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

She was loaded well down, yet an hour after the patent log had been put overboard it recorded a run of seventeen knots.

From Under the Ensign of the Rising Sun A Story of the Russo-Japanese War by Savile Lumley

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

From The Personal Life of David Livingstone by William Garden Blaikie

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 John Hanning Speke

The speed of the Rattler by patent log was 4.2 knots; and at the conclusion of the trial the Alecto had the advantage by about half a mile.

From A Catechism of the Steam Engine by John Bourne, C.E.

With McCrea's help he adjusted a patent log that he had brought along with him, casting the line over the rail into the water.

From The Submarine Boys' Trial Trip "Making Good" as Young Experts by Victor G. Durham