IMPROVEMENTS IN WARPING OR HAULING VESSELS WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MOVING OTHER BODIES
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME we GEORGE
BEADON of Taunton in the County of Somerset Commander in the Royal
Navy and ANDREW SMITH of Princes Street Leicester Square in the County
of Middlesex Engineer send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date
at Westminster the Twenty-first day of January in the tenth year of Her reign
did for Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto us the said
George Beadon and Andrew Smith Her especial licence full power sole
privilege and authority that we the said George Beadon and Andrew Smith
our executors administrators and assigns and such others as we the said
George Beadon and Andrew Smith our executors administrators or 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 the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad and
in the Islands of Jersey Guernsey Alderney Sark and Man our Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WARPING OR HAULING VESSELS WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
ALSO APPLICABLE TO MOVING OTHER BODIES" in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso obliging us the George Beadon and Andrew Smith by an instru-
ment in writing under our hands and seals or under the hand and seal of one of
us particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of our said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed and to cause the same to be inrolled
in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
22848.

page_text: immediately 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
Andrew Smith on behalf of myself and of the said George Beadon do hereby
declare that the nature of my said Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed is particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following description thereof reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say)
Our Invention consists in improved mechanism for warping or hauling boats
or vessels along canals or rivers and also in hauling carriages on railways or
tramways by means of ropes chains or bands the same construction of
mechanism with slight modifications being employed for propulsion on both
land and water.
In the accompanying Drawings Sheet I. Figure 1 represents a longitudinal
section of a canal boat with one arrangement of our improved machinery
applied thereto and Figure 2 is a horizontal or plan view of the same. The
particular novel parts are represented detached on an enlarged scale in the
auxiliary Figures 3. 4. and ŏ and the respective letters of reference point out
the same parts in all these Figures. A is an ordinary boiler of a steam
engine B B are two reciprocating steam cylinders the pistons of which
act upon a horizontal crank shaft C. Upon this shaft a whelp wheel a is
fixed having six arms through which long slots are cut for the purpose of
receiving six adjustable sliding arms or whelps C C C These adjustable arms
or whelps are to be all placed at equal distances from the central axle or shaft
of the whelp wheel and when made fast in their places form a reel to receive
a coil of galvanized wire rope or chain d d. This galvanized rope or chain dd
which is the warping line is secured at each end to some stationary holdfasts
upon the land or in the water by anchors or moorings at a considerable
distance apart. The whelps ccc are made concave on the bearing surface to
prevent the rope or chain surging or slipping off and they are enabled
to be slidden in the slots of the arms and fixed at any distance from the centre
of the wheel by means of keys or wedges which when driven home as shewn
in the plan view Figure 4 will bring their shoulder tight against the arm of
the wheels. The object of sliding these whelps is to increase or diminish the
diameter of the reel according to the speed of the vessel is required to run.
e e are horizontal rollers mounted in cast-iron standards D D fore and aft of
the warping wheel a and are for the double purpose of guiding the warping
rope and keeping it tight on the reel f. f. are vertical guide rollers mounted

page_text: in brackets projecting from the standard D D. On the axle of each of the
lower rollers e e a bevil wheel is mounted and into these wheels bevil wheels
mounted on a horizontal shaft k gear as shewn at Figure 4. The pair of bevil
wheels at the forward end of the shaft. h. is intended to be of a less speed than
the aft pair of bevil wheels for the object to be presently explained. When the
engine is set at work it will through the crank shaft C communicate rotary
motion to the warp wheel a and a coil of the warping chain or rope being laid
round the whelp c. the rotation of that wheel will carry the vessel forward.
The friction of the warping rope on the rollers e e as the vessel moves on its
course will cause the rollers to revolve and as the upper rollers by their weight
press or nip the rope against their under rollers and the speed of the front
rollers is less than the aft pair of rollers the latter will have a tendency to take
up the rope quicker than it is given off from the reel and thus keep thereon
in tension.
In order to allow one vessel to pass another on a single line of warping
chain or rope it will be necessary to throw one vessel out of connection
temporarily with the warping chain. For this purpose the rollers e e are
mounted as shewn at Figure 4. whereby the top ones may be readily lifted
from their bearings. This will admit of the warping chain being thrown off
from the rollers e and it may be drawn from between the vertical rollers fa
free way being left at top between the brackets which carry these rollers for
the passage of the chain. E is the steering apparatus placed at both ends
of the vessel.
At Figures 6 and 7 another method is shewn of getting a hold upon
the warping chain or rope instead of employing the whelps. A is a roller
mounted in a suitable framing and above it are two other rollers B B mounted
also in the same framing. Between these rollers a warping .line composed of
wire rope or hoop iron is introduced and the upper rollers are pressed down
by screws springs or otherwise and made to nip the chain sufficiently to
prevent its slipping when the lower roller (which in this case performs the part
of the warping wheel) is caused to rotate by the steam engine or other motive
power in the vessel.
In Sheet II. of the Drawings our novel construction of whelp wheel is shewn
as applied to a railway for hauling trains up inclines. Similar letters of refer-
ence being here employed for the like parts as in the above-described
arrangement it will be unnecessary to state more than that the whelp wheel
is placed in front of the locomotive engine and its crank shaft is turned by
means of the connecting rod E of the engine.
In Sheet III. of the accompanying Drawings another mode of hauling or

