FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 39 



CAPTAIN J. W. COLLINS, Gloucester, Massachusetts : 

 Collins's patent fog alarm. (6.) 



This invention consists of an upright cylindrical bellows of stout grain 

 leather, supported by aud working upon three brass rods, which are 

 fastened at the lower ends to a strong wooden pedestal, and the upper 

 ends of which are secured by means of screw caps to a wooden top, to 

 which also is attached the tipper part of the bellows. This wooden 

 top or cap-piece is surmounted by a brass cone, having a hole in its 

 apex, into which is screwed a reed horn. The bellows is collapsed or 

 distended by means of an iron lever working on a hinge attached to 

 the wooden base. By moving this lever the air in the bellows is driven 

 with great force through the horn at the top. A very heavy sound is 

 obtained when a large horn is used, while a small horn can be blown 

 to its fullest capacity with any slight exertion on the part of the 

 operator. Dimensions : Diameter of base, 2 feet ; thickness, 4 inches ; 

 diameter of wooden top, 19 inches ; thickness, 1^ inches ; diameter of 

 bellows (No. 56955), 15 inches ; height, 20 inches ; height of brass cone, 

 6^ inches ; diameter of cone (at base), 9 inches ; thickness of brass 

 rods, f of an inch ; length of lever, 4 feet. This implement was orig- 

 inally designed for use on fishing vessels, especially such as are em- 

 ployed in the line-trawl fishery. In the latter fishery the men go out 

 in dories long distances (one to three miles) from the schooners that 

 are lying at anchor, and the prevalence of dense fogs in summer, and 

 snow in winter, causes the loss of many fishermen, who go astray be- 

 cause they are unable to hear the horns which are ordinarily employed. 

 The advantages of this fog alarm are that it can be heard farther than 

 any horn now in use on sailing vessels (this having been proved by 

 actual test at sea) ; tha,t the material of which it is made, and the 

 simplicity of its construction, render it less liable to get out of repair 

 than other patent horns ; that it may be at all times operated with 

 comparatively slight physical exertion, and without any of the ex- 

 haustion that results from blowing a horn with the mouth ; and finally, 

 that it is adapted for use on all kinds and classes of vessels. (Collins.) 



Nickle-plated fog horn. (6.) 



Tin, nickle-plated, bell-mouth, fitted with large brass reed. 

 Length (excusive of reed), 4 feet; diameter of mouth, 8 

 inches. 



This horn is used on the bellows, and constitutes a portion of Collins's fog 

 alarm. 



Brass fog horn. (6.) 



Bell-mouth, large brass reed at lower or small end. Length, 3£ 

 feet; diameter of mouth, 6 inches. 



Used on the bellows, and is part of Collins's fog alarm. 



Tin fog horns. (6.) 



Three horns, tin, ordinary mouth horns, adapted for use in the 

 bellows of Collins's fog alarm; length of each, 3 feet 2 

 inches; diameter of mouth, 5£ inches. 

 Fog-horn reeds, &c. (6.) 



One large brass reed 3J inches long, 1£ inches wide; two small 



reeds and mouth-pieces for tiu fog horns. 

 To be used to replace other reeds which may be lost or injured. 



