Year: 1885

page_text: I GEORGE STEVENSON BUCHANAN of 11 Aston Terrace Hillhead Glasgow in the
County of Lanark, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention to be as
follows:-
This Invention has reference to a most simple arrangement of signalling
apparatus specially designed for steam boat quays or piers for signalling which
vessel of a number approaching it shall first come into the quay or pier in order to
prevent collisions or accidents. Which apparatus is also applicable for signalling
at railway stations to the approaching trains.
The Invention consists essentially in a horizontal fixed style projecting out from
a high pole or standard fixed on a prominent part of the quay or pier or other
place where it can be seen from the steamboats. and so that the signalling may be
easily controlled by the officer on the quay for the purpose.
According to one arrangement at some radial distance from the outer end of this
horizontal style a swivelling centre or spindle is fitted with radiating arms round
it as two at right angles to the horizontal arms of the style in the form of a cross,
or it might be two above and below dividing the circle into six equal parts these
arms being all permanently fixed to the style. For the first arrangement on this
swivelling axis would be fitted three radial arms fitted at right angles to each
other rather narrower than, and revolving behind the radial fixed arms. The
spaces left between the fixed radial arms above the horizontal style would be used
for signalling to vessels coming up the river to the quay, and the spaces below the
horizontal style would be used for vessels coming down the river towards the quay.
And the three swivelling signalling radial arms in their normal position behind the
fixed style would show all the spaces open for any single vessel to approach from
any direction. But when there was more than one vessel approaching these arms
would be turned to show which vessel should approach first-and the three arms
would shut up three of the spaces and only show one clear space which might be
for two vessels coming up the river the one outside the other, then the three
revolving arms would leave the outer space open when the outer vessel was to
approach first and that vessel having approached then the arms would be turned
to show that the inner space was clear and that the inner vessel should approach.
And the same movements could be done for two vessels coming down the river

page_text: leaving the outer or the inner space below the horizontal style open as the case
might be for the outer or the inner vessel approaching the quay first.
In the case of two vessels approaching the quay the one coming up the river and
the other coming down the river towards the quay the three swivelling styles
would be turned to show the upper or the lower outer space free to indicate that
the vessel coming up the river or down the river respectively was to approach the
quay first.
In the modification of my improvements with the two radial fixed arms equally
divided above and below the horizontal bar, and the three equal open spaces
between and formed by these arms, would answer for signalling three steam ships
coming up river, and the three spaces below the bar would in like manner answer
for three coming down river, each in succession as they ought to come into the
quay. And to make the necessary signals in this case (as in the former with only
two spaces above the horizontal bar and two below it) five radial arms would be
required in the rotating signalling arms to block up the five spaces and leave one
open space to indicate the particular ship to come in first. But as so many arms
and spaces are complicated and would not so quickly indicate the open space to the
distant observer, I prefer in this arrangement of my improvements to substitute
for the revolving arms a large revolving disc with a sector space of one sixth of
the circle cut out of it, so that the blind disc part would cover up all the open
spaces between the fixed arms except the one left open by the open sector of the
rotative disc where it was set to indicate the particular ship (of a number up to six)
which is to come into the quay first. The outer open spaces above and below the
centre horizontal bar, would indicate to the off ships coming up or going down
river respectively to come into quay, and in like manner the inner open spaces
would indicate to the near ships, while the central vertical spaces would indicate
to the ships between the outer and near ships in like manner.
