The Portland daily press., 1867-12-23
The Steam whistle Question.

To the Editor Of the Press,
shall require but little space in replying to
Mr.. Wizards second communication, as it is
SO utterly fallacious that it needs no extended
argument for its refutation. Even the most
careless reader must see that not single point
in my article was fairly met or answered. 1t
is proper that I should first notice the conclud-
ing paragraph of his article, in which he asks
why do not sign my name as he does. In re-
ply Iwoud say that my name is not sufficient
]y influential to add straw's weight to any
views 1 may wish to present to the public, and
my desire to see my name in print did not
overcome my discretion. speak only for my
self. qf8 "a =ss9
Mr.. Willard objects to the deduction make
in behalf of whistle at Half Way Rock, on
the basis of light being needed there, saying
on the same grounds would place whistle
by the side of every light on the coast. But
his objection is best answered by himself when
he subsequently makes the entirely new prop
osition to place another whistle at the Cape
Lights. AS he has already proposed the estab-
lishment of two whistles to my one, it is hard
ly judicious for him to throw stones at his own
fragile premises. My reason, however, for
placing whistle at Half Way Rock, still re-
gard as valid. He has not refuted it, and can
not.
Mr.. Willard calls me to account for saying
that a whistle is used as livery poor) substi-
tute for light think navigators gener-
ally, will thank Mr.. Willard to speak only for
himself. If his position were sound, then all
lights should be abolished, and whistles used in
clear weather as well as in thick. I hold that
in clear weather a light is better than a whis-
tie, and that navigator can run a truer course
by his eye, than by his ear; hence do not be-
lieye that a light is poor substitute for a
sound, but when light can be seen is the bet
ter of the two. A whistle bears the same rela-
ton to light that wooden leg does to the
natural one-it is used simply as resort and
is regarded as disagreeable necessity.
In my former article endeayored to show
the unsoundness of Mr.. Willard S reasoning in
regard to the necessity of vessel, coming
from the westward. running away down to Half
Way Rock, (provided the marks were erected
there) before taking her departure for Port
land, and l facetously said " if shipmaster
coming from the westward had plenty of time
he might run down there for the sake of the
SAIL but if he were in hurry he would come
straight in, without even casting his thoughts
in that direction" The first half of the sem
tence he puts in quotation marks, while the
other he uses as his own against me. Such
little games" are neither fair nor effectuaJ.
He states that nine-tenths of The vessels
that enter this port to discharge, enter west of
Bulwark Ledge. I fail to see the bearing of
that remark unless it is intended as a hint to
the thousand and one small vessels that find it
convenient to run in here temporarily and do
not discharge, that they are of no account and
we do not intend to erect light houses and
whistles for their benefit. Besides large
number of those that now enter west of Bull
wark would not be obliged to do SO were those
marks placed on Half Way Rock. These
marks will be of great Importance also, to YES
sells entering Harpswel. 1t may also be sug-
gested that the loss to Boston of the Cunard line
OF steamers shows the importance of favoring,
so far as possible, every department of naviga-
ton.
In conclusion will simply say that it seems
very unwise to oppose any proposition on the
part of the government to facilitate the navi-
CATION Of our Gay or harbor, and for one I am
willing to have the entrance to both. from apy
quarter, made so plain that "wayfaring men.
though fools, need not err therein" Having
said all that deem necessary on this subject.
Mr.. Willard can now, if he chooses, have the
last word. M.