IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE DEPTH OF WATER AND THE SPEED OF SHIPS OR VESSELS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. left by Albert Baker, at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th December
1864.
I, ALBERT BAKER, of Walpole Street, New Cross, in the County of Surrey,
formerly a Master Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE DEPTH OF WATER AND
THE SPEED OF SHIPS OR VESSELS," to be as follows:-
The great novel features of this Invention upon which the lesser ones
comprised in it are based consists in the employment outboard (in the water)
of a cylinder as sounding line carrier and deliverer, as a log with or without
the said live, and as a float anchor for moving by means of a hauling line
(cable) a tapering reel along a longitudinal outboard suspension line at the
ship's side. In this latter case the reel becomes the log or speed indicator as well
as sounding line carrier and deliverer, and shows both the depth of the water and
speed of the ship simultaneously. The former partially results from the reels
carrying a series of indicators of a peculiar character showing at a glance the
number of layers of coils of line contained by it, and also the number of
fathoms of each and of all combined, or any number of them. This not only
of the left ones but of the departed ones as well.
When the depth of the water is to be had by placing the sounding line in
the cylinder, and this it will be necessary to do when the water is very deep.
unless the ship be stopped or slowed, it will be so done by means of the

page_text: tapering reel or an inner cylinder or tube either the one or the other according
to circumstances. The tapering reel does not turn in its one socket bearing
in the cylinder, but while being thus suspended vertically (upright) lets the
line slip down the taper and from its small end in the free'est possible manner.
The taper at the lower end of the reel is reversed, thus producing a tapering
knob 4 inches long, more or less, which prevents the line from slipping off the
reel all at once bodily, while it allows it to glide away in the free manner
stated. The line is locked by the log line after the sinker takes the ground
so that it cannot possibly run off more. This is effected by placing the bight
of the log line at the lower end of the cylinder in the form of a ring whose
circumference is the same as that of the cylinders, the ring being thus secured
at the outset and by means of twine stops or otherwise draws the sounding line
to one side of the cylinder immediately the drum wheel in connection with the
log line is stopped at the ship. The sounding line can only run off the reel
when allowed to play around the tapering knob.
The connecting ring bight of the log line is confined in the position men-
tioned by means of metal twin eyes at the extreme lower end of the cylinder.
This because the single parts composing the bight leads through the eyes
separately. The tube when used in the cylinder instead of the tapering reel,
has each of its ends temporarily enclosed by means of a circular board, it
having a hole through its centre. The lower one for the egress of the line,
and both for the reception of curved hollowed sticks, and a shaft for winding
the line preparatory to drawing the tube over all. The latter having been
done and pins inserted to keep the boards in position, the shaft is withdrawn,
thus loosening the sticks so that they fall out, leaving the tube and contents
complete and in readiness for use in the manner stated; it having been placed
and secured in the cylinder the line runs from its centre and in an obvious
manner, and is also locked on the sinkers taking the ground, but not in the
manner described for the tapering reel. In this case the line leads through a
hole in the centre of a roller immediately under the tube holes, the roller being
carried by projecting studs at the extreme lower end of the cylinder. The
upper end of the latter being pointed and with an eye at the apex, the log
line is by it conducted to the roller, around which it passes several times.
On stopping the drum wheel at the ship, the roller instantaneously turns from
the twine stops breaking, thus throwing off the several coils of log line and
putting simultaneously twice as many of the sounding line around it (the
roller) rendering it impossible for the line to run out more, there being at the
under side of the cylinder a spring pall that catches against a projecting tooth
or cog, so that the roller cannot possibly turn back however great the strain

