IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING CANAL BOATS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hunter Henry Murdoch, of No. 7, Staple
Inn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING CANAL BOATS
AND OTHER VESSELS." - A. communication, from abroad by Baron
Oscar de Mesnil, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
Gentleman, and Max Eyth, of Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Civil
Engineer
Sealed the 17th December 1869, and dated the 9th July 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said
the said Hunter Henry
Murdoch at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 9th July 1869.
I, HUNTER HENRY MURDOCH, of No. 7, Staple Inn, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING CANAL
BOATS AND OTHER VESSELS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of improvements on
improvements on a former Invention
communicated to me by the said Baron Oscar de Mesnil and Max Eyth,
for which I obtained Letters Patent, dated 18th December 1867, No. 3604.

page_text: That Invention related to a mode of towing or propelling canal boats and
other vessels along a rope or chain laid in the bed of a river or canal,
and passing over a revolving drum or pulley in the boat or vessel. The
revolving drum above referred to was driven by a steam engine.
Now the present Invention consists, firstly, in the apparatus herein-after
described to be used for driving the said drum by manual labour instead
of steam power in cases where but little power is required. The said
apparatus is constructed as follows:-The rope or chain passes around a
vertical clip drum or pulley mounted on an axis on the side of the boat.
The said pulley is driven by means of a toothed pinion which is mounted
on a shaft turned by a hand wheel and gears into teeth formed on the
inside of the said drum.
This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after described
for driving the aforesaid clip pulley by horse power.
The said apparatus
is constructed as follows:-An endless travelling platform is mounted on
roller, so that as the horse presses with its feet against the said platform
it causes the said rollers to revolve. On the axis of one of the said rollers
is affixed a bevil pinion, which gears into one or other of two bevil toothed
wheels affixed to a shaft carrying a toothed pinion which gears into the
teeth on the inside of the clip drum.
This Invention consists further of an improved arrangement of vertical
clip drum or pulley. In drums of this description the rope is held
between the opposed surfaces of a series of clips so hinged or pivotted
around the periphery of the drum as to form a "V" shaped guideway
or groove for the said rope. It sometimes happens that the upper clips
close by their own weight when the rope is removed from the said clips.
It then becomes difficult to pass the said rope again on to the said upper
clips. In order to remedy this defect a spring or springs, is or are
arranged between the heels or free ends of the said clips and the periphery
of the drum. These springs may be either flat or spiral. Metallic springs
or an annular india-rubber spring passing round the drum may be used.
In this case a series of undulations or corrugations is formed around the
said drum, the concave portions of the said corrugations being situated
under the heels of the clips. The spring is thus allowed to yield when
the clips are pressed upon by the rope. Instead of the last-described
arrangement an annular groove may be formed around the periphery of
the drum, and a strip of india-rubber may be passed around it, the edges

page_text: of the said strip being turned into the said groove. Other forms of springs
may be used to keep the aforesaid clips apart.
This Invention consists further of improvements in apparatus for impart-
ing the required pressure to the pressing pulleys by which the rope
is
held in contact with the drum. Hitherto such pressure has been obtained
by the use of springs, the pressure of which was regulated by the driver,
who sometimes applied. greater pressure than was required and thus
occasioned unnecessary friction. Now in order to prevent this the press-
ing pulleys are mounted an axes carried by beut levers which turn at their
lower ends on fulcra fixed in the side of the boat. The upper ends of the
said levers carry adjustable weights, which give the required pressure to
the pressing pulleys. Handles are formed on the said upper ends of the
levers, by means of which handles the pressing pulleys can be moved away
from the drum when necessary.
This Invention consists further in substituting for the two guide pulleys
ordinarily used for the purpose of guiding the rope or chain to and from
the driving drum a single pulley having around its periphery two
grooves by which the said rope or chain is guided to and from the said
drum. This double groove guide pulley is mounted on a slightly
inclined axis, so that that part of the inlet groove from which the rope
or chain passes to the drum and that part of the outlet groove which
first receives the said rope or chaiu from the said drum are in the same
plane with the groove of the said drum. This arrangement is less
expensive than that in which two guide pulleys are used and occasions
less friction to the rope.
This Invention consists further in applying the pressing pulleys
hereiu-before referred to to the periphery or peripheries of the guide pulley
or pulleys instead of to the periphery of the driving drum. By this
means the formation of slack between the said drum and the said guide
pulley or pulleys is prevented. When a double groove guide pulley is
employed a pressing pulley is applied at each side of such pulley, but
when two guide pulleys are employed a single pressing pulley is applied
between them, and receives from one of the said guide pulleys motion,
which it transmits to the other.
This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after described
for regulating the velocity of the pulleys which guide the rope to and
from the driving drum. It has been found in practice that when the
two guide pulleys are not of exactly the same diameter, or if one of them

page_text: has become worn more than the other, one of the said pulleys brings
to the drum more rope than the other pulley can take off, and a slack is
thus formed in the said rope between the said drum and the second guide
pulley. It is therefore desirable that this pulley should have sufficient
motion to enable it to take up the rope as it is unwound from the drum.
One arrangement for this purpose is as follows:-The guide pulleys
are driven by means of endless bands or chains passing over pulleys
mounted on the nave of the driving drum, each of which pulleys
carries a pawl, which pawls take into notches made in the nave of the
drum, so that when the said drum revolves in one direction one of the
said pawls takes into one of its notches and causes the pulley which carries
the said pawl to revolve with the drum while the other pulley remains
unconnected to the nave; when however the driving drum is reversed
the pawl of the last-named pulley engages with one of its notches, and
the first pulley runs loose on the said nave. The said pulleys are
connected by means of the bands or chains aforesaid to friction pulleys
on the naves of the guide pulleys, each of which latter is furnished with
a clip or brake, which can be tightened as required to cause the said pulleys
to bite upon the naves of the guide pulleys, and to transmit to the said
guide pulleys more or less motion from the driving drum. The slight
strain produced by the winding off pulley on the rope as it leaves the
driving drum prevents the formation of slack between the said drum and
pulley.
Another arrangement for the same purpose consists in forming the
guide pulleys with friction cones, the taper of one cone being in an
opposite direction to that of the other cone, so that their acting surfaces
shall be parallel, and applying between the said cones a friction wheel
the opposite edges of which bear against the said cones, which wheel is so
mounted on its axis as to be capable of a sliding motion thereon, so that
by moving the said wheel along its axis one edge is caused to bear against
the larger part of one cone while the other edge bears against the
smaller part of the other cone.
The relative velocities of the said cones
can thus be adjusted by varying the position of the friction wheel on its
axis.
Another arrangement for the same purpose consists in making on the
periphery of each guide pulley friction grooves of different circumferences,
a groove of small circumference on one pulley being opposite a groove
of larger circumference on the other pulley. Friction wheels are mounted

page_text: between the guide pulleys, the axes of the said wheels being carried by
sliding blocks, so that any one of the said wheels can be caused to gear with
a friction groove on each guide pulley, and the velocity of the guide
pulleys can be regulated by bringing one or other of the said friction
wheels into gear.
groove
This Invention consists further in mounting each guide pulley on a
swinging arm capable of turning on a vertical axis so as to keep the
of the pulley in a line with the tangent of the driving drum where the rope
or chain passes on to or from the said drum, and to allow the said guide
pulleys to follow the direction of the said rope or chain. The driving
drum and the guide pulleys may be placed either in the boat or on the side
thereof, space left to allow the guide pulleys and the arms by which they
are carried to swing on either side so as to follow the direction of the rope
or chain.
This Invention cousists further of an improved arrangement of the small
leading and rear guide pulleys by which the rope is guided to and from
the larger pulleys, herein-beforo referred to as the guide pulleys. As
usually arranged the said leading and rear pulleys are mounted on fixed
axes, and consequently keep the rope always at the same elevation, so as
sometimes to occasion much friction.
According to this part of the Invention the leading and rear pulleys
aforesaid are suspended to the ends of levers turning on horizontal fulcra
affixed to the boat, so that the said pulleys can rise and fall to an extent
varying according to the angle at which they take up the rope, and thus
prevent much of the the friction referred to. Each of the aforesaid levers
has a counterbalance at the end opposite to that which carries the small
guide pulleys referred to.
This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after described for
steering the tug by means of the ropes which connect it to the first boat
which it is towing. The said apparatus consists of a pulley mounted on a
horizontal axis on the deck of the tug and turned in either direction by
means of suitable gearing. The ropes by means of which the first boat is
towed are passed around this pulley and fastened at their ends to opposite
sides of the said boat, so that as the said pulley is turned in one or other
direction one of the said ropes is shortened, and the tug is caused to assume
an inclined position, and move to that side at which the shortened rope is
situated.

