RFA/RN question re RASing

[MASH]

Can anyone tell me about the self-tensioning cable drums that were/are(still?) used for RAS.
What they were called/known as
Manufacturer
When they were introduced
Any other info/dits

reason - researching my grandfather who is said to have invented them!

 

[penfold]

What they were called/known asI've seen them variously called self-tensioning, constant tension, and just plain RAS winch.
ManufacturerMacTaggart Scott have made them, and others although they're getting fewer in the UK as time moves on.
When they were introducedProbably the late 40s or early 50s.
Any other info/dits When it goes wrong, things turn pearshaped double quick.

HTH

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Can anyone tell me about the self-tensioning cable drums that were/are(still?) used for RAS.
What they were called/known as
Manufacturer
When they were introduced
Any other info/dits

reason - researching my grandfather who is said to have invented them!

Who was your grandfather? I would be interseted to know.
To answer your question:- The first Automatic Tensioning winch (ATW).I came across in the RFA was steam driven by a Two cylinder 150 HP reciprocating engine. The tension in the cable (Jackstay) was controlled through a Heenan-Froud magnetic coupling. The engine was constant speed and the coupling field controlled to maintain the tension in the jackstay. These were fitted to the "Tide" class vessels. Tidereach, Tideflow, Tidesurge and TideAustral. They were used for re-fueling. These were first fitted in the 1950's
The later ATW's fitted to both tankers and solid replenishment vessels were Electrically operated with a "Ward Leonard" system where the Generator field was used to control the output of the DC winch motor, through either a manual controller or an Auto controller. The generator was driven by a 440 volt 3 Phase AC motor. These came into service in the 1960's. These winches had a safety device in the form of a slipping clutch which would render in the event of a power failure or the tension increasing beyond a set value.
Some ships also had a simpler version of a self tensioning winch which had manual control of a Ward Leonard system. This system was introduced in the 70's. In the above systems the the jackstay was tensioned and the hoses/loads were passed and controlled with other winches.
The latest systems are much more complex Electronic systems. The jackstay and traveller are combined into a constant tension loop. Movable high points being used to raise and lower the loads.
All the above systems were/ are manufactured Clarke Chapman & co.Ltd Gateshead. I believe they are now part of Rolls Royce.
The older systems were built like the proverbial brick outhouse and if in service will still be going in a hundred years!
Hope the above is of some use!

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

What they were called/known asI've seen them variously called self-tensioning, constant tension, and just plain RAS winch.
ManufacturerMacTaggart Scott have made them, and others although they're getting fewer in the UK as time moves on.
When they were introducedProbably the late 40s or early 50s.
Any other info/dits When it goes wrong, things turn pearshaped double quick.

HTH

Quite right. McTaggart Scot did, and still do, make RAS winches, but mainly the reception points fitted to the RN ships, and some RFA's. Stothert and Pitt of Bath also made RAS winches for RFA's Regent and Resource. These were mainly the standard 3 and 5 ton cargo type winches.
All the Auto Tensioning winches(ATW's) and self tensioning winches I came across were Clarke Chapman. Some of the "Leaf" class tankers may have had variations.
As for things going wrong. The Clarkies gear was bomb proof. I only ever had one winch motor fail and that was a 3ton winch after a particularly hard hammering during a fuelling RAS with a frigate in the 1970's "Cod War" The conditions were dreadfull and it was a case of giving her fuel or a tow!