Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

IMPROVED RUDDER.

Captain Bolton's invention of an "Improved Rudder," is described, in the specifications, as a rudder prepared with means for changing its breadth, whenever this shall be necessary. It is made in two parts; or with a slit of sufficient width, passing at the exterior edge, down the middle of its thickness. In this aperture is inserted a triangular piece of wood or plate of metal, which hangs on a centre pin passing through its head, and through the whole thickness of the rudder's has the-head for convenience in turning, semi-circular, and furnished with teeth to sustain it at any particular degree of extension; and, when not actually employed to enlarge the breadth of the rudder, fills the slit which was made to contain it. A bolt passing through the head of the rudder, or at its back is made to throw out or draw back the moveable piece of wood, or plate of metal, whenever it is moved to right or left. The piece of wood, or plate of metal, when thrown forward by the bolt, gives a considerable extension of the rudder's breadth at its lower extremity. That part of the invention which respects the "Preservation of the Rudder," accomplishes this end by so hanging it on the sternpost, that it may be lifted at pleasure with a crew, or any other of the mechanical powers. In the draught accompanying the specification, that mode is exhibited in which the invention has been tried in actual use. A slide or bolt, fixed by strong braces to the stern post, is, by pintles and gudgeons, connected with the rudder. A screw bolt passes through the head of the slide; and when turned by a lever at its top, above the deck, serves to elevate that slide. The rudder being hung upon the slide, and firmly attached to it, is, at the same time raised. These inventions are obviously adapted to prove essentially useful to the seaman. There are many occasions on which an extraordinary power of rudder is wanted, and on all such, Mr. Bolton's contrivance for enlarging the breadth of the rudder, will undoubtedly be of service. The loss of the rudder by its touching on a rock, is in very many instances, the cause of the loss of the vessel to which it belongs. This will be almost always effectually prevented, if rudders be hung in such a manner that they may be crewed up or otherwise elevated at pleasure.

Lon. pap.