page_text: warping vessels into and out of harbours and upon inland waters is shewn.
Figure 1 is a plan view of a vessel with the apparatus applied thereto and
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same. This part of the Invention has
reference to a method of nipping or holding the warping chain or rope by
steam pressure.
The hauling or warping apparatus consists of a central
wheel A keyed to a shaft B placed across the vessel and turning in bearings
in a strong wooden or cast-iron framework C. C. In a line with this wheel A
but fore and aft thereof is a guiding pulley D. D. These pullies D and
also the wheel A which may be termed the "warping wheel" are provided
at their peripheries with pins which are set in their respective flanges and
thus produce a light wheel. Attached to the centre wheel A. are three or any
other convenient number of steam cylinders E set at equal distances apart
and provided with pistons and piston rods as shewn. These cylinders are at
given periods supplied with steam from a boiler which steam passes up a
hollow made in the shaft B and enters the several pipes F which lead to their
respective cylinders. Between that end of the cylinders next the wheel A
and their several pistons a strong spring a is coiled round the piston rod which
rod carries at is outer end a buffer ör plunger b. In that flange of the
wheel A next to the cylinders openings are made to allow of the buffers
or plungers b passing through and coming against the inner face of the other
flange. The valves for admitting steam to the cylinders and cutting off the
supply are worked as will be readily understood on inspecting the Drawings
by rods G connected to the strap H of a fixed excentric which surrounds
the shaft B. I is a cog wheel mounted on the crank shaft K which turns
in suitable bearings and receives its motion direct from the steam engine
or other first mover. This wheel I gears into a wheel L mounted on the
shaft B. and thus gives motion to the warping wheel A. M M is the warping
chain or rope laid along the channel and secured at its extremities and at its
other parts where sinuosities or other circumstances may require it to be
"guyed" N N are pullies or "fair leaders" for guiding the rope or chain M.
It will now be understood that the rope being laid under the guiding pulleys D
and over the wheel A it will only be necessary when the shaft B and its wheel
are actuated by the motive power to make the rope M adhere to that wheel in
order to propel the vessel forward. This operation is effected as follows
Steam is admitted from the boiler into say the cylinder E* in front of its
piston whereby the piston will be forced forwards carrying with it the
buffer on its end. This buffer on passing through the opening in the
flange of the wheel A will come in contact with the rope or chain M
and press it tightly against the opposite flange. The rope being thus griped

page_text: and being itself stationary the effect will be that the wheel A as it revolves
will move the vessel forward about one-third the length of its periphery (when
three pressers are used) or the distance between one presser and the next
adjoining one. When the vessel has progressed thus far the excentric H will
cut off the steam from the cylinder E and let it into the next following
cylinder whereby in like manner the rope or warping chain will be griped
and thus a continuous forward motion will be imparted to the vessel. As soon
as the pressure of the steam is withdrawn from the front of the piston the
spring a before mentioned will return to its original position or steam let on to
the other side of the piston will release the pressure of the buffer or presser b.
on the warp chain. In order to allow of one vessel passing another in an
opposite direction on a single line of warping it is necessary to throw one vessel
out of connection with the warping chain. This is effected by heaving up the
guiding pullies D, (The axles of which are for this purpose mounted in hinged
bearings as shewn detached at Figures 3) and slipping off the chain from the
periphery of the wheel A. O is a ring attached by a chain or rope to a buoy
of sufficient displacement to support its weight in the water and to float or
"watch" on the surface. It should be observed that the warping chain must
be led through this ring before it has passed over the warping wheel and that
the buoy rope must be of sufficient length to reach from the surface of the
water to the warp as it lies on the ground. The object being that when the
vessels meet and it becomes necessary to disengage the warp from one warp-
ing wheel to enable them to pass each other the workmen will be enabled to
weigh the chain or warp again with celerity. Each warping boat is to be pro-
vided with a buoy and ring and when two boats meet each will take the other's
buoy in exchange. The ring is made of sufficient diameter to allow the chain
or warp to pass freely as it is hove in. In some cases an eye or loop is neces-
sary to be attached to the buoy ring on its upper side so that it may be readily
hooked or passed over a post or pile where curves or other circumstances
require the warp chain to be "guyed." PP is a steering apparatus moving
upon a fixed centre Q and having a semicircular toothed sector R. at one end
in gear with a worm or spiral S on a shaft T turning in suitable bearings in
the framing and provided at each end with steering wheels. U. U. W. W. are
guiding pulleys over and between which the warp can be led. By turning
the wheels U the sector rack is moved either to the right or left as desired
and the other extremity of the apparatus moves in a contrary direction and
"guys" the warp chain to the one side or the other thus facilitating the steering
of the boat in the required direction.
In Sheet IV. of the Drawings several modifications of the Invention of

