The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-27

IMPROVED LIGHTS FOR OCEAN SHrPPTs6.-The
attention Of the British Board of Trade having
been called TO the necessity Of proving 4 moro
efficient system OF lighting ocean steamers so as
TO diminish the risk Of collision, several plans
have been submitted for trial. Of which the fol-
lowing sppeBr to possess the greatest vslnc:
The Beroz electric light is more powerful than
ever before shown and has been placed on trial
On board the French steamer ST. Laurent Of the
General Trans Atlantic company. When this ship
was recently in port, IL was exhibited from the
bridge OF the steamer, and, being set on pivot.
could be turned In an instant upon any par. OF the
ship, sloft as well as on deck, upon buildings on
the shore, or upon crafts passing on the river.
throwing the smallest objects ont into brightness.
which was startling by contrast with the sur
rouncing darkness.
Aningenicus arrangement Of the electric force
permits also the instantaneous extinguishing of
the light on the bridge and its appearance az the
same nome ut in the foIetop. The only objection
TO this derful light s the price OF the sppars.
rus. The mechanism, lenses etc., sf the light on
the ST. Laurent cost SO 600 In gold, but il Is hop
I'd that the amount may be reduced 70 81 400
Tire cost of supplying the electric force is esti-
mated az IL cents an hour, which is not by any
cans expensive. The Of the light at would
prevent all danger Of collisions; and 10 port ii
would enable the work Of loading or repairing TO
be carried on by night as well as by day.
in England experiments have recently been
mace with Doty's deck light and signal lamps.
Tie Peninsuar ard Oriental Steam kayiga alton
Compsny's ship Bsngalore Is being fitted With q
pair Of these lamps, which have beer recon-
mended TO the directors for adoption on board
the compsnys steamers. Each par Of lamps u
accompanied by email portable -Tpump teasly
wOfkee by a boyl and JSsfs fuboef nose 70 con
duct the amps sish the pump, all OF which are
stationed os 81 near the bridge, one Lao on the
posf snd the other on the starboard side of the
vessel, and the air-pump under the immediate
coplrol Of the officer Of the watch" 50 that on
sigbtng vessel dangerously near ahead, or on
The port or starboard bow. without being able TO
make out her course the officer in charge could
lby turning the sir.pump) instantly sent bril-
liant white lgbss directly ahead, and red and
green corresponding With the " board of trade"
regulation side lights TO vessels appearing on the
port or s,aTboard bow, and illuminate ship, spars.
rigging. ETC., in such q manner as would clearly
indicate his courte 10 the strange vessel. In the
event of a casualty at sea, involving the mecca.
Sly for lowering the boats at night, the officer In
charge could Immediately command clear view
Of all The boats and their snrroundinfs As each
lamp produces hR Rht equal to 200 sperm candles,
at an expense of 4d. per hour for fluid. they can
be used for embarking and landing passengers.
receiving and dischsrging freight, and for niRht
signals. which latter will be accom- plished bv
simply turning cock In the hose copnectins
the sir-pump with the lamp. .1E
Ii 10 evident that the present method of light
ing steamships is very inefficient, and n some sim.
pie and inexpensive Improvement Is devised, the
authorities should legisls,e for its adoption for ali
coastwise and inland stesmers.-[H. Y. Bulletin.