IMPROVEMENTS IN ATTACHING, FITTING, AND SECURING THE RUDDERS OF SHIPS, BARGES, BOATS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Christopher Nugent Nixon, of Ramsgate, in the
County of Kent, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ATTACHING, FITTING, AND SECURING THE RUDDERS OF SHIPS, BARGES, BOATS,
Sealed the 8th June 1858, and dated the 23rd December 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Christopher Nugent Nixon
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd December 1857.
I, CHRISTOPHER NUGENT NIXON, of Ramsgate, in the County of Kent,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN ATTACHING, FITTING, AND SECURING THE RUDDERS OF SHIPS,
BARGES, BOATS, AND EVERY OTHER DESCRIPTION OF SAILING OR STEAM VESSEL," to
be as follows:-
This Invention consists of certain improved modes of attaching, fitting, and
securing the rudders of ships, barges, boats, and other vessels, by means of
which such rudders can be more readily shipped and unshipped, when neces-
sary, and also rise of themselves on coming in contact with any obstacle upon
which they may accidentally strike or ground, and again return to their proper
position after passing such obstacle, and so that such motion of the rudder

page_text: shall not affect, impede, or interfere with tho action of the tiller, yoke, wheel
ropes or chains, or other steering gear.
'
The following plan may be adopted for boats :-A circular iron rod or
pintle is screwed or bolted or secured in any other convenient manner against
and close to the face of the stern post, and so that no space shall exist between
the latter and the rod or pintle, except at the top thereof, where a small
portion is constructed of a square or angular form, as is also the lower end
thereof, which rests upon and is secured to a spur or projection of the stern
post, or in any other suitable manner. To the rudder are attached hinge
gudgeons, constructed with the fronts thereof cut square or flat, so as to work
freely up and down the stern post, and with a longitudinal slot down the front,
so as to allow of the rod or pintle being passed through such gudgeons, which
will then embrace the same. The hinge gudgeons are secured to pins which
work in the braces which secure then to the rudder, thus forming the hinges,
so as to admit of the rudder being attached or shipped by passing the said
'hinge gudgeons over the upper end of the rod or pintle fixed to the stern post,
as herein before mentioned, and allowing the rudder to descend until the
lower hinge gudgeon rests upon the shoulder presented by the square or
angular portion of the lower end of the rod or pintle. The upper end of the
rod or pintle is constructed, as has been before mentioned, of a square or
angular form, such portion thereof being clear from or unconnected with the
face of the stern post, and thus allowing a suitably-shaped hinge gudgeon
(similarly attached to the rudder as those before mentioned, but not slotted)
to be passed over it, and which will then rest upon the shoulder presented by
the top of the circular portion of the rod or pintle, thus relieving the inter-
mediate hinge gudgeons, or those between the upper and lower portions of tho
rudder, from all strain or pressure, the whole weight of the rudder when in its
proper position resting upon tho shoulders presented at the upper and lower
portions of the rod or pintle, as herein-before mentioned. It will be observed
that by means of this arrangement the rudder will be free to rise to any con-
venient or desirable extent, and again to resume its proper position; it being
prevented by the before-mentioned hinge gudgeons from being unshipped,
while it can, when desired, be removed and again shipped with great ease.
Another method also adapted to boats is, to attach a convenient number of
slotted gulgeons to the stern post, and which may be serowed, bolted, or
secured thereto in any convenient manner, or the slotted gudgeons may be
connected together by means of a metal plate properly attached or secured
'to the stern post, a socket gudgeon being fixed upon a spur or projection at

