IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING RECORDS OF VESSELS WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN LOST OR DESTROYED AT SEA."
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Francis Fisher at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st August 1880.
"AN
JOHN FRANCIS FISHER, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING RECORDS OF VESSELS WHICH MAY HAVE
BEEN LOST OR DESTROYED AT SEA."
As a commander in the merchant service in my last voyage home I observed no
less than three bottles which (from their appearance) no reasonable doubt could be
entertained were charged with a message of some kind. Having however myself
at various periods despatched probably fifty of these missives (but solely in the
cause of science), and taking into account the delay an attempt at their recovery
would entail, these were left to their fate. But had the mission of each been
known beyond a doubt to be a record of some fatal oceanic catastrophe and nothing
else, and as such was a recognized portion of the equipment of every sea-going vessel,
an attempt would have been made at almost any risk to pick them up.
Now my Invention is designed to provide an apparatus that will be very
observable, that can be instantly detached, that will stand rough usage, and that
can be set in an instant to give the indication required.
"
It consists of a hollow globe of metal, through the centre of which, but
preferably watertightly separated from the remainder of the globe, is a cylindrical
box. This box is useful to put in a written account if there be time, and as a place for
keeping a record of the position of the ship, said record being changed every day at
noon. The lid that covers this box is preferably screwed on, and when screwed
down holds tightly the shield hereafter described. The globe is weighted to float
lid uppermost and is hermetically closed. Its upper part has a series of
useful inscriptions engraved or stamped all round, such as "Ice," "Stranded,"
Fire," Collision," Explosion," "Cargo shifted," Foundered." The shield
covering the entire upper hemisphere, except just sufficient space to show one
inscription at a time, is free to turn when the lid is not screwed down. Anyone
therefore by turning the shield can leave any signal exposed to view, when the lid
being screwed down, the lid is fixed exposing that signal. The lid is preferably
plated or coloured red so as to be readily observable, and the lid of the chamber can
if desirable carry a flag or its equivalent. The mode of operation is as follows :-
The apparatus, kept in a funnel or open box on deck easily got at, is screwed
"
"
4

page_text: down to the word Explosion; if at any time a catastrophe happens other than an
explosion the corresponding word is uncovered, any despatches that may he
desirable are inserted in the chamber and the lid is screwed up.
The name of the ship is of course indelibly placed on the apparatus when first
purchased.
I have mentioned a special shape, but it will be obvious that while a sphere is
the best shape other forms could be used, and I do not bind myself to the exact
form herein described. A sphere is less likely to be injured or to catch in the
tackle of the ship than any other, it can be kept in an open funnel, or in such
position that in case of the ship foundering or going to pieces it will easily
disengage itself, and yet be so securely placed that it cannot be carried off by
the vessel shipping a sea or giving a heavy lurch.