The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-11-04


ofthe telegraph, is destined eventu-
ally to prove of immense benefit to
the world and the suggestion that
announcements be made to large
agricultural districts by artillery
signals, pre-arranged to indicate the
intensity, rapidity and direction of
the approaching storms, seems to us
to be very promising. This system
would save crops from destruction,
vessels from shipwreck, and much
sacrifice of human life"
Through a recent act Of Congress
to establish storm signals at forts and
military station, this plan will be
tested on rivers, lakes and bays, and
on the coasts for the benefit of com
merce, and incidentally of agricul-
ture. But as these military stations
are not numerous, and will be of
inconsiderable utility to agriculture,
except to test the system, it is there
fore recommended that agricultural
societies, and cities and town author
tiles take immediate measures to es-
tablish the signals at every city,
county-seat, and principal towns hav-
ing telegraph facilities. Many cities
and towns have a suitable cannon
which could be fred by a fire COM
pany. for which they may receive ad-
ditional pay, their duties being in
creased to storm signals as well as to
fires. When a town has not a suit
able cannon to be used as a storm
gun, application should be made to
the State or national government,
whose arsenals are full of these i'm
plements of destruction, which may
now be used for saving oflife and
property.
Every newspaper should publish
this circular, that the plan may be-
come generally established in time
for the next harvest. A WATSON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct 8, 1870.
SIR: The recent deplorable disas-
ters from storms and floods in this
region, on the James and on the Po-
tomac, together with the fact that
most rivers are at all times liable to
storms and foods, with like destruc-
ton of life and property, has induced
me to send to you, and other princi-
pal towns on your river, and other
rivers, the accompanying circular,
describing a plan of storm and food
signals, which I suggest may be i'm
mediately established at your town
as a protection against storms and
floods.
To establish this simple plan at
your town and surrounding farm
country in storms, and the town as
also the rivel on both sides for many
miles above and below in foods, will
probably first require a brief act Of
your council. After WHICH, have
published in all the newspapers of
the town the following public notice,
which ought to be done without
charge, as they entirely concern the
public:
STORM AND FLOOD SIGNALS.
By authority of the Council the
following plan q signals is now es-
tablished at -:
Three guns will be fired as a warn
ing of all coming storms and foods
Three guns at intervals Of one
minute, if tornado, thunder or hail
storm, terrific gale, or any dcstruc-
tive storm is approaching.
Three guns at intervals Of three
minutes if an ordinary rain or snow
storm is approaching rapidly.
Three guns at intervals of six
minutes if an ordinary rain or snow
storm is approaching slowly; and
Three guns at intervals of ten
minutes if a destructive river flood
is approaching.
In case Of very destructive storms
or foods, and also during haying
and harvest, the signals will be re-
peated after suitable intervals, in
accordance with the kilograms.
This notice should be inserted
several times in every newspaper
published within the sound of the
signals, and should be cut out and
posted up permanently, for reference
by every householder in town
and country, on every vessel, and on
the river for many miles above and
below.
When this is done, send me copy
Of the above notice, and 1 will see
that telegraph operators have all the
additional instructions they may re-
quire to telegraph storms and floods,
in accordance with the plan described
in the circular-either by publica-
tion in the papers, or through the
general Office in New York.
Very respectfully, A. WATSON.
In connection with these were
sent copies of letters from the fol-
lowing gentlemen, heartily indorsing
the object sought to be attained,
and asking that tests may be made
in their respective cities: John F.
Terrence, Mayor of Cincinnati;
Robert I. Banks, Mayor of Balti-
more; NJ. G. Emery, Mayor of Wash
ington; n. B. Shurtlef, Mayor of
Boston; A. Oakley Hall, Mayor of
New York. The communications
were all referred to the Board of In
prOvements and the Committee on
Harhnrs and Wharves