page_text: This cam acts
It is composed
binding the
warp chain or rope to the wheel A are shewn. Figure 1 is a side
elevation and Figure 2 an edge view partly in section of one mode of effect-
ing this end. a. a. are two vibrating levers working on centres b and con-
nected at their outer ends with sliding rods c which pass through the flanges
of the wheels A and respectively enter a box i attached to the other side of
the wheel. In each of these boxes is a coiled spring which, being connected
to the rod c has a tendency to draw it into its box. Each rod c is also pro-
vided with a hook for the purpose of laying hold of the warp chain. The
inner ends of the levers a or those nearest the axle of the wheel A are pressed
inwards by a rotatory cam & fixed on the shaft of the wheel A.
upon a sliding piece e with which the levers. a. are provided.
of a frame somewhat in the shape of the letter H the outer ends of which
frame carry an antifriction roller in contact with the cam and the inner ends
slide in holes made in the lever. A coiled spring K-see the detached view,
Figure 2 is inserted between the lever and the centre or cross bar of the
frame whereby an elastic pressure is transmitted to the lever when the excen-
tric portion of the cam comes into action. This pressure may be nicely
adjusted by means of a screw and nut which will compress the spring as
required. By referring to the Drawing it will be seen that when the inner
end of the lever a is forced inwards the other end will draw forward the
sliding rod c the hook of which will catch hold of the warp chain and hold it
tight against the warp wheel A. Another mode of griping the warp chain is
shewn at Figures 3 and 4 Figure 3 being a side elevation partly in section
and Figure 4 an edge view of the same. A A is a wheel similar to those
before described mounted in a framing and secured to the carriage or boat
to be warped and driven by steam hand gear or other motive power.
b. b. is
an excentric cam fixed to the framing and allowing the shaft of the wheel A.
which passes through it to revolve freely. c is a saddle pieco secured to one
side of the wheel A and has a pulley & mounted on its outer part, e is
another pulley having its bearings in the saddle piece and capable of sliding
in a slot formed therein. is a wedge on the outer end of the rod 99 which
is actuated by being connected to the strap of the excentric cam. h is the
niping bolt or buffer made with a fork with holes or eyes through which the
axle of the moveable pulley e is passed. i is a box attached to the opposite
side of the wheel A. and having a spiral spring bearing against it and the
nipping bolt to force the nipping bolt back when required to quit the warping
chain. When the rod g is acted on by the larger. radius of the excentric cami
the wedge will be forced between the pullies d and e the latter of which
will be thrust forward and cause. the nipping bolt to draw the warping chain

page_text: tightly against the flange of the wheel A. K is the coiled spring with its
screw and nut for adding to the force necessary to nip the warp chain as
described in the preceeding method. It may here be remarked that the buffer
or nipping bolt must be pressed by an elastic medium of some kind as in the
event of any obstruction being hove in with the warp chain the machine would
be stopped unless constructed to admit of the nipper yielding to the increased
bulk to be laid hold of.
A further modification of the apparatus for nipping the warp chain to the
warp wheel is shewn at Figures 5 and 6 Figure 5 being an elevation partly
in section and Figure 6 a plan view of the same. A A represent the warping
wheel mounted on a framing 6, 6, and revolving in suitable bearings. c. d. are
air cylinders open at both ends and fixed to the periphery of another wheel e.
fis an excentric cam affixed to the framing and having an excentric groove J
cut in it. h. are pistons working in the cylinders & and attached respectively
by a rod i to friction wheels & rolling in the groove gg. When the wheel A
is driven round by a pinion worked by power and in gear with the cogged
wheel which is keyed on to the shaft of the warping wheel A A and affixed
by bolts mm to the wheels A and e the pistons / are alternately drawn out and
pushed in. nn are other and similar pistons working in the same cylinders
and connected to the wedges o. o. o. When the piston / is drawn down by the
roller k passing through the excentric part of the groove a vacuum is formed
between the two pistons and n. The piston » will therefore be forced after the
piston by the atmosphere pressing on its outer end whereby the wedge o will
be drawn between the rollers g and force the one next to the wheel forward!
This movement will cause the nipping bolt p p which is attached to the axle of
the sliding roller to force the warp chain against the opposite side of the wheel A
and keep it firmly held during the period the roller is in the concentric portion
of the groove by a pressure proportionate to the vacuum caused by the separa-
tion of the two air-tight pistons and n. When the roller has passed along
the groove and comes in contact with the concentric outside surface * * of the
cam f the pistons and n and wedge o are pushed back in the contrary direction.
The spiral spring in the boxes as on the other side of the wheel A then comes
into action and forcing the bolt p back releases the warping chain and thus
each nipping rod or bolt or buffer is forced against the chain in succession
and each nipping rod is caused to release its hold in succession as the wheel A
revolves.
In Sheet V Figure 1 represents in elevation an arrangement of warping
apparatus which we consider peculiarly applicable for a tug boat and Figure 2
shews the boat in plan view.. A is the boat B B are two nipping or warping
wheels of either of the constructions shewn in. Sheets. III.-and. IV...C C

