IMPROVED NAVIGATIONAL SOUNDING APPARATUS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sir William Thomson, Knight, of Glasgow College, Doctor
of Laws and Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University and College
· of Glasgow in the County of Lanark North Britain for an Invention of
"IMPROVED NAVIGATIONAL SOUNDING APPARATUS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sir William Thomson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th December 1883.
Sir WILLIAM THOMSON, Knight of Glasgow College Doctor of Laws and Professor
of Natural Philosophy in the University and College of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain "IMPROVED NAVIGATIONAL SOUNDING APPARATUS"
This Invention, which relates to Improved Navigational Sounding Apparatus, is
an improvement on that which forms the subject of Letters Patent granted to me the
said Sir William Thomson N° 8452 A.D. 1876 and No. 781, A.D. 1880
Instead of letting the shaft or axle, which carries the wire drum or wheel run
round with the drum or wheel during the egress of the wire and attaching the
hauling-in handles after the sinker reaches the bottom, I keep the shaft at rest
with the handles fixed to it and let the drum or wheel run round by unclamping
it from rigid attachment to the said axle.-The moment the sinker reaches the
bottom I clamp the drum or wheel frictionally to the axle or it may be a grooved
ring in place of a drum or wheel, on a disc carried by the axle so as quickly but
not too suddenly to stop the farther egress of the wire.-This I prefer to do by a
movement of the central shaft itself in the proper direction for hauling in.-At the
same moment or a second or two later the men at the handles commence turning
them to haul in.
The holding of the axle at rest during the egress may be done by the handles
or by a ratchet wheel and pawl.
The clamping of the drum, wheel or ring may be done in many different ways,
that which I prefer is by means of a strong flat spring or by a pile of springs
analogous to a coach spring firmly attached to the axle and set so as to press a
piece or pieces of hard wood against one of the outer faces of the drum, wheel or
ring, the other face being resisted by hard wood fixed on a rigid arm or disc attached
[Dminn 21

page_text: to the axle.—To clamp and unclamp the drum, wheel or ring I use a screw cut on
the main shaft or an equivalent cam.
The friction of the drum, wheel or ring running easy on the circumference of a
bearing wheel when the ship is going faster than two or three knots, generally
suffices to keep the wire tight enough during the descent of the sinker.-The
moment the bottom is reached the wire is seen to become suddenly slack, or felt to
do so by aid of a finger touching the wire or a metal pin held in the hand and
pressed lightly on the wire.-When the ships speed is less than two or three knots
or for an up and down cast from a ship not under way, it is generally necessary to
resist the egress with some additional friction which may be applied by pressing a
piece of wood against the outer edges of the ring or by holding the screw or cam
in such a position as to relieve a part only of the clamping pressure on the drum,
wheel or ring produced by the spring.
A counter shewing approximately the length of wire out by the number of
turns of the drum, wheel or ring, is actuated by a pinion kept running on the non-
turning axle, during the egress of the wire by an arm attached to the pinion and
bent at an angle towards its outer end, or having a crank pin fixed to it, which
outer and or crank pin is placed in a notch in the outer edge of one side of the
drum, wheel or ring.
In intervals between casts and when out of use, to preserve the wire and the
iron work of the drum, wheel or ring and other parts of the machine I keep the
whole machine immersed under lime water in a box or tank with mountings
to support the machine over it firmly in a convenient position for taking a cast.
I make the handles on the following plan to allow portions of them to be taken
off so that the box required to hold the whole machine may not be inconveniently
large. An arm of about six inches length kept permanently attached to the axle
carries staples or a single broad staple fixed strongly to it.-The requisite additional
length of arm carrying the handle at right angles to it is slipped on and secured by
a clamping screw.
The apparatus for measuring the depth consists of a glass tube similar to that
described in my Specification No. 3452, A.D. 1876.-One end of this tube is open
and the other end hermetically sealed.-It is then coated with a solution of aniline
blue. To dry the tubes they are placed, in a brass vessel which is surrounded
with hot water and connected to an aspirator by which a partial vacuum is
formed. In a few minutes the solution inside the glass tubes is dried and the
aniline remains adhering to the glass.-The mark shewing the depth is made by
the sea water rising in the tube and washing off the aniline colour.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Sir William Thomson in the Patent Office on the 7th June 1884.
E
Sir WILLIAM THOMSON, Knight, of Glasgow College, Doctor of Laws and Professor
of Natural Philosophy in the University and College of Glasgow in the County of
Lanark, North Britain "IMPROVED NAVIGATIONAL SOUNDING APPARATUS
My said Invention, which relates to improved Navigational Sounding apparatus,
is an improvement on that which is the subject of Letters Patent granted to me
the said Sir William Thomson N° 3452 A.D. 1876 and N° 781 A.D. 1880.
