IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO BINNACLES
Year: 1885

page_text: WILLIAM THOMAS CASSEL PRATT, 173 Commercial Road Newport Monmouth-
shire Physician & Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO BINNACLES, to be as follows:-
In Williams' Patented apparatus N° 1416. A.D. 1882, mirrors are used to reflect.
the image of the compass card from the bridge above into, the wheel-house below
these mirrors are often rendered useless by the condensation of moisture upon them,
and it is to remedy this defect that I employ steam chests or other suitable
apparatus which will raise the temperature of the mirrors above the point of
condensation of the steam or vapour in the air. I propose applying heat in this
manner to any part of the apparatus for the purpose above named.
The mirrors I use are to be constructed of glass silvered, or any other metal or
suitable substance.
This invention consists of an improvement in a ship-steering apparatus patented
in A.D. 1882. (N° 1416.) by Willian Ruffe Williams and Charles Arthur Williams
of Newport in the County of Monmouth, Opticians and Nautical Instrument
makers.
The following detailed description will serve to show the manner in which my
invention can be applied to the above-mentioned apparatus.
It has been found by those who have used Williams' Patent apparatus (N° 1416.
A.D. 1882.) that at times and under peculiar circumstances a layer of moisture
condenses upon the mirrors or reflectors and also upon the other glass surfaces
connected with the apparatus. These layers of moisture completely obstruct the
view of the compass card and therefore the helmsman is continually obliged to
"mop" the glasses to remove the moisture.
By means of my invention this serious defect is entirely removed and even
should there be a large escape of steam from the steam steering-gear causing an
accumulation of moisture in the atmosphere of the wheel-house I have found that
by my invention condensation is entirely prevented.
At the back or sides of the mirrors or in any other suitable position I arrange
steam chests or heated air apparatus which will raise the temperature of the
mirrors above the condensing point of any vapour which may be suspended in the
atmosphere surrounding them.

page_text: To protect the interior of the binnacle from the deposition of moisture I arrange
a plate of glass also similarly heated so that the moisture which may be in the
wheel-house cannot pass into the binnacle and by so doing obstruct the view of
the compass card.
I heat the steam chests with steam conducted by a pipe from the steam steering-
gear or from the ships engines, (should there be no steam gear,) which after passing
through the various steam-chests is conveyed to the condenser of the engines, and
any waste of steam is therefore prevented. Or I apply oil lamps in such a manner
that the heated air given off from them may be conducted to the mirrors and glass
plate.
I construct the mirrors of any suitable substance such
metal etc.
as glass, silvered
Having thus described my invention and the simplest means for carrying the
same into effect I wish it to be understood that what I claim is
Firstly The application of a steam chest or heated air for raising the
temperature of the mirrors above referred to beyond the condensing point of
moisture contained in the surrounding medium.
:-
Secondly The application of a steam chest or heated air to a plate of glass
separating the binnacle from the wheel-house, for raising the temperature of the
said glass plate above that of the surrounding medium to prevent condensation of
moisture.
3rdly The application of a steam chest or heated air for raising the internal
temperature of the binnacle above that of the contained atmospheric medium.
Fourthly That the mirrors used in conjunction with my invention as above
described shall be constructed of silvered glass or metal or other suitable substance.
:
Dated this sixteenth day of January 1885.
WILLIAM THOMAS CASSEL PRATT,
L.R.C.P., Lond.

page_text: J, WILLIAM THOMAS CASSEL PRATT Physician & Surgeon of 173 Commercial
Road, Newport, Monmouthshire do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO BINNACLES and in what manner the saine
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:—
In Williams' Patented apparatus, N° 1416 A.D. 1882 mirrors are used to reflect
the image of the compass card from the bridge above into the wheel-house below,
these mirrors are often rendered useless by the condensation of moisture upon them
and it is to remedy this defect that I employ steam chests or other suitable
apparatus which will raise the temperature of the mirrors above the point of -
condensation of the steam or vapour in the air. I propose applying heat in this
manner to any part of the apparatus for the purpose above named. The mirrors
I use are to be constructed of glass silvered or any other metal or suitable
substance.
This invention consists of an improvement in ship-steering apparatus patented
in A.D. 1882. N° 1416, by William Ruffe Williams and Charles Arthur Williams
of Newport in the county of Monmouth, Opticians and Nautical Instrument
makers. The following detailed description will serve to show the manner in
which my invention can be applied to the above mentioned apparatus.
It has been found by those who have used Williams Patent apparatus (N° 1416,
A.D. 1882, that at times and under peculiar circumstances, a layer of moisture
condenses upon the mirrors or reflectors and also upon the other glass surfaces
connected with the apparatus. These layers of moisture completely obstruct the
view of the compass card, and therefore the helmsman is continually obliged to
"mop" the glasses to remove the moisture.
"
By means of my invention this serious defect is entirely removed, and even
should there be a large escape of steam from the steam steering-gear causing an
accumulation of moisture in the atmosphere of the wheel-house, I have found that
by my invention condensation is entirely prevented. At the back or sides of the
mirrors or in any other suitable position, I arrange steam chests or heated air
apparatus, which will raise the temperature of the mirrors above the condensing
point of any vapour which may be suspended in the atmosphere surrounding them.
To protect the interior of the binnacle from the deposition of moisture I arrange a
plate of glass also similarly heated, so that the moisture which may be in the
wheel-house cannot pass into the binnacle and by so doing obstruct the view of the
compass card.
I heat the steam chests with steam conducted by a pipe from the steam steering-
gear or from the ships' engines (should there be no steam gear,) which after passing
through the various steam chests is conveyed to the condenser of the engines, and
any waste of steam is therefore prevented;-Or I apply oil lamps in such a manner
that the heated air given off from them may be conducted to the mirrors and
glass plate. I construct the mirrors of any suitable substance such as glass,
silvered inetal etc.

page_text: 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. The application of a steam chest or heated air for raising the temperature of
the mirrors above referred to beyond the condensing point of moisture contained in
the surrounding medium.
2. The application of a steam chest or heated air to a plate of glass separating
the binnacle from the wheel-house for the purposes as hereinbefore described.
3. The application of a steam chest or heated air for raising the internal
temperature of the binnacle above that of the contained atmospheric medium.
4. That the mirrors used in conjunction with my invention as above described,
shall be constructed of silvered glass or metal or other suitable substance.
Dated this fifth day of October 1885.