page_text: This Invention consists further of self-acting apparatus for regularly
laying the tow rope or chain in the river or canal as the said rope or chain
is unwound from the drum. In propelling boats along a rope or chain it
is often difficult to keep the said rope or chain in its proper position in the
bed of the said river or canal, because as the boat passes round curves
the strain on the rope tends to draw it into a straight line. The object of
this part of the Invention is to remedy this defect. For this purpose the
tow rope after passing round the driving drum is passed around a pulley
mounted on a carriage travelling on rails on the deck of the tug, to which
carriage a weighted rope is attached, so that whenever the tension of
the tow rope is less than that of the weighted rope the latter draws
the pulley away from the drum, and thus takes on board that portion
of the said tow rope which would otherwise become slack. When the
tension of the tow rope is greater than that of the weighted rope the
latter allows the pulley to move towards the driving drum and pay
out the said tow. rope. Instead of mounting the pulley above referred
to on a carriage travelling on rails, the said pulley may be mounted
on a block sliding in, a horizontal guide on the deck or side of the
tug.
This Invention consists further of an improved friction clutch for
throwing the driving drums of tow boats into and out of gear. The
said clutch is constructed as follows:-Two friction cones are mounted
on the same shaft, one of them being capable of longitudinal motion
on the said shaft. In the nave of this cone is formed a slot or groove
in which works a collar formed in the interior of a ring, on the exterior
of which ring a male screw is formed. The said ring is connected
by a groove and feather arrangement to a clutch (which is mounted
between shoulders or flanges on the shaft) so as to be capable of a sliding
motion on the said clutch. This motion is given to the said ring when
required by means of a hand wheel, the nave of which has in its interior
a flange or shoulder and a female screw. The said flange engages in
a slot or groove in the clutch above referred to, and the said female
screw engages with the male screw on the ring above referred to, so
that by turning the aforesaid hand wheel in one or other direction the
friction cone connected to the said ring can be thrown into or out
of gear with the other cone. The clutch with which the hand wheel
above referred to engages is furnished with a brake, which is tightened

page_text: or loosened by means of a hand wheel and screw. When the friction
cones are in gear this brake is out of action and the screwed ring, hand
wheel, and clutch above described revolve with the shaft, but when
it is wished to disconnect the friction cones the said brake is put on
and arrests the motion of the said clutch.' The hand wheel is then
turned in the required direction, and causes the screwed ring to retire
into the nave of the said wheel and draw the cone connected to the said
ring away from the other cone.
open
This Invention consists further of the means or apparatus herein-after
described for counteracting the action of a side wind on the tug so-as
to prevent it from being driven sideways out of its course. For this
purpose two or more tubes or pipes are placed across the tug below.the
water line and pass through the sides of the said tug. These tubes, the
ends of which are provided with valves by which the said tubes can
be opened and closed as required, are connected by a longitudinal tube
to a pump or other suitable forcing apparatus by which strong jets or
currents of water can be forced through the said tubes and out at the
side of the tug in the direction in which the wind is causing the said
tug to drift, the water being drawn either from the opposite side of the
said tug or from a tank in the hold. The said tubes may be extended to
and open outwards at the stern of the tug so as to serve for propelling
it forward by forcing a current of water through the said tubes.
passing round sharp curves the above apparatus may be advantageously
used to keep the tug off the shore.
In
This Invention consists further of the improved arrangement herein-
after described to be used for propelling boats across wide rivers having
strong currents, the object of the said arrangement being to diminish the
strain on the rope or chain. For this purpose the propelling drum and
guide pulleys herein-before referred to are mounted (either vertically
or horizontally) at the bow of the boat instead of at the side, so that
as the said boat is propelled along a rope or chain stretched across the
river the bow of the said boat shall be turned up the stream and its
sides be parallel or nearly parallel to the said stream, instead of being
exposed to the full force thereof. A considerable amount of slack is
given to the rope, and the strain thereon is thereby further diminished.
When the boat is not in use it lies at one of two landing places formed
at the opposite banks of the river. When the drum is put in motion
the said boat is propelled across the river, as described.

page_text: This Invention consists further of the improved arrangement or con-
struction herein-after described of the leading pulleys over which the rope
passes on its way to and from the drum.
According to this part of the Invention each pulley is mounted on a
horizontal axis carried by the lower end of an arm, at the middle of which
an eye is formed by which the said arm is hung to a swivel hook
carried by a bracket affixed to the side of the tug. The upper end of
the said arm is weighted sufficiently to counterbalance or nearly
counterbalance the pulley and its frame in order to allow the pulley
freely to follow the direction of the rope. An arm is mounted on the
outer end of the axis carrying the pulley so as to be capable of being
turned on the said axis when required. A hook is formed at the upper
end of this arm, which hook fits on to a stud which projects from the
arm on the other side of the pulley, the said end being held in position
by a fid or pin passing through vertical holes in the outer end of the
said hook. The inner sides of the aforesaid arms are curved above the
pulley, so that when they are opposite to one another they form an
arched guide above the said pulley and prevent the rope from slipping
off. Crescent-shaped projections are formed on the aforesaid arms, the
ends of which projections lie in a little lower than the periphery of the
pulley, so that the rope cannot become entangled with the said ends, but
is guided to the pulley by the curve on the upper side of one or other
of the said projections. In order to put the rope on or to remove it
from the pulley the fid before referred to is withdrawn from the hook
on the outer arm, which then passes off the stud by which it was held in
position. The said arm thus released falls by gravity into its lowest
position on the axis of the pulley and gives access to the upper part of
the said pulley. The rope is then passed over the pulley, and the
outer arm is drawn up by a line, and secured in position as herein-before
described.
This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after
described for moving the guide pulleys herein-before described to or
from the drum.
According to one arrangement for this purpose the said guide pulleys
are mounted on axes carried by the lower arms of bell-crank levers
turning on fulcra on the side of the tug. The upper arms of these levers
have slots, in which work studs projecting from screw boxes which are
moved in either direction as required by means of a screw turned by a