The rotative arms
or the disc would be mounted on a spindle and might be actuated by a small
winding barrel secured on the said spindle, having the cord or chain wound on the
barrel carried along the horizontal bar over guide pulleys and down the supporting
standard convenient to the hand of the operator to pull and set to any one of the
signalling positions desired, by a ring passed on to hooks or pins set at proper
distances apart on the pillar, all against the power of a re-acting spring or a weight
made to turn the barrel by a cord or chain in the reverse direction to the actuating
and setting cord or chain, and which, when this latter was let loose, would always
bring the revolving or indicating arms or disc back to their normal position of not
giving any signal. Other mechanical arrangements might be used to actuate the
signalling arms or disc of the usual positive acting character, by the use of wire,
cords, chains or levers, or a combination of these, as used for other signalling
apparatus. The face of the fixed radial arms and their carrying horizontal bar
would preferably be painted white or other colour which would be seen at a
distance, and the revolving and indicating arms or disc might be painted red,
which in signalling usually indicates danger, so that wherever the red colour was
shown in the open spaces this would also show that the ships indicated by these
spaces should keep out. When desired words, such as Keep off" might be
painted on these arms or blind face parts of the disc in addition or instead of the
red colour on these parts and for the like warning purposes.
"

page_text: Improvements in Signalling Apparatus..
I, GEORGE STEVENSON BUCHANAN, of .11 Ashton Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, in
the County of Lanark, Agent, 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 in writing, reference being had
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
My said invention has reference to a most simple arrangement of signalling
apparatus, specially designed and suitable for steam-boat quays or piers, for
signalling which vessel of a number approaching it shall first come into the quay
or pier, in order to prevent collisions or accidents. The apparatus is also applicable
for signalling at railway junctions or stations to the approaching trains.
And in order that the nature and novelty of my said invention, and the manner
of performing the same, may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to
describe the several Figures on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings. Figures 1
and 2 are respectively a side and edge elevation of a complete arrangement of my
improved signalling apparatus, having a revolving signalling disc C, and six spaces
for signalling to three vessels coming up, or three vessels coming down towards
the pier or quay, as suitable for very general traffic where numbers of vessels
require to come in. Figures 3 to 6 show front views of various modifications of
my improved signalling apparatus, as suitable for piers where the traffic is less,
and also where it is more considerable and complicated. That is,-Figure 3
shows a side view of a very simple construction of the apparatus with one or two
radiating arms, as suitable for application to piers where the traffic is small; and
where vessels were not frequently approaching in the same direction; but where
two vessels might not unfrequently be coming in from the up and down directions
near the same time. Figure 4 shows an elevation of a simple form or modification
of my improved signalling apparatus, with three rotating radial arms, and four
positions, suitable where the traffic is small for signalling to four steam ships
approaching the pier or quay at one time; and Figure 5 shows a corresponding
view of an arrangement with six divisions for signalling to six vessels approaching
the quay at one time. And Figure 6 shows an elevation of a disc having a
section or sector of one eighth of its surface cut out of it, for signalling in four
positions above the fixed arm A, and four positions below it, for signalling to a
corresponding number of vessels coming up, or coming down towards the pier
respectively.
Referring to these Drawings my said invention consists essentially in a hori-
zontal fixed style or bar A secured to and projecting out from the upper part of a
high pole or standard B, fixed by a socket B¹ or other equivalent, all for carrying
the signalling arrangements on the horizontal arm A, on a prominent part of the
quay or pier, or other place where it can be seen from the steam boats, or other
vessels, and so that the signalling may be easily controlled by the officer on the
quay for the purpose... The principle is, that all signals made on the upper side of

page_text: the bar A, apply to vessels going up a river or lake, and signals made on the down
side apply to vessels going down.
According to one simple arrangement, shown in Figure 3, this consists of only
the horizontal fixed carrying bar A, with a single semaphore arm b, mounted and
revolving on the spindle a; and which when turned to point up above, or down
below the bar A, would indicate that the pier was open to down or up going
vessels respectively. It would however be better and safer to make this rotating
arm b double that is with another arm b¹ at right angles to b, so as to render it
impossible to have the up and down sides open at the same time. According to
the arrangement shown in Figure 4, at some radial distance from the outer end of
this fixed horizontal carrying style A, a swivelling centre or spindle is fitted at a,
having fixed radial arms round it projecting out from the style A, as two A1, A2, at
right angles to the horizontal arms of the style A, in the form of a cross, dividing
the circle into four open parts or sections 1, 2, 3, 4; or it might be two arms A¹ A¹¹
above and two A2, A³, below, dividing the circle into six equal open sections, three
above 1, 2, 3, and three below 4, 5, 6, as shown in Figure 5, these arms being all
permanently fixed to the horizontal style A. For the first arrangement Figure 4,
on this swivelling axis a would be fitted three radial arms b at right angles to each
other, rather narrower than, and revolving behind the radial fixed arms A, A1, A².
