Ship's rudder

Description

In 1856 John Holman received a patent for his invention of an improved rudder design, which did not rely on pintles for its security. Pintles were the wooden ends where the rudder was joined to the sternpost of the vessel. The motion of the waves caused conventional rudders to shake, loosening and eventually losing these fixings. Holman's rudder could also be removed underwater, so it could be brought to the surface for repaits. An example of this is kept in Topsham Museum in the former sail-loft, donated by his great grand-daughter Dorothy Holman.

Accession Loan No.

360.1

Common Name

ship's rudder

Simple Name

ship's rudder

Full Name

Holman improved rudder

Period Classification

Victorian (1837-1901)

Production Year Low

1837

Production Year High

1901