Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-26 00:00:00

NEW ANTI-COLLISION SAFETY LAME'.

Some scientific and practical gentlemen had, yesterday, an oppor-
tunity of ins, ecting and examining in detail, a new lamp called bythe
above name, invented and patented by Mr. C. Symonds, of Crooked-
lane, Custom-house. As everything pertaining to eheps is of an inte-
resting character, a few words respecting this simple and most
effective (for all valuable machines are simp's) invention, will be
fo'und worthy of attention. When a practical man, with • scientific
mind, turns his attention to improvements--improvements suggested
by experience, which shows him there is something in his peculiar pro-
fession wanting, then it may be hoped that a beneficial result will
follow the experimente,which must neeeesarily be made to arrive at a
correct data. It is well known—it leis been proved over and over—
that the majority of collisions, and consequent losses that take place,
between vessels, arise from in-me:feet light ; or, if not from that pecu-
liar want, from a want of the true position of the vessels, which a true
light would indicate, and thelsOfore prevent collision. It is needle.s to
refer to the many instances of the above sort that we have had to
record from time to time, The point, therefore is, to do something
calcUlated to prevent a. recurrence of calamities affecting both life and
property. Mr. Symonds, a practical seaman for years, seeing the
necessity that existed for something in this way, bestowed much atten-
tion on the mattee , and, after much labour, he has produced a lamp
which he calls e.e above ; and, if anything approximates to perfection
in the line, this lamp may be said to be that apparatus. Collisions at
sea and in tae Channel most frequently happen, in consequence of the
difficulty there is in vessels making out their positions, or the direction
in which each is proceeding. To obviate this, the lamp is fixed on the
bowsprit of the vessel, by an ingenious iron frame, which acts as a sort
of axis, upon which the lamp turns at the touch of any one, until put in
the position required, when it is mode fast with a screw. It has four
sides, with powerfully magnifying lenses—red, green, white, and blue.
There is a lamp inside with great reflectors, but when the exterior is
turned round, the reflectors are so arranged that the lamp only points
to one colour, the reflector, adding lustre to the lens where the point
reflects, conceaeng all tee ethers. The mechanism is beautiful and
simple, at the same time most effective. The great value of the whole
lies in this—when the red reflector appears the vessel is on the star.
board tack, and is to remain so until the light is changed to green,
when she is on the port tack. When a pure white light is shown, the
ship is running free before the wind ; and the exhibition of the blue is
a signal of distress, and for a pilot. We saw the lamp examined in
every way ; and to sea-going vessels, as well as channel, river, and
other steamers, it appears invaluable, and calculated to prevent colli-
sions—indeed, if properly used, it would be almost impossible that any
collision could take place. One of the Government officials, who in-
spected the lamp yesterday, expressed himself in high admiration of
its value• and his testimony is the more valuable, as he is a practical
man of great experience. He said he would have it brought under the
notice of the Admiralty and Board of Trade ; and sure we are, that,
before the end of the next six months, there will not b 3 a ship afloat
that will not have one of these indispensable lamps hanging at he.
bowsprit. The lamp is applicable to 'railway' as well as ships,

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph.]

FRANCE.

PARIS, THURSDAY.

The Emperor left Paris this morning. He will
remain a day at Chalons, to ii:spect the preparations
for the camp, and then start for Plombiers, where
he will remain to the end of July. Subsequently
he will join the Empress, at Biarritz, when their
Majesties will visit :Queen Victoria, at Osborne.
The Three per Cents closed to-day at 68f. 45c,