Porthole question

[Ned Kelly]

Just a question out of curiosity, I've seen a number of portholes that have a small ring on the opening light, I assume that it was used for holding it open but if anyone can enlighten me
Also were these used on a particular type of ship?

Cheers
Ged

[Ricky Cantley]

attaching a lift bag?

[h2overload]

The ring on the outside is normally used to keep it shut. The ring is to allow you to grip the threaded part and tighten it against a 'c' shaped bit which is fixed.
It does, of course, make quite a convenient location for the lifting bag....if only lobsters were fitted with them....

[Ricky Cantley]

Lobsters with portholes?

[Ned Kelly]

Thanks for the responses. The ring I'm refering to is not the threaded "dog" that's used for keeping the window shut. It's a small ring about 3/4" diameter, if you imagine the porthole in situ the window would lift upward the ring is at the bottom of the window in that position, it's nothing to do with the deadlight either ..........

Now using the ring to lift the porthole, will that save me from having to put a lump hammer through the glass to get a purchase point

[Digger]

Risky putting a lift bag on the dogs, on many with steel frames (which you may not find out until the lump is on the surface) you will lift the dog and pin out of the frame and leave your porthole behind. Even worse if this happens on the surface lifting it out of the water!

No idea what the ring is though. Not seen them with these fitted. Might be for hanging the washing out on long journeys

Digs.

[Ned Kelly]

Looks like the best bet is to post a pic of one. I'll try and do that tonight

[ratcliffe]

Lobsters with portholes?

Easy access to the meaty bits eh ?

[Paddy Diver]

I recovered a porthole like this about two years ago and after some consultation with a old shipbuilder-kinda-guy he told me that those portholes are extremely old & rare-ish, not used very often in the day. He said the ring is for tying the porthole open, if you can imagine standing inside a ship looking at the porthole, you open it towards yourself and you are able to tie a rope/string to the ring to stop the porthole/windowy bit form swinging loosely.

Thats the explanation I got for it anyway, make sense too.


Ian

[Ned Kelly]

Makes sense, thanks

I recovered a porthole like this about two years ago and after some consultation with a old shipbuilder-kinda-guy he told me that those portholes are extremely old & rare-ish, not used very often in the day. He said the ring is for tying the porthole open, if you can imagine standing inside a ship looking at the porthole, you open it towards yourself and you are able to tie a rope/string to the ring to stop the porthole/windowy bit form swinging loosely.

Thats the explanation I got for it anyway, make sense too.


Ian