Engine Order Telegraph(EOT) specs & installation

[Mfoxchicago]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Steamboaters:

Does anyone know or have suggestions on where to find literature or specs on the installation and maintenance of traditional EOT's? I may be soon acquiring two EOT's of matching size and wish to install them in my vessel as an added vintage feel to the helm and engine room spaces. I desperately wish to have these be fully serviceable and working, but, I am having trouble finding any documentation as to their inner workings (I have some ruff idea) and how the connections need to be made between the respective units. There is one diagram I have located online, but would like to familiarize myself much more on their workings before attempting the installation.

Your thoughts?
Mack

[Lopez Mike]

The only one I've repaired just had two cables, both in tension. What ever one was pointing to, the other one followed.

I wasn't around when it was in use but the way this one worked was that whenever you wanted to move it to a new setting, you ran it from one end of the travel to the other quickly and then settled on the right position. The running it back and forth made the bell ring.

There was a voice tube for whining and arguing.

Mike

[Mfoxchicago]

Thanks Mike, I sort of understand how they operate, just was wondering if they used cables or some sort of segmented chain, like a bicycle chain. I get the movement to one direction, pulling the response indicator on the sister unit that direction, but how did the reverse movement work, if it was just a cable...??? Most of the photos I've seen, as you indicated, show two cables coming out of the top of these units (these were Engine Rm units). I've not seen any connections with the Helm units.

I was just curious if anyone knew of any sources for literature on EOT care and maintenance. I might be over thinking this. Steamboats are best known for being creative and simply working it out.......guess it's the public school teacher in me, thought perhaps I should check a manual or something.

Thanks for you reply - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mack

[Jack Innes]

Here is an article on the EOT system used on the |Titanic;

http://marconigraph.com/titanic/telegra ... aphs1.html

It appears cables were used & chains were inserted where the cables would have to go around corners.

The setup of the system would be similar to a cable steering system or clothes line where one cable pulls while the other follows. There would be 4 cables ( 2 loops), one loop for the bridge control lever & the other for the engine room reply lever.

[Mfoxchicago]

Thanks Jack,

I appreciate the Titanic link. I have seen that in my previous research. It was very reassuring to review the article again. The EOT's were a rather basic form of mechanical device. I will relax and figure it all out when the EOT's arrive. Definitely think I have over thought and stressed on this. I'll work it out.

Thanks for your help.

Mack

[87gn@tahoe]

They're pretty simple. slightly more complicated if they have a reply indicator. Just two or four cables (depending on the type) running between the two with chain on sprockets running inside the telegraphs themselves. I'm not sure of the bell mechanism on the ones with an internal bell, but the one on "Persistence" has a gong in-line with trips attached to the cables to activate it.

Do you have any pictures of your new boat? she sounds like she'd be very interesting. Is she prop or paddle driven? What type of engine and dimensions? Boiler? etc. etc. etc.

[artemis]

Best known as "Engine Order Telegraphs" - after about 1900 the word "Ships" was added to distinguish them from wireless or Marconi telegraphs - they were invented by William Chadburn asbout 1860 and are still manufactured by Chadburns to this day.

If you want more in depth info just google "Chadburns Engine Order Telegraph". There is a Society dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Chadburn Engine Order Telegraphs

[Mfoxchicago]

@ Wesley - thanks for the info, I'll post extensive details on my boat project just as soon as I have her ready for introduction to "the fleet".....sort of my thing. Can't wait to fill you in on my project though.

@ Ron - Great info, thanks. Good to know there is a site for the preservation of EOT's & that Charbourns are still being manufactured and serviced by at least one old school manufacturer. Very helpful!

[Mfoxchicago]

Hey Ron, kudos to you. The Chadburn Society site was great. Very helpful and certainly a source for me to reach out to if need be. Thanks very much!

[Mfoxchicago]

Well, Happy New Year Steamboaters!

I am happy to share that I have at last acquired a pair of matching EOT's for my boat project. To have found a matched pair, in workable and from I can see, serviceable condition is an amazing find. They arrived yesterday, were exactly as advertized and in exceptional condition. They are Port & Starboard Engine Room EOT's (due to their bulkhead mounting orientation) from a WWII Minesweeper. Unfortunately, the seller was not able to supply me with information on which vessel as they were picked up at a Nautical Flea Market from a guy that had a family member who salvaged them when the Minesweeper was being broke up for salvage.

I intend to install one in the Wheel House and of coarse the mate in the Engine Room. Even though they will say Port & Starboard on the face plates, I would rather not alter their original (or near original ) condition; who knows, maybe later.

I believe I have worked out the manner for connecting them via cable. I have not open them up yet to ascertain how to attach the cables (probably a set screw or anchor point), but have confirmed these units used cables, for there are no sprockets inside for a "chain" application. I figure it will take at least two cables for each wheel - one to pull clockwise & one to pull counter-clockwise on each wheel. It appears the Response Indicators on both units have been re-fabricated out of inferior lightweight plate brass. I will endeavor to have proper solid brass indicators fabricated at some point in the future.

I had dreamed of adding that "just perfect" touch of authenticity to my steamboat project, but was very doubtful that a single lever EOT would be found that I could afford, they are very rare. But a matched pair, I dared not hope for. However, the Good Lord has provided, as he always does, in His own time and manner.

I give thanks to Him and to a Seller that offered the exact item I needed at a price I was able to afford and the Sellers willingness to help my project forward with a much appreciated accommodation to his initial price. I WAS extremely lucky.

I will post pictures of their install & pics of my boat project as soon as I have the project ship shape and "Bristol Fashion"!

Happy New Year to ALL!

Cheers,
Mack