IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' PORT AND STARBOARD LIGHTS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine Lake
& C° Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings London for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' PORT AND STARBOARD LIGHTS
AND APPARATUS THEREFOR" communicated to him from abroad by George
Tracy Parry, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Gentleman
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th December 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS'
PORT AND STARBOARD LIGHTS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR." Communicated to me
from abroad by George Tracy Parry of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
of America, Gentleman,
This invention relates to apparatus for indicating the position of a vessel at sea
or the direction in which it is steering.
The said invention consists essentially in the combination of one, two, three or
more auxiliary side lights, lanterns, or signals with each of the ordinary front port,
and starboard lights, lanterns, or signals of a vessel or other marine craft, the port
auxiliary signal lights corresponding in color with the main port signal light, while
the starboard auxiliary signal lights correspond in color with the main starboard
signal light, whereby the relative oblique or angular position of one vessel to
another, or the direction of movement of one vessel with respect to the position
or movement of another, may be determined.
It is probably well known that vessels of all Nations use red and green lights,
or illuminated glasses of red and green colors to indicate their positions, and to
avoid collisions as far as possible. These lights, lanterns, or signals are usually
placed at the front end or corner of a long box, which has its front, one side, and,
top made open. The green light, lantern or signal is placed on the right hand or
starboard side and the red on the left or port side. The location of these light,
lantern or signal boxes in sailing vessels is usually on the rigging or sides of the
vessel, near the foremast, but any suitable location may be adopted
The object of this invention is to present to the eye either an auxiliary red
or green light, lantern or signal, or any desired number of such red or green
auxiliary lights, lanterns or signals at all proper and necessary occasions or times,

page_text: whatever may be the relative angular or oblique positions of the vessels carrying
them, while at the same time the ordinary port and starboard lights, lanterns or
signals are not interfered with
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a side view of a vessel with the improved lights, lanterns or signals
applied to it.
Figure 2 is a top view of the same
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of one of the boxes with the lights, lanterns or
signals shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 4. 5 and 6 are views illustrating modifications of the plan shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a view of the lights, lanterns, or signals as seen from a diagonal
position as indicated by the arrow 1* in Figure 2.
Figure 7* is another modification of the said invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing the guards or shields of the signal boxes all of
the same length
Figure 9 is a similar view showing the same of different lengths, and in reverse
position to that shown in Figure 2.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing the guards as in Figure 2.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing a modified form of light, lantern or signal box,
with guards of different lengths, and
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are diagrams of vessels provided with
lights according to both the old, and this system.
A indicates a boat of any kind upon which the lights, lanterns or signals are
used. B B¹ are the light, lantern or signal boxes, mounted in any appropriate
manner upon the right and left hand sides, or port and starboard sides of the boat.
These boxes are open at the top, front, and on one side, and extend forward
considerably beyond the points where the lights, lanterns or signals C C¹ are
located, their side and bottom portions being rounded off as at a.
In the corner,
or angle of one of these boxes, the red light, lantern or signal C is placed, while in
the corner or angle of the other the green light, lantern, or signal C¹ is applied.
Thus far described the boxes are of ordinary construction
To these boxes are applied the rectangular extensions B2, B³, which are
constructed as follows that is to say. The extension of each box has its bottom,
top, sides and ends closed so as to form a chamber for a light, lantern, or signal; or
a series of chambers for a series of lights, lanterns or signals. Through the outer
side of each box B2 B3 a number of holes b are cut, and into the port-side holes red
glasses are set while in the starboard-side holes, green glasses are placed. Beneath
these holes, and extending out laterally beyond the bottom portion of the port or
starboard light, lantern, or signal box, is a guard or shield c, and up from this
guard a series of vertical guards d are extended and united to a horizontal top
guard or extension f which corresponds with the bottom guard c as shown. The
guards d are preferably made of different horizontal widths, and arranged as
illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7* and 10 of the drawing, but they might be
constructed and arranged as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 11, and still produce a
useful effect. In some cases the guard or shield c might be narrower than the
guard f, or it might be dispensed with entirely. If the extensions B² B³ of the
boxes B B¹ are made as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, one or more auxiliary
lights, lanterus or signals g, g, are placed in the respective chambers of the
extensions; and lights, lanterns, or signals C C₁ are set or applied in the angles or
corners of the boxes proper B B¹ as shown, and the smoke of the flames escapes
through apertures in the top of the boxes and extensions. The light, lantern or
sigual C is provided with red glass, and the one C₁ with green glass.
For increasing the effect of the light a reflector i may be placed behind the
same in the chamber of each of the extensions. Instead of this reflector the
chamber of each extension may be divided by partitions into several compartments
as in Figure 5, and each compartment may have a light placed in it.

