patent log

American  

[pat-nt lawg, log] / ˈpæt nt ˌlɔg, ˌlɒg /

noun

Nautical.

1. any of various devices for determining the speed of a ship by means of a vaned rotor streamed at the end of a logline upon which it exerts a torsion transmitted to a registering device on board.

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patent log British  

noun

1. nautical any of several mechanical devices for measuring the speed of a vessel and the distance travelled, consisting typically of a trailing rotor that registers its rotations on a meter Compare chip log

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Etymology

Origin of patent log

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

patent log

We had seen very little of the coast thus far: the current had rendered the patent log useless for measuring bases, and the weather was very unfavourable for astronomical observations.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Fitzroy, Robert

A shark took a bite at the revolving vane of the patent log to-day.

From The Personal Life of David Livingstone by Blaikie, William Garden

There was a patent log aboard; but I did not rig it.

From Swept Out to Sea Clint Webb Among the Whalers by Foster, W. Bertram

I called this lad to witness the agreement I had made with Budja, and told him, if Kasoro satisfied me, I would return by him, in addition to the heavy gun, a Massey's patent log.

From The Discovery of the Source of the Nile by Speke, John Hanning

The average speed of the seven hours' steaming, as measured by patent log, was 19.28 knots.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 832, December 12, 1891 by Various