IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SIGNALLING BY SOUND AT SEA " . APPARATUS FOB
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Benjamin Barker, of Holborn Viaduct, in the
County of Middlesex, Master Mariner, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William [Benjamin Barker
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd December 1883.
WILLIAM BENJAMIN BARKER, of Holborn Viaduct, in the County of Middlesex,
Master Mariner "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
SIGNALLING BY SOUND AT SEA
"
.
APPARATUS FOB
My Invention relates to apparatus for signalling by sound at sea and comprises
improvements in the code of signals and in the apparatus for producing such
signals described in the specifications of former Letters Patent dated 24th June
1879, N° 2520, and 27th June 1881, Nº 2808.
My Invention also comprises the employment, in combination with the improved
signalling apparatus, of means for operating or adjusting the same from the bridge
or other suitable part of a vessel and for simultaneously transmitting instructions to
the helmsman as to the course he is to steer.
My improved code consists of eight signals each composed of long and short
sounds as described in the said former specification No 2520, but instead of all
these sounds being of the same pitch, as in the code heretofore employed, the
sounds that commence the four signals for the eastern divisions of the compass are
low in pitch, and those commencing the four signals for the western divisions of the
compass are high in pitch or vice versa.
My improvements in the signalling apparatus comprise the construction of the
same in such a manner that it will produce long or short sounds of either high or
low pitch, that is to say, so that it can be caused to produce a long or short high
toned blast, or a long or short low toned blast. The apparatus is thus adapted to
produce a larger number of signals than is practicable with the apparatus described
in the said former specification.
I make the apparatus with a chamber or dome divided into two compartments,
one of which compartments is provided with a high toned reed or tongue and the

page_text: other with a low toned reed or tongue. These compartments are connected with
the air or steam chamber or cylinder by passages, which are normally closed by a
suitable valve, but either of which can be opened by means of suitable mechanism
according to the nature of the signal to be produced. The said dome or chamber
can be placed either so that the four signals for the eastern divisions of the compass
will be commenced by a low toned blast and the four signals for the western
divisions thereof by a high toned blast, or vice versa. I am thus enabled, by a
simple adjustment of one of the parts, to adapt the apparatus to produce distinct
signals for steamers and sailing ships.
According to one method of constructing the signalling apparatus, I provide a
vertical spindle formed with two passages extending from its upper end a short
distance downward, and with two apertures leading from the said passages to the
circumference of the spindle. A hollow cylinder is fitted accurately upon the said
spindle so as to be free to partially rotate thereon. This hollow cylinder, which
I term the code cylinder, has an angular slot through which is passed a screw.
This screw is fixed in the internal or code spindle. The said cylinder also has two
apertures preferably corresponding in shape and size with those in the said spindle.
These apertures are so arranged that, when the hollow or code cylinder is in its
normal position with the said screw at the apex of the slot, the apertures in the
spindle are covered or closed, and when the code cylinder is turned in one or the
other direction so that the upper side of the slot rides up the said screw, one or
the other of the apertures in the said cylinder is made to coincide with one of the
apertures in the spindle.
Each of the passages in the said spindle is connected with a separate chamber;
in one chamber I provide a reed or tongue for producing a high toned blast and in
the other chamber a reed or tongue for producing a low toned blast.
In order that the code cylinder may be moved in either direction according to
the nature of the signal to be sounded, I provide on the exterior thereof eight
series of projections, the lower ends of which projections are inclined some to the
right and others to the left hand side.
The code cylinder and spindle are so arranged that when the plunger is raised,
they will enter a box or casing fixed to the said plunger at the back of the rack
which is provided for raising the same. A lever or arm is pivotted to the said
plunger in such a position that its extremity lies in the path, of one or other of
the series of projections on the hollow cylinder, so that, when the plunger is raised,
the said arm will act upon one series of the said projections and turn the said
cylinder either to the right hand or to the left, thereby causing a certain signal to
be sounded. When the plunger descends, the said arm, as it comes against the
projections, will be turned upon its pivot and will therefore not act upon the said
projections.
The code spindle is firmly connected to a dial similar to those ordinarily
employed, so that it can be rotated to bring either series of projections on the code
cylinder in line with the said lever or arm. This lever or arm is preferably
provided with a friction roller at its extremity.
