transportation, provision being also made for thoroughly securing
the same to the deck during the process of working. The appliance attached to
effect the delivery of the torpedo is a three pronged clutch fork with clips to fit
over the crutch of the slide forks, and they are bolted through the same to the
terminal connecting rod with nut and screw bolts. Two of the prongs are under
(and one above) made to the curve of a cylindrical torpedo, and of a size to hold
the same, the outer edges being stop rimmed to form a sort of cradle (the inner
face of the lower prongs may be toothed to receive corresponding teeth in the
torpedo), and to be in length equal to the diameter of the torpedo. The upper
prong is plain, and projects considerably beyond the lower prongs, and may have a
flat spring on its under side curving over the torpedo for its security after insertion.
To expel the same two strong lines or bands are attached to the ends of the lower
prongs, inside which they curve back under and half round the torpedo, where they
join together. The single line continuing under the upper prong, and passing
through the same over a sheave, runs back to the butt, where it is fixed full stretch
at the full stretch of the apparatus before the insertion of the torpedo, observing
that it is displaced into curved form after that operation, and the tripping of the
line, which can be performed during any part of the transit, is effected by stretching,
thereby rolling the torpedo from its place with considerable force.
For effecting naval observations the apparatus is turned butt on to the deck and
secured thereto, the wheels having projection enough to clear the driving gear or
cross journal and bevil wheels. The torpedo appliance is then removed from the
guides and a circular platform with close bannister and handrail substituted, and
fixed by clips on the under side, as already described. The driving is now per-
formed by the substitution of a ratchet lever in the event of the driving gear being
too close to the deck. The apparatus and platform being right under a hatchway,
and taken possession of, is extended upwards to its full elevation and depressed at
pleasure. For use in making military or other land observations the preceding will be
employed, with the exception that it may be fixed on stone, or stone and concrete,
or other kind of foundations with holding down bolts, and is kept sufficiently high
to admit of its being driven by a handle on the cross journal.
As a portable observatory the parts are arranged as in the preceding, but instead
of being fixed on foundations it is mounted on a carriage and fixed thereto with
cup-and-ball attachment and adjusting screws, guy ropes being used for security in
its ascending motion.
For use in saving life from fire the apparatus is arranged as in the preceding,
with the exception that a square platform with doorway in one side, through
which a gangway with folding hand rails if necessary is passed to rest on window
ledges, the gangway being raised or lowered by means of rope and tackle from a
pole or poles fixed in the centre or other suitable position. This gangway, if only
one pole is used, is slotted in the centre for, say half its length, or in proportion to
its length, and in width corresponding to the diameter of the pole, past which it
will slide in regulating its projection, observing that this arrangement will only be
.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In each of the Figures of the Drawings the same letters are employed to indicate
corresponding parts wherever they occur.
Figure 1 shows by side view my improvements applied as a means for the delivery
of torpedoes; Figure 1ª shews by plan view an arrangement by which the piston
rod from a cylinder 8 (the piston of which may be operated by steam or other
power) is employed to operate the bars c in place of the screws d hereafter referred
to if desired.
a shows the main framing supporting the working parts of the apparatus.. This
framing a is made fast to any suitable part of the ship or other vessel. This
framing a supports the frame b, which is that which more immediately carries the.
operating parts, and it is capable of movement on the frame a so as to adjust the.