page_text: handle, so that when it is required to cast off the rope the said pulleys
can be moved away from the drum by turning the screw in one direction,
and when it is required again to bring the said pulleys into action they
can be moved towards the drum by turning the said screw in the reverse
direction.
According to another arrangement the axes carrying the pulleys are
mounted in bearings, which are caused by means of screws passing through
them to slide to and fro between guides as required.
According to another arrangement the pulleys are mounted on axes
carried by the lower ends of bell-crank levers turning on fulcra on the side
of the tug, the upper ends of which levers carry pulleys by which the said
levers are worked.
This Invention consists, lastly, in mounting the horizontal double groove
guide pulley and the leading pulleys in connection therewith in the ways
herein-after described, in order to allow the said pulleys to be moved or to
move inboard when the tug approaches or comes in contact with the walls
of a lock, the side of another boat, or any other object likely to damage
projecting machinery.
According to this part of the Invention the guide pulley is mounted
on a vertical axis carried by a segmental platform which turns on
the vertical axis of the driving drum, the free end of the said platform
moving on a segmental slide. The leading pulleys are mounted on axes
carried by arms turning on the axis of the guide pulley, the said leading
pulleys and the outer part of the said guide pulley projecting when in
action over the side of the tug. When the side pulleys are in this
position the segmental platform is fixed to the segmental slide by a pin
or catch, which engages in a hole or notch in the said slide. When the
machinery overhanging the side of the tug is in danger of collision
this pin or catch is withdrawn, and the draught of the rope causes the
platform to turn inwards and bring the 'said machinery on to the deck of
the tug.
When it is required to restore the pulleys to their projecting
position; the engine is reversed for a moment, when the pull of the back
rope moves the segmental platform outwards to its former position, in
which it is again fixed by means of the pin or catch herein-before
referred to. The said catch may be made self-acting by forming it on
one end of a lever turning on a fulcrum on the segmental platform, the
other end of which lever projects over the side of the tug so as first to
receive the impact of any body with which the said tug may be..brought
B

page_text: into contact. Anything striking the said lever will release the said catch
from its notch in the segmental slide, whereupon the pull of the rope will
bring the pulleys inboard.
The above arrangement of the pulleys may be modified as follows:-
The said pulleys, mounted as herein-before described, are protected by a
guard rail made in the form of a bell-crank lever turning on a fulcrum
on the deck of the tug, one of the arms of which lever projects over the
side of the said tug and outside the said pulleys, the other arm being
loosely jointed to one end of a connecting rod, the other end of which
is jointed to the segmental platform on which the guide pulley is
mounted. The said platform is locked in position on the segmental slide
by a catch carried by a sliding bar the outer end of which is loosely
jointed to the outer end of the bell-crank lever, which said end is
also jointed to a shorter bar the inner end of which is jointed to the
side of the tug. The action of the apparatus is as follows:-When the
outer end of the bell-crank lever constituting the guard rail is pressed
upon it moves towards the side of the tug, first unlocking the segmental
platform, which is caused by the inner arm of the said lever and the con-
necting rod to which the said lever is jointed to turn on the axis of the
drum until the pulleys carried by the said platform are brought inboard.
When for any purpose it is required to bring the pulleys inboard the
sliding rod carrying the locking catch can be drawn inwards by hand so
as to unlock the segmental platform, and eause it to turn on the axis
of the drum.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Hunter Henry Murdoch in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 8th January 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HUNTER
HENRY MURDOCH, of No. 7, Staple Inn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, seud greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Ierself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Hunter Henry Murdoch, Her

page_text: special licence that I, the said Hunter Henry Murdoch, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Hunter Henry
Murdoch, 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING CANAL BOATS AND OTHER VESSELS,"
a communication to me from abroad by Baron Oscar de Mesnil, of Brussels,
in the Kingdom of Belgium, Gentleman, and Max Eyth, of Stuttgart,
Wurtemberg, Civil Engineer, upon the condition (am `ngst others) that
I, the said Hunter Henry Murdoch, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Hunter Henry Murdoch, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention consists of improvements on a former Invention
communicated to me by the said Baron Oscar de Mesnil and Max Eyth,
for which I obtained Letters l'atent, dated 18 December 1867, No. 3604.
That Invention related to a mode of towing or propelling canal boats
and other vessels along a rope or chain laid in the bed of a river or
canal, and passing over a revolving drum or pulley in the boat or
vessel. The revolving drum above referred to was driven by a steam
engine.
Now the present Invention consists, firstly, in the apparatus hereinafter
described to be used for driving the said drum by manual labour instead
of by steam power in cases where but little power is required. The said
apparatus is constructed as follows The rope or chain passes around a
vertical clip drum or pulley mounted on an axis on the side of the boat.
The said pulley is driven by means of a toothed pinion which is mounted
on a shaft turned by a hand wheel and gears into teeth formed on the
inside of the said drum.

page_text: This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after described
for driving the aforesaid clip pulley by horse power or other like animal
power. The said apparatus is constructed as follows:-An endless
travelling platform is mounted on rollers so that as the horse presses
with its feet against the said platform it causes the said rollers to revolve.
On the axis of one of the said rollers is affixed a bevil pinion, which
gears into one or other of two bevil toothed wheels affixed to a shaft
carrying a toothed pinion which gears into the teeth on the inside of the
clip drum.
This Invention consists further of an improved arrangement of
clip drum or pulley. In drums of this description the rope is held
between the opposed surfaces of a series of clips so hinged or pivotted
around the periphery of the drum as to form a "V" shaped guideway
or groove for the said rope. It sometimes happens that the upper clips
close by their own weight when the rope is removed from the said clips.
It then becomes difficult to pass the said rope again on to the said
upper clips. In order to remedy this defect a spring or springs is or are
arranged between the heels or free ends of the said clips and the
periphery of the drum. The springs may be either flat or spira
metallic springs, or an annular india-rubber spring passing round the
drum may be used. In this case a series of undulations or corrugations
is formed around the said drum, the concave portions of the said corru-
gations being situated under the heels of the clips. The spring is thus
allowed yield when the clips are pressed upon by the rope. Instead
of the last-described arrangement an annular groove may be formed
around the periphery of the drum, and a strip of india-rubber may be
passed around it, the edges of the said strip being turned into the said
groove. Other forms of springs may be used to keep the aforesaid clips
apart.
This Invention consists further of improvements in apparatus for
imparting the required pressure to the pressing pulleys by which the
rope is held in contact with the drum. Hitherto such pressure has been
obtained by the use of springs, the pressuro of which was regulated by
the driver, who sometimes applied greater pressure than was required
and thus occasioned unnecessary friction.
Now in order to prevent.
this the pressing pulleys are mounted on axes carried by bent levers,
which turn at their lower ends on fulcra fixed in the side of the boat.
The upper ends of the said levers carry adjustable weights which give

page_text: the required pressure to the pressing pulleys.
Handles are formed on
the said upper ends of the levers, by means of which handles the pressing
pulleys can be moved away from the drum when necessary.
This Invention consists further in substituting for the two guide
pulleys ordinarily used for the purpose of guiding the rope or chain to
and from the driving drum a single pulley having around its periphery
two grooves by which the said rope or chain is guided to and from the
said drum. This double groove guide pulley is mounted on a slightly
inclined axis, so that that part of the inlet groove from which the rope
or chain passes to the drum and that part of the outlet groove which
first receives the said rope or chain from the said drum are in the same
plane with the groove of the said drum. This arrangement is less
expensive than that in which two guide pulleys are used, and occasions
less friction to the rope.
This Invention consists further in applying the pressing pulleys herein-
before referred to to the periphery or peripheries of the guide pulley
or pulleys instead of to the periphery of the driving drum.
By this
means the formation of slack between the said drum and the said
guide pulley or pulleys is prevented. When a double groove guide
pulley is, employed a pressing pulley is applied at each side of such
pulley, but when two guide pulleys are employed a single pressing pulley
is applied between them, and receives from one of the said guide pulleys
motion, which it transmits to the other.
This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after described
for regulating the velocity of the pulleys which guide the rope to and
from the driving drum. It has been found in practice that when the
two guide pulleys are not of exactly the same diameter, or if one of them
has become worn more than the other, one of the said pulleys brings
to the drum more rope than the other pulley can take off, and a slack
is thus formed in the said rope between the said drum and the second
guide pulley. It is therefore desirable to give to this pulley sufficient
motion to enable it to take up the rope as it is unwound from the drum.
One arrangement for this purpose is as follows:-The guide pulleys are
driven by means of endless bands or chains passing over pulleys mounted
on the nave of the driving drum, each of which pulleys carries a pawl,
which pawls take into notches made in the nave of the drum, so that
when the said drum revolves in one direction one of the said pawls takes

