IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO APPARATUS, APPLIANCES, OR ATTACHMENTS FOR USE ON FLATS OR OTHER VESSELS FOR TRANS-SHIPPING SALT OR COAL
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Verdin, of Northwich, in the County of Chester,
Salt Proprietor, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO
APPARATUS, APPLIANCES, OR ATTACHMENTS FOR USE ON FLATS OR OTHER
VESSELS FOR TRANS-SHIPPING SALT OR COAL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Verdin at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st October 1881.
ROBERT VERDIN, of Northwich, in the County of Chester, Salt Proprietor.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO APPARATUS, APPLIANCES, OR ATTACHMENTS
FOR USE ON FLATS OR OTHER VESSELS FOR TRANS-SHIPPING SALT OR COAL."
This Invention consists, first, in placing round the mast which is placed in the
bows a broad sleeve or collar with an angle iron or other broad base as a bearing.
This sleeve rotates freely on the mast, which is preferably protected at this point
by an iron or other metal casing. The broad base also runs on an angle iron or
other ring fixed to the mast and well protected. To this sleeve the swinging
boom is jointed or hinged.
Second. In place of the ordinary goose neck I place a similar ring or sleeve,
a rotary goose neck in fact on the mast to which the rope or chain regulating the
vertical angle of the boom is attached. The boom by this means can be swung
round the mast in every direction except where hindered by the shrouds, and
raised or lowered to suit the varying size of the ships or wharfs at which the
unloading takes place. The bucket I use has trolly wheels at the bottom and a
catch for the handle and works on trunnions, when full it is top heavy but is held
by the catch, release the catch and it falls over, empties, and is easy to right, the
centre of gravity being then between the wheels and the trunnion.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Robert Verdin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st April
1882.
ROBERT VERDIN, of Northwich, in the County of Chester, Salt Proprietor,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO APPARATUS, APPLIANCES, OR ATTACHMENTS
FOR USE ON FLATS OR OTHER VESSELS FOR TRANS-SHIPPING SALT OR COAL."
The object of my Invention is to so construct and arrange the apparatus used
for raising and lowering bulk cargo, such as grain or salt, on board flats and other
such vessels that it may be done in the shortest possible time and without the
delay occasioned by having to move the apparatus from one part of the vessel to
another during the operation, and an apparatus by which all the holds can be
cleared and the cargo deposited where required by the swivelling action of the
boom.
Referring to the Drawings, Fig. 1 is elevation of flat showing Invention, and
Fig. 2 detailed view enlarged.
In carrying out this Invention I place the mast A which is constructed similar
to those at present in use for such vessels as near to the bow of the boat as
practicable instead of being as in-ordinary-flats-nearly_amidships. The object of
placing the-mast-so-far-forward is to enable the swinging boom to act on the same
side of the mast for all the hatchways. In the ordinary plan where-the-mast-is-
between the hatches it is impossible to make one boom applicable for both hatches
without serious loss of time. With my present Invention however the boom can
be arranged to lift out of every part of the hold even close to the mast, the
peculiar form of stirrup joint used enabling the boom to be placed almost vertically
if desired.
The mast is fitted into a socket or tube B, being free to turn on the pin a and
lie flat or nearly so on the deck. A pin b keeps it in position when erect, and
there is also a safety pin a¹ for the same purpose. The socket B fits into a step B¹
in the bottom of the boat, as shown. Round the mast about three feet from the
deck I place a broad sleeve or collar C with an angle-iron or other broad base D
(more clearly shown in enlarged view, Fig. 2) which forms a bearing for the collar.
The sleeve C rotates freely on the mast which is preferably protected at this point
by an iron or other metal casing, and to this sleeve the swinging boom E is jointed
or hinged. The boom is thus free to rise or fall and move laterally to any extent
required in manipulating the cargo. The broad base D of the sleeve or collar C
rests on a ring D' fixed firmly on the mast, which holds it in its proper position.
At or near the top of the mast I place another swivelling sleeve F, similar to
that described, and dispense with the ordinary goose-neck. To the sleeve F
I attach the blocks G, through which the chain H regulating the vertical angle of
the boom passes. The boom by these means can be swung round the mast in
every direction except where hindered by the shrouds, and raised or lowered
to suit the varying sizes of the ships or wharves at which the unloading takes
place.
Although the most simple form of bucket is shown in the Drawing, I prefer to
use one which has trolly wheels at the bottom and a catch for the handle and
works on trunnions. When full it is top heavy, but is held erect by the catch.
The releasing of the catch allows it to to fall over and empty itself. It is then
easily righted, the centre of gravity being between the wheels and the trunnion.
The boom E is raised and lowered by the chain H, bringing the end of it
successively perpendicularly or nearly so over the different holds from which the

page_text: cargo has to be raised, or to regulate its height to the position in which the cargo
has to be deposited. The bucket I is raised and lowered by the chain J passing
over a pulley N on the end of the boom E, and through blocks K, fastened at any
convenient position on the mast. The rope L passing through the blocks L' is
attached to the stay rod M, by which the mast is held in an upright or reclining
position as required; O is a windlass for working the various chains.
Having now described my Invention and the best mode known to me of carrying
it into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I believe to be new and desire
to protect under the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. Placing the mast and swinging boom of flats or other vessels for trans-
shipping salt or coal in or very near the bow, so that the cargo can be raised from
all the lolds of the vessel by a bucket attached to a chain passing over the end of
the boom without altering the position of the attachment on the boom, sub-
stantially as described and shown.
Second. The manufacture of apparatus for trans-shipping salt or coal from flats
or similar vessels, consisting of a mast placed preferably in or near the bow of the
vessel and a boom jointed to a swivelling collar thereon or equivalent mechanism,
so as to be capable of being raised or lowered to any required degree and swung
round with little friction, and thus enabling the cargo to be raised from the
holds and swung round onto the quay without the loss of time entailed by altering
the attachments, substantially as described.
Third. In apparatus for trans-shipping salt or coal the combination of a sleevo
or collar attached to the mast so as to freely rotate thereon and held in position
by another ring or collar, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fourth. In apparatus for trans-shipping salt or coal the combination of a mast
placed in the bow of the vessel a boom hinged to and swivelling thereon a pulley N
and chains and bucket, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Verdin, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.