IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS AND ACCESSORIES FOR MOORING OR ANCHOR- ING NAVIGABLE VESSELS OR OTHER FLOATING STRUCTURES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES ON BOARD SHIP OR OTHER FLOATING STRUCTURES AND PIERS."
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Saunders at the Office of the
Cóminissioners of Patents on the 21st March 1876.
ROBERT SAUNDERS, of Croydon, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS AND ACCESSORIES FOR MOORING OR ANCHOR-
ING NAVIGABLE VESSELS OR OTHER FLOATING STRUCTURES, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES ON BOARD
SHIP OR OTHER FLOATING STRUCTURES AND PIERS."
The improvements in the method of and apparatus and accessories for mooring,
or anchoring navigable vessels, or other floating structures to which my present
Invention relates are to a certain extent additions, improvements, and modifications
on a former Invention, for which I obtained Letters Patent, No. 278, dated
30th January 1872.
First. In my former Invention before referred to, to promote the holding power
of anchors and to mitigate all sudden shocks and strains to which the cable may be
subjected when vessels are bringing up, or riding in a heavy sea, I place upon the
deck of the vessel a controller and stopper combined, which acts upon springs, being
an accessory to the holding power of the anchor. My present improvements consist
in using the controller as in my former Invention for checking, stopping, and riding,
as well as for heaving in the cable, but improving the same by introducing a
shifting wood bed, grooved and recessed into the controller box, also adding a cam
lever to the compresser or break; such lever being made to ship and unship, its action
forces the break upon the flat or horizontal links of the chain. The lever at the
end of the break is also improved by adding an additional and detacheable length,
which can be fixed and used when required. Further, the controller bed may be
altered to fit the run of telegraph or other wire cables; also for towing purposes
when wire rope is used; also the controller box and break may be used independently
of fixed elastics or buffers as in former Invention. Instead of such fixed buffers
I substitute a pile of elastic discs in a frame, or otherwise mounted abaft the
unfixed machine or controller proper. This clastic buffer is connected by a wire,
bar, chain, or rope to the controller, the controller being fitted on a platform with
side guides to keep the machine true to its work. The controller apparatus is all
portable and can be taken away at pleasure.
Secondly. My present Invention consists of a peculiar toothed wheel having

page_text: alternately a plain tooth and an open tooth or jaw, so as to both grip the horizontal
links and to bear on the shoulder of the vertical links. This wheel is adapted to
both the windlass or capstan, and is arranged to act upon the cable when heaving in
close to the deck. The cable is led in a groove or guide after it passes through the
corresponding channel in the bed of the controller. Such guide may be of wood
and portable. All the pawls and breaks connected with windlass or capstan,
I provide with clastic buffers.
Thirdly. For mooring chains I usc elastic buffers set in a frame which may be
attached to the most convenient part of the moorings.
Fourthly. Buffers in or without a frame may be used for tiller chains either
connected to the standing end of such chains or by having a standard, or bollard to
butt against.
Fifthly. For cranes, winches, either on board ship or on shore, my compressers or
controllers may be advantageously applied; also the buffers or controllers are
particularly applicable to be used in connection with boats' painters.
Sixthly. My present Invention consists in the use of portable improved flukes to
be applied to stockless anchors for anchoring or mooring purposes. These flukes
are held in position by two transverse bars placed somewliat apart and strongly
rivetted to short blocks of metal or to a cross bar so as to strengthen them. The
flukes of the anchor are made so as to be bolted or otherwise secured to the back-
bone or foundation of the anchor. The holding part may be secured with rivets
permanently whilst that on the other side may be held in position by bolts. By
this arrangement stockless anchors may be conveniently stowed.
Seventhly. When the anchor is dragging the cable at the hawse pipe or inside
shakes as the anchor jumps over the bottom, which vibration and sound is conveyed
to the anchor watch, or to the captain's cabin, or other place by a suitable system
of known appliances or gear.
Eighthly. The clastic medium used for the buffers, controllers, or compressers
may be india-rubber, or elastic fibre, or steel coiled springs, or constructed of other
suitable material or metal. The buffers, controllers, or compressers are applicable
for all mooring or anchoring purposes, and for all appliances and apparatus subjected
to sudden shocks. They are also applicable to floating jetties, or piers in connection
with vessels or other craft secured to or coming up against the same.