page_text: the nave.
into one of its notches and causes the pulley which carries the said pawl
to revolve with the drum, while the other pulley remains unconnected to
When however the driving drum is reversed the pawl of the
last-named pulley engages with one of its notches, and the first pulley
runs loose on the said nave. The said pulleys are connected by means
of the bands or chains aforesaid to friction pulleys on the naves of the
guide pulleys, each of which latter is furnished with a clip or brake, which
can be tightened as required to cause the said pulleys to bite upon the
naves of the guide pulleys and to transmit to the said pulleys more or
less motion from the driving drum. The slight strain produced by the
winding off pulley on the rope as it leaves the driving drum prevents
the formation of slack between the said drum and pulley.
Another arrangement for the same purpose consists in forming the
guide pulleys with friction cones, the taper of one cone being in an
opposite direction to that of the other cone, so that their acting surfaces
shall be parallel, and applying between the said cones a friction wheel
the opposite edges of which bear against the said cones, which wheel
is so mounted on its axis as to be capable of a sliding motion thereon,
so that by moving the said wheel along its axis one edge is caused to
bear against the larger part of one cone while the other edge bears
against the smaller part of the other cone. The relative velocities of
the said cones can thus be adjusted by varying the position of the friction
wheel ou its axis.
Another arrangement for the same purpose consists in making on
the periphery of each guide pulley friction grooves of different circum-
ference, a groove of small circumference on one pulley being opposite
a groove of larger circumference on the other pulley. Friction wheels
are mounted between the guide pulleys, the axes of the said wheels
being carried by sliding blocks, so that any one of the said wheels can
be caused to gear with a friction groove on each guide pulley, and the
velocity of the guide pulleys can be regulated by bringing one or other
of the said friction wheels into gear.
This Invention consists further in mounting each guide pulley on a
swinging arm capable of turning on a vertical axis so as to keep the
groove of the pulley in a line with the tangent of the driving drum
where the rope or chain passes onto or from the said drum, and to allow
the said guide pulleys to follow the direction of the said rope or chain.

page_text: The driving drum and the guide pulleys may be placed either in the boat
or on the side thereof, space being left to allow the guide pulleys and the
arms by which they are carried to swing on either side so as to follow the
direction of the rope or chain.
This Invention consists further of an improved arrangement of the small
leading and rear guide pulleys by which the rope is guided to and from
the larger pulleys herein-before referred to as the guide pulleys. As usually
arranged the said leading and rear pulleys, are mounted on fixed axes, and
consequently keep the rope always at the same elevation so as sometimes
to occasion much friction.
According to this part of the Invention the leading and rear pulleys
aforesaid are suspended to the ends of levers turning on horizontal fulcra
affixed to the boat, so that the said pulleys can rise and fall to an extent
varying according the angle at which they take up the. rope, and thus
prevent much of the friction referred to. Each of the aforesaid levers has
a counterbalance at the end opposite to that which carries the small guide
pulleys referred to.
This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after described
for steering the tug by means of the ropes which connect it to the first
boat which it is towing. The said apparatus consists of a pulley mounted
on a horizontal axis on the deck of the tug, and turned in either direction
by means of suitable gearing. The ropes by means of which the first boat
is towed are passed around this pulley, and fastened at their ends to
opposite sides of the said boat, so that as the said pulley is turned in one
or other direction one of the said ropes is shortened, and the tug is caused
to assume an inclined position and move to that side at which the shortened
rope is situated.
This Invention consists further of self-acting apparatus for regularly
laying the tow rope or chain in the river or canal as the said rope or
chain is unwound from the drum. In propelling boats along a rope or
chain it is often difficult to keep the said rope or chain in its proper
position in the bed of the said river or canal, because as the boat passes
round curves the strain on the rope tends to draw it into a straight
line. The object of this part of the Invention is to remedy this defect.
For this purpose the tow rope after passing round the driving drum
is passed around a pulley mounted on a carriage travelling on rails on
the deck of the tug, to which carriage a weighted rope is attached, so

page_text: that whenever the tension of the tow rope is less than that of the weighted
rope the latter draws the pulley away from the drum, and thus takes on
board that portion of the said tow rope which would otherwise become
slack. When the tension of the tow rope is greater than that of the
weighted rope, the latter allows the pulley to move towards the driving
drum and pay out the said tow rope. Instead of mounting the pulley
above referred to on a carriage travelling on rails, the said pulley may
be mounted on a block sliding in a horizontal guide on the deck or side of
the tug.
This Invention consists further of an improved friction clutch for
throwing the driving drums of tow boats into and out of gear. The
said clutch is constructed as follows :-Two friction cones are mounted
on the same shaft, one of them being capable of longitudinal motion
on the said shaft. In the nave of this cone is formed a slot or groove
in which works a collar formed in the interior of a ring, on the exterior
of which ring a male screw is formed. The said ring is connected by a
groove and feather arrangement to a clutch (which is mounted between
shoulders or flanges on the shaft) so as to be capable of a sliding motion on
the said clutch. This motion is given to the said ring when required by
means of a hand wheel, the nave of which has in its interior a flange or
shoulder and a female screw. The said flange engages in a slot or groove
in the clutch above referred to, and the said female screw engages with
the male screw on the ring above referred to, so that by turning the
aforesaid hand wheel in one or other direction the friction
nected to the said ring can be thrown into or out of gear with the other
The clutch with which the hand wheel above referred to engages
is furnished with a brake, which is tightened or loosened by means of a
hand wheel and screw. When the friction cones are in gear this brake
is out of action, and the screwed ring, hand wheel, and clutch above
described revolve with the shaft, but when it is wished to disconnect
the friction cones the said brake is put on and arrests the motion of
the said clutch. The hand wheel is then turned in the required direction,
and causes the screwed ring to retire into the nave of the said
wheel and draw the cone connected to the said ring away from the
other cone.
cone.
cone con-
This Invention consists further of the means or apparatus herein-after
described for counteracting the action of a side wind on the tug so as to
prevent it from being driven sideways out of its course.
For this

page_text: purpose two or more tubes or pipes are placed across the tug below the
water line, and pass through the sides of the said tug. These tubes, the
open ends of which are provided with valves by which the said tubes
can be opened and closed as required, are connected by a longitudinal tube
to a pump or other suitable forcing apparatus by which strong jets or
currents of water can be forced through the said tubes and out at the side
of the tug in the direction in which the wind is causing the said tug to
drift, the water being drawn either from the opposite side of the said tug
or from a tank in the hold. The said tubes may be extended to and open
outwards at the stern of the tug, so as to serve for propelling it forward
by forcing a current of water through the said tubes. In passing round
sharp curves the above apparatus may be advantageously used to keep the
tug off the shore.
This Invention consists further of the improved arrangement herein-
after described to be used for propelling boats across wide rivers having
strong currents, the object of the said arrangement being to diminish
the strain on the rope or chain. For this purpose the propelling drum
and guide pulleys herein-before referred to are mounted (either vertically
or horizontally) at the bow of the boat instead of at the side, so that as
the said boat is propelled along a rope or chain stretched across the river
the bow of the said boat shall be turned up the stream and its sides be
parallel or nearly parallel to the said stream instead of being exposed to
the full force thereof. A considerable amount of slack is given to tho
rope, and the strain thereon is thereby further diminished. When the
boat is not in use it lies at one of two landing places formed at the opposite
banks of the river. When the drum is put in motion the said boat is
propelled across the river, as described.
This Invention consists further of the improved arrangement or con-
struction herein-after described of the leading pulleys over which the rope
passes on its way to and from the drum.
According to this part of the Invention each pulley is mounted on a
horizontal axis carried by the lower end of an arm, at the middle of
which an eye is formed by which the said arm is hung to a swivel hook
carried by a bracket affixed to the side of the tug. The upper end of
the said arm is weighted sufficiently to counterbalance or nearly
counterbalance the pulley and its frame in order to allow the pulley
freely to follow the direction of the rope. An arm is mounted on the
outer end of the axis carrying the pulley so as to be capable of being