page_text: on the sounding line. This however will not be great ordinarily if the sinker
be left at the ground as it should be done, it costing less to lose it than to
save it. I will here observe that the lower end of the cylinder proper has no
cover, and this allows dropping the cylinder from over the ship's taffrail into
the water vertically and perpendicularly, there being little concussion, especially
if the tapering reel be used, because as the cylinder descends the water forces
the internal air out of a series of holes in its sides, allowing it to descend low,
leaving but a small portion of its pointed end out of the water. The cylinder
obtains and retains the upright position indicated from its upper end carrying
air in a chamber, the lower end an internal lining of thick sheet lead or
otherwise. The slight friction of the travelling sounding line at the point of
egress, and the confined bight of the log line at an external eye at the centre
of the cylinder. This position it retains till the log line be checked at the
ship, thus causing the small stop line to break at the said central eye, allowing
the log line to straighten and turn the cylinder. This done, the latter almost
jumps over the waves, especially when being drawn towards the advancing
ship at the rate of more than half a mile a minute by a wheel driven .bý
a donkey engine. The cylinder cannot fail to travel in a desirable manner,
because it is so balanced by the air and lead that the water becomes an
inclined plane to it, thus forcing it upwards continually during its travel to
the ship. The size of the cylinder for ordinary purposes need not be great;
say 4 feet long extreme length and 4 inches diameter, this because it will
be found best to use in most cases a very small line, one little larger than
ordinary sail twine and made of flax, the very best, rendering the line smooth,
flexible, and comparatively strong. The sinker employed offers the least
possible resistance to the water during its descent, it may be detached from
the line leaving the latter for preservation. By the adoption of any one of
a number of practical methods the most simple of which would seem to be
that whereby the sinker is disposed of by severing at the outset 1 or 2 of
the strands, thus rendering the line at the sinker's head so weak as to part
there as required. If however the water be very deep, instead of severing &
strand or strands, thus rendering it possible for the sinker to break away from
the line before reaching the ground, it might be well to detach it by means of
a metal ball and hook. For this a small steel rod would at the outset spring
as it were from the sinker's bead, and having been subsequently bent into
a hook of a suitable form, its free end pointing downwards, the ball having a
hole through its centre, and being in connection with the end of the line,'
would be slipped up the free straight prong against a circular projecting stop.'
The slight retarding action of the line and great comparative weight of the

page_text: sinker would keep the ball in position till the lower end of the former. enters
the ground, its progess being thus suddenly ended that of the ball would be
continued till it had slipped down the free prong and entirely away from the
hook, the ball being very small would most likely offer just about resistance
enough to the water to render the line sufficiently taut for winding on the
reel direct from the water preparatory to sounding again. The line thus trail-
ing astern of the ship would be without kinks and in the best possible condition
and position for winding as stated. The projecting studs that carry the roller
at the lower end of the cylinder may be detachable if not dispensed with
altogether, they not being required when the tapering reel is used. The cylinder
may in some cases carry a series of longitudinal external projections, thus
producing cells or recesses, rendering the cylinder perhaps a better float
anchor than it would otherwise be, the projections would consist of strips
of sheet metal, and arranged in a manner to prevent the cylinder making
lateral or side-wise move. This while they would offer comparatively no
longitudinal resistance, their upper ends having been curved or. tapered in
a proper manner. The log line, instead of carrying ordinary indicators may
carry a series of painted marks, a space a foot long would represent a mile
of sailing, a space 2 feet long 2 miles, and so on upwards. The paint
employed would be white and put on with a brush. The sounding line that is
to be used in the tube may also be marked with white paint, an inch would
for example, represent a fathom, 6 inches, 12 fathoms, and a painted space 1
foot long would show that 24. fathoms of line had run out. The reckoning
would, from time to time, commence at the inner or outer end of the marks,
according to the original design. In some cases it may be well to employ a
small buoy in connection with the cylinder. This, for instance, when the ship
is running before a high wind and great waves. The buoy would be a small
tube with pointed ends, the lower one carrying an an eye; a small line would be
employed in connection with the latter and the small external central eye at
the cylinder's side; the line would be all coiled around the cylinder's head. The
wooden roller having been exchanged for a cast iron or leaden one, or the
cylinder otherwise weighted, the buoy would be allowed to accompany, the
cylinder to the water, and as the, latter descended, the coils would unmake,
allowing the buoy to float on the water, while the cylinder descended im
mediately below the waves into still water, there to be. comparatively
motionless, while, the sounding line descended from it perpendicularly, the
capacity of the buoy being, only sufficient, so suspend the cylinder, the force
exerted by it to move the latter out of position would be comparatively nothing;
on stopping the drum wheel the cylinder would rise and travel on the water to the