The spaces 1 and 2 left between the fixed radial arms, above the horizontal style A,
would be used for signalling to vessels coming up the river to the quay, and the
spaces 3 and 4 below the horizontal style A would be used for vessels coming down
the river towards the quay. And the three swivelling signalling radial .arins b, in
their normal position, behind the fixed style A, would show all the spaces open for
any single vessel to approach from any direction. But when there are more than
one vessel approaching the quay, as say, for two vessels coming up the river at the
same time, the one outside the other, these arms b would be turned to show which
vessel should come on first, (as say the inner vessel), and the three arms b would
be turned a fourth of a circle at each movement to shut up three of the open spaces
(as 2, 3, 4,), and only show one clear space, then the three revolving arms b would
leave the inside inner space (1) open when the inner vessel was to approach first,
as shown in this position in Figure 4, and that the quay for the time being is
closed to all others; and that vessel having approached, then the arms would be
turned to show that the-outer space 2 was clear and that the outer vessel should
come on. And the same movements could be done for two vessels coming down
the river leaving the outer space 3 or the inner space .4 below the horizontal
style. A, open as the case might be, for the outer or the inner vessel approaching
the quay first respectively. Then say, in the case of two vessels approaching the
quay, the one coming up the river, and the other coming down the river at the
same time towards the quay, the three swivelling arms b would be turned to
show the upper inner space, or the lower outer or inner spaces 3 or 4 free, to
indicate that the vessel coming up the river, or down the river respectively,
was to approach the quay first. In the modification of my improvements shown
in Figure 5, where the two radial fixed arms A¹, A¹, and the two A', A³,
equally divide the circle above and below the horizontal bar A respectively, into
three equal open sections or spaces 1, 2, 3, above, which would answer for
signalling three steam ships coming up the river; and into three open spaces 4, 5, 6.
below the bar A which would in like manner answer for three coming down the
river, each in succession, as they ought to come into the quay. And to make
the necessary signals in this case (as in the former with only two spaces above the
horizontal bar A, and two below it), five radial arms b would be required, fitted on
the rotating signalling spindle a and turned one-sixth of the circle at each move-
ment, to block up five spaces, and leave any one open space, to indicate the
particular ship to come into the quay first, and indicate that the quay is for the
time being closed to all others. But as so many arms b and spaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
are complicated, and would not so quickly indicate the open space to the distant
observer, I prefer in this arrangement of, my improvements. to substitute for the
.

page_text: revolving arms b a large revolving disc C, as shown in the complete side and edge
views in Figures 1 and 2, with a sector space c of one sixth of the circle cut out of
it, so that the blind disc part C would cover up all the open spaces between the
fixed arms A, except the one left open by the open sector c of the rotative disc C,
where it was set to indicate the particular ship (of a number up to six) which is to
come into the quay first. The inner open space 1 above and 6 below the centre
horizontal bar A, would indicate to the in-shore ships coming up or going down
river, respectively, to come into quay; and in like manner the outer open spaces. 3
above and 4 below the bar A, would indicate to the off-shore ships, coming up or
going down river, respectively, which should come into the quay first, while the
central vertical spaces 2 and 5 above and below the bar A respectively, would
indicate to the central ships between the outer and near ships in like manner to
come into quay respectively. In this arrangement, of the signalling apparatus, or
in any of the others described the rotative disc C or arms b would be mounted on.