page_text: the bottom of the stern post. At the upper part of the stern post is fixed.
what may be termed a pintle gudgeon, the front thereof being slotted for the
admission of a rod or pintle, which is braced or secured by means of straps or
in any other convenient manner to the rudder, but not being of the whole
height thereof. Instead of the said pintle gudgeon a small pintle, round at
the back and flat in front, may be substituted in small boats, but for larger
boats a round. pintle may be used, which may be thrown back or removed
while shipping or unshipping the rudder. The upper end of the rod or pintle is
below the said pintle gudgeon or small pintle when the rudder is in its proper
position. The said rod or pintle is passed through the slotted gudgeons attached
to the stern post, the lower end thercof resting in the before-mentioned socket
gudgeon. At the upper part of the rudder is attached a strap which passes
over and around the said pintle gudgeon or small pintle, the weight of the
rudder and the strain to which it may be subjected being borne by the pintle.
gudgeon or small pintle at the upper portion, and by the socket gudgeon at
the lower portion of the stern post. The rod or pintle attached to the rudder
being clasped by the slotted gudgeons, the rudder is allowed to rise without
danger of its being unshipped, while it can be removed or replaced, when
desired, with great facility.
The following arrangements are applicable to ships, barges, and other vessels
having square-headed rudders. A double-braced pin or pintle is fixed to the
lower part of the rudder by means of straps, or in any other convenient mode:
This pin or pintle is notched or cut away just above the lower straps, so as to
allow of its passing through a slot in a gudgeon which is fixed to the stern
post, or it may be connected to the lower brace by means of a narrow neck,
the lower end of the pin or pintle resting in a socket gudgeon fixed to the
lower part of the stern post. The upper part of the stern post may be fitted
in a similar manner with a double-braced pin or pintle, the upper portion
thereof being embraced by a strap which turns on a joint or pivot, or is
attached to the stern post in any other convenient mode, so that its position
can be readily altered. The last-mentioned strap carries a socket which
receives the top of the pin or pintle, and also carries a short pin which enters
a socket gudgeon attached to the rudder which bears upon it. The pin or
pintle is embraced by another plain gudgeon fixed to the rudder.
arrangements the rudder is capable of rising up until the last-mentioned
gudgeon touches against the socket of the before described moveable or hinged
strap, but it cannot get loose or be unshipped. When, however, it is desired
to unship the rudder it is raised a little, and the moveable strap turned upon
With these

page_text: its joint. The rudder is then raised until it is released from the pin or
pintle fixed to the stern post and the notched or flat part of the pin or
pintle attached to the rudder is in the slotted gudgeon, before mentioned
as being attached to the stern post, when by drawing the rudder back it will
be released from its fastenings. Although the pintles have been described as 5
being fixed respectively on the stern post and rudder, yet they may both be
attached to the stern post and the gudgeons fixed on the rudder. The pins or
pintles may be so fitted as to be easily removed when worn and replaced by
fresh ones, without the necessity of taking off the straps for that purpose.
Various modifications of the arrangements and combinations of pintles and 1
gudgeons herein-beforo described may be made, according to the require-
ments of each particular case, as it is only necessary for larger vessels to
employ a greater number of the before described double-braced pintles and
gudgeons.
The arrangements for attaching, fitting, and securing the rudders of ships 1
and other vessels which have circular-headed rudders are various, but the
principal and essential features thereof are included in. the following illus
trations.
In one of such plans the rudder post terminates in a pintle of unusually
large dimensions, a portion thereof being hollowed out to serve as a gudgeon
(and which I call a pintle gudgeon), and is intended to rest upon a strong pintlo
which is fixed in a suitable manner on a spur or projection of the stern post.
The last-mentioned pintle passes through a gudgeon fixed to the rudder, which
is thus connected to the stern post by this pintle gudgeon, and by a gudgeon
through which the latter passes, and which is fixed to the stern post, and is
also firmly secured by an arrangement or contrivance which I call the chock
brace, and which I will here shortly describe. At the opening in the stern of
the vessel through which the rudder head passes is fitted a metal plate, con-
structed with a suitably-shaped collar which embraces the rudder head, and
is secured to the stern post in any convenient and suitable manner, the same
being so arranged as to confine and keep the rudder in its proper position, but
allowing it to rise, the rudder head working freely in the said collar. This chock
brace is so constructed as to allow of its being turned back or removed, either
by means of a hinge or by being worked backwards and forwards upon rods
attached to the stern, or in any other suitable and convenient manner, so as to
release the rudder head from the before-mentioned collar. In the particular
!method of fitting the rudder which is now being described the chock brace serves
to chock the rudder when it has risen a certain height, so that it cannot by any

