AN IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR STOP- PERING CHAIN CABLES, ALSO FOR WEIGHING ANCHORS ATTACHED TO SUCH CHAIN OB OTHER CABLES,EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT A MESSENGER
Year: 1828

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
MOFFAT, of Kings Arms Yard, Coleman Street, in the City of London,
Master Mariner, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth
did, by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Third day of June, in the ninth year of His reign, give
and grant unto me, the said James Moffat, His especial licence that I, the
said James Moffat, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others
as I, the said James Moffat, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR STOP-
PERING CHAIN CABLES, ALSO FOR WEIGHING ANCHORS ATTACHED TO SUCH CHAIN
OB OTHER CABLES, EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT A MESSENGER;" in which said
Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said James Moffat,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately

page_text: after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Moffat, do hereby declare the manner in which my said Invention
is to be performed, by the following description thereof, reference being had to
the Drawing hereunto annexed, and the figures and letters marked thereon
(that is to say):-
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal or fore and aft elevation of my improved
bitts, which are formed of four hollow cylinders of wrought or cast iron,
marked a, a.
These are connected or secured together by four plates of
wrought iron b, b, which form the sides. Each pair of these plates are placed
about six inches apart, and the interstices between them are filled up with teak,
or any other hard wood, to which the plates 6, b, are securely bolted or rivitted.
On the top of these side pieces are strong wrought-iron straps or knees c, c,
which are securely bolted through the timber between the plates b, b, forming
the sides. The hollow cylinders a, a, are also filled up with teak or other
hard wood d, d, which stand up a proper height, forming four timber heads,
round which a hemp cable may be double-bitted or secured, and the chain
cable in like manner is to be coiled or made to take a turn (or two,
if necessary,) round the cylinders a, a, a, a. These timber heads are kept
down by strong iron bolts, which pass through them, the iron, knees c, c, and
also through stout plates of wrought iron, which extend a considerable distance
aft flush with the deck, so as to take at least four or five of the deck beams!
So far as these plates extend, there are carlings or strong pieces of timber let
in between the beams, and corresponding plates of iron, to which all the bolts
that pass through the bitts and deck plates are secured. The number and
strength of these bolts and fastenings should be such as to bear a strain at
least three times as great as would be necessary to part the chain or hemp
cable intended to be used. The space left between the four cylinders a, a, and
the sides 6, 6, is for the purpose of receiving the chain stopper, which is shown
in Fig. 1 by the dotted lines e, e, e, e. This is a metal trunk or case containing
two or three wrought-iron palls of the form shewn by Fig. 4, and a section of
the stopper and palls is represented by Fig. 3. Each of these palls should be
equal in strength to that of the chain; they are at liberty to rise on their axis
fff, Figs. 3 and 4, and offer no obstruction to heaving in the cable; but as
each pall catches or falls into every alternate link of the chain, the vertical
link being at liberty to pass through the space g, Fig. 4, whilst the horizontal
link will cross that space at right angles, it follows, that as the palls can only
move in one direction in consequence of the metal cheeks or stops against