page_text: are "fair leaders" or guiding pullies for conducting the warp chain or rope
DD over the wheels B. E E are cog wheels keyed respectively to the
shafts of the wheels B B and revolving therewith. Between these cog wheels
is a pinion F in gear with the wheels E. The machinery is caused to revolve
by the action of an oscillating cylinder engine G which gives motion to the
shaft of the pinion F and thus through the cog wheels E to the warping
wheels B. H is an inclined bevilled roof which covers the boat allowing only
the upper part of the warping wheels to appear above. By this means a
shield is provided to the steersman who can guide the boat (an opening I being
made in the roof to allow of his looking a-head) without being liable to be
swept overboard by the warping chain which chain is free to slide over either
side of the boat and may be unshipped from the warping wheels without
lifting any guiding pullies as was the case in the former arrangements. It
will be readily understood that if the wheels B revolve simultaneously and
alternately grip the warp chain that chain will not be able to slip although
no pullies are employed as in the before-described arrangement for keeping
it in contact with a considerable portion of the periphery of the warp wheels.
Figure 3 Sheet V. represents the manner in which we intend to transfer tug
boats and barges from one level of canal to another level. A represents the
water line of the lower level of the canal and B the water line of the higher level.
Between the two levels of the canal, a bank C is thrown up which may be
cased with brick if thought desirable. From the bottom of the lower portion of
the canal to the bottom of the upper portion an inclined railway is made. D is
a carriage furnished with small wheels to run on the railway and intended to
form a cradle for the tug boat E. The warping rope being secured at its
ends in any convenient place it is connected by either of the plans above
described to the warping wheel of the tug boat and the steam or other motive
power being applied to the wheel the boat with its cradle will be hauled on to
the higher level. Instead of rails pullies may be mounted in suitable bearings
in the road and the cradle without wheels forming a kind of sledge may be
employed instead of that shewn in the Drawing. When the tug boat has attained
the higher elevation and has floated into the canal above it may by means of
a supplementary warping rope attached successively to each one of its train
of boats or barges haul them up over the embankment the warping wheel of
the tug boat acting in this case as an ordinary windlass. The tug boat with its
hauling machinery may if thought necessary be secured on the verge of the
incline by breast-fasts and moorings leaving space for each boat in succession
to be hauled into the upper part of the canal. After each boat of the train is
raised the tug boat warps a-head and takes the train in tow when it proceeds
as before to the next incline.

page_text: Having now described our Invention of improvements in warping or hauling
vessels and other bodies we desire it to be understood that under the above in
part recited Letters Patent we claim,―
First. The improved construction of expanding reel or whelp wheel
whether applied to the warping of vessels upon inland or other waters or upon
land for moving engines and carriages upon railways and also the arrange-
ment of the machinery employed in connection with such whelp wheel or reel
for guiding the warping rope or chain on to the reel and making it "taut" upon
the whelps, thereof. We further claim under this head of our Invention the
modification shewn at Figures 6 and 7 in Sheet I. whereby the nip is given to
the warping rope or to hoop iron used as a warp by means of friction rollers.
Secondly. We claim the general arrangement of the apparatus for warping
and steering vessels as described with reference to Sheet III. of the Drawings
and particularly we claim the niping or binding of the warping chain or rope
to the warping wheel by temporary pressure whether obtained by the means
described in reference to Sheets III. and IV. or by any similar or analogous
arrangement of nipping apparatus, and this we claim whether used upon land
or water.
Thirdly. We claim the arrangement of the nipping warping wheels and
slanting roof as shewn at Figure 1 Sheet V. for guiding up the warping rope
or chain to the wheels and allowing it to slue from side to side according to
the motion of the vessel.
Fourthly we claim the mode of hauling vessels from one level of canal to
another level as above described.
In witness whereof I the said Andrew Smith have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty-first day of July in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
ANDREW (L.S.) SMITH.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED that on the same Twenty-first day of July
in the year above mentioned the aforesaid Andrew Smith came before our