page_text: possibility escape from its bearings until it is required to unship it, when the
chock brace is turned down upon its joint or hinge, or moved so that the
rudder can be raised until the before-mentioned pintle gudgeon is clear of the
pintle upon which it has been working and of the gudgeon attached to the
stern post, as before described, when the foot of the rudder may be drawn back
and the rudder lowered and removed.
The following is another method which may be adopted-A pintle of great
size and proportionate strength is attached to the lower part of the rudder
post, and is constructed with a curved spherical or conical shoulder. A
gudgeon, constructed with a corresponding cavity in the top thereof, is fixed
to the stern post, so that when the point of the pintle is worn down it may
afford a good bearing for carrying part of the weight of the rudder until the
point of the pintle can be renewed. At or near the bottom of the stern post
is attached a projecting metal joint or hinge, one part of which is fixed
to the stern post while the other part is moveable and carries a strong pin or
pintle which enters a corresponding hole or socket in a strong brace attacked
to the bottom of the rudder.
The last-mentioned method of attaching and fitting rudders will admit of
variations in the arrangement of the several parts without departing from its
main and essential feature, namely, the use of a shouldered pintle or pintles
working in a gudgeon or gudgeons, constructed with a corresponding cavity or
cavities.
It may be here observed that the chock braces, which are herein-before
described, or modifications thereof, are applicable to all cases in which the
circular rudder heads pass through the stern of the vessel, and may be applied
to rudders of the ordinary construction, to prevent them from rising out of
their bearings and becoming unshipped. The chock braces may be constructed
and attached in various ways, according to the peculiar requirements of each
case.
Another part of this Invention consists, as berein-before mentioned, of a
method of securing the tiller or yoke from being affected, impeded, or
interfered with by the rising of the rudder when fitted with any of the before-
mentioned arrangements for effecting that object. With this view the tiller
or yoke should be so secured as to embrace the rudder head without being
fixed thereto, and yet allow the rudder to rise or fall without injuring or
interfering with the tiller, yoke, wheel ropes or chains, or other steering gear.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Christopher Nugent Nixon in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 23rd June 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHRISTOPHER
NUGENT NIXON, of Ramsgate, in the County of Kent, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS IIer most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Christopher Nugent Nixon, Her special licence, that I, the said
Christopher Nugent Nixon, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Christopher Nugent Nixon, 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 theroin 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN ATTACHING, FITTING, AND SECURING THE
RUDDERS OF SHIPB, BARGES, BOATS, AND EVERY OTHER DESCRIPTION OF SAILING
OR STEAM VESSEL," upon the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said
Christopher Nugent Nixon, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to bo
filed in the Great Soal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Christopher Nugent Nixon, do hereby
-declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
The improvements embraced by this Invention consist of certain methods of
attaching, fitting, and securing the rudders of ships, barges, boats, and other
vessels, by means of which such rudders can be moro roadily shipped and
unshipped when necessary, and also rise of themselves on coming in contact
with any obstacle upon which they may accidentally strike or ground, and
again returning to their proper position after passing such obstaclo, and so
that such motion of the rudder shall not affect, impede, or interfere with
the action of the tiller, yoke, wheel ropes or chaius, or other steering gear.

page_text: I will first describe the plans which may be adopted for boats, one of which
methods is as follows:-A circular iron or other suitable metal rod or pintle
is screwed or bolted or secured in any other convenient manner against and
close to the face of the stern post, and so that no space shall exist between
the latter and the rod or pintle, except at the top thereof, where a small
portion is constructed of a square or angular form, as is also the lower end
thereof, which rests upon and is secured to a spur or projection of the stern
post, or in any other suitable manner. To the rudder are attached hinge
gudgeons, which are constructed with the fronts thereof cut square or flat, so
as to work freely up and down the stern post, and with a longitudinal or
vertical slot down the front, so as to allow of the rod or pintle being passed
through such gudgeons, which will then embrace the same. The hinge
gudgeons are secured to pins which work in the braces which secure them to
the rudder, thus forming the hinges, so as to admit of the rudder being attached
or shipped by passing the said hinge gudgeons over the upper end of the rod
or pintle fixed to the stern post, as herein-before mentioned, and allowing the
rudder to descend until the lower hinge gudgeon rests upon the shoulder pre-
sented by the square or angular portion of the lower end of the rod or pintle.
The upper end of the rod or pintle is constructed, as has been before mentioned,
of a square or angular form, such portion being clear from or unconnected with
the face of the stern post, and thus allowing a suitably-shaped hinge gudgeon
(similarly attached to the rudder as those before mentioned, but not slotted)
to be passed over it, and which will then rest upon the shoulder presented by
the top of the circular portion of the rod or pintle, thus relieving the inter-
mediate hinge gudgeons, or those between. the upper and lower portions of the
rudder from all strain or pressure, the whole weight of the rudder when in its
proper position resting upon the shoulders presented at the upper and lower
portions of the rod or pintle, as herein-before mentioned.
that by means of this arrangement the rudder will be
convenient or desirable extent and again to resume its proper position, it
being prevented by the before-mentioned hinge gudgeons from being unshipped,
while it can, when desired, be removed and again shipped with great ease.
It will be observed
free to rise to any
Figure 1. in the annexed Sheet of Drawings, represents the last-described
arrangement. A is the stern of a boat with the rod or pintle a screwed or
bolted or otherwise secured thereto; B is the rudder; b, b, are the slotted
binge gudgeons before mentioned; and d is the plain hinge gudgeon into
which the square portion at the upper part of the rod or pintle fits.
. Another method also adapted to boats is to attach a convenient number of
slotted gudgeons to the stern post, and which may be screwed, bolted, or