page_text: turned on the said axis when required. A hook is formed at the upper end
of this arm, which hook fits on to a stud which projects from the arm
on the other side of the pulley, the said end being held in position by a
fid or pin passing through vertical holes in the outer end of the said
hook. The inner sides of the aforesaid arms are curved above the
pulley, so that when they are opposite to one another they form an
arched guide above the said pulley and prevent the rope from slipping
off. Crescent-shaped projections are formed on the aforesaid arms, the
ends of which projections lie a little lower than the periphery of the
pulley, so that the rope cannot become entangled with the said ends, but
is guided to the pulley by the curve on the upper side of one or other
of the said projections. In order to put the rope on or to remove it
from the pulley the fid before referred to is withdrawn from the hook
on the outer arm, which then passes off the stud by which it was held
in position. The said arm thus released falls by gravity into its lowest
position on the axis of the pulley and gives access to the upper part of
the said pulley. The rope is then passed over the pulley and the outer
arm is drawn up by a line and secured in position, as herein-before
described.
This Invention consists further of the apparatus herein-after described
for moving the guide pulleys herein-before described to or from the
drum.
According to one arrangement for this purpose the said guide pulleys
are mounted on axes carried by the lower arms of bell-crank levers
turning on fulcra on the side of the tug. The upper arms of these
levers have slots, in which work studs projecting from screw boxes which
are moved in either direction as required by means of a screw turned by
a handle, so that when it is required to cast off the rope the said pulleys
can be moved away from the drum by turning the screw in one direction,
and when it is required again to bring the said pulleys into action they
can be moved towards the drum by turning the said screw in the reverse
direction.
According to another arrangement the axes carrying the pulleys are
mounted in bearings, which are caused by means of screws passing through
them to slide to and fro between guides as required.
According to another arrangement the pulleys are mounted on axes
carried by the lower ends of bell-crank levers turning on fulcra on the

page_text: side of the tug, the upper ends of which levers carry punteys by which the
said levers are worked.
This Invention consists, lastly, in mounting the horizontal double groove
guide pulley and the leading pulleys in connection therewith in the ways
herein-after described in order to allow the said pulleys to be moved or to
move inboard when the tug approaches or comes in contact with the walls
of a lock, the side of another boat, or any other object likely to damage
projecting machinery.
According to this part of the Invention the guide pulley is mounted
on a vertical axis carried by a segmental platform, which turns on the
vertical axis of the driving drum, the free end of the said platform
moving on a segmental slide. The leading pulleys are mounted on axes
carried by arms turning on the axis of the guide pulley, the said leading
pulleys and the outer part of the said guide pulley projecting when in
action over the side of the tug. When the pulleys are in this position
the segmental platform is fixed to the segmental slide by a pin or catch,
which engages in a hole or notch in the said slide. When the machinery
overhanging the side of the tug is in danger of collision, this piu or
catch is withdrawn and the draught of the rope causes the platform to
turn inwards and bring the said machinery onto the deck of the tug.
When it is required to restore the pulleys to their projecting position the
engine is reversed for a moment, when the pull of the back rope moves
the segmental platform outward to its former position, in which it is
again fixed by means of the pin or catch herein-before referred to. The
said catch may be made self-acting by forming it on one end of a lever
turning on a fulcrum on the segmental platform, the other end of which
lever projects over the side of the tug so as first to receive the impact of
any body with which the said tug may be brought into contact. Anything
striking the said lever will release the said catch from its notch in the
segmental slide, whereupon the pull of the rope will bring the pulleys
inboard.
The above arrangement of the pulleys may be modified as follows:-
The said pulleys mounted as herein-before described are protected by a
guard rail made in the form of a bell-crank lever turning on a fulcrum
on the deck of the tug, one of the arms of which lever projects over
the side of the said tug and outside the said pulleys, the other arm being
loosely jointed to one end of a connecting rod the other end of which is
jointed to the segmental platform on which the guide pulley is mounted.

page_text: The said platform is locked in position on the segmental slide
a catch
carried by a sliding bar, the outer end of which is loosely jointed to the
outer end of the bell-crank lever, which said end is also jointed to a shorter
bar, the inner end of which is jointed to the side of the tug.
.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-When the outer end of the
bell-crank lever constituting the guard rail is pressed upon it moves
towards the side of the tug, first unlocking the segmental platform,
which is caused by the inner arm of the said lever and the connecting
rod to which the said lever is jointed to turn on the axis of the drum
until the pulleys carried by the said platform are brought inboard.
When for any purpose it is required to bring the pulleys inboard the
sliding rod carrying the locking catch can be drawn inwards by hand so
as to unlock the segmental platform and cause it to turn on the axis of the
drum.
Having now described the nature of this Invention I will proceed to
describe the manner in which the same is to be performed, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon.
Figure 1 represents a cross section of a portion of a boat to which
is applied apparatus constructed according to the first part of this
Invention; and Figure 1 is a front view of the said apparatus.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in both Figures.
A is a portion of the side of a tug boat; a is a vertical pulley or clip
drum mounted on an axis a¹ on the side of the boat.
The rope or
chain B passes round the said clip drum or pulley a, which is driven by
means of a toothed pinion e (indicated in dotted lines) mounted on a
shaft d turned by a hand wheel ', and gears into teeth formed on the
inside of the said drum; b is the guide pulley for the rope or chain; the
said guide pulley receives rotary motion from the driving axis d by means
of a band or cord 6' (indicated in dotted lines). By turning the hand
wheel d' the clip drum a is made to pull upon the rope or chain B and
draw the boat along.
Figure 2 represents a cross section, and Figure 24 a plan of an
apparatus constructed according to this Invention for driving the
aforesaid clip drum by horse power or other like animal power. A is a
portion of the boat, and a is the clip drum. An endless travelling
platform fis mounted on rollers g, g¹, so that as the horse presses with
its feet against the said platform it causes the said rollers to revolve. On

page_text: the axis of the roller g¹ is affixed a bevil pinion h which gears into one or
other of two bevil toothed wheels j, j, affixed on a shaft carrying a toothed
pinion which gears into teeth on the inside of the clip drum.
Figures 3 and 3* represent a cross section and side view (partly in
section) of part of a clip drum showing an improved mode of con-
struction according to this Invention for preventing the upper clips of a
vertical clip drum from closing by their own weight when the rope is
removed from the said clips. a, a, are the clips, capable of motion ou
their axes a', a¹ b are flat metallic springs placed between the heels of
the clips and the periphery of the drum. The said springs yield to the
motion of the clips, but keep them open when the rope is removed. In
Figure 3 the flat springs are replaced by spiral springs b for the same
purpose, which said springs work in suitable recesses formed in the clip
drum. Figures 3 and 3° show sections of part of a clip drum in which
an annular india-rubber ring b is placed (in lieu of the metal springs
lierein-before referred to) in a cavity formed to receive it under the clips.
In this case a series of undulations c, c, is formed around the drum to
allow of the said ring yielding under the pressure of the heels of the
clips. Figures 3 and 3′ show sectional views of a portion of a clip
drum in which an annular groove c is formed around the periphery of
the drum, and a strip of india-rubber b is passed round it, the edges of
the said strip being turned into the groove c, as represented. Other
forms of springs may be used to effect the raising of the heels of the
clips aforesaid.
a
Figures 4 and 4 represent in elevation and plan the apparatus
herein-before described for imparting the required pressure to the
pressing pulleys by which the rope is held in contact with the drum.
is the clip drun, and 6 is the rope passing over it; c, c," are the pressing
pulleys, which are mounted on axes carried by the bent levers d, d,
which turn at their lower ends on fulcra e, e, fixed in the side of the
boat. The upper ends of the levers d carry adjustable weights f, ƒ,
which give the required pressure to the pressing pulleys. The said
levers d are provided with handles d', d¹, by means of which the pressing
pulleys c can be moved away from the drum when necessary.
Figure 5 is a section of the double groove guide pulley herein-before
referred to; Figure 5* represents the said pulley applied to the driving
drum by means of which the vessel is propelled. The same letters of
reference indicate the same parts in both Figures. a is the driving