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME we GEORGE
BEADON of Taunton in the County of Somerset Commander in the Royal
Navy and ANDREW SMITH of Princes Street Leicester Square in the County
of Middlesex Engineer send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date
at Westminster the Twenty-first day of January in the tenth year of Her reign
did for Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto us the said
George Beadon and Andrew Smith Her especial licence full power sole
privilege and authority that we the said George Beadon and Andrew Smith
our executors administrators and assigns and such others as we the said
George Beadon and Andrew Smith our executors administrators or 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 the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad and.
in the Islands of Jersey Guernsey Alderney Sark and Man our Invention.
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WARPING OR HAULING VESSELS WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE,
ALSO APPLICABLE TO MOVING OTHER BODIES" in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso obliging us the George Beadon and Andrew Smith by an instru-
ment in writing under our hands and seals or under the hand and seal of one of
us particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of our said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed and to cause the same to be inrolled
in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and.
22848.

page_text: immediately 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
Andrew Smith on behalf of myself and of the said George Beadon do hereby
declare that the nature of my said Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed is particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following description thereof reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say)
Our Invention consists in improved mechanism for warping or hauling boats
or vessels along canals or rivers and also in hauling carriages on railways or
tramways by means of ropes chains or bands the same construction of
mechanism with slight modifications being employed for propulsion on both
land and water.
In the accompanying Drawings Sheet I. Figure 1 represents a longitudinal
section of a canal boat with one arrangement of our improved machinery
applied thereto and Figure 2 is a horizontal or plan view of the same. The
particular novel parts are represented detached on an enlarged scale in the
auxiliary Figures 3. 4. and 5 and the respective letters of reference point out
the same parts in all these Figures. A is an ordinary boiler of a steam
engine B B are two reciprocating steam cylinders the pistons of which
act upon a horizontal crank shaft C. Upon this shaft a whelp wheel a is
fixed having six arms through which long slots are cut for the purpose of
receiving six adjustable sliding arms or whelps ccc These adjustable arms
or whelps are to be all placed at equal distances from the central axle or shaft
of the whelp wheel and when made fast in their places form a reel to receive
a coil of galvanized wire rope or chain & d. This galvanized rope or chain dd
which is the warping line is secured at each end to some stationary holdfasts
upon the land or in the water by anchors or moorings at a considerable
distance apart. The whelps ccc are made concave on the bearing surface to
prevent the rope or chain surging or slipping off and they are enabled
to be slidden in the slots of the arms and fixed at any distance from the centre
of the wheel by means of keys or wedges which when driven home as shewn
in the plan view Figure 4 will bring their shoulder tight against the arm of
the wheels. The object of sliding these whelps is to increase or diminish the
diameter of the reel according to the speed of the vessel is required to run.
ee are horizontal rollers mounted in cast-iron standards D D fore and aft of
the warping wheel a and are for the double purpose of guiding the warping
rope and keeping it tight on the reel f. f. are vertical guide rollers mounted

page_text: in brackets projecting from the standard D D. On the axle of each of the
lower rollers e e a bevil wheel g is mounted and into these wheels bevil wheels
mounted on a horizontal shaft k gear as shewn at Figure 4. The pair of bevil
wheels at the forward end of the shaft. h. is intended to be of a less speed than
the aft pair of bevil wheels for the object to be presently explained. When the
engine is set at work it will through the crank shaft C communicate rotary
motion to the warp wheel a and a coil of the warping chain or rope being laid
round the whelp c. the rotation of that wheel will carry the vessel forward.
The friction of the warping rope on the rollers e e as the vessel moves on its
course will cause the rollers to revolve and as the upper rollers by their weight
press or nip the rope against their under rollers and the speed of the front
rollers is less than the aft pair of rollers the latter will have a tendency to take
up the rope quicker than it is given off from the reel and thus keep thereon
in tension.
In order to allow one vessel to pass another on a single line of warping
chain or rope it will be necessary to throw one vessel out of connection
temporarily with the warping chain. For this purpose the rollers e e are
mounted as shewn at Figure 4. whereby the top ones may be readily lifted
from their bearings. This will admit of the warping chain being thrown off
from the rollers e and it may be drawn from between the vertical rollers fa
free way being left at top between the brackets which carry these rollers for
the passage of the chain. E is the steering apparatus placed at both ends
of the vessel.
At Figures 6 and 7 another method is shewn of getting a hold upon
the warping chain or rope instead of employing the whelps. A is a roller
mounted in a suitable framing and above it are two other rollers B B mounted
also in the same framing. Between these rollers a warping line composed of
wire rope or hoop iron is introduced and the upper rollers are pressed down
by screws springs or otherwise and made to nip the chain sufficiently to
prevent its slipping when the lower roller (which in this case performs the part
of the warping wheel) is caused to rotate by the steam engine or other motive
power in the vessel.
In Sheet II. of the Drawings our novel construction of whelp wheel is shewn
as applied to a railway for hauling trains up inclines. Similar letters of refer-
ence being here employed for the like parts as in the above-described
arrangement it will be unnecessary to state more than that the whelp wheel
is placed in front of the locomotive engine and its crank shaft is turned by
means of the connecting rod E of the engine.
In Sheet III. of the accompanying Drawings another mode of hauling or

