The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-12

the similar horrible catastrophe of the Allan
OF tar-reaching Importance. 1t is growing
practice OF our prosperous classes to spend
their summer vacations in Europe, and there
IS an annually increasing number OF our i'm
migrant population who are in condition to
visit the land Of their birth and revive early
friendships and strengthen domestic ties.
These great additions to the travel made
necessary by gigantic and ever-expanding
commerce have converted the Northern
Atlantic into regular highway for thronging
multitudes OF going and coming pleasure
seekers, Of coming and going business men,
! whose safety deserves the careful study OF
governments, steamship companies and in
4 ventors. II is to be hoped that this last ap-
palling disaster will give a stimulus to them
subject on their attention.
Provision for the safety Of human life on
the ocean is a problem consisting OF two
parts-frst, efficient arrangements on land
for warning and rescue, and second, proper
regulations tor the management Of ships at
sea in circumstances Of peril We will notice
these two parts Of the problem in their order
in the light thrown upon them by the terrible
wreck OF the Schiller
We are first to consider what better provis-
ion can be made on dangerous coasts for the
\ security Of navigation and the rescue Of peo-
pie in cases Of shipwreck. This question
comes within the recognized duties which be-
long to governments, is universally
acknowledged by the erection and main
tenance Of lighthouses. This part Of the
problem, therefore, involves no new question
Of principle. IL is merely o question whether
a duty which all governments acknowledge to
be incumbent on them in respect 70 their own
coasts shall continue to be only half performed
or be effectively discharged. Mere hight
houses would be sufficient for purposes Of
warning Ii The sea we're never enveloped in
\ fogs; but no light has yet been invented Of
such penetrating power as 10 DO Of much use
in dense fog The ill-fated Schiller was
within short distance of the Bishops Rock
Lighthouse and at the very moment she
struck some persons on board were in the
torecastle looking out for tho Scilly lights-a
striking proof Of the small utility Of light
houses in thick weather. There is also fog
bell at Bishops Rock, but it was as useless as
tie light, for no sound Of the bell reached the
imperilled steamer. Ii must be possible to
I contrive i tar better acoustic signal than any
fog bel The piercing shrillness OF very
powerful steam whistle can be sent very far
IN every kind Of weather. and one would sup
pose that an instrument Of this kind might be
contrived which steam Of intensely high
pressure would render audible at immense
distances. Ii is worth the study of inventors
to produce an instrument which shall give
\ forth sounds OF the utmost sharpness, shril-
ness and penetrating force. The quality Of
the sound should DO studied, as web as its
power, with view to distinguish it from
the notes Of all other steam Whistles
and prevent its being mistaken for those of
steam hips at sea. This object might be fur
ther promoted by combination Of sounds
say two whistles Of different notes, to be blown
in regular, measured succession; first alter
nately and then together. Their joint effect
would penetrate TO greater distances, and the
intermediate separate notes would identity the
4
sound might be sent five or ten times as far as
that OF fog bell This is, perhaps, the best
that could he done by way Of warning, and bad
there been such an appliance at Bishops
Rock We presume the Schiller might have been
saved There should also be better pro-
vision for rescue from drowning in
cases OF wreck-that Is to say, o
means Of conveying prompt intelligence Of
disasters to places from which boats could be
despatched The Coroner's jury on the
Schiller calamity made one good suggestion on
this point by coupling with their verdict a
recommendation to establish telegraph be-
tween Bishops Rock Lighthouse and the
communication had existed all on board
the Schiller might have been saved
Other modes Of signalling might be
established, but they should be Of 50 peculiar
and distinctive character that their meaning
could not be mistaken. Aside from what gov
ernments might do in this respect a new set
OF peculiar signals should be established by
the ships themselves, 50 differing from al
other signals that their character could not be
misunderstood Mr.. Dorrien Smith, Of the
Sicily Islands wrote 70 the London Tines that
many lives were lost because the Schiller's
guns and rockets we're thought 70 be ordinary
signals 81 arrival, which have frequently
caused false alarms, and we're, therefore, dis.
regarded. By the consent Of mariners Of all
nations signals should be agreed on for ships
in danger aud distress, and governments
should make it penal offence for officers to
permit them to be used on any other occasion
and impair their distinctive significance.
Having touched on The points that occur to
rs in respect to which governments could make
more Efficient provisions Tor warning and rescue
% dangerous and frequenied parts Of their