page_text: secured thereto in any convenient manner, a socket gudgeon being fixed upon
a spur or projection at the bottom of the stern post, or the slotted gudgeons
niay be connected together by means of a metal plate, properly attached or
secured to the stern post. At the upper part of the stern post is fixed what
may be termed a pintle gudgeon, the front thereof being slotted for the admis-
sion of a rod or pintle which is braced or secured by means of straps, or in
any other convenient manner to the rudder, but not being of the whole height
thereof. Instead of the said pintle gudgeon a small pintle round at the back
and flat in front may be substituted; but for larger boats a round pintle might
be used, which may be thrown back or removed while shipping or unshipping
the rudder. The upper end of the rod or pintle is below the said pintle gudgeon
or small pintle when the rudder is in its proper position. The said rod or pintle is
passed through the slotted gudgeons attached to the stern post, the lower end
thereof resting in the socket gudgeon. At the upper part of the rudder is attached
a strap which passes over and around the said pintle gudgeon or small pintle,
the weight of the rudder and the strain to which it may be subjected being
borne by the pintle gudgeon or small pintle at the upper portion and by the
socket gudgeon at the lower portion of the stern post. The rod or pintle
attached to the rudder being clasped by the slotted gudgeons the rudder is
allowed to rise without danger of its being unshipped, while it can be removed
or replaced, when desired, with great facility. The slotted gudgeons herein-
before mentioned should be made flat in front, so as to obviate the necessity
for long necks to the braces which secure the pintle to the rudder, thus giving
additional strength to the pintle.
Figure 2, in the annexed Drawings, is illustrative of the last-mentioned
method of fitting and securing boats' rudders. A is the rudder, and B the
stern post; a is the pintle attached to the rudder, and the metal strap also
fixed to the same, and which passes over the small pintle e fixed to the stern
post; d, d, d, are the slotted gudgeons attached to the stern post; C is the
secket gudgeon and small pintle; D is an ordinary slotted gudgoon, and E is
n socket gudgeon. The latter Figures will serve to illustrate those articles
wherever mentioned in this Specification.
The following arrangements are applicable to ships, barges, and other vessels
having square-headed rudders. A double-braced pin or pintle is fixed to the
lower part of the rudder by means of straps, or in any other convenient mode.
This pin or pintle is notched or cut away just above the lower straps, so as to
allow of its passing through a slot in a gudgeon which is fixed to the stern
post, or it may be connected to the lower brace by means of a narrow neck,
the lower end of the pin or pintle resting in a socket gudgeon fixed to the

