CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING AND LAYING DOWN SUBMARINE AND OTHER TELEGRAPH CABLES, WHICH MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE AND IS CLAIMED FOR THE MAKING OF ROPES AND CABLES GENERALLY
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Smith, of 10, Salisbury Street,
Adelphi, London, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING AND
LAYING DOWN SUBMARINE AND OTHER TELEGRAPH CABLES, WHICH
MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE AND IS CLAIMED FOR THE MAKING OF
ROPES AND CABLES GENERALLY."
Sealed the 28th November 1853, and dated the 28th May 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Smith at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 28th May 1853.
I, WILLIAM SMITH, of No. 10, Salisbury Street, Adelphi, London,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING
AND LAYING DOWN SUBMARINE AND OTHER TELEGRAPH CABLES, WHICH MACHI-
NERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE AND IS CLAIMED FOR THE MAKING OF ROPES AND
CABLES GENERALLY," to be as follows, namely:-

page_text: The arrangement of a series of bobbins or reels and frames and
apparatus in a straight line behind each other, instead of being placed
around a circle or common centre, & revolving horizontally or verti
cally, and carrying with it in its circular motion the materials in use,
which my Invention obviates; also, in applying the same arrangement of
machinery in the hull of a ship or other vessel for the purpose of making
ropes and submarine telegraph cables on board, and, if necessary, sub-
merging the cable as it is made;, also,. in testing the perfect state of
the cable as the manufacture proceeds, by connecting the ends of the
insulated wires of such telegraph cable to a series of rings or drums in
conjunction with signalling apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 28th November 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM SMITH, of 10, Salisbury Street, Adelphi, London, Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Smith, Her special licence
that I, the said William Smith, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Smith, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING AND LAYING
(VN SINABINE AND OTHER TELEGRAPH CABLES, WHICH MACHINERY IS

page_text: ALSO APPLICABLE AND IS CLAIMED FOR THE MAKING OF ROPES AND CABLES
GENERALLY," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Smith, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-
vention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed inthe Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Smith, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My Invention consists in certain novel arrangements of machinery for
the making of submarine and other telegraph cables, wire, and other
ropes, lines, and cables, whereby such submarine and other telegraph.
cables, wire, and other ropes, lines, and cables, can be made more rapidly
and perfectly than hitherto. And in consequence of the novel and
peculiar form and arrangement of machinery aforesaid it is practicable.
to erect and set up such machinery of a suflicient size and power on board
a ship or other suitable vessel, when intended for making submarine
and other such cables, so as to make the same on board of such vessel,
either for the greater convenience of shipping or transporting such cable.
when made and completed, ready to be submerged or otherwise laid
down, or, when desirable (as for very long and continuous lengths of
trans-oceanic lines of electro-telegraphic connection and communica-
tion,) making the cable at sea, and testing the same while in course of
manufacture, and, when so tested and found to be perfect, paying out
and submerging the same at such a speed or velocity as may be pro-
portionate and suitable to such an operation, rendering the connec-
tion of a number of short and separate lengths of cable (which it is
believed is impracticable at sea) unnecessary, and thereby avoiding
the risk of imperfect continuity and union common to such a plan,
producing an uniformly strong and continuous line of submarine
communication.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, of the accompanying Drawings, is a side view of