Instead of letting the shaft or axle which carries the wire drum or wheel run
round with the drum or wheel during the egress of the wire, and attaching the
hauling in handles after the sinker reaches the bottom, I keep the shaft at rest
with the handles fixed to it, and let the drum or wheel run round by unclamping
it from rigid attachment to the said axle. The moment the sinker reaches the
bottom, I clamp the drum or wheel frictionally to the axle, or it may be a grooved
ring in place of a drum or wheel, on a disc carried by the axle so as quickly but
not too suddenly to stop the farther egress of the wire. This I prefer to do by a
movement of the central shaft itself in the proper direction for hauling in. At the
same moment, or a second or two later, the men at the handles commence turning
them to haul in.
The holding of the axle at rest during the egress may be done by the handles or
by a ratchet wheel and pawl
'
The clamping of the drum, wheel or ring may be done in many different ways;
that which I prefer is by means of a strong flat spring or by a pile of springs
analogous to a coach spring firmly attached to the axle and set so as to press &
piece or pieces of hard wood against one of the outer faces of the drum, wheel or
ring, the other face being resisted by hard wood- fixed on a rigid arm or disc
attached to the axle. To clamp and unclamp the drum, wheel, or ring, I use a
screw cut on the main shaft or an equivalent cam.
The friction of the drum, wheel or ring, running easy on the circumference of a
bearing wheel when the ship is going faster than two or three knots; generally
suffices to keep the wire tight enough during the descent of the sinker. The
moment the bottom of the sounding is reached, the wire is seen to become suddenly
slack or felt to do so by aid of a finger touching the wire, or a metal pin held in
the hand and pressed lightly on the wire. When the ship's speed is less than two
or three knots, or for an up and down cast from a ship not under way, it is
generally necessary to resist the egress of the wire from off the grooved ring with
some.additional friction which may be applied by pressing a piece of wood against
the outer edges of the ring, or by holding the screw or cam in such a position as to
relieve a part only of the clamping pressure produced by the spring on the drum,
wheel, or ring.
A Counter, shewing approximately the length of wire out, by the number of
turns of the drum, wheel or ring, is actuated by a pinion kept running on the
non-turning axle, during the egress of the wire, by an arm attached to the pinion
and bent at an angle towards its outer end, or having a crank-pin fixed to it,
which outer-end or crank-pin is placed in a notch in the outer edge of one side of
the drum, wheel or ring.
-In-intervals between casts and-when out of use to preserve the wire and iron
work of the drum, wheel or ring, and other parts of the machine, I keep the
whole machine immersed under lime water, in a box or tank with mountings to
support the machine over it firmly in a convenient position when raised out
therefrom for taking a cast.

page_text: I make the handles on the following plan to allow portions of them to be taken
off so that the box required to hold the whole machine may not be inconveniently
large-An arm of about six inches length, kept permanently attached to the axle,
carries staples, or a single broad staple, fixed strongly to it. The requisite
additional length of arm carrying the handle at right angles to it, is slipped on and
secured by a clamping screw.
The apparatus for measuring the depth, consists of a glass tube similar to that
described in my Specification N° 3452 A.D. 1876. One end of this tube is open
and the other end hermetically sealed. It is then coated with a solution of
aniline blue or Prussian blue or Chromate of Silver or other substance suitable for
shewing the height to which liquid is forced into the tube by the water pressure.
To dry the tubes they are placed in a brass vessel which is surrounded with hot
water and connected to an aspirator by which a partial vacuum is formed. In a
few minutes the solution, inside the glass tubes, is dried and the substance
employed to coat it internally remains adhering to the glass-The mark shewing
the depth is made by the sea water or other liquor in the enclosing case as
described in my Specification N° 3452 A.D. 1876 rising in the tube and washing
off the coating, or causing a visible change in the part of the coating which has
been wetted.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now
proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under
which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and Figures marked thereon,
that is to say :-
Figures 1, and 2, represent in side elevations taken at respectively opposite
sides, a navigational sounding machine constructed according to and constituting
my present Invention.
Figure 3, represents the same in end elevation.
Figures 4, and 5, are respectively longitudinal and transverse sections through
the same.
The further Figures upon the three annexed Sheets of Drawings are hereinafter
more particularly described and referred to in the body of the Specification.
