The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-03

| GUS blockade. Commodore COe is much annoyed BY
the course the Americans have taken but there is nc
help for it.
| Railrsad Safety signals.
| HOUSES TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
No. 81 Wall street.
| TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
| The numerous accidents which have occurred
within the last two months on different railroads
attended with the loss of many valuable lives, de-
mand that more simple and efficient signals should
be used by the various railroad companies to insure
greater safety to passengers and security to the
property of the stockholders
Numerous writer's on this subject have proposed
through the columns of the HERALD and other papers
various modes and if some Of them were introduced
by railroad companies doubtless greater security
would be given to travellers
Among the variety of modes proposed there Is no
reference made to safety signals beyond the ordinary
use of piece of red and white bunting, muslin red
lamp ball or torpedo 1t is true however, that some
Of these articles be used with safety under certain
circumstances, but they do not meet all the require
ments essential to the security of travellers passing
over railroads.
have been engaged several years in making ex-
periments for the purpose Of improving the different
codes of signals in use and having successfully de-
vised superior mode for day and night service, il
was introduced in the United States Navy by the
Hon John Y. Mason, then Secretary OF that depart
ment, and also introduced in the revenue service BY
the Hon. r. J. Walker, Secretary of The Treasury.
The experience and results obtained while conduct
ing the experiments alluded to assures me that can
safely present the following views for TIE consdera
ton of all persons interested in the use ~ appca
ton of signals for railroad purposes
To this subject p to natce tts DC oae
understood it will be 5 3e'e and a dpsw
ns now used on on fiastrationWat ne drawordse at
M Slnqges Connecticut, mast is used from Which
~ keeper displays signal ball during the day,
and at night lantern or illuminated red ball. to be
raised or lowered for the purpose of indicating to
those running the trains when the draw is closed
open. On some railroads, ! will observe that they
dispense with the mast from which the signais dis
played and send men with flags, lamps, ard tor
pedoes to be used at certain points IN the vicinity of
their drawbridges, short curves, and similar places
OF danger. Now these modes are oil dependant on
the prompt dsplayOr removal OF tie signal, either
direotiy at the drew or points in the vicinity of
draws and are therefore not remote enough rom
poins-of danger.
There is an obiechen to ere ting mast in thu
mediate vicinity OF the drawbridge, which is his:
that the signal to be displayed is placed too he
point T danger, instead of being shown at least half
a mile or more FROM the bridge, to enable the engi
neer in charge of the locomotive, when obser ring
the sigma, to have sufficient time to stop the train
between the signal-mast and the izawbridge, or
point f danger.
To PIT in practical operation the plan propose,
it would be necessary TO erect two poles or mnsts,
for tie pnrpose of displaying the saety-sgnals and
which should be placed sufficient distance from
each end of the bridge, SO as to enable the engineer
to stop the train wishin the prescribed distance.
At each signal pole small station house should be
erected for the accommodation of the signalr,en,
and the apparatus hereafter mentioned. A small
station house will aIso be required at the drawbrlge
from which a telegraph wire Is &c be extended to
each OF the signal mast station houses, and which
are supposed to he located at least half mile from
the bridge. and in such position taat the signal
be observed when approaching thadraw from either
direction.
In connection with the telegraph wire will be
placed gavanis battery, and ar electro-magnat to
ring bell, which can tie done By very simple
trvance and is designed to call che attent On of tho
signal tenders to raise or lower the safety signals
whenever required
Before remosng the draw, the bridge tender viii
notify the signal tenders to raise lower the signals
at the masts by ringing the electro magnetic Dell at
each of the station houses; and when this done the
signal tenders will Immediately notify the bridge
tender by ringing the bell 30 inform him that the
signals are in their proper place. and ne will then re-
raove the draw.
If the use of Geographic wire and apparatus ia
objected to, gutta percha speaking tlbes be laid
under ground, and will fuzzy answer the same pur-
pose contemplated by che use OF the electro mag
netc bell ringing apparatus.
At each Of the signal mast stations, which are sup
posed to be halfa mile OF more from the ends Of the
drawbidge, gong, or bell Of sufficient sine, should be
d
signal man during toggy weather, or when the
signals cannot be distinguished at distance.
Great care should be taken in the selection Of
proper points for the erection of signal which
should show light field or horizon ia the back
ground approaching the bridge, and the signal used
should he red or black, to contrast with the light
field If, however, this is prevented by trees or
buildings, the signal should be light color, so as to
contrast clearly with the dark horizon or background
The materials used for hand signals on railroads,
such bunting and muslin, are OF unsuitable fabric
and weight, and are liable in a stiff breeze to be
blown in line with the observer, and do not there
fore fully the purpose contemplated. Signals
for railroads should be of such material as to always
retain the position designed and so arranged that
each signal can be distinctly recognised under all
circumstances, and hence all objects in the line OF
observation which might De mistaken for signals
should he removed.
During foggy and rainy nights the signal lamps
now in use are not OF sufficient brancy to be dis
tinguished with certainty, and therefore more i'm
proved modes will have To be adopted hereafter.
Having made numerous experiments with flags,
balls cones, and other forms OF signals during fog,
rain, high wind, and calm weather, by night and
day can readily believe that the engineer in charge
OF The train at the time the accident at the Norwalk
drawbridge may have been deceived by the cedar
tree which had been trimmed up and observed from
locomotive running at the rate of twenty miles per
hour, and at points where the signal is occasionally
lost to view during the progress Of the train; we
should therefore, the statement OF the engineer
with degree Of charity presuming that he would
not hazard MS own me- ana approach 50 dangerous
part Of the road, without looking for the safety
signal.
The undersigned has devised signal for day SER
vice on railroads which viii remove all the defects
! urged against the present system Of flags; and he
has also designed for night service and exhibited to
three distinguished railroad superintendent light
ofthe most brilliant order to be used at drawbrdges
! tunnels, &c.
These signals, if used BY railroad companies, viii
| diminish the chances OF accidents and render ira.
Yelling on railroads more secure than at present.
ANY information in regard to the construction and
use Of the electric telegraph apparatus at draw
bridges, in regard to the improved day and night
signals viii be furnished to proper officers OF any
railroad company, by applying 10 the undersigned
| HENRY J. RoGEg9,
| Telegrarhic Engineer and Superintendent Of the
New York aud Washington Telegraph Company
Suye, Tor Court.