page_text: part of a series of machines arranged behind each other, and connected
together in the manner shewn therein; the fixed frames a, a, and
appurtenances for carrying the series of skeleton drums within which
revolve the bobbins or reels f, for carrying the strands, wires, or hearts,
as also the bearing and toothed wheels and their parts, arc shewn in
section, for to enable me the better to explain the construction and the
working of the machine.
Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a back view or clevation of a fixed frame a, with
the groved antifriction rollers b, b, mounted thereon, and the bearing
wheel c, shewn as being supported by and running in the groved anti-
friction rollers b, b. The bobbin or reel f, is removed so as to shew
the bearing on which its axle works, and also the mode of removing
one bobbin or reel and substituting another when the materials wound
thereupon shall have been used, or when otherwise necessary. The
flanch of the next following bobbin in the series is seen between the
arms and within the ring of the bearing wheel c, as is also the
friction strap wheel, for regulating the independent axial motion of
the bobbin or reel according to the quantity of strand or wire required
to be given off.
Fig. 3, Sheet 1, is a front view or elevation of a fixed frame a, with
the projecting bosses into which the studs of the groved antifriction
rollers b, b, are fixed; the bobbin or recl f, corresponding with this
frame is removed, as in Fig. 2, but the flanch and friction strap wheel
of the bobbin or reel next following in the series is seen between the
arms, and within the ring of the toothed wheel a strap pulley c*, c*,
through which a rotary motion is communicated to the series of skeleton
drunis by means of toothed wheels or band pulleys of proper dimen-
sions, in the manner hereafter described.
A number of the fixed frames a, a, a, with their groved antifriction
rollers b, b, b, upon the surface of each frame, having been arranged at
proper distances apart, the bearing wheels c, c, c, are placed within the
groved antifriction rollers, and the toothed wheels (or strap pulleys)
c, c, cx, are securely connected together in pairs by the short studs
d, d, d, as shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet 1, the long stays e, e, e, of which

page_text: there may be 4 or more around the circumference of the ring of the
bearing wheels and toothed wheels or band pulleys, are made to con-
nect them together throughout the length of the series of machines,
forming a skeleton drum the whole length thereof. Onc, or more, if
necessary, of these stays in each series is made so as to be easily
moveable, to allow of the bobbin or reel being taken out and removed
when necessary; they are shewn as jointed at one end, and fitted
with a screw socket at the other; but any other suitable mode may
be adopted.
The ring of each of the bearing wheels, and also of the toothed wheels
or strap pulleys, are drilled with numerous concentric holes properly
countersunk to admit of the several wires or strands passing through
them on their way from their respective bobbins or reels to the front of
the machine, where they are gathered up and united to form a cable,
rope, or strand. Upon the face side of the boss of each of the bearing
wheels c, c, c, and also of the toothed wheels or strap pulleys c*, c*, c*,
a projecting snug is cast on to form a bearing for the axle or spindle of
the bobbin or reel f, as shewn at g, Fig 2, and 3, a proper bearing
being secured by a top brass fixed and regulated by a key wedge or
screw; the wheels c, and c*, are secured back to back by the short
studs d, d. The bobbins or recls f, may be entirely of plate iron, or iron
flanches and wooden bodies secured upon an iron axle or shaft running
through them, having a journal turned at each end of each to fit pro-
perly in the bearings, as shown at the centres of the wheels c, c,
and c*, c*.
To the axle or flanch of these bobbins or reels is affixed a friction
strap wheel, of gun metal or other suitable material; around these
friction wheels a friction strap passes, and is secured by its ends to the
arm of the wheels c, and c*, so as to carry round the bobbins or reels f
in the same direction as the revolution of the wheels c, and c, and the
skeleton drum which surrounds the bobbin or reel f; but the friction
strap is so regulated by means of a screw or other suitable adjustment
so as to allow of the bobbins having an independant axial motion,
that the wire or strand wound thereupon may be easily drawn off'

page_text: .
as it is required in the process of manufacturing any cable, rope,
or strand, but at the same time avoiding any slack or irregularity of
supply.
A guide pulley h, for taking off the wire or strand from the bobbin
or reel, and directing it to its proper hole in the series of wheels
through which it has to pass, should be fixed to one of the stays or a
bar for the purpose; this guide pulley h, may be made to travel back
and forward on the stay or bar by a screw and nut, as shewn at Figs. 4,
and 5, Sheet 1, or some equally suitable arrangement for that purpose,
motion being given to it by a small ratchet wheel or pinion fixed on the
end of the screw, the motion being reversed by a second pinion in gear
with the first being acted upon instead of the one directly on the end of
the screw. The ratchet wheel coming in contact with a fixed stud or
.studs is moved one tooth or more at a time as may be required.
Fig. 1, in Sheet 2, exhibits an elevation or side view of a set of
machinery, consisting of a series of several machines combined, and
more particularly intended for the making of submarine and other
telegraph cables, by laying around the prepared core of insulated wires
a protective covering of iron wire, or any other material or form of
material used for the same or any similar purpose, but is equally suitable
for the making of wire or other ropes, cables, strands, or lines.
The parts of Fig. 1, to the right of the Drawing are shewn in
section, the one side of each of the fixed frames being removed, so as
the more fully to exhibit the arrangement and mode of construction.
Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a front elevation or end view of the machine,
shewing the gathering up of the strands or wires, their passing through
the perforated cone register or laying plate into the nipper where they
are united, and form a perfect cable, rope, strand, or line.
Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a back elevation or end view of the last and
larger machine, with its bobbin or recl for carrying the core or heart,
and shews the extension of the hollow spindle or shaft of the core-bobbin
or reel which carries the apparatus for testing the state of insulation of
the telegraph wires, when the machine is being used for making sub-
marine and other telegraph cables.