page_text: which they rest or bed themselves (as shewn in the section in Fig. 3), the
chain will be held fast and prevented from running out, and each link as it is
hove in will be thus secured.
Fig. 2 represents the ground plan of the bitts, and the letters a, a, and C,
correspondent to the parts described in Fig. 1. e, e, e, e, show the situation of
the stopper, which is at liberty to rise on a bolt or axis that passes through
the holes shewn by h, h, h, in Figs. 1 and 3, and which is for the purpose of
disengaging the palls from the chain in order to let go the anchor or give the
ship cable. The fore end of the stopper is secured and kept down by the
sliding bolt i, Fig. 2, which may be drawn back and disengaged at pleasure,
or by a shore forms a beam over it as preferred. On the axis of each pall
is a short crank or lever marked k, k, k, in Fig. 2, and which is for the purpose
of heaving up the palls clear of the chain when required.
Fig. 5 represents a fore and aft elevation of a single pall stopper, and Fig. 6
is an end view of the same. 1, 1, Figs. 5 and 6, is a cast-iron carriage or
frame in which the pall m, m, works; its form is shewn by the dotted
lines m, m, Fig. 5; and Fig. 6 shows the pall or tumbler which works on
a pip or axis n, n, that passes through it. It is at liberty to recede on
heaving in the chain, but is prevented from yielding in a contrary direction by
the iron bolt or cross bar o, o, which prevents the cheeks or sides of the pall
or tumbler from rising. To let go the anchor or pay away cable, it is only
necessary to set the pall at liberty by striking the cross bar o, o, by intro-
ducing a handspike or lever between it and the pall or tumbler, or by any
other mechanical power of freeing it, and thereby throw the cross bar o, o,
forward in the slot p, p:
Fig. 7 represents the elevation of my improved capstan with three powers.
9, 9, is the capstan-head, into which the levers or bars are shipped. r, r, is
the drum or barrell, and s, s, 8, 8, are the lower plates that carry the palls for
working the chain cable, which are made of cast iron, or of any other suitable
materials. w, w, w, are whelps of oak, or any other hard wood, which give
the usual external appearance to the capstan and enable it to work a messenger
or warp in the usual manner. The pall plates 3, 3, 3, s, are placed at such a
distance apart on the capstan spindle or axis that the chain cable intended to
be used may pass freely between them. The first power or centre set of palls
are fixtures, and are cast solid between the pall plates 8, 5, 5, 8; they are shewn
by the letters v, v, v, v, in Figs. 7 and 8, and by the dotted lines in Figure 9;
they are four or more in number, and their radius or distance from the centre
of motion is so arranged that they will catch or hold each alternate or hori-
zontal link of the chain intended to be worked; the chain passes between the
.

page_text: pall plates 8, 8, 8, 8, and round the palls v, v, and descends from thence into
the hold over a friction roller or plate placed in a hatchway before the capstan.
The second and third powers for heaving in a chain cable are shewn by the
dotted lines in Fig. 7, and marked z, z; they are shifting or moveable palls of
cast or wrought iron, and the top and bottom pall plates s, s, s, s, are per-
forated with corresponding mortice holes or apertures to receive these palls and
retain them firmly in their places. These holes or apertures are represented
by the letters y, y, y, y, &c., in Figs. 8 and 9, and the latter exhibits a ground
plan of one of the pall plates. The relative distance of these palls from each
other, and their radius from the centre of motion, must depend in a great
measure on the size or length of the link of the chain intended to be worked,
and the variation of power and speed requisite in each instance. The shifting
palls may likewise be made to work in grooves if required or preferred, and
thus compress or expand to any power that may be wanted; they may also
be made to suit chains of any size whatever. In the present Drawings the first
power takes each alternate link of one and a half inch chain, the intermediate
power takes every second alternate link, and the last power secures every third
alternate link of the chain, thus making their relative powers as 1, 2, and 3,
or that one man will heave as much in the first as two will on the second, or
as three on the third power. When the first power is in action all the
moveable palls are withdrawn. To convert the second to the third power
it will only be necessary to alter or unship and ship four or more palls, or
remove them from one mortice hole to another, which may be accomplished
with facility. When it is necessary to work hemp cables, a chain messenger
may be used on this capstan, with its three powers, or part of the chain cable
may be unshackled and used as such in cases of necessity.
b, b, Figs. 7 and 8, represent a brake wheel and brake, which is cast on or
attached to the bottom pall plates 8, 8, 8, 8. This is similar to the brake wheels
and brakes usually applied to cranes for checking the rapid descent of heavy
weights, but in this instance is more powerful and on a larger scale, and is applied
for the purpose of bringing a ship gradually up in all weathers without a
sudden strain or jerk. The wrought-iron brake is applied round the periphery of
the wheel or cast-iron cylinder which forms the base of the capstan; this brake
is drawn into close contact on the brake wheel by means of a powerful lever
which ships and unships into a socket at u, Fig. 7. By this contrivance one man
can always bring a ship gradually up in the worst weather with a single turn
round the bitts already described, when the chain is passed round the first
power of the capstan. x, x, Figs. 7 and 8, represent friction rollers, which
are placed inside the brake wheel, and which revolve or travel on a cast-

