The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-07

An English engineering journal mas recently
published the outlines Of novel and admira-
bic plan for extending the present system OF
oceanic telegraphy. The practical object is
the application of acoustic, optical and cleo
trio telegraphy to meteorology and navigation.
Vast as are the benefits and utilities Of the
electric telegraph, the author of the new sys-
tenn points out that its new sphere is limited
by our means for establishing the wire circuit
and the prodigies of electricity terminate
whenever the continuity of its current is
broken. The mammoth steamship, although
nearing her port, is therefore beyond the
reach of warning by the electric telegraph,
when perhaps one signal might save her from
destruction.
TO supplement the electric telegraph it is
proposed to combine with it the use of sound
and light Acoustic and optical telegraphs,
while for general purposes far more limited
IN their reach than the electric, when the lat
ter can establish its conducting wires, do not
demand this condition, and might be ex-
clusively employed at coast stations. The
acoustic apparatus it is contended, could con-
~ ASD AAAS''oto-o liI Out W sou, anu oo CouAu
the optical. especially when employed on dam
gerous capes and headlands
There can be no doubt that our coast signal
and ife-saving system might utilize such APP
paratus Instead of spending large sums of
money, as the electric telegraph requires, to
lay cable as medium, the ocean itself fur
nishes medium for the transmission of the
acoustic telegraph. It is said that the cam
nonade at Waterloo was heard at Dover,
and the sea fight between the Dutch
and English in 1872 was audible
distance of two hundred miles. 1t is
well known that sound is propagated
through water with about four and a quarter
times the velocity through air-that is, about
five thousand feet second. The experiments
made on the Lake OF Geneva, by means of
bell and speaking trumpet under the water,
proved that the stroke of the bell produced a
sound which crossed the lake "a distance of
eight miles) in nine seconds Parry stated
that during the Arctic winter sounds were
propagated to great distances, and converse
ton could be carried on at the distance of
mile. BY means of tubes the feeblest sounds
may be conveyed to incredible distances, sug-
costing the great value of an acoustical ap-
paratus for signalling and telegraphy on ex-
posed seacoasts, or wherever the laying Of
cable is impracticable. An acoustical code of
signals might be easily constructed by vary
ing the tones of voice or the number Of bell
taps. The acoustical signals might also,
easily avail in dense fogs for cautoning YES
sells against shoals and collisions.
At some points on our Atlantic coast float
ing stations, few miles from shoal water and
connected by pneumatic tubes with outlying
buoys, would probably prove of great value to
navigators. That the mere mechanical details
for realizing such method can be easily
worked out no one can doubt Ocean tele-
graphy on the high seas is now in q very
crude and primitive state, confined to the
employment of few rockets and flags, when,
certainly, the more scientific and far-reaching
apparatus ought to be added for greater safety
and security. We cannot see why this simple
and scientific design cannot be made to do
great service for the mariner and greatly
assist the meteorologist in his predictions.
Could the proposed system be fully carried
out we should, indeed, be nearing the desired
day when the tempests that are about to over
take the seaman will be to him as well known
beforehand as the grades and curves of the
railway to the locomotive driver. The me-
neurological coast stations on the seaboard,
would furnish means for testing the practical
bility of this important engineering con-
trivance.