IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING AT SEA BY MEANS OF ILLUMINATED STEAM, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Otto Ramstedt, of Helsingfors, Finland, but tem-
porarily of 33, Southampton Buildings, London, England, Lieutenant Colonel,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING AT SEA BY MEANS OF
ILLUMINATED STEAM, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Otto Ramstedt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th January 1880.
CARL OTTO RAMSTEDT, of Helsingfors, Finland, but temporarily of 33, South-
ampton Buildings, London, England, Lieutenant Colonel." "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SIGNALLING AT SEA BY MEANS OF ILLUMINATED STEAM, AND IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN."
This Invention has for its object improvements in signalling at sea by means of
illuminated steam, and in the apparatus employed therein, and relates more par-
ticularly to improvements in the apparatus for carrying into effect my Invention of
signalling at sea by means of illuminated steam, for which Letters Patent, No. 2268,
of 1879, have been granted to me.
Now I have found that under certain circumstances of wind and weather the
apparatus, as described in the Specification of such Letters Patent, was not suffi-
ciently watertight to prevent the flame by which the steam is illuminated being
extinguished, and also that no sufficient provision was made in order to ensure the
instantaneous ignition of the combustible material employed.
In order therefore to obviate these disadvantages I construct a hollow vessel or
receptacle, preferably of a square form at the top, and having its sides tapering
towards the bottom.
Suitable slots, grooves, or channels are formed in two or more of such sides, which
slots, grooves, or channels are covered externally with curved shield plates, which
are closed at the top while they are left open at the bottom. Such slots or grooves
serve as flues through which the smoke caused by igniting the material placed in
the receptacle can escape, and so ensure continuous combustion.
The advantage of placing such apertures in the sides instead of at the summit, as
described in the Specification of my said former Letters Patent, is that it prevents

page_text: all danger of the flame being extinguished by rain or by the sea washing over the
apparatus when in use.
To further guard against any such contingency such receptacle is provided with
a lid or cover hinged thereto having a suitable flange all round its edge, which when
the lid is closed so protects the edge of the vessel or receptacle as to effectually
prevent the water or damp finding access thereto in stormy or rough weather.
In the bottom of such receptacle is placed a trough or its equivalent filled with
any suitable combustible material, in order to ensure the instantaneous ignition
whereof I place a small glass tube containing sulphur oxide or its equivalent in
immediate proximity thereto. Immediately above such glass tube is a small arm
actuated by means of a wire attached to a handle or lever placed on the outside
of the receptacle towards its base, upon pulling or otherwise actuating which the
arm drops down and breaks the glass tube, exploding the sulphur oxide therein,
and so igniting the combustible material in the trough.
If preferred, the entire apparatus may be so fixed and arranged that the captain
or other officer in command can himself ignite the flame and manipulate the signals
produced thereby from the bridge of the vessel fitted therewith. A suitable handle
is fitted to the lid or cover externally, while internally it is provided with a suitable
reflector whereby optical signals by flashing lights may be given according to any
known code, as for instance, by a combination of flashes of variable duration.
The operation of my Invention is as follows:-The apparatus is placed in such a
position that when the material is ignited the reflector throws the light of the
burning substance upon a volume of steam issuing either from the ship's funnel, or
preferably from a special conduit provided for that purpose, and so constructed that
a broad sheet of steam is produced, whereon the light is brightly reflected, and
which is plainly visible at a far greater distance than any ordinary signal lights.
Another great advantage is, that it is instantaneous and complete in its operation,
while its cost is comparatively nominal.
Tin or any other suitable material may be employed for the manufacture of my
improved apparatus, and preferably I employ such combustible materials as are not
extinguishable by water.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Carl Otto Ramstedt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st April
1880.
CARL OTTO RAMSTEDT, of Helsingfors, Finland, but temporarily of 33, South-
ampton Buildings, London, England, Lieutenant Colonel." "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SIGNALLING AT SEA BY MEANS OF ILLUMINATED STEAM, AND IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN.'
This Invention has for its object "Improvements in Signalling at Sea by Means
of Illuminated Steam, and in the Apparatus Employed therein," and relates more
particularly to improvements in the apparatus for carrying into effect my Invention
of signalling at sea by means of illuminated steam, for which Letters Patent
No. 2268, of 1879, have been granted to me.
