Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-05-29

DABOLLs FOG w WHlsfLE.-Wc have
often spoken Of this useful invention.
and urged upon the Government the
prop"iety of using il AT all points where
such kinds Of signals are required TO
warn the tempest tost mariner Of dan
ger. Nothing can be superior TO light
houses for the guidance Of vessels, in
the vicinity Of dangerous points, at
night, when the light can be seen but
when there is a thick log, during the
day or night, Lighthouses are of but
little use. This Fog Whistle is des On
ed TO be used when everything is veil
ed by thick iog, and light cannot
be seen IN time 10 save a vessel from
going upon the rocks. The principle
is exceedingly simple, and the cost
comparatively small, particuIa larry when
we consider Of what immense benefit it
Is. One Of these Whistles has recently
been put up at Beaver Tail Light, and
is now in most su cesslul operation.
Last Tuesday afternoon and even
ing, for a space Of several hours, when
the fog was almost thick enough 10 cut,
the Whistle was very distinctly heard
all over this town, although the wind
was not favorable TO bring the sound
here. We heard it constantly from 4
TO 5 o'clock, sitting at our desk and
Beaver Tail Light is six miles from this
town.
This Whistle must inevitably super
sede the bells which have hitherto been
used al such points and for such pur
poses. There was originally large bell
at Beaver Tail, which was struck by
machinery, somewhat on the principle
of clock yet this bell could not be
heard, in Il fog in consequence OF the
loud roar Of the suri which completely
destroyed the tones OF the bell. We are
informed by the late keeper OF the Beav-
er Tail Light that frequently he could
not hear the bell in his own house
which was but few rods from the bell
Alter remaining there a short time, the
bell was taken down, having been found
10 be entirely useless. On the I'd OF
October, 1898, the steamer Providence,
on her passage from New York 10 this
port, went ashore at Beaver Tail, III IA
log, and was seriously damaged, besides
cndangcring the lives OF a large num-
ber OF Passengers. Steamers Of the
largest class, containing thousands OF
passengers, are constantly passing this
dangerous SPOT, as are also sail vessels
OF all kinds, and it is Of the highest
importance that this Whistle should be
kept there permanently, in order TO pro-
tect those passing from the great dan
ger of shipwreck. Several vessels
have been lost there, together with all
on board. II IL but few years since
the brig b. J. Palmer was wrecked there
during a thick fog in the night, and not
Il soul survived 10 tell the sad story OF
her fate. Had DaboIrs Fog Whistle
been there at that time. this melanchO-
ly catastrophe would MT probably have
occurred. We might cite many other
instances, il it was necessary.
Daboll's " histle has been thorough
V tested and found To be IN every way
lDracticablr, and we trust that the
Treasury Department will not only
place II at this point, TO be blown by
horse power, but also AT all the other
dangerous points along the coast.-
The cxpcnce which will be incurred
thereby is trilling, in comparison with
the immense benefit which will be de-
rived by those who are compelled to
pass all such points, elthor III steamers
or other vessels.
The advantage of this Whistle over a
bell is ths The sound OF a bell is In
stantancous, and the moment the ham
mer strikes, it lifts again, or scarcely
any sound will be emitted. This sound
OF the bell is destroyed entirely by the
louder roar OF the surl breaking upon
the -ocks hut the shr!l aud loud tone
of the Whistle lscontInuous and plcrccs
through the roar OF the surf, as blast
follows blast from the Whistle, until il
escapes the nolse OF the roaring surf, aud
is borne for miles beyond to the ear OF
the anxious mariner.
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