the rotative spindle a between a double set of the fixed arms A on each side of it,
and might be actuated by a small winding barrel a¹ secured on the said spindle a,
and have a wire cord a¹¹ or a chain wound twice round the barrel a', carried along
between the horizontal bars A, over a guide pulley all, and down one side of the
supporting standard B, and attached to a rod a with a hand ring or hook a³ on
the lower end of the rod a³, convenient to the hand of the operator to pull and set to
any one of the six signalling positions desired, by putting it on to any one of the six
pins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, (in the plate a*) set at proper distances apart on the pillar, to
correspond to the six open spaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, between the arms A, the three
upper pins 1, 2, 3 being for up going vessels, and the three lower 4, 5, 6 for down
ones; all against the power of a counter or re-acting weight D (or it might be a
spring), made to turn the barrel by a cord or chain d, in the reverse direction to
the actuating and setting cord or chain a¹¹, and which, when this latter was let
loose from the pins on the plate a would always bring the revolving or indicating
arms b or the disc C, back to their normal position of not giving any signal, the
open section c then being turned towards the post, or in the case of the revolving
arms b turning them behind or in line with the fixed arms A, leaving all the spaces
open, and where they would be maintained in their normal position by the stop e on
the rod A².
Referring to Figure 6 in some cases a disc C with the section or sector c cut
out of it, might be used alone, without the fixed radial arms A¹, A¹, above and
A², A³, below the fixed horizontal style A, as indicated in Figures 1 and 5. And
this disc C might in some cases, have a section c of an eighth of the circle only cut
out of it, to be used to indicate four places or positions above the horizontal
style A, and four positions below it, (indicated by dotted lines), to signal a corre-
sponding number of vessels coming up or coming down towards the quay. Other
mechanical arrangements than those shown, might be used to actuate the signalling
arms 6 or disc C, of the usual positive acting character, by the use of wires, cords,
chains or levers, or a combination of these, or by rack and pinion wheel work, as
used for actuating other signalling apparatus.
For use at night, red lamps are fixed one at each side at the centre of the fixed
cross arms A, so as to show red to up and down vessels, but a white light is
pivotted, so as to hang perpendicularly in all positions, in a frame at the centre of
the outer edge of the open sector c and revolves with it. The position of this
white light, in reference to the red ones, indicates in what position the open sector
is standing, and, consequently, which vessel is to come on, all others keeping off.
This system and means and appliances, of signalling are so simple, that no code
requires to be learned or remembered, being self-interpreting, and easily understood
almost at sight, and by intuition after a few minutes observation. There is no
combination or complication of signals to lead to mistakes, under any circum-
stances, on the part of signal-men, or observing commanders and steersmen, on
board of ship, as a single action and signal indicates which vessel of a number is to
come on first, and that the others must all keep off, whether they are coming up or
'

page_text: down towards the pier. It is therefore impossible by these improvements to
signal more than one vessel at a time to come on, which is most essential, even
should there be an indecision or mistake as to which vessel ought to come in first,
on the part of the signalman, and will prevent accidents where these causes led to
them heretofore.
In the case of piers where there are more than one berth, a signal would require
to be erected opposite each berth. They could be wrought separately, or arrange-
ments could easily be made to work them from a harbour-master's box, like a
railway-signal cabin.
Although herein before these improvements have only been particularly described,
for signalling vessels up to piers, it will be understood that they are also applicable
for certain railway junctions or stations, and circumstances where the stations are
small compared with the traffic, and where a number of trains are either coming up
or down, from different lines, or require to stop on different lines before getting
into the station; and one of these signalling arrangements or apparatus could be
erected at each station or platform of a station for either or both the up and the
down trains.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
First. The mode or method of signalling steam ships or other vessels, approaching
a pier or quay, or a railway train approaching a junction or station, in the up or
down direction, the signals being given by the rotation of arms, or of a disc which
leaves one blank space only above or below a horizontal bar respectively, for each
vessel or train to come on or up to the pier or station, all substantially as herein
described, in reference to, or shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and arrangement of the 'parts of signalling apparatus
having rotating arms, or a disc, leaving one blank radial section or space above or
below a horizontal fixed bar, for signalling which ship or train, of a number of
these, is to come on or up to a pier or station, all substantially as herein described,
in reference to, or shown in the accompanying Drawings.
1