page_text: iron plate let into the deck; in the centre of this plate is a boss which rises a`
sufficient height to prevent leakage, and in which the capstan spindle works.
The capstan may likewise be made to work by the introduction of connecting
pins or bolts, either with or without the iron plates, as required.
Fig. 10 represents a front elevation of my improved windlass, which is
without handspikes or cranks. a, a, Fig. 10, are two strong ratchet wheels
of cast iron, which are securely fastened or wedged on the ends, of the wind-
lass, inside and close to the carrick bitts b, b, Fig. 10; above these wheels are
strong levers of wrought iron c, c, Figs. 10 and 11, which work in the joint
or pin d, d, Figs. 10 and 11. The working extremity of these levers are
forked or branch out into two separate arms, on the ends of which are
sockets for shipping and unshipping the working bars e, e, Fig 10. These
are made of wood, and stand at right angles with a lever c, c, Fig. 10, or
athwart the ship. The working bars e, e, Fig. 10, can be connected together
by the socket f, Fig. 10, but for heaving in a slack cable they may be uncon-
nected, and the levers c, c, Fig. 10, may be worked separately or alternately
up and down, thereby increasing the speed of the windlass. The operation of
working these levers is similar to that usually employed for working fire-
extinguishing engines. The outer arms of the levers c, c, Fig. 10 and 11,
are made to ship and unship into sockets g, g, Figs. 10 and.11, so that they
may be removed when not in use. Between the double cheeks or plates of each
of the levers c, c, Figs. 10 and 11, are three iron palls, marked 1, 2, and 3, in
Figs. 10 and 11. These work into the teeth or cogs of the ratchet wheels a, a,
Figs. 10 and 11, and heave the windlass round. Each pair of these palls
act separately, and encrease or diminish the power and speed in the ratio of
their distances from the fulcrum or centre of motion of the levers c, c,
Figs. 10 and 11. In front of the ratchet wheel a, a, Figs. 10 and 11, are
several iron palls, which fall into the teeth or cogs and pall the windlass, or
prevent it from revolving in the contrary direction to the heaving power.
At a proper distance on the body of this windlass are two hollow cylinders h, h,
Fig. 10, of cast iron, which are firmly wedged and secured in their places;
these have projecting flanches, between which there are a proper number of
palls or strong teeth or cogs, placed or pitched at a proper distance to suit
the links of the chain cable to be worked or used thereon, the whole
being cast together. These palls or teeth have a slot in them to admit
the vertical link of the chain, and hold the same fast when heaving
up the anchor without the necessity of a double turn round the windlass.
Before this windlass two cylinders or rollers of an octagon form work
on strong iron spindles, which are firmly secured to the deck, and marked

