POLE BINNACLE LAMP
Year: 1886

page_text: WILLIAM SUTHERLAND WALLACE 47 Albion Crescent Heath Town Wolver-
hampton Staffs. First Mate in the Merchantile Marine Service do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for POLE BINNACLE LAMP and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
An oblong box, made of wood, copper, or brass, or a composition of any or all:
it is 8 inches long by 6 wide, and its greatest height-exclusive of funnel-is
8 inches. The top or roof of the box runs parallel to the bottom for 3 inches
across the entire breadth, then slopes down toward the low end, which is 5 inches
high The glass for emitting the light is placed in this sloping roof, and is of
inch plate glass, this glass extends 5 inches from the low end of the box
towards the high.
The space between the glass and the parallel three inches of roof is occupied
by a portion of the roof turned down to the same angle as the glass, this shade
effectually prevents glare appearing on the compass-The door is at the high end
of the lamp, and is almost the entire size of that end, it opens downwards, as seen
in Figure 2, when closed all draught is stopped by a projecting flange inside the
Jamp, & against which the door fits closely.
At the low end of the lamp is a ventilation slide (see G in Fig. 1.) for regulating
the supply of air.
There are two chimneys, a small one inside a larger. The diameter of the
external funnel is 2. inches, & there is a space of at of an inch between the two
chimneys The small inside funnel carries off the smoke, while a downward
current of air is supplied by the holes L. L & K. K. (the latter are capable of
being closed by sliding the chimney-top round), the bell-mouth of the funnel
catches the smoke, and prevents this draught from extinguishing the flame.
The chimney top has 12 small holes (see M Fig. 8.) in a revolving slide & the
top may be rendered waterproof by turning the slide round.
The internal parts of the lamp are fitted in a box of similar shape to the
external one, the reflector D. forming one end when the door is closed-The low
end of this box is perforated with small holes (Fig. 5.) which diffuse the air
admitted by the slide G.

page_text: There are 5 reflectors in this box, four of which are fixtures, viz:-B. B and C. C.
(figs. 2. 3. 4 & 5) these are made of white glass of inch thickness, but the
reflector A. is made of copper & silvered, it may be taken out to polish-D. is a
concave reflector of the same material as A & is capable of throwing a light astern
of the vessel (for at least one mile) when being overtaken by another ship-The
oil-receiver is 34 inches x 3 inches and has a depth of 11 inches, it is fitted with
ag inch concave, smokeless paraffin burner.
A lever E. (Fig. 6.) is attached to the screw of the burner, and the wick is
raised or lowered by means of the elevator F. (Fig. 7) a cork on this rod fits into
the tube N. (see Figs. 1. 2 & 3).
The oil-receiver, burner & accessories are made of brass & ebonized to obviate
reflection.
At each side of the lamp near the top is a brass hook H. & there is an eyebolt J.
each side at the bottom-The lamp is hoisted to its place by two halliards rove
through small blocks hooked into the lower rim of the binnacle.
The halliards are first attached to the hooks, then the hauling parts are rove
through the eyebolts, they then form guys to steady the lamp up to its place.
& keep it there.
The Lamp is trimmed in the following manner :-
Open the door, as seen in Fig. 2. unhook the elevator F from the lever E &
draw the elevator upwards out of the lamp altogether, then draw the inside box
out: clean the glass and stationary reflectors, and polish the movable ones A. & D.
then fill the oil-receiver with good paraffin, cut the wick perfectly straight: if it
has been found necessary to remove the lever E from the burner-screw, replace it;
then put the inside box and elevator F. back to their respective places. Ignite
the wick, turning it down until about of an inch lower than the top of the
burner. Close the door & regulate the ventilation.
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.) That the Pole Binnacle Lamp will burn 20 hours without any attention if
properly trimined.
(2.) It gives a strong, steady light during the entire time, devoid of shadow or
glare, insomuch that the quarter points of the compass are, distinctly visible at
25 feet distant.
(3.) If through careless trimming or bad oil, the lamp is found to smoke or give
an indifferent light, the wick may be turned up or down by the Elevator & Lever,
without taking the light from the compass.
(4.) The light is thrown upward instead of down and from the position of the
lamp a bright light is thrown astern, and for a point of the compass on each
quarter of the vessel, thus forming an overtaking light, for, as the vessel swerves
a little from her course, the light is exhibited & shut out alternately by masts or
funnel, as the case may be.
(5.) It is one Lamp burning paraffin in place of three burning colza.
(6.) It is adaptable to lower compasses & may be fitted to every form of pole,
without any alteration to Binnacle.
1
T1000