IMFBOVED CAPSTAN AND WINDLASS, J33 



IX. 



Description of a Capstan, that tvorks without requiring the 

 Messenger or Cable coiled round it to be ever fvrged. By 

 J. VViTLEY BcswELL, Esq.^ of Clifford's Inn*. 



Sill, 



A Request vou will lay before the Society cf Arts, &c. the Capstan that 



. 1 r> -1, 1-1 1-1 does not re- 



model of a capstan contrived by me, which works without q^ire the n es- 



requirinsr the mesb&n 'er or cable coiled round it to be ever senger oTcabl« 



J r -^x, + u u to be surged, 



surged, an operation necessary with couimon capstans, wmca 



is always attended with delay, and frequently with danger. 



Capstans of this kind can be made by a common ship- 

 wright, and would not be liable to be put out of order. 

 They also would not occasion any additional friction or wear 

 to the messenger or cable, in vvhich particulars they would be 

 superior to the other contrivance hitherto brought forward 

 for the same purpose; they also would much facilitate the 

 holding on. 



The great loss of time and great trouble, which always Reasons for not 



attend applications to the Nuvy Board, pvev nt w attempt- ^ii 'yingtothe 



V . JNavy Board. 



ing to bring the matter before the public t!)rough .I:rii chan- 

 nel, though I have had the most unequivocal approbu-ion of 

 the capstan from the two gentlemen of that boa'-d best 

 qualified to pjdge of it. T mention this, least it might be 

 thought, that my not applying there first was from any 

 douot of the goodness of the invention. If the Society 

 should app ove of th€ capstan, I will draw up a more minute 

 Ijccount pf it for publication. 



I am. Sir, 



Your very humble servant, 



J. W. BOSWELL. 



SIR, 



I Have examined your model of a capstan, which is cal- Opinions re- 

 culated to prevent the surging of the messenger when heav- spectmg its 



merit. 

 f Trans of Soc of Aits, vol, XXV, p. 65, Fur this invention the gold 

 medal was voted to Mr. Boswell. 



iug 