page_text: i, Figs. 10 and 11, round which the chain cables pass. They are at
liberty to revolve on their spindles, and act as rollers when heaving up
the anchor, but are prevented from revolving in a contrary direction by
palls inserted in their bottoms, which act in a pall plate or ring secured to the
deck. Thus they are bitts or timber heads when veering away cable, at which
time the chain is removed from the pall cylinder h, h, Fig. 10, and passes
round the wooden body of the windlass; the centre of the windlass is secured
and strengthened when riding by wedging it up against the old pall bitts, as
shewn by k, k, Fig. 10. The feet of the carrick bitts are lined with cast
iron, in the form shewn by 1, 1, Fig. 10 and 11, so that a weather turn may
be taken round them and the end of the windlass. Fig. 11 represents a
section of my improved windlass, and Fig. 10 a plan of the same, and the
same letters 'and figures refer to the corresponding parts.
Fig. 13 represents an elevation of my compressing or veering stopper, for
the purpose of gradually checking the run of a chain cable, and for holding on
the same behind bitts or a windlass. a, a, Fig. 13, is a strong frame or
carriage of cast iron, which is firmly bolted and secured to the deck. b, b,
Fig. 13, is the compresser, which is partly shewn by dotted lines, and the
bottom of which is a segment of a circle, drawn from the centre marked
thus in Fig. 13. c, in the same Figure, is the centre of motion, and a
strong bolt or pin of wrought iron passes through the carriage a, a, and the
compresser b, b, Fig. 13, forming a hinge or joint in the carriage a, a, and the
compresser b, b, is a longitudinal groove or space, which admits the vertical
link of the chain cable to pass through them, and the whole is so arranged that
the pressure acts by the friction of the chain against the bottom of the com-
presser b, b, thereby forcing or wedging down the horizontal links of the chain
cable. To the top of the compresser b, b, Fig. 13, the chain c, c, Fig. 13, is
attached, which extends about two fathoms forward, and is hooked in a ring
bolt in the deck, and out of the range of the chain cable; this is for the
purpose of elevating the compresser b, b, and veering-away cable, which is.
effected by one man pressing it with his foot. Fig. 14 represents an end view
of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 shews my improvement for making pins for securing the shackles
of chain cables, so that the same may be unshackled with greater facility.
a, a, Fig. 15, is a square pin of steel, round which is cast a proper mould,
a casing of pewter, or other soft metal, as shewn by the dotted lines b, b,
Fig. 15, and which will not be liable to oxydize or corrode in sea water.
These pins may at all times be easily driven out and the chain cable unshackled
when required.

page_text: Fig. 16 represents the gun deck of a frigate, or a ship of a thousand tons,
shewing the relative positions and proportions of my improved capstan and
stoppers for working chain cables without a messenger, and where the chain
cable is carried directly round my capstan and stowed aft and below.
Figure 17 shews a plan and Fig. 18 an elevation of my system of mooring
and unmooring, or of working two chain cables at the same time (should such
an occasion occur) by means of my capstan. a, a, Fig. 17 and 18, are double-
pall cylinders, formed like the bottom or pall plates of my capstan, or the
cylinder of my windlass, before described, and represented in the Drawings by
Figs. 9 and 10, but having fixed or shifting palls to suit different size chains
as required. An endless chain b, b, Figs. 17 and 18, of less dimensions than
the chain cable, passes round the lower palls of the capstan, and round a
similar set of palls between the lower plates of the cylinders c, c, Figs. 17 and 18
(which revolve on their respective spindles), thereby communicating the motion
of the capstan to them. The second set of palls d, d, Fig. 17 and 18, are
above c, c, Fig. 17 and 18, into or round which the chain cables wisk and pass
immediately down the main hatchway. Thus, while one cable is heaving in,
the other cable may be veered away, or both chain cables may, if required, be
hove in at the same time.
Fig. 19 shews a plan for working my improved capstan forward on the
gun deck of a ship of war, whereby the chain cables may be stowed down the
fore hatchway, and only two guns of a side rendered ineffective during the
operation of weighing the anchor.
Figure 20 shews the mode of adapting my improved windlass to ships of
war, or those of large tonnage, in which .vessels, by the application of a whip
or rope a, a, Fig. 20, attached to the levers 6, b, Fig. 20, and passing round or
through a block or roller fixed to the deck, it may be manned and worked by
any number of hands.
I further declare, that I do not confine myself to any particular materials
in the construction or manufacture of my aforesaid improvements, but vary
them, their respective proportions and relative situations on board ships or
other vessels, according to circumstances, and that I apply any of these im-
provements separately or in conjunction, as may be required or appear
adviseable.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Moffat, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight.
JAMES (L.B.) MOFFAT.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Second day of December, in
the year of our Lord 1828, the aforesaid James Moffat came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute made for that purpose.