page_text: b
warping vessels into and out of harbours and upon inland waters is shewn
Figure 1 is a plan view of a vessel with the apparatus applied thereto and
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same. This part of the Invention ha
reference to a method of nipping or holding the warping chain or rope by
steam pressure. The hauling or warping apparatus consists of a centra
wheel A keyed to a shaft B placed across the vessel and turning in bearing
in a strong wooden or cast-iron framework C. C. In a line with this wheel A
but fore and aft thereof is a guiding pulley D. D. These pullies D and
also the wheel A which may be termed the "warping wheel"
at their peripheries with pins which are set in their respective flanges and
are provided
thus produce a light wheel. Attached to the centre wheel A are three or any
other convenient number of steam cylinders E set at equal distances apart
and provided with pistons and piston rods as shewn. These cylinders are at
given periods supplied with steam from a boiler which steam passes up a
hollow made in the shaft B and enters the several pipes F which lead to their
respective cylinders. Between that end of the cylinders next the wheel A
and their several pistons a strong spring a is coiled round the piston rod which
rod carries at is outer end a buffer ör plunger b. In that flange of the
wheel A next to the cylinders openings are made to allow of the buffers
or plungers 6 passing through and coming against the inner face of the other
flange. The valves for admitting steam to the cylinders and cutting off the
supply are worked as will be readily understood on inspecting the Drawings
by rods G connected to the strap H of a fixed excentric which surrounds
the shaft B. I is a cog wheel mounted on the crank shaft K which turns
in suitable bearings and receives its motion direct from the steam engine
or other first mover. This wheel I gears into a wheel L mounted on the
shaft B. and thus gives motion to the warping wheel A. M M is the warping
chain or rope laid along the channel and secured at its extremities and at its
other parts where sinuosities or other circumstances may require it to be
"guyed" N N are pullies or "fair leaders" for guiding the rope or chain M.;
It will now be understood that the rope being laid under the guiding pulleys D
and over the wheel A it will only be necessary when the shaft B and its wheel
are actuated by the motive power to make the rope M adhere to that wheel in
order to propel the vessel forward. This operation is effected as follows
Steam is admitted from the boiler into say the cylinder E* in front of its s
piston whereby the piston will be forced forwards carrying with it the
buffer 6 on its end. This buffer on passing through the opening in the
flange of the wheel A will come in contact with the rope or chain M
and press it tightly against the opposite flange. The rope being thus griped

page_text: and being itself stationary the effect will be that the wheel A as it revolves
will move the vessel forward about one-third the length of its periphery (when
three pressers are used) or the distance between one presser and the next
adjoining one. When the vessel has progressed thus far the excentric H will
cut off the steam from the cylinder E and let it into the next following
cylinder whereby in like manner the rope or warping chain will be griped
and thus a continuous forward motion will be imparted to the vessel.
As soon
as the pressure of the steam is withdrawn from the front of the piston the
spring a before mentioned will return to its original position or steam let on to
the other side of the piston will release the pressure of the buffer or presser b.
on the warp chain. In order to allow of one vessel passing another in an
opposite direction on a single line of warping it is necessary to throw one vessel
out of connection with the warping chain. This is effected by heaving up the
guiding pullies D, (The axles of which are for this purpose mounted in hinged
bearings as shewn detached at Figures 3) and slipping off the chain from the
periphery of the wheel A. O is a ring attached by a chain or rope to a buoy
of sufficient displacement to support its weight in the water and to float or
"watch" on the surface. It should be observed that the warping chain must
be led through this ring before it has passed over the warping wheel and that
the buoy rope must be of sufficient length to reach from the surface of the
water to the warp as it lies on the ground. The object being that when the
vessels meet and it becomes necessary to disengage the warp from one warp-
ing wheel to enable them to pass each other the workmen will be enabled to
weigh the chain or warp again with celerity. Each warping boat is to be pro-
vided with a buoy and ring and when two boats meet each will take the other's
buoy in exchange. The ring is made of sufficient diameter to allow the chain
or warp to pass freely as it is hove in. In some cases an eye or loop is neces-
sary to be attached to the buoy ring on its upper side so that it may be readily
hooked or passed over a post or pile where curves or other circumstances
require the warp chain to be "guyed." P P is a steering apparatus moving
upon a fixed centre Q and having a semicircular toothed sector R at one end
in gear with a worm or spiral S on a shaft T turning in suitable bearings in
the framing and provided at each end with steering wheels. U. U. W. W. are
guiding pulleys over and between which the warp can be led. By turning
the wheels U the sector rack is moved either to the right or left as desired
and the other extremity of the apparatus moves in a contrary direction and
guys" the warp chain to the one side or the other thus facilitating the steering
of the boat in the required direction.
"
In Sheet IV. of the Drawings several modifications of the Invention of