In some cases the hollow or code cylinder is provided with projections all of
which are inclined in one direction at their lower ends so that the signals produced
will consist of sounds having the same pitch. In this case only one reed or tongue
is employed and one passage through the code spindle. This passage is closed by
the hollow cylinder, which, in this case, is held in its normal position by a spring.
A safety valve is fitted on top of the air chamber or cylinder and is made with
an extension of the spindle which projects downward into the cylinder, so that, as
soon as a signal has been sounded, the plunger will open the safety valve and
permit the escape of air and thus prevent the too rapid descent of the plunger.
The said safety valve acts in combination with a valve in the piston opening
upwards and arranged so that it can be adjusted to admit more or less air into the
cylinder and thus regulate the speed of descent of the piston and the intervals of
time between the signals.

page_text: The means which I employ in combination with the signalling apparatus for
operating or adjusting the same from the bridge or other suitable part of a vessel
and for simultaneously indicating to the helmsman what course he is to steer,
comprise a wheel fixed to a vertical spindle which is connected by suitable gearing
to an indicating dial near the steering wheel and to the signalling apparatus.
This part of my invention also comprises means whereby the captain or other
person on a vessel when a signal is sounded upon an approaching vessel can see at
a glance the angle at which the same will meet his own vessel
In carrying this part of my invention into practice I fix upon the code spindle a
toothed wheel which gears with another toothed wheel fixed upon a shaft. This
shaft is so arranged in combination with suitable gearing that it will be actuated
by the mechanism hereinafter described for indicating the course to the helmsman.
The mechanism which I prefer to employ for this purpose comprises a vertical
shaft to the upper end of which is fixed a wheel provided with eight or any other
suitable number of projecting spokes corresponding with the series of projections
on the code cylinder of the signalling apparatus. Each of the said spokes is
provided with a series of projections similar to those of the corresponding series on
the code cylinder, the signal being read from the circumference to the centre.
This wheel is marked like the dial of a compass and is so arranged that when
either of the spokes is pointing to the fore part of the ship it indicates the course
to be steered. If a vessel is approaching and sounds a signal to indicate in which
direction it is steering the captain or other person can see by looking at the spoke
corresponding to such signal what angle the course of the said vessel makes with
that of his own vessel. In some cases I provide upon each spoke, a small model or
imitation of a vessel with its bows pointing outward.
The said vertical spindle is connected by suitable gearing with a vertical spindle
in the apparatus for indicating the course to the helmsman, and with the aforesaid
shaft connected with the signalling apparatus.
In the apparatus for indicating the course to the helmsman, the vertical shaft is
provided with means whereby when the signal is given to port the helm one bell
will be sounded, and when the signal is given to starboard the helm two bells will
be sounded. A dial is also provided in such a manner that the course to be
steered can be plainly indicated to the helmsman in order that he may adjust
the steering wheel according to whether he has to put the helm more or less to
port or starboard.
In order to increase the pressure within the air-cylinder when the operating
wheel of the signalling apparatus is turned, I arrange upon the shaft of the said
wheel a gear-wheel which can be connected with the operating wheel by a clutch,
and which gears with a pinion upon another shaft. On this shaft I fix an
excentric arranged to operate an air pump or pumps fixed on the cylinder and
designed to force air therein at the same time that the air contained in the cylinder
is compressed in the ordinary manner by the piston or plunger the entire signal
being sounded by one stroke of the piston or plunger.
I sometimes make the machine in such a manner that the fog-horn or whistle
attached to the top of the machine can be sounded either by the air compressed in
For this
the cylinder or by steam from the main or other boiler of a vessel.
purpose I connect a steam pipe with the dome or chamber containing the reeds or
tongues and provide a valve or valves which will be opened each time the code
cylinder is actuated by the lever. Or I may provide other suitable means for
opening the said valve or valves, for example I may arrange a second code cylinder
upon the vertical shaft connected with the signalling apparatus. I usually make
the steam pipe with a double bend and provide a cock for permitting the escape of
the condensed steam.
To prevent any error in signalling arising from deviation of the ship's compass,
I combine, with the rotating dial, a metal ring or other suitable device in or upon
which the letters indicating the various points of the compass are marked or cut.

