The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-13
SCIENCE AND THE SEA.


THE TAsIMETER AND THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.
The many maritime disasters that of late have
happened the Atlantic have opened the eyes of
the public to the fact that while science is invoked
without stint to add to the comforts promote the
safety Of land called into requisition
against the dangers of the with comparative in
frequency Whether this is due to gross disregard
of human life on the part of shipowners or from
their illtimed economy is a question which they
best can answer; but the fact is that many Of the
deplorable maritime catastrophes that have shocked
the world and brought death to hundreds
and untold misery to thousands might have
been avoided by the employment OF proper
scientific methods to foresee and ward OF the danger
AS said the other evening by Professor Proctor
in his lecture, had tho ArizoEa on the night when
she collided with the iceberg in the Atlantic
been provided with tasimcter and electric
light the collision would not have occurred. The
former would have detected the presence Of the ap-
preaching mass Of ice long before danger was imm
nent and the latter would have distinctly revealed
its dimensions and location. even in the darkest
night and miles away. or the existence of these
scientific agencies Of protection shipowners are
abundantly we'll informed, they also Of their
practicabiity; but. save and excepting the small
class Of more humane aud enterprisng owners, 1t is
only when indignant voyagers insist en- masse upon
the employment Of proper safeguards against the
dangers of the deep that such safeguards
ployed.
THE TAsIMErER.
To ascertain the relation Of the tasimeter to the
detection of icehergs at distance at sea HERALD
reporter yesterday called on Mr. Edison. the inyen-
tor of that instrument. at his laboratory in Meno
Park. N. j. The renowned scientist was hard at
work in q room on the floor or which were ranged
benches and tables filed with scores of curious
electrical implements and whose walls were lined
with hundreds Of Walls OF chemicals OF all sorts and
.'rhen it's about the asmeter and not the electric
light that come to interview me?" queried the
inventor, doubtingly, after the reporter had an
nounced the object OF his visit The man OF the pen
repeated the announcement and assured the man OF
science that the tasimeter and that only should be
the object Of the interview.
.'rm glad of that said the inventor. with sigh
of relief as he seated himself on hugo volume on
electricity that lay conveniently ON = low wooden
stand near by. II thought you came about the
light but I'm not ready quite yet to undergo ex-
'Will the tasimeter indicate the approach of ice
bergs at long before there danger OF coision9
Certainly it will. It can be made 80 sensitive
that it will detect and show the minutest variation
purposes ships at such delieacy is not needed
1t can be adjusted to meet the proper requirements
How is it applied on shipsY'
at is very simple The tasimeter itself is Q small
instrument placed in little case about foot long.
and attached to the vessel to be under water
| all the time 1t is then connected by wire with a
| couple OF cells Of battery and gavanometer. The
| galvanometer be in the wheel house. the cap
| tain's cabin anywhere else desired. At every
change Of the temperature the needle of the gal
| vanometer defects. The colder the water becomes
| the detection there will be. As further pre-
caution. at u certain temperature, which can be
ranged to suit. the needle will cause little bell to
ring. to warn the captain that danger is near at
hand"
| The inventor then explained in detail the
struction OF the tasimeter. Its description is briefly
ths:-A thin strip OF zinc is placed horizontally in
clamp ut one end with its other end pressing lightly
on small carbon button. As heat expands and cold
ure upon the carbon button: according as the tenn
| perature is hot or cold. Now. the property Of
the carbon button is such that when q
it Y the slightest ch.nge in the degree
Of pressure upon the carbon will the resistance
which 1t offers to the passage Of the electric current
50 that the effect produced on the galvanometer in
the captains cabin (Which is CONTESTED with the
tasimeter by wire, before stated) will be common
surate with the degree Of pressure produced on the
carbon by the strip of metal"
galvanometer should be accidentally cut?" queried
| the reporter. after having copiously imbibed the
scientific drsught; chow could the captain knowity
| inventor ANY arrangement of the apparatus.
from whatever cause. would instantly be shown by
| the galvanometer needle falling back to zero.
"Then you think that the tasimeter would be In
falible in foretelling the approach OF icebergsy
81 certainly do said tho inventor with emphasis.
"And would electric light also add to ships
| securtyY'
'Most undoubtedly. powerful electric light its
rays concentrated. would light up the far ahead
in tho darkest night densest fog and show the ap
proach of any danger"
At this point the deliver In science arose from his
book and resumed his iabors by attaching compli-
Gated network of glass tubes. through Of which
mercury was softly flowing the apparatus. he ex-
planning, being for the obtaining or vscuums for
use in his ncandescent system OF electric lighting.
ELEcTRIcITY AGAINST DARKNESS.
To obtain the desired information as to the utility
Of powerful electric lights to dispel Darkness snd
warn ships of danger ahead from any source the re-
porter next betook him to the Office of Colonel H.
b. Crosby. the president Of the Fuller Electrical
Company.
dark night with electric lightw asked the re-
"Ail the way from seven to ten miles," WINS the
"Xnd how far in foey'
well. that depends on the fog. II It is one of
Colonel. smiling you can't expect to penetrate v to
any great distance.
.:But about how far in an ordinary fog?'
"Well. surely tar enough to avoid all danger. The
electric light is the most intense artificial light
known. and when it's rays arc concentrated by
you throw u broad beam Of light wonderful
distance. even in the most Egyptian darkness. But
come TO our laboratory and SEQ for YOURSELF added
the speaker, advancing to the door.
At the laboratory of the company the hum OF
machinery. the burr ana whirnns OF hat dozen
workmen and the intense brlliancy OF two electric
lights. which. although it was midday and the sun
outside darted his rays full upon his rivals,
kept continuously lighted evidently for expert
mental purposes made the scene quite busy one.
Near the large generators peculiar tnging at
mosphere readily perceptible This after
ward explained to be tho magnetism which went
out from the machines when being worked. The
powerful character of its illustrated by
one of the workmen. who held q largo hammer
within six inches OF the generator Instantly the
CURED little exercise OF muscle to release IL.
Referring in the course OF conversation again to
the distance which beam Of electric light could DO
transmitted Colonel Crosby said:-
"You seem q little inclined to incredulousncss
about the ten miles. En- isn't 1t SOP"
The reporter being corncrcd admitted that he did
think that ten miles was perhaps little too far.
for an electric light
well. them" said the Colonies from the top OF
the laboratory here you can see pretty much all over
New York city. Now I'll order one of our powerful
lights placed there. and with the parabolic reflector
I'll guarantee to light up any high church stecpo
from Trinity Church to High Bridge any
night you select" Aud summoning an cleo
trojan the speaker gave the order. "Why,"
no continued, with our little haf-horse power
generators no bigger than a hat" waving his hand
at a number of curious little oval machines lying
around concentrate beam of light
moro than mile distant. and with our large
chimes Of course wecan multiply that distance many
tpea