page_text: ship with the small buoy in its wake, notwithstanding its increased weight.
The cylinder should be constructed of sheet copper, steel, or what is commonly
called tin, if not of copper it would be coated with a composition paint of a
character to prevent rust. The partition in the cylinder carries at its lower
side a cylindrical socket for the reception of the upper end of the tapering
reel. An aperture, with a hinged cover at the cylinder's side, affords access to
the said socket for the purpose of attaching and detaching the reel and tube.
The upper circular board of the latter may carry at its upper side a projection of
cylindrical form to fit into the said socket as holder of the tube and contents.
The said projection and a small one at the outer side of the lower circular
board (the position of both being central) will allow securing the boards on
the metal shaft easily and effectively, thus obviating the necessity for passing
pins through the greatest diameter of the boards. The roller has on it 3
circular projecting shoulders, the central one producing 2 divisions, one for
the several coils of log line, and the other for the reception of twice as many of
the sounding line, during the unmaking of the former. Instead of using
twine or other small line to stop the log line to the small external eye at the
centre of the cylinder, and also as stops in connection with the roller, steel-
spring catches may be thus employed, and in a manner to yield immediately a
given strain comes upon them. For weighting the cylinder properly,
from time to time, it might be well to have on board of the ship in
constant readiness rollers made of 3 different kinds of material namely,
wood, cast-iron, and lead; or the cylinder might perhaps be weighted
at any time by simply using a leaden circular piece at the lower end of the
tube instead of the circular board. The leaden piece would be very thick or
otherwise according to circumstances. The indicators at the tapering reel are
composed of narrow short pieces of very thin strong tape, but some very thin skin,
say of the bladder of a beast might be better, as it would occupy comparatively
no room on the layers of coils of line; the series of pieces of tape are attached
to the outer circumference or edge of the projecting shoulder of the tapering
reel, and extend altogether entirely around it; they are kept in position by
means of a brass ring, the latter carrying the number of each indicator, and
in the following manner:-Immediately over one of the pieces of tape is the
Figure 1, and over an adjoining one is Figure 2, thus the numbers increase
upwards to 20, more or less. For winding the line the end would be put
through a hole outwards in the tapering knob at the lower end of the reel,
and a knot taken in the line as stop, the reel having a hole through its centre
lengthwise would receive a shaft, and after the one had been secured to the
other by means of a pin, it would be put in bearings of a suitable cast-iron

page_text: frame or otherwise. On turning the shaft by means of a crank handle the
line would be wound upwards, one coil going close up against a corresponding
one, but no coil riding that of another before reaching the projecting shoulder
near the upper end of the reel, but just before reaching it indicator No. 1
would be placed on the face of the reel, it extending from the projecting
shoulder not more than an inch. Having completed the first layer of coils,
indicator No. 2 would be placed on the said layer and the line wound over it
downwards, commencing for this immediately against the shoulder, thus the
line would be wound layer after layer till the reel contained the required
quantity; immediately against the Figure 1 are other figures showing the
number of fathoms and parts, contents of the first layer of coils, there are
also figures adjoining Figure 2 showing the number of fathoms, contents of
the second layer of coils, thus the numbers increase upwards; at the upper
side of the projecting shoulder there is a circular brass plate in detachable
sections, the same carried by short fixed pins each having a screw thread on
its projecting end for the reception of a small thumb nut; the said plate
carries figures showing the number of fathoms of line that shall have run off
the reel from time to time. If for example there be 20 indicators, then imme-
diately against the No. 19 will be found on the plate figures showing the number
of fathoms and parts of a fathom of the layers No. 20 and 19, and against
the No. 18 the contents of Nos. 20, 19, and 18, thus the figures are arranged
upwards to show at a glance of the eye the quantity of line that shall have run
off the reel at any time excepting a part of a layer; for this there must be a
table on prepared cardboard or otherwise representing the face of the reel in
inches showing the length of line of each inch of a layer, reckoning for
instance from the tapering knob upwards; tables for layers No. 1-10, and 20
would be sufficient; a pencil mark would be made on the table in a manner
to represent the unfinished layer; the word none would be-written on the
table representing the blank portion of the space at the reel. If the tables
are not arranged and marked to scale, then a measuring rule like that of a car-
penter's must be kept at hand in readiness for applying to the unfinished layer
in order to ascertain its length in inches. The removeable sections com-
posing the circular plate serve from time to time as holders of the unused
tape indicators. This by unscrewing the nuts till the ends of the tape can
be inserted between the plate and the protecting shoulder. The nuts would
then be screwed up, thus forcing the plate tight against the tape and shoulder.
If the unused indicators are not thus disposed of from time to time, they will
be hanging loose as if they had been so left by the departed coils of line and
might cause a great mistake to be made in the reckoning. The said indicators