page_text: These letters correspond with those on the dial when there is no deviation of the
compass. When the captain is aware of there being some deviation he can rotate
or shift the ring upon the disc to a corresponding extent.
The machine is so constructed that, when the dial is set and the operating
wheel is turned so as to raise the piston its full stroke, the correct signal must be
sounded.
The gearing connected with the operating wheel is so arranged that, when the
piston has reached the top of its stroke it can no longer be acted upon by the
wheel in the upward direction, and, when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke, the
wheel can no longer act upon it in a downward direction.
For this purpose I
provide a pawl or tappet which is so arranged that it will come in contact, at the
desired moment, with the frame or other suitable part of the apparatus and will
thus be automatically shifted at the top and bottom of the stroke of the piston.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Benjamin Barker in the Patent Office on the 21st June
1884.
WILLIAM BENJAMIN BARKER, of Holborn Viaduct, in the County of
Middlesex, Master Mariner, " IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS
FOR SIGNALLING BY SOUND AT SEA
〃
My invention relates to improved apparatus for signalling by sound at sea, chiefly
designed for in icating the direction in which one ship is approaching another,
and thereby preventing collisions. The said apparatus is, according to my present
invention, usually constructed to operate according to an improved code of signals,
her inafter described.
My said invention, moreover, comprises the employment, in combination with
the improved signaling apparatus, of means for operating the same from the bridge
or other suitable part of a vessel and for simultaneously indicating to the helmsman
the course he is to steer.
In the specifications of former Letters Patent dated 24th June, A.D. 1879,
No 2520, and 27th June, A.D. 1881, Nº 2808, are described a code of signals and
apparatus for signalling by sound at sea. This code comprises eight signals composed
of long and short sounds, each of the signals employed for the eastern divisions of the
compass commencing with long sounds, and each of those employed for the western
divisions of the compass commencing with short sounds and the said signals being
produced by means of compressed air or steam.
According to my present invention I provide apparatus which will produce
signals according to an improved code consisting of eight signals, each composed of
long and short sounds, but instead of all these sounds being of the same pitch as
described in the said former specifications, the sounds that cominence the four
signals which I employ for the eastern divisions of the compass are low in pitch
and those commencing the four signals which I employ for the western divisions of
the compass are high in pitch or vice versa.
To effect this object I so construct the signalling apparatus that it will produce
long or short sounds of either high or low pitch, that is to say, so that it can be
caused to produce a long or short high toned blast, or a long or short low toned
blast. My improved apparatus is thus adapted to produce a larger number of
signals than is practicable with the apparatus described in the said former
specifications.
A convenient method of effecting the said object is to make the apparatus with
a chamber or dome divided into two compartments, one of which is provided with
a high toned reed or tongue and the other with a low toned reed or tongue. These
compartments are connected with the air or steam chamber or cylinder by passages
which are normally closed by a suitable valve, but either of which can be opened
as required by means of suitable mechanism, according to the nature of the signal
to be produced. The said dome or chamber can be placed either so that the four
signals for the eastern divisions of the compass will be commenced by a low toned
blast and the four signals for the western divisions thereof by a high toned blast,
or vice versa. I am thus enabled, by a simple adjustment of the parts, to adapt
the apparatus to produce distinct signals for steamers and sailing ships. In some
cases, however, I arrange a single reed in such a manner that high and low toned
blasts can be produced thereby, as hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings I have shewn how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical central section, and
Figure 2 a plan, partly in horizontal section, of apparatus constructed in
accordance with my said invention.

page_text: Figure 3 is a front elevation of part of the indicating apparatus hereinafter
described.
Figure 4 is an elevation, partly in vertical central section, shewing part of the
signalling apparatus.
Figure 5 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 4.
Figure 5 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 5 a section on the line x, x¹, Figure 5ª, shewing a modification of the
said signalling apparatus.
Figure 6 is a diagram shewing the arrangement of projections on the code-
cylinder hereinafter described.
Figure 7 is a front elevation, and
Figure 8 a transverse section of a device for putting the driving wheel in and
out of gear.
་
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation shewing the signalling apparatus provided with
a pump for forcing air into the air-cylinder, and
Figure 10 is a plan of the said apparatus, with the pump and other parts shewn
in horizontal section.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation illustrating the employment of an additional
code-cylinder for the purpose hereinafter specified.
