THE WONDERFUL NAVIGRAPH.

Northern Advocate, 11 January 1912, Page 3

THE WONDERFUL NAVIGRAPH.

A Swedish newspaper recently received in Wellington contained an interesting description of a new instruIpient designed to assist in the navigation of ships. I The navigraph (as the new instruIment is called) will, it is maintained, not only supersede the patent log. it does a great many things besides. It is not dragged by the vessel, nor deon the ship's machinery. The shipWtself—its speed through the water—manipulates the apparatus. This shows on tablets and registers continuously on a paper diagram, day and night, the speed of the vessel, distance accomplished, time occupied during the voyage, the exact duration in time as well as the speed and distance covered in every course or fraction tfiereof, and the position of the ship latitude and longti&ide) every day. In case the vessel encounters strong or cross currents, causing it to start to drift out of its course, an electric bell sounds a warning signal on the bridge, lor instance, and! a small apparatus shows the direction and strength of the current. This and more does the navigraph, night and day, without the aid of man; all the attention it needs can be compared to that bestowed on the ship's chronometer. The navigraph comprises of principal parts the receiver and; the recorder, connected with each other by an electric wire, and a press button to operate an electric bell. The receiver may be placed in the engine room, in direct contact with tne hull of Jbe vessel, while the registrator may be placed on the bridge, in the captain's cabin, or anywhere desired on board.

When a ship moves through the water the latter is deflected by the vessel's hull, causing a lighter or heavier pressure against its sides, dependent on the speed and the ship's lines of construction. The pressure on a determined spot on the hull is transmitted to the receiver, which carried the varying pressure through the electric wire to the mechanism in the registrator. The clockwork in the latter goes at a speed proportionate to the irf-fcssure from the receiver; that is to say, with a speed proportionate to that of the ship. The clockwork in the receiver winds out a tape or diagram slip on which compass signs are shown by a number of parallel lines lengthwise, and diagonally to these lines is fixed distances are other lines representing a fixed number and fractions of knots, or miles. These are numbered. Above the diagram tape is a compass, which as the tape unwinds draws lines or marks to or along the course steered for the time being. Opposite the dots on the tap marks are made *ecording the exact time in hours and minutes. This is the main idea of the invention; the details must be seen to be appreciated fully.

Although the navigraph will accomplish so much, it is very simple in construction, of neat design, occupies little space, is comparatively cheap, can be installed without having the ship docked. This remarkable diagram tap is termed the "navigram," and ought to play a prominent part in the navigation of the future as verification to the log register. For instance, it will be irrefutable evidence in cases of collision, for it shows the vessel's speed, liow it was struck, and the exact time all the while. A full-sized model of the invention has been shown to the Boards of Marine, insurance companies, naval experts to the Swedish Admiralty, and others, and all give unqualified testimony to the practical utility of the navigraph. Negotiations are now proceeding with foreign capitalists for taking over its exploitation. The inventor of the navigraph is a Swedish Engineer, Mr G. Dillberg.