NEW FORM OF SHIP’S RUDDER.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2027, 23 August 1880, Page 2

NEW FORM OF SHIP’S RUDDER.

Serious accidents not nnfrequently happen to ships through the loss of the helm. It was not long ago that two intercolonial steamers were disabled at sea, owing to the rudder unshipping or being carried away, and they had to be towed into port. Quite recently the Travancore steamer, in crossing the Atlantic from Baltimore to South Shields, was at the mercy of the waves, daring a heavy gale, for thirty-six hours, owing to the steering gear giving way. An ingenious, yet simple method, of guarding against the dangers arising from the loss of the rudder has been designed by Mr D. Davies, of Melbourne, a practical engineer, in the service of the Harbor Trust. His plan is to place what may be called a pair of “ fish fins ” on the sides of the vessel, a few feet in front of the propsller. One fin is placed on each side. The pair are intended to be worked in connection with the ordinary steering apparatus, each being used alternately as the vessel is required to go to port or starboard. The shape of these auxiliary rudders, each being affixed to its own rudderpost, should be sufficiently indicated by the name above given—that of “a fin.” When at rest, they lie in a recess, and are therefore flush with the vessel's side. They are capable ef exerting rather more power than the ordinary rudder. The latter, in the case of a steamer, it will be borne in mind, operates on water disturbed by the screw. Then again, just as an oar put over a boat’s quarter will pull a boat’s head round effectively than one acting astern, so it is inferred that a fin, operating under the steamer’s quarter in front of the screw, will act more powerfully than the ordinary at the stern. Only one fin would require to be used at a time. The invention is shown by Mr Davies on the model of a steam launch of his own making; it has not yet been practically tested. The apparatus is simple, and should be easily worked. Mr Davies carried off prizes at the late Melbourne Exhibition as well as at Philadelphia for his models of a steamboat and pair of working engines. As explained in the beginning, this extra pair of rudders is meant to come into play when the principal rudder is disabled, but it is possible, if the design povers practically valuable, that they may bo employed on ordinary as well as on extraordinary occasions.