Now I have found that under certain circumstances of wind and weather the
apparatus, as described in the Specification of such Letters Patent, was not suffi-
ciently watertight to prevent the flame by which the steam is illuminated being
extinguished, and also that no sufficient provision was made in order to ensure the
instantaneous ignition of the combustible material employed.
In order therefore to obviate these disadvantages I construct a hollow vessel or
receptacle, preferably of a square form at the top, and having its sides tapering
towards the bottom.
Suitable holes, slots, grooves, or channels are formed in two or more of such sides,
which holes, slots, grooves, or channels are covered externally with curved shield
plates, which are closed at the top while they are left open at the bottom. Such
holes, slots, or grooves serve as flues, through which the smoke caused by the
igniting of the material placed in the receptacle can escape, and so ensure continuous
combustion.
The advantage of placing such apertures in the sides instead of at the summit, as
described in the Specification of my said former Letters Patent, is that it prevents
all danger of the flame being extinguished by rain or by the sea washing over the
apparatus when in use.
To further guard against any such contingency such receptacle is provided with
a lid or cover hinged thereto having a suitable flange or rim all round its edges,
which when the lid is closed so protects the edge of the vessel or receptacle as to
effectually prevent the water or damp finding access thereto in stormy or rough
weather.
In the bottom of such receptacle is placed a trough or its equivalent filled with
any suitable combustible material, in order to ensure the instantaneous ignition
whereof I place a small glass tube containing sulphur oxide or its equivalent in
immediate proximity thereto. Immediately above such glass tube is a small arm
actuated by means of a wire attached to a handle or lever placed on the outside of
the receptacle towards its base, upon pulling or otherwise actuating which the arm
drops down and breaks the glass tube, exploding the sulphur oxide therein, and so
igniting the combustible material in the trough.
If preferred, the entire apparatus may be so fixed and arranged that the captain
or other officer in command can himself ignite the flame and manipulate the signals
produced thereby from the bridge of the vessel fitted therewith.
A suitable handle is fitted to the lid or cover externally, while internally it is
provided with a suitable reflector, whereby optical signals by flashing lights may be
given according to any known code, as for instance, by a combination of flashes of
variable duration.
The operation of my Invention is as follows:-The apparatus is placed in such a
position that when the material is ignited the reflector throws the light of the
burning substance upon a volume of steam issuing either from the ship's funnel, or

page_text: preferably from a special conduit provided for that purpose, and so constructed that
a broad sheet of steam is produced, whereon the light is brightly reflected, and which
is plainly visible at a far greater distance than any ordinary signal lights.
Another great advantage is, that it is instantaneous and complete in its operation,
while its cost is comparatively nominal.
Tin or any other suitable material may be employed for the manufacture of my
improved apparatus, and preferably I employ such combustible materials as are not
extinguishable by water.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn three views of my improved
apparatus for signalling at sea by means of illuminated steam. Figure 1 of such
Drawings shews a view in external elevation of the same when the lid is closed;
Figure 2 shews a plan view of the interior of the same when the lid is open; and
Figure 3 shews an external elevation of the same when the lid is raised for the
purpose of illuminating the steam. In these various Figures similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts. a is the hollow vessel or receptacle; a¹, a
hollow shaft or stem whereby it is either held or fixed on to a suitable support.
b, Figure 2, are the holes, slots, grooves, or channels, and 61, Figure 1, the curved shield
plates protecting the same; c is the cover or lid, and c¹ the rim or flange formed
round the same; d is the glass tube containing sulphur oxide or its equivalent, and
e the arm for exploding the same; f, the wire by which such arm is actuated; g,
the handle or lever to which it is attached; while h is a handle attached to the cover
or lid for the purpose of opening and shutting the same as required.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details hereinbefore specified, as the same may be varied without
departing from the principle of my Invention.
What I claim, and desire to secure by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
The producing signals at sea with illuminated steam by means of my improved
apparatus, constructed and arranged substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Otto Ramstedt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
ELT & Co.,
British and Foreign Patent Office,
33, Southampton Buildings,
Holborn, London,
W. C.
CARL OTTO RAMSTEDT. (L.S.)