page_text: obviates the necessity for marking the line at all, and gives much better
results than would otherwise be had, and if the line should part from time to
time it would not affect the reckoning at all. The working of the tape
indicators is as follows:-A quantity of line having run off the reel the
liberated loose pieces of tape would be counted in order to know how many
courses had run off the reel, and the figures on the circular plate would give
the contents of the full layers, and by means of the table the length of a part
of a layer thus run off would also be ascertained. It will not be necessary
ever to allow for any swelling and shrinking of the line, as it makes com-
paratively no difference whether it be wound in a wet or a dry state. Wound
when wet the number of coils is rather less, but being larger the one
compensates for the other. During the running of the line from the cylinder,
whether the tapering reel or tube be therein employed, the water will be
continually closing around the coils, thus taking the place of the departed
line, otherwise a vacuum would be produced and this nature would not allow.
This water pressure will cause the position of the line to be the best possible
ordinarily, and it will after the sinker takes the ground keep the line from
running out more till it be locked by the log line. The advancing ship serves
as an anchor to the cylinder, and the log line as cable, thus keeping it in one
position. In other words, the slight pull of the cylinder on the log line
sufficient to turn the drum wheel and the slow sinking of the said line both
combined will render the cylinder sufficiently motionless to discharge the
sounding line effectively. The slight friction of the latter at the point of
egress tends also to keep the cylinder in one position, and it a desirable one,
thus the cylinder becomes the most efficient log that can be conceived. Some
of the log line should be coiled on the deck of the ship between the drum
wheel and the taffrail, and just before the cylinder draws the last coil away a
rapid whirl would be given the wheel by the hand. This would prevent too
great a strain coming upon the twine stop at the external central eye at the
cylinder's side. The log line should travel in a deep groove of an overhanging
guide roller at the taffrail. It might be well in some cases to place the upper
end of the sinker in a recess (hole) in the lower end of the tapering reel or in
the hole of the roller, and also that of the tube board. This having been done
the lower end of the sinker would be guyed (supported) by means of thread
just sufficient to bear the weight of the sinker and to keep it at the centre of the
cylinder's mouth. On the cylinders striking the water, the concussion would
be sufficient to break the thread, allowing the sinker to descend vertically and
perpendicularly from the cylinder. In some cases the lower end of the latter
may carry two circular pieces of thick sheet india-rubber, each piece would be

