The arrangements in each of these inventions being the same, whether applied to cat-head stoppers or shank-painters, we shall therefore show one in vention as applied to cat-head stoppers, and the other to shank-painters. The subjoined cuts show Capt. Burton s method of letting go a cat-head stopper a Is the cat-head ; b c a bolt, turning upon a pivot d; the end c forms an oblique plane, and is held down by the clamp e turning upon apivot f, the clamp being secured by a hasp g and pin A. i is the standing end of the stopper, having an eye formed in it, which passes over the end b of the bolt b c ; the other end of the stopper passes through the ring of the anchor, and over the thumb-cleat k, and is made fast round the timber-head 1. When it is required to let go the anchor, a band-spike is inserted between the thumb-cleat k, so as to nip the clamp e, and the hasp g is cast off; then upon withdrawing the hand-spike, the bolt being no longer held by the clamp e, turns upon its pivot d, by the weight of the anchor on the stopper, and the eye of the stopper slips off the end of the bolt.
The following cut represents Mr. Spence's invention for letting go a shank painter. Fig. 1 is an elevation, and Fig. 2 the plan. a is a cast-iron carriage, bolted through the ship's side, and supporting the hook 6 by a pin or pivot at c; d e a lever turning upon a centre f, the end d being formed into a hook, which clasps the upper end of the bolt b, the lever being retained in the position shewn in the plan, by a pin g ; A is part of a chain forming the standing part of the shank-painter, and supported by the bolt b.
To the other end of the chain is spliced the running part of the shank-painter, which passes round the shank of the anchor, and is made fast to a timber-head. When it is required to let go the shank-painter, an iron bar is inserted into the end e of the lever d e, which is made hollow for the purpose, and the pin g being withdrawn, the lever is turned round its centre until the bolt is released from the hook d, when it falls, and the chain end of the shank-painter slips off.