page_text: In Figure 6 an opening ; is shown in the back of each of the light boxes proper
B B¹, and an oblique reflector i is placed in rear of each of the side-light holes b.
In Figure 7* a red or a green glass, as a signal, is shown placed in the opening j
and the reflectors i shown in Figure are removed; and in the side of the
extension either red or green glass is set. Behind the glasses in holes b, a lamp
with three burners is placed. With the construction shown in Figure 6 I may
light up the chambers of the extensions B2 B3, and illuminate the glasses at the
boles b, by the lights, lanterns or signals C C¹, while these lights serve their usual
functions of red and green signals at port and starboard sides of the vessel; with
the construction shown in Figure 7* I may illuminate the signal glasses in the
openings j, and the side signal glasses in the holes b, by the burners of the long
lamps in the chambers of the extensions B2 B3, and thus dispense with the front
corner lamps at C C¹. The use of the constructions shewn in Figures 6 and 7*,
may not be allowed under Maritime laws, but I desire this invention to include
those constructions, by which a useful result may be secured
The horizontal guards c and f of the respective light-boxes, prevent upward and
downward escape of the rays, while the vertical guards d d serve for preventing
all of the glasses in the side of each box-extension being seen when two vessels
are in the respective positions shown in Figure 17.
""
It is one of the objects of this invention to have the number of side lights which
are exposed to view serve as an index as to the exact position of the vessel; that
is, if one side light is exposed, it will be understood from a signal "code that
the vessel exposing such light, in addition to the port or starboard light, is in a
certain position; if two side lights are exposed she is in another position, and so on
according to the number of lights exposed.
By an inspection of the diagrams Figures 10 to 18 inclusive, in connection with
the following description of this invention, the utility and operation will be more
fully seen. Referring to Figure 12, a vessel N° 1 with ordinary light is coming in
line with both the green and red lights visible, but should the vessel turn either to
the right or left, either the green or red light becomes invisible by reason of its
being shut off by the turn of the vessel; that is, N° 2, Figure 13, by turning to
the right shuts off the green light, and N° 3, Figure 14 by turning out shuts off
the red. But in a misty and foggy night when the masts and hull of a vessel are
visible, the lights shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 lead to much confusion
and often cause collisions; thus, if a vessel N° 4, Figure 15, is sailing North and
sees the red light of N° 5 (same figure of the drawing,) she cannot tell whether
N° 5 is coming toward her or whether she is crossing her bows as in Nos 6 and 7,
Figure 16; the green light in both cases being out of sight. This often causes
anxiety to the Pilots, and is a source of danger. By arranging the lights as shown
in Figures 17 and 18, in a mist or fog I show accurately the position of any
approaching vessel. Suppose vessels Nos 2 and 4, Figures 17 and 18, are sailing
north, vessel N° 1 is slanting S.W, and vessel N° 3 is going directly west showing
three or four lights while in vessel N° 1, each light becomes visible as she turns
until the whole number is shown as in vessel N° 3
This invention as herein described and illustrated may be regarded as simply
an addition or auxiliary to the lights now in use, the guards projecting some
distance serving to hide the side lights at proper times and in a proper manner,
and each auxiliary light or signal showing itself as the vessel turns until the
whole show in a row, clearly indicating that the vessel showing the row of lights
is moving across the bow of vessel N° 4, at right angles instead of making a
slanting approach.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I Claim ;-
First. The combination of one or more auxiliary side lights, lanterns, or signals,
with each of the ordinary port and starboard lights, lanterns, or signals of vessels
or other boats, substantially as, and for the purpose, described,

page_text: Second. The combination with the port and starboard light, lantern, or signal
boxes B B¹, of the extension illuminating chambers B2 B³, provided with vertical
guards d, and with holes b in their sides closed with colored glass, substantially as,
and for the purpose, described.
Third. The combination of a reflector or reflectors, with the light, lantern or
signal illumination chambers of the extensions B2 B3, and with the port and
starboard lights, lanterns, or signals, substantially as, and for the purpose, described.
Fourth. The combination with the port and starboard lights, lanterns, or signals,
of side illumination chambers provided with a series of colored glasses, which
glasses are successively exposed to view as the vessel or boat turns or changes its
position or course, substantially as, and for the purpose described
Fifth. The combination with the port and starboard light, lantern or signal
boxes B B¹, of the extension illuminating chambers B2 B3, provided with vertical
and horizontal guards, and with holes in their outer sides, closed with colored glass,
substantially as, and for the purpose, described.
Sixth The light, signal, or lantern box having a chamber with a main signal
glass at its front end and an auxiliary signal glass or glasses of corresponding
color in its sides, in combination with a light placed within the chamber and
illuminating at the front and on the side of the port or starboard light, signal or
lautern box, substantially as described with reference to Figure 7* of the drawing.
Seventh. The light, signal, or lantern box as described with reference. to
Figure 6, having a signal glass or glasses in its side and an opening at its front,
in combination with a front light, lantern, or signal which supplies light for the
main and auxiliary signal or siguals, substantially as described.
Eighth. In signal lights for vessels, the combination with the colored port and
starboard lights, or lanterns, of one or more auxiliary or secondary lights of
corresponding colors at the rear of such lights, and suitably screened, but having
side exposure, whereby as the vessel turns in her course one, two, or more lights of
a certain color are in turn exposed, thus indicating the vessel's course, substantially
as described
Ninth. Port and starboard lights for vessels or boats, comprising a front corner
light, lantern, or signal, a side extension or illumination chamber with one or more
compartments in rear of the front corner light, and a reflector or reflectors within
the extension or illumination chamber, substantially as described.
Tenth. A port or starboard light for vessels or boats, comprising a main front
corner light, lantern or signal box, and an auxiliary rear extension or side
illumination chamber provided with colored glasses corresponding with the main
light, lantern, or signal, substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty second day of December in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.