page_text: drum, and is the guide pulley, in which are formed grooves c, c¹.
The said pulley is mounted on a slightly inclined axis d, so that the
part of the groove c is in a line with the part y of the groove c¹, and
the said parts x and y where the rope passes respectively on to and
from the guide pulley are in a line with the parts x and y of the
drum a.
Figure 6 represents in side elevation the application of pressing pulleys
as herein-before described to the guide pulley by which the rope is guided
to and from the driving drum. In this Figure a is the driving drum, 6 is
the guide pulley, and c, c, are the pressing pulleys, which are carried by
levers d, d.
Figure 6 represents in side elevation a single pressing pulley applied
as herein-before described between two pulleys. In this Figure a is the
driving drum; b, b, are the guide pulleys; c is the pressing pulley, which
is mounted on a spring d fixed on a bracket (not shown), which spring
presses the said pulley against the rope passing over the guide pulleys.
The said pulley and spring are shown separately in plan in Figure 6".
Figure 7 represents in side elevation the apparatus herein-before
described for regulating the speed of the guide pulleys and the consequent
tension of the rope between such pulleys and the driving drum.
Figure 7 represents in horizontal section the naves of the driving drum
and its guide pulleys and the pulleys with which such naves are furnished,
as herein- fter described. The same letters of reference indicate the
same parts in both Figures. a is the driving drum, on the nave a¹ of
which are two loose pulleys c, c', which are provided with pawls d, d',
which take into notches made in the nave a¹, so that when the driving
drum a revolves in one direction the pawl d takes into one of its notches
and causes the pulley c to revolve with the drum a; whilst the pulley c¹
remains loose on the nave, not being connected thereto by the pawl d',
and when the drum a revolves in the contrary direction the pawl d¹
takes into one of its notches and causes the pulley c¹ to turn whilst the
pulley c remains loose on the nave a¹. The pulleys c, c¹, are connected
by means of driving bands or chains e, e¹, to pulleys f, f', on the
naves of the guide pulleys 6, 6¹. The said pulleys f, f, are respectively
provided with brakes g, g', which may be tightened as required to
cause the said pulleys to adhere more or less to the naves of the guide
pulleys, and to impart to the said pulleys more or less motion from the
driving drum a. The slight strain produced by the pulley on the rope

page_text: as it leaves the driving drum prevents the formation of slack between
the said drum and pulley.
Figure 7 is a sectional plan of another arrangement of apparatus
for regulating the relative speeds of the guide pulleys. In this Figure b, b',
are the guide pulleys, on which are formed friction cones c, c¹; d is a
friction wheel which is mounted on an axis d', the base e of which
is capable of motion in the slide f so as to allow of the adjustment of
the said axis. The wheel d can be slidden on the axis di as required
by means of a forked lever (not shown), or the said wheel may be
keyed in any requisite position. One side of the said wheel bears
against the cone c, and the other side of the said wheel bears against
the cone c. It will be seen from the Drawing that the wheel is in
contact with the smaller circumference of the cone c and with the
larger circumference of the cone c', so that the velocities of the
pulleys b, b, are different, that of the pulley b being greater than that of
the pulley b. If the wheel d be caused to advance on its axis the relative
velocities of the pulleys will vary according to the position of the said
wheel.
Figure 7 represents a sectional plan of another arrangement of
apparatus for regulating the relative speeds of the guide pulleys. In
this Figure b, b, are the guide pulleys, and d, d', are two friction wheels
mounted on axes of the kind represented at e, Figure 7B. In the periphery
of each of the pulleys b, b', are grooves c, c¹, of different circumferences.
The groove c of the pulley is opposite the groove c' of the pulley b¹.
The friction wheel d consequently bears against a surface of larger
diameter on one pulley than on the other, and according as one or other
of the friction wheels d, d, is made to engage with the pulleys their relative
velocities vary.
Figure 8 represents in side elevation, and Figure 84 in plan the appli-
cation to the driving drum of guide pulleys mounted on swinging arms
as herein-before described; Figure 8B represents in plan the said pulleys
as applied to the driving drum when it is mounted in the interior of the
boat. In these Figures a is the driving drum, and b, b, are guide pulleys,
which are carried by arms c, c, which are mounted ou axes d, d, so as
to be capable of turning thereon as required. The sides b, b', of the guide
pulleys are thus constantly kept in line with the parts a', a¹, of the driving
drum, and the rope is effectually guided to and from the said drum, what
ever may be the inclination of the bodies of the pulleys. The driving

page_text: drum and the guide pulleys may be placed either on the side of the boat,
as shewn at Figures 8 and 84, or in the interior of the said boat, as shown
at Figure 8. In either case a space 7 must be left to allow the guide
pulleys b, b, and arms c, c, to swing on either side so as to follow the
direction of the rope.
Figure 9 represents in side elevation, and Figure 9 in plan the
improved arrangement herein-before referred to of the small leading and
rear guide pulleys by which the rope is guided to and from the larger
pulleys herein-before referred to as the guide pulleys. In these Figures a
is the driving drum, and b, b, are the guide pulleys; d, d, are the leading
and rear guide pulleys, and c is the rope or chain which passes over them.
The pulleys d, d, are mounted on levers e, e, which turn on axes f, f.
The other ends of the said levers carry weights g, g. Upon the said levers
are formed projections which engage in slots h, h, in order to guide the
said levers as they move up and down. It will be seen that this mode of
suspending the guide pulleys d, d, allows them to follow the direction of
the rope and to rise and fall with it.
Figures 10 and 10ª represent in side elevation and plan respectively
the arrangement of apparatus herein-before described for steering the
boat by means of the ropes which connect it to the first boat which it
is towing. In these Figures A is the tug, and is the first boat towed,.
which latter is connected to the said tug by means of ropes or chains
c, c¹, which pass round the pulley D, which said pulley may be turned
in either direction by means of gearing E. If it be turned in one
direction the chain or rope c will become shorter than the chain or
rope c, and the tug will assume an inclined position and will move
to the side where the chain or rope is shortest. If the pulley D be
turned in the reverse direction the tug will move to the opposite side.
Instead of using one large pulley, as shewn, two smaller pulleys
may be used.
In this case the said pulleys are mounted one at each
side of the tug, each of them being connected to one of the ropes or
chains.
Figures 11 and 11 represent in side elevation and plan respectively
a tug furnished with the self-acting apparatus herein-before described
for regularly laying the tow rope or chain in the river or canal as the
said rope or chain is unwound from the drum.
In these Figures a, a,
are rails, upon which travels a carriage b; c is a pulley mounted upon
the said carriage, which is drawn in the direction indicated by the arrow

