THE CABLE SHIP ON REPAIRS. 



301 



for moving the links over for reversing main engines, which 

 takes an appreciable time, there is another lever which, when 

 operated, admits steam to a small vertical cylinder, the piston 

 of which acts on a water ram, and moves over the links rapidly. 

 In fact, with this system, known as Brown's reversing engine, 

 the links on both high and low pressure eccentric rods are 

 shifted over in little more than the time it takes to pull over a 

 lever. An electrical circuit to a bell on the bridge is also 



Fig. 180.— Deck Cable Leads. 



arranged to be closed automatically whenever the links are 

 over to "astern" when the orders on the telegraph are "ahead," 

 and vice versa. This arrangement is not altogether satisfactory 

 to the engineer, as, however smartly he may follow his orders, 

 he Is frequently obliged by the position of his cranks to reverse 

 for a moment in order to carry out the order. 



On its way from the tank to the drum and paying-out 

 sheave the cable passes over guide pulleys or leads placed at 

 suitable distances on deck. Single and double roller leads are 

 used, the double form illustrated in Fig. 180 having two rollers 