Figures 4 to 8, inclusive, are drawn to an enlarged scale.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a is the frame of the signalling apparatus, b is the air-cylinder, and c is the
plunger or piston, which is fixed to the upper end of the rack d. e is a pinion
which gears with the rack d and serves for raising the said piston. f is a box or
casing fixed to, or formed integrally with, the rack d and fixed to the underside of
the piston c, which piston has an aperture corresponding in size and shape with
the interior of the said box or casing. g is a hollow cylinder which I term the
code cylinder. This cylinder is more fully illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. h is
a vertical spindle with two holes or passages h' formed in its upper end and with
two apertures or passages h² extending from the said passages h¹ to the circumference
of the spindle. The hollow or code cylinder g is fitted accurately upon the said
vertical spindle so as to be free to partially rotate thereon as hereinafter specified.
The said cylinder has an angular slot g¹ and through this slot is passed a screw i
which is fixed in the spindle h. The cylinder g also has two apertures g² preferably
corresponding in shape and size with those in the said spindle. These apertures
are so arranged that, when the cylinder g is in its normal position with the said
screw at the apex of the slot, as shewn in Figure 4, the apertures in the spindle h
are covered or closed, and when the cylinder g is turned in one or the other
direction so that the upper side of either part of the slot rides up the said screw,
one or the other of the apertures in the said cylinder is made to coincide with one
of the apertures in the spindle.
: Each of the passages in the spindle h is connected with one of the chambers j, k.
In the chamber I provide a reed or tongue j¹ for producing a high toned blast,
and in the chamber k I provide a reed or tongue k¹ for producing a low-toned blast.
These reeds or tongues are combined with tubes j, k, which extend upward into a
single tube upon the end of which the horn is fixed as shewn in Figure 1.
The chambers j, k are formed partly within the enlarged end h³ of the spindle h
and partly by a cover h' to which the tubes ³, k² are fixed. The part h³ is made
with a flange h³ for supporting the spindle h on the upper part of the frame a, as
shewn in Figure 1.
--
The exterior of the code-cylinder is provided with eight series of projections 1,
which series are marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in Figure 6, and, in order that the
code-cylinder g may be moved in either direction according to the nature of the
signal to be sounded, the lower ends of the projections are curved or inclined some
to the right and others to the left hand side, as shewn.
The code-cylinder g and spindle h are so arranged that, when the plunger or
piston c is raised, they will enter the box or. casing f. A lever or arm m is

page_text: pivotted to the plunger or piston c in such a position that its extremity lies in
the path of one of the series of projections on the hollow cylinder g, and, when the
piston c is raised, will act on the said series of projections and turn the said
cylinder either to the right hand or to the left according to the inclination of the
said projections, thereby causing a certain signal to be sounded. When the
piston c descends, the lever or arm m will be turned upon its pivot m', as it
comes against the said projections, and, therefore, will not move the said cylinder.
The arm m is preferably provided at its extremity with a friction roller m².
The spindle is firmly connected, by means of the piece n', to a dial n somewhat
similar to those described in the said former specifications, so that it can be rotated
to bring either series of projections on the code-cylinder g in line with the lever or
arm m.
In some cases the projections on the code-cylinder g are all inclined in one
direction at their lower ends, so that the signals produced will consist of sounds
having the same pitch. In this case, only one reed or tongue is employed and one
passage through the code-spindle. This passage is closed by the hollow cylinder
which may, if desired, be held in its normal position by a spring.
I sometimes make my signalling apparatus with a single reed or tongue, which
is arranged to be acted upon by suitable means to cause it to produce sounds of
high or low pitch. In Figures 5ª and 5b, I have shewn a method of effecting this
result. In this case a ring or clamp j³* surrounds the reed or tongue * and
tube in such a manner that it can be moved up and down thereon through the
medium of the code-cylinder g, which is connected to the said ring or clamp by
the rod ** passing through the spindle h. This spindle is made with a central
passage h¹*, and the rod 5* passes through a stuffing-box at its lower end. The
code-cylinder is made with two apertures g² corresponding in shape and size with
the aperture * extending from the passage hi* to the circumference of the
spindle h. The slot g¹* is made unequal, that is to say, one part of it extends
downward farther than the other part; and the projections are so formed that
the lever m will turn the code-cylinder farther in one direction than in the
other. By these means the ring or clamp j* is automatically adjusted so that,
when the cylinder g is turned in one direction, a sound of high pitch will be
produced, and, when it is turned in the other direction, a sound of low pitch will
be produced, by the same reed or tongue, the said ring or clamp holding the said
reed or tongue firmly against the tube so that more or less of it is free to vibrate
according to the position of the ring or clamp.