Instead, (as in the apparatus described in my Specifications N° 3452 A.D. 1876
and N° 781 A.D. 1880) of allowing the shaft or axle a, which carries the wire
drum or wheel b, during the egress of the wire c, and attaching the hauling-in
handles after the sinker reaches the bottom of the sea or of other water whoso
depth is being taken, I prefer to keep the said shaft or axle a, at rest with the
said hauling-in handles fixed to it, and allow the drum or wheel b, to rotate around
the same, by unclamping it from rigid attachment to the said shaft or axle a, as
hereinafter more particularly described. The wire drum or wheel is preferably
constructed of a grooved ring, which is carried on the disc e, secured to the shaft
or axle a. To the inner face of the disc e, the ring f, of wood or other suitable
material is attached and into the face and outer periphery of this ring f, the
blocks g, of hard wood (preferably of lignum vitae) are inserted. In place of forming
the ring, of softer wood than the blocks g, all these parts may be formed of
lignum vita. The grooved ring constituting the wire drum or wheel b, is free to
rotate in the groove formed between the oblique faces of the ring f, and of the
blocks g. Upon the axle a, there is further provided the disc h, preferably of iron
steel or other suitable elastic material. To the inner face of this disc, the ring or
disc i, of wood or other suitable material is secured, its edge being turned obliquely
so as to fit against the inner oblique face of the wheel b. This disc h, with its
attached ring i, of wood is mounted loosely and is free to slide longitudinally upon
the shaft a. The face of the ring i, is recessed out sufficiently to admit the blocks g,
entering the same when the rings f, and i, are pressed together to clamp the
wheel b. Upon the shaft a, there is formed the screw-thread j, and upon this
screwed portion the screwed nut k, is free to work. This nut , (as shewn more
particularly at Figures 2, and 3, and in dotted lines at Figure 5) is provided with

page_text: the arm 1, through the outer end of which the hole m, is formed and the nut k, is
further provided with the circular groove n, into which the brackets or clips o,
secured, to the disc h, project at opposite sides. In one of the supports p, there is
formed the hole g, through which the bolt r, is free to slide longitudinally. This
bolt r, is provided with a short arm s, projecting out from it and passing through a
slot formed longitudinally in the sides of the hole q. This slot has formed at each
of its ends a short radial slot so that the bolt r, may be blocked in either of its two
positions as hereinafter explained.
The pinion t, is carried upon and is free to rotate around the shaft a, the said
pinion is rigidly connected to the forked end of the radial arm u, the outer end of
which is secured to the rim of the wheel b, and between these parts it is bent
sufficiently to clear the non-rotating disc e. By means of this pinion t, the wheels
for operating the counter v, are rotated. This counter v, shews approximately
the length of wire unwound from the wheel b, by indicating the number of
revolutions of the said wheel b.
I construct the hauling-in handles in such a manner as to allow portions of them
to be taken off so that the box w, required to hold the whole machine may not be
inconveniently large.
For effecting this, I provide the arms x, secured permanently by the clamping
screws y, or by other suitable means to the squared ends of the shaft a. These
arms x, are provided at their outer ends with the collars a¹, and at any suitable
position with the clamping screws b¹. The requisite additional lengths of arm c¹,
as represented at Figures 6 and 7 (respectively in side and front elevation) carry
the handles d', at right angles thereto, are slipped through the collars a¹, the forked
portions e¹, passing over the clamping screws 6¹, which are tightened therein, and
thereby secure the fixed and moveable portions of the handles together. The
shaft a, is carried in the bearings f¹, of lignum vitæ, and the said shaft and all its
attachments may be easily removed from the frame or supports p, by removing the
screws gl, which secure the said bearings f¹, to the frame; the shaft may then be
drawn horizontally out, the supports p, being slotted for this purpose.
During intervals between casts, and when out of use, to preserve the wire and
the iron work of the drum b, and other parts of the machine, I keep the whole
machine immersed under lime water or other preservative liquid h', which is
contained in the tank i', provided inside the box w. To the sides of this tank ³,
the supports, and k³, are secured, the supports j', are slotted as shewn at 1, so as
to form guides for the portions of the squared ends of the shaft a, projecting out
beyond the bosses of the arms x, when the machine is being lowered into the said
tank i¹.
