IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO MECHANICAL TELEGRAPHS AND THEIR FITTINGS FOR SHIPS"
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Chadburn of Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
MECHANICAL TELEGRAPHS AND THEIR FITTINGS FOR SHIPS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Chadburn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th March 1883.
WILLIAM CHADBURN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MECHANICAL TELEGRAPHS AND THEIR FITTINGS FOR
SHIPS
"
My Invention relates to certain improvements herein-after more particularly
mentioned and in mechanical telegraphs for ships in which are employed gongs, or
bells, or other sounding devices and dials and indicating pointers and provides for
changing the intonation of the gong, bell, or other sounding device so that such
change in intonation directs attention to and. corresponds with the changing of
orders transmitted by the telegraph.
Previous to my Invention it has been the practice to provide the sending,
receiving and reply instruments of mechanical telegraphs as used on board ship
with a gong, or bell, which the mechanism of the telegraph strikes and sounds at
each transmission of an order, or reply, such sound occuring at each change of the
indicating pointer on the dial. The same gong, bell, or sounding device and tone
being used to serve for all messages and replies, whether for the ahead, or astern
orders of engine telegraphs, port, or starboard orders of steering telegraphs, or
orders of other ship-telegraphs. I have found that this system is open to grave
objections inasmuch as through carelessness and in some cases through the instru-
ments being in dark places and the sound as now given not indicating which way
the pointer has moved necessitates reference to the dial before the import of the
order is clear.
My Invention consists in overcoming the objections just described in the
following manner, namely according to my Invention I provide mechanical
telegraphs for ships with two, or more separate and distinct sounding devices of

page_text: different tones so that each change of direction of order is represented by a distinct
change of sound, or tone. For example instead of using a single sounding device
in the receiving instrument of an engine room telegraph, the tone of which is the
same for all orders, I, according to my Invention use separate sounding devices
such as two gongs, or bells, namely a gong, or bell having a shrill, or sharp tone,
and a gong, or bell having a base, or deep tone. The mechanism of the telegraph
is so arranged that when the indicator pointer is travelling one way, for example
from full speed ahead to full speed astern, one sound, or note only is struck, say
the shrill, or sharp tone, and when the indicator is travelling the other way, say
from full speed astern to full speed ahead, the other sound, or note, say the base, or
deep tone only is struck. Thus the receiver of the message is by the distinct
change of sound made aware that the direction of the order is changed and in what
direction.
Another arrangement consists in the change of sound, or note taking place at the
change of orders namely one sound, or note being used for all ahead orders, and the
other sound, or note being used for all astern orders. In this case a third tone may
be used for "stop."
Another, but rather more complicated arrangement consists in having a distinct
change of sound, or note for each individual order. This arrangement however
necessitates a multiplicity of gongs, or bells, or hammers arranged to strike
different notes, and although coming within the scope of this Invention is not so
easily put into practice as the simple arrangement of two gongs, or bells of distinct
intonations.
Jn like manner it will be understood that distinct sounds can be used in
connection with other telegraphs on board ship for example with steering
telegraphs. In this case one tone is used for all orders from hard a-starboard to
hard a-port and the other tone is used for all orders from hard a port to hard a
starboard. My Invention can also be used in connection with Docking telegraphs
on board ship, Turret telegraphs, or Firing telegraphs on men of war and Torpedo
telegraphs.
Under one arrangement where two distinct sounds are employed I use two
concentric gongs of distinct tones one inside the other, the outer one having a
deeper flange. Inside of the gongs I provide the usual star wheel and two striking
bolts, or their equivalent as now employed on mechanical telegraphs, so as to strike
the two gongs separately. One of the striking bolts, or hammers is fitted and
formed to strike the inner gong and the other striking bolt, or hammer is fitted and
formed to strike the outer gong. Thus as the star wheel is revolved one way, the
inner gong is sounded and as the star wheel is revolved the other way the outer
gong is sounded. The direction of the revolution of the star wheel being dependent
upon the action of the telegraph and the two gongs having different tones, it will
be evident that for all orders in which the indicator travels one way one tone will
be sounded aud a change of tone will take place the instant the direction of
movement of the indicator is reversed. Instead of arranging the two gongs one
inside the other they may be placed back to back, face to face, or side by side.
Under another arrangement where it is required to change the sounds, such
change can be effected by using one gong only and striking such gong by either of
two hammers, or striking bolts, one hammer being tipped with wood, or other
material to deepen the sound and the hammer being tipped with metal to sharpen
the sound.
