Volume Ten - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Patent for the Penarth Slipway - 1881 . . .

Figures 1 and 2 are to a scale of one quarter inch per foot, and Figures 3 and 4 to a scale of one inch per foot.

The same letters refer to corresponding parts on all the Figures.

A, A, are the main ways upon which the centre of main cradle C runs on the sheaves or rollers D, D ; B, B, are the auxiliary ways upon which the auxiliary cradle C1, C1, runs on the sheaves or rollers D1, D1 ; E is one of the " pawls " of the main cradle engaging into the rack F ; E1, E1, are the " pawls " of the auxiliary cradle engaging into the racks F1, F1 ; G, G, are the keel blocks on main cradle, and H, H, are the bilge blocks on auxiliary cradle ; K, K, are the hauling chains operating upon the main cradle C ; L is a crosshead working on a pin P (in the upper end of main cradle) and supported by stays or struts M, M, attached to brackets N, N, and to the outer ends of crosshead L by pins O, O ; R, R, are strong coupling eyes (projecting from the upper end of auxiliary cradle) into which the ends of the crosshead L are fixed.

By means of this crosshead, when connected as shewn, the  hauling action of the chains K,K, upon the main cradle C is transmitted to the auxiliary cradle C1, and both move simultaneously up the slipway till the ship is lifted clear of the keel blocks G on main cradle, and rests upon the " bilge " blocks H of the auxiliary. The centre pin P and end pins O, O, being now knocked out, the main cradle is disengaged from the auxiliary cradle and can be launched to take another vessel.

Having now described and illustrated our Invention, and the manner in which we consider it may best be carried out in practical working, we desire to state that we do not confine ourselves to the particular mode of construction, but what we claim as novel and secured to us by Letters Patent is , -