Other means may, if desired, be provided for automatically regulating the
length of the vibratory portion of the said reed or tongue.
A safety-valve o is fitted at the upper end of the air-chamber or cylinder b and
is made with a long spindle p which projects downward into the cylinder b, so
that, as soon as a signal has been sounded, the plunger or piston c will come against
the said spindle and open the safety-valve o to permit the escape of air and prevent
the too rapid descent of the plunger or piston. The said safety-valve is usually
arranged to act in combination with a valve q fitted in the piston c and opening
upwards or inwards and so arranged that it can be adjusted to admit more or less
air into the cylinder b during the descent of the piston and thus regulate the speed
of the same and the intervals of time between the signals.
The means which I employ, in combination with the signalling apparatus, for
operating or adjusting the same from the bridge or other suitable part of a vessel,
and for simultaneously indicating to the helmsman the course he is to steer, are
shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and consist of the following parts, viz-A is a toothed
wheel firmly secured to the piece n¹ and gearing with the toothed wheel B fixed
upon the shaft C. This shaft is carried in a step or bearing C₁ and has a bevel
wheel D fixed upon it and gearing with a bevel wheel D¹ on the horizontal shaft E.
On the other end of the shaft E is fixed another bevel wheel D³ gearing with the
bevel wheel D' fixed on the lower end of the vertical shaft F. To the upper end
of the shaft F is fixed a wheel G hereinafter described.

page_text: The bevel wheel D² on the shaft E gears with the bevel wheel D³ on the lower
end of the vertical spindle or shaft H of the apparatus for indicating the course to
the helmsman. On the upper end of the shaft H is fixed a bevel wheel De gearing
with another bevel wheel D' on the horizontal shaft I. This shaft carries an index
or pointer J which is arranged to indicate upon the dial K the course to be sterred.
The shaft H is provided with means whereby, when a signal is given to port the
helm, a bell will be sounded once, and, when a signal is given to starboard the helm,
a bell will be sounded twice for each division of the dial over which the pointer J
is moved, that is to say, eight pairs of rods L are fixed to the shaft H, and are so
arranged that, when the said shaft is rotated, the said rods will strike a lever
connected with the hammer of the bell M, twice for each division of the dial pas-ed
by the pointer, when an order is given to starboard the helm. This lever is
arranged in a well known manner so that, when moved in one direction it will
sound the bell, but, when moved in the other direction, it will be inoperative.
Lower down upon the shaft H are fixed eight rods, similar to the rods Land
arranged to act upon a lever connected with the hammer of another bell, so that
the said bell will be sounded once for every division of the dial passed by the pointer,
when an order is given to port the helm. By the aid of the dial and pointer
the helinsman may know exactly how to adjust the steering wheel according to
whether he has to put the helm more or less to port or starboard.
Moreover by arranging the bells as above described, the helmsman is enabled to
hear the signal in addition to seeing it.