page_text: lower part of the stern post. The upper part of the stern post may be fitted in
a similar manner with a double-braced pin or pintle, the upper portion thereof
being embraced by a strap which turns on a joint or pivot, or is attached to
the stern post in any other convenient mode, so that its position can be readily
altered. The last-mentioned strap carries a socket which receives the top of
the pin or pintle, and also carries a short pin which enters a socket gudgeon
attached to the rudder which bears upon it. The pin or pintle is embraced by
another plain gudgeon fixed to the rudder. With these arrangements the
rudder is capable of rising up until the last-mentioned gudgeon touches
against the socket of the before-described moveable or hinged strap, but it
cannot get loose or be unshipped. When, however, it is desired to unship the
rudder it is raised a little and the moveable strap turned upon its joint. The
rudder is then raised until it is released from the pin or pintle fixed to the
stern post, and the notched or flat part of the pin or pintle attached to the
rudder is in the slotted gudgeon before mentioned as being attached to the
stern post, when by drawing the rudder back it will be released from its
fastenings.
:
Figure 3 in the annexed Drawings represents the last-mentioned method
of attaching and fitting the rudder. A is the rudder; a, the double-braced
pin or pintle before referred to; b is the socket gudgeon for the admission of
the short pin carried by the moveable. strap attached to the stern post; B is
the stern post; c, the slotted gudgeon; d, the socket gudgeon; e, double-
braced pin or pintle; f, the before-mentioned moveable strap with its socket
gudgeon and short pin; g, g, represent the double-braced pins or pintles when
unattached. Although the pintles have been described as being fixed respec-
tively on the stern post and rudder, yet they may both be attached to the
stern post, and the gudgeons fixed on the rudder. The pins or pintles may be
so fitted as to bo easily removed when worn and replaced by fresh ones, with-
out the necessity of taking off the straps for that purpose. Various modifica-
tions of the arrangements and combinations of pintles and gudgeons herein-
before described may be made, according to the requirements of each particular
case, as it is only necessary for larger vessels to employ a greater number of
the before-described double-braced pintles and gudgeons.
I will now proceed to describe the arrangements for attaching, fitting, and
securing the rudders of ships and other vessels which have circular-headed
rudders, and which are various; but the principal and essential features thereof
are included in the following illustrations.
In one of such plans the rudder post terminates in a pintle of unusually
large dimensions, a portion thereof being hollowed out to serve as a gudgeon

page_text: (and which I call a pintle gudgeon), and is intended to rest upon a strong
pintle which is fixed in a suitable manner on a spur or projection of the stern
post.
The last-mentioned pintle passes through a gudgeon fixed to the
rudder, which is thus connected to the stern post by this pintle gudgeon and
by a gudgeon through which the latter passes, and which is fixed to the stern
post, and also firmly secured by an arrangement or contrivance which I call
the chock brace, and which I will here shortly describo. At the opening in
the stern of the vessel through which the rudder head passes is fitted a metal
plate constructed with a suitably shaped collar, which embraces the rudder
head, and is secured to the stern post in any convenient and suitable manner,
the same being so arranged as to confine and keep the rudder in its propor
position, but allowing it to rise, the rudder head working freely in the said
collar. This chock brace is so constructed as to allow of its being turned
back or removed, either by means of a hinge or by being worked backwards
and forwards upon rods or clips attached to the stern, or in any other suitable
and convenient manner, so 'as to release the rudder head from the before-
mentioned collar. In the particular method of fitting the rudder which is
now being described the chock brace serves to chock the rudder when it has
risen a certain height, so that it cannot by any possibility escape from its
bearings until it is required to unship it, when the chock brace is turned down
upon its joint or hinge, or moved in any other convenient manner, so that the
rudder can be raised until the before-mentioned pintlo gudgeon is clear of
the pintle upon which it has been working, and of the gudgeon attached to the
stern post, as before described, when the foot of the rudder may be drawn
back and the rudder lowered and removed. If the previously described double
pintle and brace arrangement at the bottom of the rudder should not be con-
sidered sufficient for large vessels, one or more of the ordinary pintles and
braces may be used at intermediate spaces.
Figure 4 in the annexed Drawings represents the last-described mode of
fitting and securing round-headed rudders. A is the rudder; B, the stern
post; C, the chock braco; a, the pintle at the lower part of the rudder passing
through the gudgeon 6 attached to the stern post, and (the lower part of such
pintle being hollowed) resting upon the pintle c fixed to the stern post which
passes through the gudgeon d, thus connecting the rudder with the stern post;
a', b, c, d, represent the last-mentioned details separately.
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent various forms in which the chock braces
may be constructed. In Figure 8, a is a collar which embraces the rudder
head, the spike being driven into the stern; c is the chock brace itself
clasping the rudder head and holding it in its position. The other Figures