page_text: by means of a rope or chain 61, which passes over the barrel and
pulley h¹ and to which is attached a weight d; e, e, is the tow rope or
chain which passes round the pulley f and the moveable pulley c and
over the small pulleys g¹, 92. When the re is too much slack in the
river the weight d draws the carriage towards it and takes up such
slack. When the tension of the tow rope is greater than that of the
weighted rope the latter allows the pulley to move back and pay out the
said tow rope.
Figures 12 and 124 represent in side elevation and plan respectively
a modification of the last-described arrangement. In these Figures c is
the moveable pulley, which is here mounted on a sliding block b which
slides in a guide a in the side of the tug. One end of the rope or chain b¹
is attached to the said slide. The other end of the said rope or chain
is attached to the weight d. The tow rope or chain e passes round the
pulley and over the moveable pulley c. The action of this apparatus
is similar to that of the apparatus herein-before described with reference
to Figures 11 and 114.
Figures 18, and 13 represent in side elevation and plan respectively
a similar arrangement applicable to chain towing. In these Figures c is
the moveable pulley, which is mounted on a sliding block 6 which slides
between guides a, a; d is the weight, and e is the towing chain. The
action of this apparatus is similar to that of the apparatus herein-before
described with reference to Figures 11, 11, 12, and 12^.
Figure 14 represents in longitudinal vertical section, and Figure 14^ in
transverse vertical section the improved friction clutch herein-before
referred to. In these Figures a, a, are the friction cones.
The cone a
is capable of longitudinal motion on the shaft A. In the nave of this
cone is formed an annular groove a², in which works a collar t¹ formed
in the interior of the ring b, on the exterior of which ring a male screw
is formed. This ring is connected by the groove and feather arrangement
e, e, to the clutch c (which is mounted between the shoulders or
flanges D, d, on the shaft A) so as to be capable of a sliding motion on
the said clutch. This motion is given to the said ring when required
by means of the hand wheel f2, the nave of which has in its interior the
flange or shoulder f¹ and the female screw f. The said flange engages
in an annular groove c¹ formed in the clutch c, and the screwfengages
D

page_text: with the screw b, so that by turning the wheel 2 in one or other direction
the friction cone a can be thrown into or out of gear with the friction
cone a¹. g is a brake which passes around the flange c² of the clutch c,
and is affixed to a fixed independent bracket or support (not shown),
and is tightened or loosened by means of a screw and hand wheel g¹.
When the wheel 2 is turned in one direction the ring b will move the
friction cone a longitudinally on the shaft A, and thus throw the said
cone into gear with the cone a', as represented. The brake g is in this
case loose on the collar c², and the parts b, c, f, revolve with the friction
cone a. When it is wished to throw the said cone out of gear the brake
g is put on by means of the hand wheel and screw g¹, and arrests the
rotary motion of the clutch c of the ring band of the ring f, but the
cone a continues to revolve. The hand wheel f is then turned in the
required direction, and causes the ring b to retire into the ring f and at
the same time to draw the cone a away from the cone a¹.
Figure 15 represents in side elevation, and Figure 15 in plan a tug
furnished with the apparatus herein-before described for counteracting
the action of a side wind on the said tug so as to prevent it from being
driven sideways out of its course. In these Figures, A is the tug, a is
the driving drum, and b, b, are the guide pulleys; c, c, are transverse
tubes the ends of which pass through the sides of the tug below the water
line. The said tubes are connected with one another and with a cen-
trifugal or other pump or forcing apparatus e by the pipe d. f,f‚ t‚ ƒ‚ ƒ³‚
are valves which are opened or closed as required; g, g, are branch
pipes which pass through the stern on each side of the rudder. When
it is wished to cause the tug to move sideways the valves of the pipes c, c,
are opened on that side of the boat from which it is to be propelled (the
valves on the other side being closed), and water is forced through the
said pipes and a lateral motion is thereby given to the tug. The above
apparatus is useful for moving the tug sideways, whether it is so moved
for the purpose of resisting the action of a side wind or of keeping the
said tug off the bank in passing round curves, or of moving the said tug
from one side of the canal to the other.
Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the improved arrangement herein-
before described for towing boats across rivers having strong currents.
A is the tug, a is the driving drum, and b, b, are the guide pulleys, which
said drum and pulleys are mounted in the bow of the said tug; c is the

page_text: rope, the ends c, cl, of which are secured to the banks d, d, of the river;
ff, are landing places or recesses formed in the said banks, in which said
recesses the tug is sheltered from the current, the direction of which is
indicated by the arrow e. As the tug is propelled across the river in the
direction indicated by the arrow g the said tug assumes the inclined position
represented, and the rope is subjected to much less strain than it would be
if the said tug were propelled with its sides at a right angle to the current.
In this arrangement a good deal of slack is given to the rope, and the
strain thereon is thereby diminished.
Figure 17 and 18 are diagrams illustrating the comparative strain
upon a tight and upon a slack rope respectively. The lines a, a, and b, b,
indicate the said strain.
Figure 19 is an end elevation, partly in section, and Figure 20 is a
side elevation of the improved leading pulley herein-before described,
and of the bracket from which the said pulley is suspended; Figure 21
is a side elevation illustrating the mode of fastening the outer arm
of the said pulley, as herein-after explained. In these Figures, A
is the side of the tug, to which is fixed the bracket a which carries
a swivel hook b, on which is hung the arm c by the loop e', which
said arm carries the axis on which the pulley d turns. The upper end f
of the arm c carries a weight g to counterbalance or nearly counterbalance
the pulley and its arms or frame. e is an arm which is mounted on the
outer end of the axis l. On the upper end of this arm a hook e2 is
formed, which hook fits into a stud h which projects from the arm c, the
said hook being kept in position by the fid or pin i, to which is attached a
cord or chain . The inner sides of the arms c, c, are curved above the
pulley, as shown, so that when they are opposite to one another they form
an arched guide above the said pulley and prevent the rope from slipping
off. k, k, are crescent-shaped projections formed on the said arms, the
ends of which projections lie a little lower than the periphery of the
pulley, so that the rope cannot become entangled with the said ends, but
is guided to the pulley by the curve on the upper side of one or other of
the said projections. In order to put the rope onto or to remove it from
the pulley d the fid i is withdrawn by means of the cord from the hook e¹.
The outer arm being thus released falls by gravity into its lowest position
on the axis of the pulley and gives access to the upper part of the said
pulley. The rope is then passed over the pulley, and the arm e is drawn

page_text: up by means of a cord or line and secured in position, as herein-before
described.
Figures 22 and 23 represent in side elevation the driving drum and
guide pulleys and the apparatus herein-before described for moving the
said guide pulleys to or from the said drum.
box k which
In Figure 22 a is the driving drum, and b, 6', are the guide pulleys.
The pulley b is mounted on an axis c4 carried by the arm c of the bell-
crank lever C which turns on the fulcrum c3. At the upper end of the
arm is a fork c², in which are formed slots in which work studs d¹
which project from the screw box d, which is moved in either direction
by means of a screw e turned by means of the handle e¹. The axis 62
of the guide pulley 6' is formed on or affixed to a screw
slides between guides f, f, and receive motion from a screw worked by
means of a handle m. When it is required to cast off the rope the
handles e', m, are turned in a direction proper to move the pulleys b, b¹,
away from the driving drum a, as indicated by the dotted circle. When
it is required to bring the said pulleys again into action they can be
moved towards the drum a by turning the handles e¹, m, in the reverse
direction.
Figure 23
In this
represents in side elevation another arrangement of
apparatus for moving the guide pulleys to and from the drum.
Figure a is the driving drum, and b, b, are the guide pulleys, the axes b¹
of which are carried by the ends h¹, h, of bell-crank levers H, H,
turning on fulcra h³, h³. The ends h³, h², of the said levers carry
pulleys i, i, over which passes a rope k, by means of which the said
pulleys i, i, can be made to approach or allowed to recede from each other as
may be required in order to move the pulleys b, b, from or to the drum
respectively.
Figures 24, 25, 26, and 26 represent the arrangements berein-before
described for so mounting the horizontal double groove guide pulley and
the leading pulleys in connection therewith as to allow the said pulleys
to be moved or to move inboard when the tug approaches or comes in
contact with any object likely to damage projecting machinery.
Figure 24 is a plan, and Figure 25 is a side elevation partly in section
of one arrangement of apparatus for this purpose. In these Figures
A is the guide pulley, which is mounted on a vertical axis carried by a