page_text: The same letters of reference are used in each of the Figures in
Sheets 1, and 2.
The complete machine may consist of any desirable number of
bobbins or recls mounted in their skeleton drums and frames as shewn
on a large scale in Fig 1, 2, and 3, of Sheet 1, and more completely,
though on a smaller scale, by Fig. 1, Sheet 2, where a number of
machines are shewn complete and ready for working, being numbered
1, 2, 3, 4, and 10, 11, 12, and the last number, 13, contains the core
or heart; the others contain the protective wires or other covering for
submarine telegraph cables, or the wire strands or other materials in
the making of ropes, cables, or lines. The core machine is shewn at
some distance from the last of the smaller machines, but is connected
therewith by strong stays, and revolves at the same velocity, although it
may be driven either by its own gearing or otherwise.
From the front of No. 1, Fig. 1, Sheet 2, a number of strong stays i, į,
project, and converge toward a point in front of the perforated cone,
register, or laying plate k, where the wires or stra" unite; these stays
are connected to the back of the cone or laying plate , which is
supported in a bearing in the standard l.
Upon the collar of the cone or laying plate is shewn a band wheel or
chain pulley m, which may be used for giving motion to "taking-off"
rollers."
The tube or nipper n, receives the united strands or covered cable,
and corrects any irregularities therein. Upon suitable framings the
taking-off' rollers 0, 0, 0, are fixed, with adjustments to regulate the
amount of pressure to be given and power to be applied to drawing off' at
a proper velocity the strand, rope, or cable when laid up. These rollers
have a series of semicircular groves of different sizes turned in their
peripheries, and are made to slide upon their respective shafts or axles
so as to bring the grove or score of the size required for the cable,
rope, or strand then in course of manufacture opposite to or in a line
with the centre of the tube or nipper, a grove and feather being fitted
to each roller and its shaft for this purpose. A rotary motion may be
given to these rollers by means of a worm and worm wheel or other

page_text: direct gearing, which may be regulated by a set of change wheels or cone
pulleys to proportion the speed of the drawing off according to the
"lay" intended to be given. To one or other of the shafts of these
draw-off rollers a counting apparatus is attached for measuring the
quantity made.
When drawn off, the cable, rope, strand, or line may either pass over
a bearing pulley p, to be coiled down in any suitable place, or be coiled
down at once.
A driving shaft 7, having upon it several spur wheels to gear with
and drive the toothed wheels c*, c*, cx, of machine, is properly hung in
bearings or otherwise supported, or, instead of the spur wheels, band
pulleys, should they be found desirable, may be substituted, and so drive
by bands instead of gearing.
If the core-bobbin or reel be filled with prepared insulated wire it
is placed within the skeleton frame or drum, and the hollow shaft
having several insulated metal rings 1, 1, r, mounted on its extension is
put through it, and the inner end of the wires opened out and passed
through the shaft, one to each ring, and to which they are connected
respectively by a binding screw.
In contact with each of these revolving rings, which are properly
insulated from each other, a metallic spring s, is fixed, communicating
with a bell or other signal apparatus which is set in action by the
breaking or injury of any of the insulated wires while in course of being
made up or manufactured into a telegraph cable, and before it leaves
the machine.
The outer end of the coil of core is unwound from the bobbin or reel,
and passed over the guide pulley h, through a countersunk hole in the
rim of a large wheel c, or c*, through a similar hole opposite thereto in
rim of wheel in No. 12, and in the same way through each series of
wheels c, and c*, until it reaches the centre tube or hole of the perforated
cone register or laying plate.
In the same manner the wire or strand from No. 12 reel is passed
over the guide pulley, and through the proper holes in wheels, of
No. 12, wheel c*, of No. 11, and so on through the whole until it

