Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-10-13

Connecticut, has been experimenting upon
fog machinery or as TO the best method OF
producing sound to be used for fog alarms
or signals. Nearly two years ago he plac-
ed the necessary machinery at Beaver
Tail Light House, about six miles from
this city, to operate fog whistle, which
was blown at stated Intervals with great
power and effect--thc same having been
heard frequently in this city, as also by the
steamboats, when in the vicinity Of Point
Judith, distance of nine or ten miles,
When, however, the Light Ship was plac-
ed at Brenton's Reef, opposite Beaver Tail,
the fog whistle referred to was suspended,
as the Light Ship which was provided
with very large bell, and men enough to
keep it ringing all the time, would answer
all practical purposes for the protection of
navigation but it was found difficult for
the keeper of the light house at Beaver
Tail as we have since understood, to de-
vote as much time to the fog whistle there
as was necessary, in order to make the Sig
nal effectual, as it required constant appl-
cation, which no light house keeper could
give it, without interfering with the duties
of keeping or attending properly to the
light. Under these circumstances, Mr..
Daboll set himself at work to demonstrate
the practicabilty of operating the fog whs-
tie, or as he now terms it fog horn or trum-
pet, by means of the descent of a weight,
which could be wound up by the keeper in
two or three hours in the day season, and
so made to blow its signal at regular and
uniform periods We are gratii,l at be-
ing able to state from facts and particulars
in gathered from Mr.. Daboll himself,wh was
our Office few days since, that he has finally
succeeded in his endcavOrs, and has now in
process of construction and nearly finished,
two fog alarms to be operated in the above
manner by weight, and that he has every
confidence in their practicab:lity and use
fulness. The machinery is enclosed in
small frame building, twelve feet square,
and is all regulated by a clock, which puts
the machine in operation, stops it, and blows
the alarm at will, once minute, two three
or five minutes, AS the keeper may please
to adjust it. We understand that instead
of the wliSle which was constructed SINH
lar to those used by Locomotives, Mr.. ID.
has invented sort of trumpet made of
brass, about four feet long, having a mouth
piece arrangement,-on similar principle
with the organ pipe-and though the sound
Of this trumpet is not very like the shrllest
whistle, it is nevertheless very powerful
when blown at any considerable pressure
of air. The tongue of this noisy trumpet
is made of hammered brass, German silver
or steel. We learn furthermore that this
trumpet has been tested upon light ship in
Long Island Sound, and from repeated cX-
perimcnts made with it by the keeper Of
the vessel, found to be as ciiccual as the
bell while it has this advantage, it can be
continued some time, say ten or fifteen
seconds, thus enabling the navigator to
hear the sound, and at the same time locate
its direction But we will not dwell upon
this subject more at present, and we refer
to it now rs matter we have heretofore, in
common with the commercial press gencr-
ally, taken considerable interest in, as one
of the means of protecting life and property
at sea or upon the coast-an object certain
ly which interests every one.