page_text: This cam acts
binding the warp chain or rope to the wheel A are shewn. Figure 1 is a side
elevation and Figure 2 an edge view partly in section of one mode of effect-
ing this end. a. a. are two vibrating levers working on centres b and con-
nected at their outer ends with sliding rods c which pass through the flanges
of the wheels A and respectively enter a box i attached to the other side of
the wheel. In each of these boxes is a coiled spring which, being connected
to the rod c has a tendency to draw it into its box. Each rod c is also pro-
vided with a hook for the purpose of laying hold of the warp chain. The
inner ends of the levers a or those nearest the axle of the wheel A are pressed
inwards by a rotatory cam d fixed on the shaft of the wheel A.
_upon a sliding piece e with which the levers. a. are provided. It is composed
of a frame somewhat in the shape of the letter H the outer ends of which
frame carry an antifriction roller in contact with the cam and the inner ends
slide in holes made in the lever. A coiled spring K-see the detached view,
Figure 2 is inserted between the lever and the centre or cross bar of the
frame whereby an elastic pressure is transmitted to the lever when the excen
tric portion of the cam comes into action. This pressure may be nicely
adjusted by means of a screw and nut which will compress the spring as
required. By referring to the Drawing it will be seen that when the inner
end of the lever a is forced inwards the other end will draw forward the
sliding rod c the hook of which will catch hold of the warp chain and hold it
tight against the warp wheel A. Another mode of griping the warp chain is
shewn at Figures 3 and 4 Figure 3 being a side elevation partly in section
and Figure 4 an edge view of the same. A A is a wheel similar to those
before described mounted in a framing and secured to the carriage or boat
to be warped and driven by steam hand gear or other motive power. b. b. is
an excentric cam fixed to the framing and allowing the shaft of the wheel A
which passes through it to revolve freely. c is a saddle piece secured to one
side of the wheel A and has a pulley d mounted on its outer part, e is
another pulley having its bearings in the saddle piece and capable of sliding
in a slot formed therein. f is a wedge on the outer end of the rod gg which
is actuated by being connected to the strap of the excentric cam. h is the
niping bolt or buffer made with a fork with holes or eyes through which the
axle of the moveable pulley e is passed. i is a box attached to the opposite
side of the wheel A and having a spiral spring bearing against it and the
nipping bolt to force the nipping bolt back when required to quit the warping
chain. When the rod 9 is acted on by the larger. radius of the excentric cam
the wedge will be forced between the pullies d and e the latter of which
will be thrust forward and cause. the nipping bolt to draw the warping chain
g

page_text: tightly against the flange of the wheel A. K is the coiled spring with its
screw and nut for adding to the force necessary to nip the warp chain as
described in the preceeding method. It may here be remarked that the buffer
or nipping bolt must be pressed by an elastic medium of some kind as in the
event of any obstruction being hove in with the warp chain the machine would
be stopped unless constructed to admit of the nipper yielding to the increased
bulk to be laid hold of.
A further modification of the apparatus for nipping the warp chain to the
warp wheel is shewn at Figures 5 and 6 Figure 5 being an elevation partly
in section and Figure 6 a plan view of the same. A A represent the warping
wheel mounted on a framing 6, 6, and revolving in suitable bearings. c. d. are
air cylinders open at both ends and fixed to the periphery of another wheel c.
fis an excentric cam affixed to the framing and having an excentric groovegg
cut in it. h. are pistons working in the cylinders & and attached respectively
by a rod i to friction wheels & rolling in the groove gg. When the wheel A
q
is driven round by a pinion worked by power and in gear with the cogged
wheel which is keyed on to the shaft of the warping wheel A A and affixect
by bolts m m to the wheels A and e the pistons / are alternately drawn out and
pushed in. n n are other and similar pistons working in the same cylinders
and connected to the wedges o. o. o. When the piston 4 is drawn down by the
roller passing through the excentric part of the groove a vacuum is formed
between the two pistons and n. The piston n will therefore be forced after the
piston by the atmosphere pressing on its outer end whereby the wedge o will
h
be drawn between the rollers g and force the one next to the wheel forward:
This movement will cause the nipping bolt p p which is attached to the axle of
the sliding roller to force the warp chain against the opposite side of the wheel A
and keep it firmly held during the period the roller k is in the concentric portion
of the groove by a pressure proportionate to the vacuum caused by the separa-
tion of the two air-tight pistons and n. When the roller k has passed along
the groove and comes in contact with the concentric outside surface * * of the
cam f the pistons / and n and wedge o are pushed back in the contrary direction.
The spiral spring in the boxes as on the other side of the wheel A then comes
into action and forcing the bolt p back releases the warping chain and thus
each nipping rod or bolt or buffer is forced against the chain in succession
and each nipping rod is caused to release its hold in succession as the wheel A
revolves.
In Sheet V Figure 1 represents in elevation an arrangement of warping
apparatus which we consider peculiarly applicable for a tug boat and Figure 2
shews the boat in plan view.. A is the boat B B are two nipping or warping
wheels of either of the constructions shewn in. Sheets. III, and IV.CO