Under another arrangement a multiple system of different toned gongs may be
used, which are sounded by separate striking bolts, each striking bolt being
operated by a star wheel, or its equivalent, the action of which is dependent upon
the position of the indicator, thus each individual order is warned by a distinct
note.
As an example of working a system of ships telegraphs provided with sounding
devices according to this Invention. I use an engine telegraph and a steering and

page_text: docking telegraph. For the engine telegraph I use a sending instrument on the
bridge and a receiving instrument in the engine room. Each of these instruments
is provided with double concentric gongs of different tones. and with the ordinary
operating mechanism and direction dials. The steering and docking telegraph,
sending and receiving instruments are also provided with double concentric gongs
of different tones. The sending and receiving instruments are each provided with
a steering direction dial and a docking direction dial, one on each side of the
instrument and back to back, the different intonation system being carried out as
previously set forth. The indicators for the dials and the indicator operating
mechanism are of ordinary construction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Chadburn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th September 1883.
" IMPROVE-
WILLIAM CHADBURN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MECHANICAL TELEGRAPHS AND THEIR FITTINGS FOR
SHIPS "
My Invention relates to certain improvements bereinafter more particularly
mentioned, and in mechanical telegraphs for ships in which are employed gongs, or
bells, or other sounding devices and dials and indicating pointers and provides for
changing the intonation of the gong bell, or other sounding device, so that such
change in intonation directs attention to and corresponds with the changing of
orders transmitted by the telegraph.
Previous to my Invention, it has been the practice to provide the sending,
receiving and reply instruments of mechanical telegraphs as used on board ship
with a gong, or bell, which, the mechanism of the telegraph strikes and sounds at
each transmission of an order, or reply, such sound occurring at each change of the
indicating pointer on the dial. The same, gong bell, or sounding device and tone
being used to serve for all messages and replies, whether for the ahead, or astern
orders of engine telegraphs, port or starboard orders of steering telegraphs, or
orders of other ship telegraphs I have found that this system is open to grave
objections inasmuch as through carelessness, and in some cases through the instru-
ments being in dark places, and the sounds as now given not indicating which
way the pointer has moved, necessitates reference to the dial before the import of
the order is clear.
My Invention consists in overcoming the objections just described in the
following manner, namely according to my Invention I provide mechanical
telegraphs for ships with two, or more separate and distinct sounding devices of
different tones so that each change of direction of order is represented by a distinct
change of sound, or tone For example instead of using a single sounding device in
the receiving instrument of an engine room telegraph the tone of which is the
same for all orders, I, according to my Invention use separate sounding devices
such as two gongs, or bells, namely a gong, or bell having a shrill, or sharp tone
and a gong, or bell having a base, or deep tone. The mechanism of the telegraph
is so arranged that when the indicator pointer is travelling one way, for example
from full speed ahead to full speed astern one sound, or note only is struck, say the
shrill, or sharpe tone and when the indicator pointer is travelling the other way
say from full speed astern to full speed ahead, the other sound, or note say the
base, or deep tone only is struck. Thus the receiver of the message is by the
distinct change of sound made aware that the direction of the order is changed and
in what direction.
Another arrangement consists in the change of sound, or note taking place at
the change of orders namely one sound, or note being used for all ahead orders and
the other sound, or note being used for all astern orders In this case a third tone
may be used for "stop."
Another but rather more complicated arrangement consists in having a distinct
change of sound, or note for each individual order. This arrangement however
necssitates a multiplicity of gongs, or bells, or hammers arranged to strike different
notes and although coming within the scope of this Invention is not so easily
put into practice as the simple arrangement of two gongs, or bells of distinct
intonations,
.

page_text: In like manner it will be understood that distinct sounds can be used in con-
nection with other telegraphs on board ship for example with steering telegraphs.
In this case one tone is used for all orders from hard a starboard to hard a port
and the other tone is used for all orders from hard a part [sic] to hard a starboard.
My Invention can also be used in connection with Docking Telegraphs on board ship,
Turret Telegraphs, or Firing Telegraphs on men of war and Torpedo Telegraphs.