When the machine is required for use, it is drawn up out of the tank ¹, by
means of the handle m, and is drawn horizontally forward until the transverse
bars n', to which the frames p, are secured, bear upon the supports ¹, and k¹, and
the forward transverse bar n¹, is against the end of the tank 2, or other suitable
stop. The bolt r, is then passed through the hole m, in the arm 1, so that the
nut k, is retained in one position. The shaft a, if previously frictionally geared
with the wheel b, is then turned by means of the handles in the direction necessary
for unwinding the wire, when the pressure of the nut k, thus released from the
disch, allows the wire, drum, or wheel b, to rotate freely during the descent of
the sinker. The moment the sinker has touched the bottom of the sea or other
water whose depth is being measured the indication of the counter v, having been
taken, the wire is hauled in. This is effected by the nut k, still being secured by
the before mentioned means and a few turns given to the handles in the direction
necessary for hauling in. By these means the drum or wheel b, is frictionally
geared with the shaft a; at this stage the bolt r, is disengaged from the arm l, and
the hauling-in continued, the shaft a, the nut k, and the drum or wheel b, all
revolving as one body. The screen o¹, Figure 4, is provided in order to prevent
the lime-water or other preservative liquid from flying off into the face of. the
operator. For the object of compactness there is provided the space p³, between

page_text: the ends of the tank i, and the box w, in this space the removeable portions of the
handles and other attachments may be placed when not in use.
The case or shield, in which the glass tube (hereinafter described) is placed
when taking soundings, is lashed to the rope q', to whose lower end the sinker is
attached as shewn at Figures 8, and 9, respectively in front and side elevation and
consists of the tube 7, preferably of brass. This tube r³, is closed at the bottom,
the small aperture 8¹, being left for the admission of water, and the upper end
is also provided with an aperture t¹; through which the air can escape. The case
is provided with the cap or cover u¹, which fits over the said case and is locked
after the manner of a bayonet joint. The cap or cover and the case are provided
with the eyes v¹, to which the two ends of the cord w¹, are secured, and by these
means the cap or cover u¹, cannot become lost.
The apparatus for measuring the depth consists of a glass tube similar to that
described in my Specification N° 3452 A.D. 1876. One end a³, of this tube as
represented at Figure 10, is open and the other end y¹, hermetically sealed. The
glass tube is then coated with a solution of aniline blue.
The apparatus I employ for drying these glass tubes is represented in front
elevation at Figure 11, and in end elevation at Figure 12. This apparatus consists
of the brass vessel a², which is closed at the bottom and supplied at its upper end
with the screwed cover 62. This vessel a³, is surrounded by the hot water
casing c², to the underside of which the gas burner . or other equivalent burner or
lamp or heater is applied. The upper part of the vessel a³, is connected by the
stop-cock d², and tube e², to the aspirator f2, which may be of any approved
construction and which is supplied by the water tap g². To the underside of the
tube e³, the glass tube h², is connected, the lower end of which dips down into
the mercury, contained in the bottle j². This apparatus is mounted upon the
stand, which is provided with suitable brackets and clips for supporting the
several parts.
In drying tubes with this apparatus the said tubes are placed in the vessel a²,
the casing c², is filled with hot water, the heat being applied as herein before
mentioned. The taps d³, and g², are then opened, the aspirator f2, forming a
partial vacuum in the vessel a², the solution inside the glass tubes contained
therein is soon dried and the aniline remains adhering to the glass. The glass
tube h², and mercury i², provide a means for ascertaining the extent of the partial
vacuum formed in the vessel a².
The mark shewing the depth of the water into which the glass tube has been
lowered by the sounding apparatus is made by such water rising in the tube and
then washing off the aniline colour or other internal coating of the tube. for a
certain known distance from such tube.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or
may be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that
what I consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is :-
First. The arrangement or construction of deep sea sounding machine wherein
the sounding wire is carried upon the grooved ring, drum, or wheel b, or its
equivalent; the same being provided with means for clamping the said grooved
ring, drum, or wheel, to, and for unclamping or releasing it from, the disc e, and
ring f, the whole being carried axially upon the shaft a, provided with handles
which rotate with the said shaft, or are stationary when it and the disc 6, and
ring f, are stationary, the whole operating substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described.
Secondly. In a sounding machine the apparatus consisting of the nut k, and
disc h, and ring i, for clamping or unclamping the grooved ring, drum or wheel b,
and in combination therewith the connection with the handles x, d', for operating
the clamping apparatus as hereinbefore described and shewn at Figures 3, 4 and 5
of the annexed Sheets of Drawings.

page_text: Thirdly. The means of attaching and removing the outer parts of the arms or
radii carrying the handles as herein before described and shewn at Figures 3, 5, 6
and 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. The apparatus or the mechanical equivalent thereof shewn at
Figures 11, and 12, of the annexed Drawings wherein a vacuum is employed for
the purpose of drying the chemical preparation or lining of the interior of the
glass gauge tubes substantially as set forth.
In Witness Whereof I the said Sir William Thomson have hereunto set my
hand and Seal this fifth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
WILLIAM THOMSON (L.S.)