page_text: are "fair leaders or guiding pullies for conducting the warp chain or rope
DD over the wheels B. E E are cog wheels keyed respectively to the
shafts of the wheels B B and revolving therewith. Between these cog wheels
is a pinion F in gear with the wheels E. The machinery is caused to revolve
by the action of an oscillating cylinder engine G which gives motion to the
shaft of the pinion F and thus through the cog wheels E to the warping
wheels B. H is an inclined bevilled roof which covers the boat allowing only
the upper part of the warping wheels to appear above. By this means a
shield is provided to the steersman who can guide the boat (an opening I being
made in the roof to allow of his looking a-head) without being liable to be
swept overboard by the warping chain which chain is free to slide over either
side of the boat and may be unshipped from the warping wheels without
lifting any guiding pullies as was the case in the former arrangements. It
will be readily understood that if the wheels B revolve simultaneously and
alternately grip the warp chain that chain will not be able to slip although
no pullies are employed as in the before-described arrangement for keeping
it in contact with a considerable portion of the periphery of the warp wheels.
Figure 3 Sheet V. represents the manner in which we intend to transfer tug
boats and barges from one level of canal to another level. A represents the
water line of the lower level of the canal and B the water line of the higher level.
Between the two levels of the canal, a bank C is thrown up which may be
cased with brick if thought desirable. From the bottom of the lower portion of
the canal to the bottom of the upper portion an inclined railway is made. D is
a carriage furnished with small wheels to run on the railway and intended to
form a cradle for the tug boat E. The warping rope being secured at its
ends in any conveuient place it is connected by either of the plans above
described to the warping wheel of the tug boat and the steam or other motive
power being applied to the wheel the boat with its cradle will be hauled on to
the higher level. Instead of rails pullies may be mounted in suitable bearings
in the road and the cradle without wheels forming a kind of sledge may be
employed instead of that shewn in the Drawing. When the tug boat has attained
the higher elevation and has floated into the canal above it may by means of
a supplementary warping rope attached successively to each one of its train
of boats or barges haul them up over the embankment the warping wheel of
the tug boat acting in this case as an ordinary windlass. The tug boat with its
hauling machinery may if thought necessary be secured on the verge of the
incline by breast-fasts and moorings leaving space for each boat in succession
to be hauled into the upper part of the canal. After each boat of the train is
raised the tug boat warps a-head and takes the train in tow when it proceeds
as before to the next incline.

page_text: Having now described our Invention of improvements in warping or hauling
vessels and other bodies we desire it to be understood that under the above in
part recited Letters Patent we claim,—
First. The improved construction of expanding reel or whelp wheel
whether applied to the warping of vessels upon inland or other waters or upon
land for moving engines and carriages upon railways and also the arrange-
ment of the machinery employed in connection with such whelp wheel or reel
for guiding the warping rope or chain on to the reel and making it "taut" upon
the whelps, thereof. We further claim under this head of our Invention the
modification shewn at Figures 6 and 7 in Sheet I. whereby the nip is given to
the warping rope or to hoop iron used as a warp by means of friction rollers.
Secondly. We claim the general arrangement of the apparatus for warping
and steering vessels as described with reference to Sheet III. of the Drawings
and particularly we claim the niping or binding of the warping chain or rope
to the warping wheel by temporary pressure whether obtained by the means
described in reference to Sheets III. and IV. or by any similar or analogous
arrangement of nipping apparatus, and this we claim whether used upon land
or water.
Thirdly. We claim the arrangement of the nipping warping wheels and
slanting roof as shewn at Figure 1 Sheet V. for guiding up the warping rope
or chain to the wheels and allowing it to slue from side to side according to
the motion of the vessel.
Fourthly we claim the mode of hauling vessels from one level of canal to
another level as above described.
In witness whereof I the said Andrew Smith have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty-first day of July in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.