page_text: will be readily understood by the observations already made with reference to
this part of my Invention.
. The following is another method which may be adopted in fitting round-
headed rudders: A pintle of great size and proportionate strength is attached
to the lower part of the rudder post, and is constructed with a curved spherical
or conical, shoulder. A. gudgeon, constructed with a corresponding cavity in
the top thereof, is fixed to the stern post, so that when the point of the pintle
is worn down, it may afford a good bearing for carrying part of the weight of
the rudder until the point of the pintle can be renewed. At or near the
bottom of the stern post is attached a projecting metal joint or hinge, one part
of which is fixed to the stern post; while the other part is moveable and carries
a strong pin or pintle, which enters a corresponding hole or socket in a strong
metal frame attached to the bottom of the rudder, and which serves as a
brace and also as a protection for the same. The last-mentioned method of
attaching and fitting rudders will admit of variations in the arrangement of
the several parts without departing from its main and essential feature;
videlicet, the use of a shouldered pintle or pintles working in a gudgeon or
gudgeons constructed with a corresponding cavity or cavities.
Figure 9 illustrates the last before described method of fitting and securing
the rudder and adjacent parts. A is the rudder; B, the stern post; C, the
chock brace; a is the shouldered pintle attached to the rudder; b is the
gudgeon fixed to the stern post, bearing a countersink or cavity corresponding
to the shoulder of the pintle a; c is the metal joint or hinge attached to the
stern post, and carrying the before-mentioned pin or pintle, which enters the
socket in the metal brace or frame d attached to the bottom of the rudder;
a', b', c', d', are the several last-mentioned details separated from the rudder
and stern post.
:
It may be here observed that the chock braces and other fittings herein-
before described, or modifications thereof, are applicable to all cases in which
the circular rudder heads pass through the stern of the vessel, and may be
applied to rudders of the ordinary construction, to prevent them from rising
out of their bearings and becoming unshipped. The chock braces may be
constructed and attached in various ways, according to the peculiar require-
ments of each case,
As the methods and arrangements before described might not in some
instances be considered suitable for iron vessels, I provide for the rising of the
rudder in such cases in the following manner:-At convenient parts of the
stern post, and also of the rudder, may be attached strong metal braces, those
on the rudder having tongues formed at the back part thereof to guide the

page_text: rudder post when passing up and down, as herein-after mentioned, and to
secure it firmly when shipped. The rudder post should be constructed of
metal, and may be either solid or hollow, and provided with a groove at the
back of sufficient length corresponding to the before-mentioned tongues in the
metal braces. The rudder post is passed from above through the said bracos,
thus connecting the rudder with the stern post and stepping into the lower
brace of the rudder, the bottom of which terminates in a pivot, such pivot
working in a socket gudgeon on the stern post. In order that the rudder may
rise, those parts thereof which are adjacent to the braces attached to the stern
post should be so hollowed or cut away as to allow of such motion freely taking
place. By making the groove on the rudder post of greater length the latter
may be a fixture when shipped, and allowing the rudder to rise freely thercon.
Another object of this Invention consists, as is herein-before mentioned, of a
method or methods of securing the tiller or yoke from being affected, impeded,
or interfered with by the rising of the rudder when fitted with any of the
before-mentioned arrangements for effecting that object. With this view the
tiller or yoke should be so secured as to embrace the rudder head without
being fixed thereto, and yet allow the rudder to rise or fall without injuring
or interfering with the tiller, yoke, wheel ropes or chains, or other steering
gear. This may be effected by placing a metallic collar round the rudder
head, to which collar the tiller or yoke may be attached, or which may other-
wise be connected with the steering gear, such collar being firmly held down
to the deck by clamps or other analogous contrivances, but at the same time
allowed freely to revolve. Upon the rudder striking any obstacle, or grounding,
the rudder head will readily rise through the said collar; but the same being
as is before mentioned, securely held in its position, the tiller or yoke or other
steering gear is entirely unaffected, and the position of the rudder can be
controlled and regulated at will as easily as under ordinary circumstances.
Figure 10 in the annexed Drawings is a section of the last-mentioned
arrangement. a is the rudder head; is the metal collar embracing the
rudder head; and c, c, c, are the clamps holding the same in position, but at
the same time admitting of its revolution.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not
claim all the several and distinct parts of the arrangements herein-before
mentioned as being novel and original, neither do I confine or restrict myself
to the precise details or arrangements which I have described or referred to, as
many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles
tor main features of the said Invention; but what I consider novel and original,

page_text: and therefore claim as my Invention, are the arrangements and combinations
of parts and mechanism herein-before mentioned and described, or any mere
modifications or equivalents thereof, and the use of such arrangements and
combinations, or their equivalents, for the purposes aforesaid.
In witness whereof, I, the said Christopher Nugent Nixon, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
E. P. H. VAUGHAN,
CHRISTOPHER NUGENT NIXON. (L.S.)
59, Chancery Lane,
Agent for the Patentee.