page_text: reaches the holes in wheel c*, of No. 1; from thence it is passed through
one of the 12, or other number of concentric holes in the cone register
or laying plate, and in like manner each of the wires are brought
forward.
When it is desired to use a core more rigid than heretofore applied,
and to lay around it a coating of wire or other material or form of
material, or to blend them together in any manner whatsoever, the axles
or shafts of the bobbins or reels may be hollow, and the bosses of the
wheels c, and c, bored out to allow of a through passage from end to
end of the machine.
Having now described the construction and arrangement of the
machine for making telegraph and other cables, ropes, strands, and
lines, and the manner in which the same is worked when used for the
purposes as heretofore on land, and although from the description
already given it will readily be seen that it can be fitted on board of a
suitable vessel, I proceed to describe its application to the making of
telegraph and other cables, ropes, and lines afloat, and to the making
and laying down or submerging of trans-oceanic or submarine lines of
telegraph communication.
The machinery, as previously described, is particularly suited to this
purpose from its horizontal position and arrangement, and the absence
of any great weight revolving at a distance from a centre, as in the case
of the machines hitherto constructed for making ropes, cables, &c.,
where a similar number of bobbins or recls containing varying and
unequal weights of material are arranged in a circle of necessarily large
diameter, and revolve around a common centre, the velocity at which
the whole mass of machinery as well as the materials have to rotate is
of necessity very limited, disproportioned to the work done, and from
their form of principle unsuited for such an application as that which I
now propose.
I propose to place an arrangement of machinery similar to that
shewn at Fig. 1, Sheet 2, upon suitable timbers laid as far aft as pos-
sible upon the keel or keelson of a suitable ship or other vessel, so
that the dead weight will be directly in the centre line along the

page_text: length of the keel and at the lowest point in the body of the vessel, and
where the pitching and rolling of the vessel will least affect the work-
ing of the machinery or the workmen, and others engaged in attend-
ance thereupon.
Motion may be communicated to the machinery by a steam engine
through straps, bands, or gearing, and the cable as made may be
carried through a hawse hole, or brought on deck and lowered over-
board under control by a suitable arrangement of brakes and drums, or
coiled down between decks or upon deck ready for use, as may be,
under varied and varying circumstances, deemed advisable.
The stores of materials prepared as far as possible for use may be
stowed forward between decks and alongside the machine; numerous
extra bobbins or reels should be filled with the wire and other materials,
and a suitable arrangement of winding machinery driven by the engine
fitted up on board to refill several of the bobbins or reels at one time
as the materials are being consumed in the machine.
A portable forge for welding or brazing the ends of the wires together,
as well as all the usual tools and apparatus for conducting such a manu-
facture on land, must be provided.
The person in charge of the instruments, as before described, for
testing and proving the perfect state of insulation of each of the metallic
wires of communication should have command over the working of the
cable making machinery, as well as the power to direct the stoppage of
the forward motion of the ship, and by having the starting or clutch
lever of the machinery under hand he will be enabled, in case of
accident or whenever necessary, to stop its action instantaneously
without damage to any of its parts.
Having now described my Invention and the manner of carrying the
same into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is,
First, the novel and peculiar arrangement of machinery, as above
described, for making submarine and other telegraph cables (whatever
the materials or the form or arrangement of such materials used may
be), and wire and other ropes, lines, and strands generally.
Second, I claim the setting up of such machinery on board of steam or

page_text: other vessels, whereby submarine and trans-oceanic telegraph cables
may be manufactured and submerged simultaneously or otherwise.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Smith, have hereunto set
my band and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
Signed and sealed by the sd
William Smith in the
presense of
JAMES EDMUND HALL,
WILLIAM SMITH. (L.S.)
16, Salisbury St., Adelphi.