angle of action of the parts for the delivery of the torpedo. For this purpose the
part is connected to the part a by a hinged joint or trunnions at b₁ so as to rock
thereon, and it is operated as desired at the opposite end by means of the screw b²,
which is supported to revolve freely in a gudgeon working in brackets carried by
the framing a, and which has applied to it the screw wheel 63, the teeth of which
are taken into by a screw thread formed on or applied to the axle of the winch
handle b, which axle works in brackets fixed to the rocking gudgeon. The screw b²
passes through a rocking nut carried by brackets b from the part b; c, c, are the
herring bone parallel bars, which are connected at c and c2 by bars, which extend
across and connect the bars c, c, of one side with those of the opposite side. The
rods c connecting the bars e first within the frame have their ends extended at ca
to pass through guide slots formed for them in the sides of the frame b, and these
parts c³, c³, are provided with screw threads to receive and be operated upon by the
screw shaft d, the thread on which is partly right and partly left handed, so that by
turning these shafts in one or the other direction the series of bars c will be caused
to form an elongated bearing, as indicated by Figure 1, or the whole of them may
be drawn into the space within the frame b. The screw shafts & are supported to
revolve freely in bearings d' carried by the frame b, and on the end of each is
applied a bevilled tooth wheel d³, the teeth of which are taken into by the teeth of
the bevilled wheels applied to the axle of the crank d, by which the turning of
the screw shafts & in one or the other direction is effected. This operation may
however be otherwise effected, as by screw gear or otherwise, where great speed is
not required.
e represents a cradle adapted to receive a torpedo, which is represented in position
by dotted lines f as being carried out and as in the act of being thrown out by the
full lines f¹. The torpedo whilst in the cradle e rests on a line g, and the throwing
out of it from the cradle e is effected by pulling on that line from the ship or vessel,
or by impetus where great force is applied. The dotted lines, Fig. 1a, shew this,
also a decrease of leverage.
Figure 2 shows a different form of cradle, in which the torpedo f is supported on
the flap e', which is capable of being turned on the axle e² by pulling on the
line g.
Figure 3 represents by an edge view apparatus constructed to be operated sub-
stantially as described in respect of Figure 1, except that the object in this case is

page_text: for the parts to be raised in a vertical direction, and at the top it carries a cage h,
from which the observations are to be made. The frame b is in this case supported
on a stage i, and this stage is supported on a carriage i, with screw adjustments i²
between the parts to facilitate the adjustment of the vertical position of the cage h.
The carriage is supported to run on wheels ³. Figure 4 shows a plan of the
carriage; Figures 5 and 6 show parts separately.
Figures 7 and 8 show side and edge views of similar apparatus arranged for the
frame to be supported stationarily on a stone or other suitable bed j. The only
difference between these two Figures is that one of them, Figure 7, is shown withi
a lantern to receive a light for use at night, and the other with a ball l, or it may
be other suitable day signal.
Figure 9 shows the apparatus in use as a fire-escape. m is the cage or chamber
lifted up opposite a window, and in the event of any obstruction to prevent the
apparatus approaching close to such window the cage m is provided with a flap n
or gangway with folding hand rails capable of turning on hinges at n¹ and of being
operated by a cord or cords o passed over a pole or poles p.
If desired a part of the floor of the cage m may be capable of being slided in the
other part. The cage may if desired be arranged to turn on a centre and have
small wheels to facilitate alighting. q represents a hose, which may be drawn up
to the cage with the apparatus from a reel q¹.
The end of the gangway may be fixed or connected by knuckle joint to a slide or
slides formed so as to be capable of traversing across the floor of the cage, and a
rack with ratchet and pinion for the adjustment of the extent of projection of such
sliding floor may be employed. Folding ballast boards may if desired be fixed to
the frame for additional security.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details as shewn and described, as the same may be varied without departing
from the peculiar character of my Invention, but what I do claim is,-
First. The adaptation or combination of means whereby the delivery of torpedoes
from ships or other vessels may be facilitated in manner substantially as described
in respect of Figures 1, 18, and 2.
Secondly. I claim the adaptation or combination of means by which the taking of
naval, military, and other observations may be facilitated by means substantially as
described in respect of Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Thirdly. I claim the adaptation or combination of means by which signals may
be effected, substantially as described in respect of Figures 7 and 8; and
Fourthly. I claim the adaptation or combination of means by which facility may
be given for escape from fire, substantially as described in respect of Figure 9.
In witness whereof, I, the said Donald Fergusson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
DONALD FERGUSSON. (L.S.)