, 1878-05-17
STATIONS IN MlD-0CEAN.

From The : +. "thronlrIv'
The last quarter Of a crutnr? has taught |
the world so much through thoN" Eahu- |
maids of Scienre-chcmiNtry geology, |
metcorology, microscopy photography
and natural philosophy tine pnollc
now quickly accepts aS matter OF course
,he possibility of any scientific project.
Tens of thousands OF industrious students
are At the present time burning the miu-
night oil in searching ont great Sclehtlhc
problems. The telephone. the phono-
rrnph. chemistry and explosive motive
nowprS are born orin the womb of Science.
Mans slaves. the elements. are summoned
nike from the clouds and tile earth :
1,rths to serve his will. The land ana
sea. the restless traveller now finds the cir
emit oi the world too brief for interest.
Eyeryv here save on the sea he may hour
lv communicate with those he leaves be-
hind or goes to meet. And why not on
the sen Why may not the ocean. like the
land. in this enlightened age have its de-
nots for its weary barks and voyagerS
Across the great ocean plateau, from New
Couudlaud's banks to Ireland the blllowy
Atlantic permits the international tcle-
grab cables to quietly sleep down III an IN
ternal stiffness OF waters three nlies I'D
depth. Through these two hemispheres
are whispering their sorrows ana Joys
their losses and gains. Over these lines,
so safely resting amid coral, wrecks ana
ancmones, rush the great steamers with
their worlds Of rowing humanity. For ten
dsys there can be no communication Tor
them with either land. The world is shut
ont and unknown to them. Fortune.
friends. all may be gone; or shipwreck.
sickness or death may overtake them ere
the Journey is ended. And yet but a short
distance beneath the surface OF the water
lies
THE MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION,
Which, could it speak, might perhaps
avert the impending danger. The bottom
Of the ocean. with its grades and currents,
is as well known and mapped out MS is tile
earth. The possibility OF anchoring YES.
sells at maximum depth of three miles in
mid ocean, may be reasonably entertained
in this progressive century. DR.. j. G.
Tucker of Sau Francisco, a gentleman of
high scholarly and scientific attainments.
has given this subject much attention for
some years past and it is his firm belief
that BY peculiar system of buovs, the
largest vessels may anchor securely at the
ve-mentioneddepth. The gentleman 5
plan may be briefly outlined as follows: An /
international Company is to be organized
its projects and property to be secured as
neutral by treaties in the event of wars.
The great maritime nations are to be So
licite1 for pecuniary and other aid. as old
war vessels, cables huOys, etc., will be re-
1uired Across the great Atlantic plateau
these vessels are to be placed just the dis |
tlnce apart il will take vessel twelve or
twenty-four houlS to run. One or two
telegraphic cables, or perhaps telephones,
will be laid near, stretching
FROM AMERICA TO IRELAND,
With connecting branches running to each
Of the eight or sixteen anchored vessels. |
These vessels are manned and rugged so |
as to he manageable should they get adritt. |
They will then be ready for the perform
ance Of the following duties. Postal ma
rine insurance and teIegraphic stations. |
They may also be used as electric light |
ships. coaing, reliet life property and sur
vey stations, as also for meteorological OBJ
servatories. Every feature seems TO be
covered by the project. Proper supports
connections with the telegraph cable and
appliances to loosen the powerful strain
and constant motion OF the anchored or
rather moOred vessels-all these details |
have been well considered. AS steamer
nears mitl-Ocean station. the mail bags |
are exchanged and cablegrams transmit
ted. together with the daily morning and
perhaps evening newspapers just from the
press on board the station, and containing
mp to that hour news from all parts OF the
civilized world. Here likewise may the
sick or so.incliDed passengers lie over to
return on the next steamer passing. Sup
plies are renewed and succor given il In
distress. The stations will be furnished
with
EVERY MODERN APPLIANCE
For the saving OF life and property and a
force OF able senmen. 1t is said that the
salvage percentage upon distressed vessels
saved from loss and ship-wreck will alone
pay handsome dividend. The liberal aid
of all nations is expected to an extent that
will preclude the necessity OF the company
raising much capital from It's members.
Prominent enterprising men in every
country will he solicited to join it and act
as agents In Obtaining the aid OF their re-
spectiye Governments. The telegraphpd
notice OF approaching storms at sea would
he OF great service to vessels, while the on
portunities for study of the winds aud
currents and a comparison of logs would
be invaluable. The whole project is novel
and useful, and If carried ont It will prove
humanitarian and profitable ENTERPRISE
to the world. Prot. Davidson of
the Academy of Sciences and sew
eral scientific and nautical authorities
10 whom the matter has heen submitted
believe the scheme perfectly, practicable
and ere many years have passed away the
sea may be dotted with its guiding lines of
fixed lights. rendering knowledge OF
navigation almost unnecessary.