Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for use on Board Ship for Sounding or Indicating Depths of Water.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for use on Board
Ship for Sounding or Indicating Depths of Water.
.
I, HANS EULER, of Hafenstrasse, 85, Lehe, near Bremerhaven, in the Empire
of Germany, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an apparatus for use on board navigable vessels, for
indicating the depth of water when it is becoming dangerously shallow.
According to this invention, a signal is given twice, each signal being independent
of the other, that is to say, the first time, when the keel of the vessel is only at
a short distance from the bottom, or rock, or other similar impediment; the second
time when this distance has become less, or when the vessel is in danger of
grounding.
1
The indicator apparatus is represented in the adjoining drawing, in Figure 1,
by a section through the vessel in the centre of the sounding indicator, and in
Figure 2 in longitudinal section. The apparatus is shewn in action in Figure 2,
an out of action in Figure 1.
Near the stem of the vessel and reaching to the lowest part thereof, there is
provided a tube a, and placed vertically in this tube there is a rod b, to which is
attached a chain &, which passes over a pulley above, and bearing a counter
weight d, which has for its object first to hold the rod in equilibrium, and
secondly to indicate the height at which the rod stands. The rod extends
through the keel or bottom of the vessel, and is cut off obliquely at the lower
extremity. c is a lever, being a prolongation of the rod and hinged thereto at h,
and cut off slantingly to correspond to the angle of the end of the rod.
chain passing through a longitudinal perforation in the rod b, the said chain being
in connection with a spiral spring i above, the object of which is to hold the lever c
in a vertical position. k is a rope leading from the chain e, to a signal arrangement
on the ship, for instance, the steam whistle.
e is a
The rod is provided with 4 toothed racks l, m, n', and n²; the front toothed
rack gears with a toothed wheel o, which can be thrown in and out of gear, and
provides for setting the rod at any desired height from the ship's bottom. Two
catch pawls are provided on the tube a, which take into the toothed necks n'
and, the teeth of which are cut with a downward slant, the pawls being
provided with springs arranged for coupling and uncoupling, so as to hold the
The back
rod fixed at any height, and prevent it from falling downward.
toothed rack m gears into a small toothed wheel, from the shaft of which, q', a .
cord leads to a second signal apparatus or steam whistle on the ship.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
P
When the vessel runs in danger of touching the ground, the lowest point, that is
to say, the end of the lever c, naturally first touches the bottom. Corresponding
to the movement of the vessel, the lever takes the position shewn in dotted lines,
thereby pulling the chain e and actuating the steam whistle by the rope k. Should
this warning signal not be attended to, by stopping or backing, and the vessel
continue its course, getting into still more shallow water, then by the ensuing
concussion the whole of the apparatus is pressed upwards, whereby the toothed
rack m of the rod b, turns the toothed wheel with the attached cord r, and sets
the second signal apparatus, that is, the steam whistle, in action.
It is self-evident that the giving of the warning signal can be also effected by
electric contact; arrangements for this purpose are well known to experts in the
matter, without further description.

page_text: When the contrivance is not in use, it is raised by means of the front toothed
rack and toothed wheel o (Figure 2) and the hole at the bottom is closed by means
of a valve.
It is advisable when dealing with vessels for shallow waters to provide a space
in the length of the keel or bottom for the reception of the lever c.
The advantages of the apparatus consists in the possibility of having under all
circumstances a safe double warning signal of the existence of shallows, which
can be regulated as desired by placing the apparatus at a lesser or greater depth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I 'declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An apparatus for use on board ship, for indicating the presence of banks or
shallow water, provided with a double signal or indicating device, comprising a
rod b, which passes through the ship's bottom, and has at its lower end an articu-
lated device c, the motion of which is by a chain, cord, or the like, transmitted to
a call or signal, the motion of said bar or rod 6 being adapted to produce, 'by
concussion with the ground, a second call or signal; substantially as set forth.
2. In the apparatus for purposes herein described, a rod b, provided longitudinally
with toothed racks, held up by removable catches or pawls whereby said rod / is
prevented from falling after it has struck the ground and been raised.
3. In the apparatus for the purposes described, a toothed rack m arranged on
the indicator rod, in connection with a thed wheel 7, whereby attention is called
to the lifting or raising of the rod b, as described.
Dated this 29th day of October 1891.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.