The wheel G is provided with eight projecting spokes G* each of which has a
series of projections similar to those of the corresponding series on the code-cylinder,
the sigual being, by preference, arranged to be read froin the circumference to the
centre. The wheel G is marked, as shewn in Figure 2, in a similar manner to the
dial n, and is so arranged that the spoke pointing to the fore part of the ship
indicates the course which it is desired should be steered. The adjustment of the
wheel G effects the corresponding adjustment of the pointer J of the indicating
apparatus, and of the code-cylinder g of the signalling apparatus. By these means
all liability to error in the signal sounded is avoided. There is also another
advantage gained by the employment of the wheel G, for example, if another
vessel is approaching the ship fitted with this wheel and a signal is sounded upon
the said vessel, according to the same code, to indicate in which direction it is
steering, the captain or other person can see by looking at the spoke of the wheel G
corresponding to such signal what angle the course of the said vessel makes with
that of his own ship. Moreover, when it is necessary to make any change in the
ship's course (to keep clear of another vessel, for example), the officer in charge
does not require to consider what signal must be given, because, by simply looking
at his compass, he can see in what direction his vessel should be steered and can
adjust the wheel G to correspond therewith. I thus dispense with the necessity
for each officer exercising his judgment as to the number and order of sounds in
the signal to be given. Moreover, uniformity of signalling on vessels of different
nationality can thus be ensured. In some cases I provide upon each of the said
spokes a small model or imitation of a ship with its bow pointing outward and
with the series of projections upon it. I may, if desired, arrange the signalling
apparatus upon the bridge of a steamer, in which case a wheel similar to the
wheel G would be substituted for the dial n above described, and the said wheel
would be connected by suitable gearing with the vertical shaft of the apparatus
for indicating the course to the helinsman.
It is obvious that any signalling apparatus similar to that herein described, may
be combined as above set forth with the means for indicating the course to the
helmsman and simultaneously adjusting the said signalling apparatus so that it
will produce the signal corresponding to such course.
In order to increase the pressure within the air-cylinder when the operating
wheel of the signalling apparatus is rotated, I sometimes arrange an air pump or
pumps in combination with the cylinder 6 to force air therein at the same time

page_text: that the air contained in the cylinder is compressed in the ordinary manner by the
piston or plunger c, the entire signal being sounded by one stroke of the piston or
plunger.
In Figures 9 and 10 I have shown a double-acting air-pump q¹ suitably secured
at one side of the cylinder b and connected therewith by pipes r.
This pump is
operated by the following means, that is to say, a toothed segment 8 is fixed to a
short shaft s¹, to which is also fixed a lever t. This lever is connected to one end
of a link or rod t the other end of which is fitted upon a pin or stud fixed in the
toothed pinion u. The said pinion gears with a small toothed-wheel v which is
mounted upon the same axis as the pinion w. This pinion gears with the toothed
wheel y mounted loosely on the main shaft z but capable of being firmly connected
therewith during the upstroke of the piston c in a similar manner to the wheel Q
hereinafter described.
I sometimes make the signalling apparatus in such a manner that the fog-horn
or whistle attached to the top thereof can be sounded either by the air compressed
in the cylinder or by steam from the main or other boiler of a ship. For this
purpose I connect a steam-pipe with the dome or chamber containing the reeds or
tongues and provide a valve or valves which will be opened each time the code-
spindle is actuated by the lever. Or I may provide other suitable means for
opening the said valve or valves; for example, I may arrange a second code-
cylinder upon the vertical shaft connected with the signalling apparatus. I usually
make the steam-pipe with a double bend and provide a cock for permitting the
escape of the condensed steam.
In Figure 11 I have shewn a code-cylinder g* fitted upon the vertical shaft C
and prevented from rotating thereon by means of a key or spline fitting into the
longitudinal groove C2 formed in the shaft C, so that the said code-cylinder is free
to move up and down upon the said shaft. A lever L' is pivotted to the bracket M³
which is fixed to the frame a. The long arm of this lever is connected by a cord
or wire N with an ordinary steam-whistle or fog-horn. The cylinder g* rests upon
a bracket O fixed to one of the guides attached to the lower end of the rack d..
By these means the ordinary steam-whistle or fog-horn of a vessel can be operated
by the signalling apparatus.
To prevent any error in signalling arising from deviation of the ship's compass,
I, in some cases, combine, with the rotating dial, a metal ring or other suitable
device in which the letters indicating the various points of the compass are marked
or cut. These letters correspond with those on the dial when there is no deviation
of the compass. When the captain is aware of there being some deviation, he can
rotate or shift the ring upon the disc to a corresponding extent.
Another simple method of providing for the adjustment of the apparatus in case
of deviation of the compass is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, in which the
wheel G is shewn keyed upon the piece n¹ fixed upon the upper part of the spindle
of the code-cylinder. The key G₁is made to fit into a recess in the boss of the
wheel G, and its inner side is curved to fit the periphery of the said piece n¹, so
that the wheel G can be turned upon the latter, if necessary, to adjust it in
accordance with the deviation of the compass, and can then be secured in position
by the said key. The signalling apparatus can thus be made to produce the correct
signal to indicate the ship's course, notwithstanding deviation of the compass.