page_text: segmental platform B, which turns on the vertical axis e of the driving
drum a, the free end of the said platform moving on a segmental slide D.
The leading pulleys d, d, are mounted on axes carried by arms d¹, d¹,
on the axis of the guide pulley. When in action the said leading
pulleys and part of the guide pulley project over the side of the tug, as
represented, and when they are in this position the platform B is fixed
to the segmental slide D by a pin or catch which engages in a hole or
notch in the said slide. When the machinery overhanging the side of
the tug is in danger of collision the said pin or catch is withdrawn, and
the draught of the rope causes the platform B to turn inwards, and bring
the said machinery on to the deck of the tug. When it is required to
restore the pulleys to their projecting position the engine is reversed for a
moment, when the pull of the back rope moves the platform B outwards
to its former position, in which it is again fixed by means of the pin or
catch herein-before referred to. The said catch may be made self-acting,
as shown in Figure 24, where f is the said catch, which is formed on one
end of a lever M which turns on a fulcrum g on the platform B. The
other end of the said lever projects over the side of the tug so as first to
receive the impact of any body with which the said tug may be brought
into contact. Anything striking the lever M will release the catch from
its notch in the slide D, whereupon the pull of the rope will bring the
pulleys inboard.
The above arrangement may be modified, as shown in plan in
Figure 26. In this Figure the guide pulley B and leading pulleys D, D,
are mounted, as before described, on a segmental platform fcapable of
turning on the axish of the driving drum. The said pulleys are protected
by a guard rail a, a, made in the form of a bell-crank lever, which turns
on a fulcrum 6 on the deck of the tug, one of the arms of which lever
projects over the side of the tug and outside the pulleys, the other arm d
being loosely jointed at d¹ to one end e¹ of a connecting rod e, the other
end of which rod is jointed at f¹ to the platform f. The said platform is
locked in position on the segmental slide 9 by a catch 23 (see Figure 26+,
which represents in section the locking arrangement of the platform g).
The catch 3 is carried by a sliding bar i, the outer end of which is
loosely jointed to the outer end of the lever a, which said end is also
jointed at c to a shorter bar a¹, the inner end of which is jointed to the
side of the tug.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-When the outer end of

page_text: the lever a, a, constituting the guard rail is pressed upon it moves towards
the side of the tug, first unlocking the platform f, which is caused by the
iuner arm & of the said lever and the connecting rode to turn on the axis h
until the guide pulley and leading pulleys are brought inboard, as indicated
by the red lines in Figure 26.
When for any purpose it is required to bring the said pulleys inboard
the sliding rod i carrying the locking catch 3 can be drawn inwards by
hand so as to unlock the segmental platform, and cause it to turn on its
axis. The said rod i also serves to push back the guard rail into position
for work.
Having now described the nature of this Invention as communicated
to me, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it
to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details
described and represented, as the same may be varied without departing
from the nature of the said Invention; but I claim as the said
Invention,―
Firstly. The application of manual power to the propulsion of boats
along a fixed metallic rope by means of a clip drum, essentially as
herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 14 of the accom-
pany Drawings.
Secondly. The application of horse or other like animal power to the
propulsion of boats along a fixed metallic rope by means of a clip drum,
essentially as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 2 and 24 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The improvements in clip drums herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 3, 34, 3º, 3º, 3º, 3%, and 3" of the accompanying
Drawings, that is to say, the application to the said clip drums of steel
or other springs, so that the said springs shall press against parts of
the clips and keep them open whatever may be the position of the
drum.
Fourthly. The improvements herein-before described and illustrated
in Figures 4 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings in the arrange.
ment of the pressing pulleys by which the rope is held in contact with
the drum, that is to say, mounting the said pulleys upon weighted
levers in lieu of springs, also the mode of regulating the pressure of
such pulleys and of removing them from the drum, essentially as
described.

page_text: Fifthly. The substitution for the two guide pulleys ordinarily used of the
the double groove guide pulley mounted on an inclined axis, essentially as
herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 5 and 5 of the accom-
panying Drawings.
Sixthly. The improved arrangements herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 6 and 6A of the accompanying Drawings for
preventing the formation of slack between the driving drum and the guide
pulley or pulleys, that is to say, applying pressing pulleys at opposite
sides of the guide pulley where a single guide pulley is used, or where two
guide pulleys are used applying a single pressing pulley between such
guide pulleys, such pressing pulleys or pulley being arranged and operating
essentially in the manner described.
Seventhly. The improved arrangements herein-before described and
illustrated in Figure 7, 74, 7%, and 7° of the accompanying Drawings
for taking up the slack of the rope as it leaves the driving drum, that
is to say, applying to the guide pulleys the friction gear described,
whereby the pulley which receives the rope from the drum is driven
at a greater speed than the pulley which guides the said rope to the
drum.
Eighthly. The improved arrangement of the guide pulleys on swinging
arms, essentially as and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 8, 84, and 88 of the accompanying Drawings.
Ninthly. The improved arrangement of the leading and rear pulleys
herein before described and illustrated in Figures 9 and 94 of the accom-
panying Drawings, that is to say, mounting the said pulleys on counter-
balance levers, essentially as and for the purpose described..
+
Tenthly. The improved mode of steering tugs herein-before described
and illustrated in Figures 10 and 10 of the accompanying Drawings, that
is to say, passing the ropes by which the tug is connected to the boat being
towed round a large drum or round two smaller drums on the said tug,
such drum or drums being turned as required by suitable gear so as to
shorten the rope on one or other side, and thus cause the tug to assume
an inclined position to the boat being towed.
Eleventhly. The arrangements herein-before described and. illustrated
in Figures 11, 114, 12, 124, 13, and 13 of the accompanying Drawings
for regularly laying the rope or chain in the river or canal as such rope
or chain is unwound from the drum, that is to say, passing the said rope
or chain round a sliding or otherwise moveable pulley mounted on the

page_text: tug, and acted upon by a weight, so that the said pulley shall take up the
said rope or chain when its tension is less than the power exerted by the
weight, and pay out the said rope or chain when its tension exceeds the
power exerted by the said weight.
Twelfthly. The improved construction of friction clutch herein-before
described and. illustrated in Figures 14 and 14 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Thirteenthly. The improved arrangement herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 15 and 15 of the accompanying Drawings for giving
lateral motion to tugs, that is to say, applying to the said tugs water pipes
placed below the water line, and furnished with suitable forcing apparatus
for the purpose of forcing jets of water through the sides of the said tugs,
and thereby giving to the said tugs the requisite lateral motion, essentially
as described.
.
Fourteenthly. The improvements herein-before described and illustrated,
in Figure 16 of the accompanying Drawings in the arrangement of the
clip drum and guide pulleys on tugs used for crossing rivers, that is to
say, mounting the said drum and pulleys on the bow of the tug, essentially
as and for the purpose described.
Fifteenthly. The improved construction and arrangement of the leading
pulleys herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 19, 20, and 21
of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixteenthly. The arrangements herein-before described and illustrated
in Figures 22 and 23 of the accompanying Drawings for moving the guide
pulleys to or from the drum as required, that is to say, mounting the said
pulleys either on axes carried by bell-crank levers worked either by screws
or by pulleys, or on axes carried by blocks sliding in guides and worked by
screws, essentially as described.
Lastly. The improved arrangements of the horizontal double groove
guide pulley and the leading pulleys in connection therewith herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 24, 25, 26, and 264 of the
accompanying Drawings, that is to say, mounting the said pulleys on a
segmental platform turning on the axis of the driving drum, so that
when the tug approaches the walls of a lock or the side of another
vessel the said pulleys are or can be moved inboard automatically or
otherwise, essentially as described. I also claim the arrangements for

page_text: making the locking catch and segmental platform self-acting, as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hunter Henry Murdoch, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
B. WILLCOX,
his Clerk.
H. H. MURDOCH. (L.B.)