STEERING OF VESSELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13876, 9 October 1908, Page 5

STEERING OF VESSELS.

A NEW ZEALAND INVENTION. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— (Received October 8, 9.35 p.m.) Sydney, October 8. A VERY satisfactory trial of a ships course deviation recorder was made aboard the steamer Maheno on, her voyage from Wellington by the inventors, Messrs. Rissell and'Hennah, of New Zealand. The apparatus evoked great interest among the quartermasters, who vied with one .another in the record of steering capabilities as indicated by the apparatus. The invention referred to is a course recorder and indicator, and consists of an electrical attachment .tc a Sir William Thompson compass, and a sketch chart marked out in squares to indicate degrees and minutes. Its object is to record the course steered on the chart by means of an automatic pen, which, should it travel over a certain line marking the distance from the true course, puts the electrical apparatus in action, and an alarm bell, fitted up in the captain'a cabin, indicates that the vessel is diverging over the margin given to the steersman.' The recorder can be set to any given distance (of time)— two, three, or ten minutes. It is stated that testimonials eulogising the invention have been received from every master on whose boat it has been tried, and all are of the opinion that it will prove an aid to safe navigation. Another of the advantages it possesses is its' utility to define the course in cases where the sun is obscured for days at a time. One feature that is claimed for the invention is the accuracy with which it shows the slightest deviation from the exact course— first-class, telbtalt as to tlie'steW: ing qualities of the vessel.