The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-02-15
Uses of the Electric Light.

.s
One immense advantage that the cleo
ric light possesses over ordinary lights,
such as gas or candles, is that it is inde-
pendent Of oxygen az sustaining power.
1t burns as brightly and as long in a
vacuum as in the open air. This ha
been taken advantage of in illuminating
the depths of the sea. Electric lamps
have been devised that burn steadily
under water, and it ia one of these inn
proved lamps, regulating itself according
to the strength OF the current employed,
that was used by divers in examining
the sunken huh of the Inflated Eurydice.
When the current is too powerful, the
carbon points recede; and when weak,
they approach each other, thereby keep
ing up light of eqnal intensity and
the lamp will burn in any position. 1t
is inclosed in strong Tease, with lens
opposite the carbon points, and smaller
one of color to examine the light before
sending under water. This casing, called
the lantern, lis perfectly wateftight when
closed, and is connected to the battery
by means of double cable of two inr
sulated wires, the cable being made of
India rubber, and the two united by
tape covering. Fifty Bunsen elements
placed in boxes Of tin compose the bait
terry, which is handler for moving about.
The electric lamp, we are told, will burn
for about an hour in the open air; but
in the lantern it will burn for twice that
period, as the combustion of the carbon
points is not SO rapid as in the open air.
But if electricity lends its aid in the
raising of ships, it also contributes to,
their destruction, through the ignition
Of torpedoes by electric wires. 1t is ut
once the bane and antidote, so to speak,
in this species of warfare, since our iron.
clads are now fitted with electric lights
and rejecting apparatus, likely to be of
good service in protecting them from
night attacks by torpedo boats. The
electric lights provided on Admiral
Hornby's ships are described as appear
ing as bright as a star of the first magni-
tude at distance of thirty miles on q
clear night. In this powerful light the
smoke of steam-lsunch betrays itself
at distance OF mere than two thousand
yardg, so that its value as a preseryatiye
of costly war vessels from destruction
can scarcely be oyerrated,
Electricity, however, can equally be
adapted for purposes Of attack as for de-
Tense, for it seems that on board ship the
electric fuse is superseding the old Ian
yard in the firing of heavy cannon 1t
is specially convenient for turret guns,
as it is not only possible to take better
aim by this use Of electricity, but the
effect OF the shots lie more terrible,
through the concentrated fire ofa stimuli
taneous discharge of several projectiles
which will penetrate heavy armor when
single shots are comparatively harmless.
As, owing to the smallness of port holes
and nearness Of guns to the water, the
sighting is better performed by an officer
stationed above them, he can by electric
wires discharge the guns simultaneously
at the moment he thinks most fit, while
being likely to act with all the more
GOODNESS and Judgment from being out
Of the way of the smoke and hustle
below.