I arrange the gearing connected with the operating wheel as shewn in Figures 7
and 8, that is to say, I fix upon the main shaft a disc P fitting into a recess in the
toothed wheel Q which is mounted loosely on the said shaft and gears with a
pinion arranged to be rotated by means of the hand-wheel R. The disc P has an
enlarged part P¹ through which is passed a bolt S2 forming the fulcrum of a
lever S S. The toothed wheel Q is provided with internal ratchet teeth Q', and,
when the arm S of the said lever is engaged with one of the said teeth, the main
shaft z rotates with the wheel Q until the piston c arrives at the top of its stroke;
one of the guides d¹ then strikes the arm S¹ and throws the lever out of gear with
the wheel-Q; the shaft being then free to rotate, the piston o descends until it

page_text: arrives at the bottom of its stroke; the lower part of the said piston then strikes
the arm S¹ and again puts the said lever in gear with one of the ratchet teeth Q
The lever S, S¹ is made with two notches, into one or the other of which the spring
pawl T fits when the said lever is in gear or out of gear with the teeth Q¹.
The wheel R is rotated by manual or other power and the piston c is thus
periodically raised and lowered. The raising of the piston compresses the air in the
cylinder band causes the lever m to move the code-cylinder g so that a signal is
sounded corresponding to the series of projections in line with the said lever.
A hand or pointer is sometimes fixed to the frame of the apparatus so that by
turning the dial or wheel until the desired series of projections is opposite the said
band or pointer, the signal corresponding to the said series of projections will be
sounded, when the piston is raised.
When the piston c has nearly reached the top of its stroke it comes against the
spindle p and opens the valve o thereby permitting the escape of some of the
compressed air contained in the cylinder b, so that the said air will not re-act and
cause the too rapid descent of the piston.
Having thus fully described my said invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim the above described improvements
relating to signalling by sound, and comprising:-
First. An apparatus which is capable of indicating by different audible signals
the eight principal divisions or points of a mariner's compass, and by which the
signals indicating the eastern divisions or points are distinguished from those
indicating the western divisions or points, by differences of pitch in the sounds
commencing such signals, as set forth.
Second. A signalling apparatus constructed and arranged to produce long and
short sounds of high and low pitch by means of a single reed or tongue, substantially
as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Third. The combination, with the signalling apparatus above described or any
similar apparatus, of means, substantially as set forth, for indicating to the
helmsman the course to be steered and simultaneously adjusting the said signalling
apparatus to produce the signal corresponding to such course.
Fourth. The combination of the cylinder g having the slot g¹ and the
projections curved or inclined as above described, the spindle h having the
passages h¹, h² and screw i, and the chambers j, k fitted with the reeds or
tongues j¹, and tubes j³, k², all substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
.
Fifth. The combination of parts comprising the lever S, S₁ and the spring
pawl T, substantially as described, for automatically putting the driving wheel or
the pump or pumps in and out of gear with the main shaft, for the purpose
specified.
Sixth. In an apparatus constructed substantially as above described, the
employment of the safety-valve with the extended spindle arranged at the upper
end of the cylinder to act in combination with the adjustable valve at the lower
end of the cylinder, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The combination, with the cylinder b, of one or more air-pumps
arranged to be operated through the main shaft of the signalling apparatus and to
be automatically put in and out of gear therewith, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Eighth. The means comprising the additional code-cylinder g* and lever L',
substantially as specified with reference to Figure 11, whereby a steam-whistle or
fog-horn can be operated as described.
Ninth. The combination, with the rotating dial or compass-plate, of a sliding
ring or equivalent device having letters or characters marked thereon or cut therein,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Tenth. The construction of the dial or wheel with the imitations or models of
vessels provided with projections to represent the different signals, as, and for the 5
purpose, specified.
Eleventh. The construction and arrangement of the dial or wheel in such a

page_text: manner that it can be adjusted according to the deviation of the compass to
produce the correct signal for indicating the ship's course, as above specified.
Twelfth. The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
and operating as, and for the purpose, set forth.
In witness whereof I the said William Benjamin Barker have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Eighteenth day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.
Y D DAMER
L.S.)