page_text: immediately over an eye (hole) in the cylinder and confined thus by means of
a narrow circular plate of very thin metal, the said eyes would be opposite each
other, in other words, they would be at the greatest possible distance apart,
each piece would have a slit or otherwise in its centre; a small line as lanyard
or bridle would be put through the second hole of the sinker's head, then one
end of the line would be put through the eye and rubber slit at one side of the
cylinder, and also through an eye at the upper end of the latter. The other
end of the line would then be put through the eye and rubber slit at the other
side of the cylinder, and, lastly, through a corresponding eye at its upper end.
By means of this line the cylinder might be lowered to the water or it might be
dropped from the taffrail as before suggested. In either case, the descending
sinker would cause the friction of the bridle line in the slit of the rubber to
be sufficient to keep the cylinder in an upright position, thus allowing the
sounding line to run off freely. The bridle line might be allowed to descend
with the sinker or otherwise. The sounding line to be carried by the tube
must be wound with the same care as suggested for that of the tapering reel,
and in a similar manner. If this be done the line will run out as freely as if
wound on the latter. If the cylinder is at any time to descend below the
waves with the tapering reel in position, the lower half of the latter may be
of lead; thus weighting the cylinder. On taking the latter from the water
from time to time the reel or tube after being detached might be passed
through a hole in the back side of the deck house, or through the deck proper
of the ship, preparatory to winding the line under cover direct from the water,
but if a number of spare reels or tubes, or both, be held in readiness with
lines complete, as should be done, then it might be best under difficult circum-
stances (say a stormy night) to wind the line or lines carelessly and rapidly,
and keep them thus till a favourable opportunity offered for winding them
properly. In order to know how long to leave the cylinder overboard from time
to time before stopping the drum wheel it would be well to resort to a series
of experimental trials in very deep water and ascertain the rate of speed of
sinkers of various weights, if, for example, the rate of descent of a ten-pounder
be found to be 200 fathoms a minute for a limited time, then if subsequently
the wheel be stopped in one minute after putting the cylinder into the water
with a ten pound weight, and 150 fathoms or less be gone from the reel or
tube, it will be known that the sinker reached the ground, and the depth of
water would then be had.
. It now remains for me to describe the manner of working the tapering
reel on the longitudinal suspension line at the ship's side. For this there
would be in position two projecting outboard arms or davits, one of them at

page_text: the after and the other at the forward part of the ship. The same carrying
the said suspension line at their outer ends, and the line, a ring or other
traveller, on the after davit, there would be mounted a roller, it having a deep
groove, and on the forward davit a winch. A bauling, line would, be used in
connection with the cylinder roller, traveller, and winch. The hauling line
would carry a small ball at a suitable point. The following is, the directions
for placing the reel-Insert in the lengthwise central hole of the reel a metal
shaft (rod), it having an eye at each of its ends; attach the upper eye to a
hook at the traveller, put one end of a small line (it say 4 feet long) through
the second hole in the sinker's head, then tie the two ends together, thus pro-
ducing a strap, put the free end of the latter through the lower eye of the
sbaft, then slip it on the free end of a small longitudinal metal rod that had
been thus suspended from the outer end of the davit. Before placing the
strap as stated the upper eye of the shaft would have been slipped on to the
said rod, thus bringing the upper end of the strap immediately against the back
side of the upper end of the reel and the sinker's head at the lower end of the
latter. A quantity of the hauling line having been wound on the drum (barrel)
of the winch, a man with a watch in hand would place himself at the ship's
rail midway between the two davits; the cylinder would then be put over the
ship's quarter or taffrail into the water as a float anchor, and it allowed to go
astern of the ship while the winch turned and gave off the line. Immediately
the attendant at the forward station perceived the ball about to strike the
bearing eye at the traveller he would speak out loudly the word "gone," "and
as the reel neared the after station the attendant there would also speak out
loudly, saying "up." The weakened line would have parted at the sinker's
hend immediately the reel took against the davit, even if it did not get to the
ground. This because the line cannot run off the reel after the sinker passes
a point from immediately under the former; the distance travelled by the
reel being known, and the time of its travel. The speed of the ship would
also be known after referring to a table on a cardboard, or elsewhere that
had been previously prepared, and after detaching the reel from the hook at
the traveller, and counting the liberated tape indicators, and looking at the
corresponding figures on the circular plate. The depth of the water would
also be known if the sinker reached the ground. During the said examinations
the cylinder would be travelling to the ship, it having turned from a vertical
position immediately the reel took against the davit, but before turning the
winch at the forward davit to draw the cylinder as stated. A small india-
rubber strap (ring) in a recess at the ball would be laid hold of expanded and
attached to the hook or otherwise of the traveller, it causing the latter to go

page_text: to the forward davit. This having been done, the rubber strap would be
detached from the traveller, allowing it to go with the ball on to the winch
among the coils of line. The winch having drawn the cylinder to the roller
at the davit head would be stopped. Another reel would then be attached to
the traveller preparatory to sounding again precisely as described. This during
the winding of the first line on to its reel direct from the water.