Under one arrangement where two distinct sounds are employed I use two
concentric gongs of distinct tones one inside the other, the outer one having a
deeper flange. Inside of the gongs I provide the usual star wheel and two striking
bolts, or their equivalent as now employed on mechanical telegraphs, so as to strike
the two gongs separately. One of the striking bolts, or hammers is fitted and
formed to strike the inner gong and the other striking bolt, or hammer is
fitted and formed to strike the outer gong. Thus as the star wheel is revolved one
way the inner gong is sounded and as the star wheel is revolved the other way the
outer gong is sounded. The direction of the revolution of the star wheel being
dependent upon the action of the telegraph and the two gongs having different
tones, it will be evident that for all orders in which the indicator travels one way
one tone will be sounded and a change of tone will take place the instant the
direction of movement of the indicator is reversed. Instead of arranging the two
gongs one inside the other they may be placed back to back, face to face, or side
by side
Under another arrangement, where it is required to change the sounds, such
change can be effected by using one gong only and striking such gong by either of
two hammers, or striking bolts, one hammer being tipped with wood, or other
material to deepen the sound and the other hammer being tipped with metal to
sharpen the sound. In this case a disc gong can be used.
Under another arrangement a multiple system of different toned gongs may be
used which are sounded by separate striking bolts, each striking bolt being
operated by a star wheel, or its equivalent, the action of which is dependent upon
the position of the indicator, thus each individual order is warned by a distinct
note.
As an example of working a system of ships telegraphs provided with sounding
devices according to this Invention I use an engine telegraph and a steering and
docking telegraph. For the engine telegraph, I use a sending instrument on the
bridge and a receiving instrument in the engine room. Each of these instruments
is provided with double concentric gongs of different tones, and with the ordinary
operating mechanism and direction dials. The steering and docking telegraph,
sending and receiving instruments are also provided with double concentric gongs
of different tones. The sending and receiving instruments are each provided with
a steering direction dial and a docking direction dial, the different intonation
system being carried out as previously set forth. The indicators for the dials and
the indicator operating mechanism are of ordinary construction.
The beforegoing being the nature object and purposes of my Invention, I will
now proceed to describe how the same may be carried out into practical effect and
for that purpose I have hereunto annexed a sheet of Drawings sufficiently
illustrative of my Invention to explain the same to any skilled person. The
Drawings are marked with figures and letters of reference corresponding with
those in the following explanation and like letters and figures are used to denote
the same, or corresponding parts throughout the various views.
Reference to the Drawings
Figure 1 is a front view of the dial of the receiving instrument of an engine
room telegraph, this being a common arrangement of dial.
Figure 2 is a sectional front view of Figure 1 with the dial removed and
showing the instrument fitted with two concentric gongs according to my
Invention.
Figure 3 is a section through X X Figure 1.
In the example of my Invention which I have illustrated by the Drawings, it

page_text: will be seen that I provide an ordinary receiving instrument of an engine room
telegraph with two concentric gongs A and B. These gongs A and B give, when
struck, two distinct sounds, namely the outer gong A has a deep, or base tone
and is struck when the indicator pointer C is travelling from full speed astern to
full speed ahead, and the inner gong B has a shrill, or sharp tone and is struck
when the indicator pointer C is travelling from full speed ahead to full speed
astern. This result is accomplished by arranging the usual star wheel D rocking
lever E and striking bolts F H to work as shown at Figures 2 and 3, namely the
striking bolt F is arranged to strike the outer gong A having the deep tone when
the star wheel D is travelling one way round and the striking bolt H is arranged
to strike the inner gong B having the shrill tone when the star wheel D is
travelling the other way round; thus I obtain the deep tone for all orders from
full speed astern to full speed ahead and the shrill tone for all orders from full
speed ahead to full speed astern, and whenever the direction of movement of the
pointer is changed so is also changed the sound, or tone namely from deep to
shrill, or from shrill to deep and thus the engineers attention is called to the fact
that the direction of the order is changed.
The other features of the instrument illustrated in the Drawings are common to
engine room telegraphs, namely the star wheel D and indicator are operated by
the pulley J which is worked by an endless chain from the sending instrument.
K is the reply pointer and handle, which operates the pulley L and hence by
means of an endless chain the reply pointer of the sending instrument. If desired
the sending instrument may also be provided with gongs of different tones in
manner similar to the receiving instrument, as will be understood.
Having now described my Invention and shown how the same may be put into
practice, what I claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is:
The use in connection with telegraph instruments of the type herein described,
of two, or more sounding devices having different notes or tones to give notice of
change of orders by change of sound substantially as herein described and for the
purposes specified and as shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
In Witness whereof, I, the said William Chadburn, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
TTTT TTI
זותזזתנתCTI
TIS
CH
HADBURN (L.S.)