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

These two handwritings were quite distinct from each other and contained the usual notes of prevailing winds, state of weather, speed, distance indicated by patent log, dead reckonings, vessels sighted and such like.

From The Cruise of the Dry Dock by Stribling, T. S.

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

They are provided with a patent log, but their captains, who are intelligent men, do not care much about a chronometer, as the distances to be run are comparatively short and are easily judged.

From A Voyage in the 'Sunbeam' Our Home on the Ocean for Eleven Months by Brassey, Annie

To see him skipping along through green sea water in his dress-pumps, to look at the patent log, was a revelation of human improvidence.

From Captain Macedoine's Daughter by McFee, William

At sea in North Sea ship heading S x W, patent log bet.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet