The New York herald., 1879-09-05
DELUSIvE BEACoNs.

BELATED MARINERS PUZZLED BY THE coNEY
r ISLAND EI1EcrRIc DISPLAY. ~
1t seems that the electric lights that fash so brill
aantly over the thousands nightly assembled on
Coney Island beach are giving trouble to incoming
vessels. and cause many master slsepless night.
OF course none of these lights are down on the
charts and from their exceeding brilliancy and al
titude they can be seen to long distance at sea.
The natural result is that mariners are often puz-
zled by them. and know not In what direc-
tion they should shape their q vessels
course. The argument may be advanced that
the masters Of vessels coming often to this port be-
come familiar with the lights and their location.
But while this might apply to steamships plying be-
tween Liverpool. Havana. London. Havre. Bremen
and New York. 1t does not at all cover the cases OF
sailing vessels, the masters of which seldom come
within sight Of Coney Island and its lights.
In conversation with officer Of one Of the New
York and Liverpool steamship lines HERALD re-
porter was assured that the lights almost always
give trouble even to incoming steamers. This
gentleman said ;"suppose arrive along the coast
about eight o'clock. just as it grows dark.
We cannot yet see the Highland lights
nor the Lightship OF course we know that they
must show up soon, and the first thlng we know the
officer watch signals . light. bright and steady.
II we have pilot on board--and of course we gen.
orally do by that time-he at puts 1t down for
q Coney Island electric light. But If we do not
tell you there is pretty lively discussion among
the sailing officers. This is . dangerous coast at
times. The tides are very strong. and when you
handling . large steamship with great number
careful and know exactly where you
and where you are going. The slightest mistake
assured by the pilot that the is correct
and the lights are from Coney Island we are moro
or less until sight the regular lights 1t
is my opinion that it the people the island
use those lights the government ought to make
them keep them low. and not allow them TO- put
them up on towers to be seen miles out at sea-"
u PILOTS OPINIONS. .ti-tta'
\ An old Sandy Hook pilot said. in answer to in
cause we are perfectly familiar with them; but
tell you they raise great trouble for the Shippers OF
so ns
the deuce Is man to think that does not know any
thing about thsms There is one Of them stuek
way up on a tower about two hundred
feet above the sea. and. OF course. it
can be seen at u great distance; Ono
Mediterranean who has never heard OF an electric
light. He is going along all right when. suddenly.
bright Light is where there should be any.
He does hot know what to do, and is in terrible
fright until he gets pilot. Why, boarded an Ita
ian vessel the other night, and found tho whole
to save them from what they supposed to be some
thing broke loose from down below"
DUTCH sKIPPERs EXPERIENCE.
Under the guidance OF the ancient pilot the re-
porter then went along the river front, and in
trOuuceu 10 an lucai Dutcn SKIPPER he mao Deen 10
New York many times and prided himself on the
fluent manner in which he handled the English
language.
d want to talk to you Captain about the electric
lights on Coney Island, /" said the reporter.
"Yah, das II all recht. Dey was big tam nuis-
ance!"
Have you had any trouble with themr'
"Oh, yah; have troubles blenty NIT dem lights
gone In NIT der ship about week ago, und when
was off der COAST mine mate he see dot light. He
make big noise und GONE out und look It
very shiney light und look about eight miles off,
KIN va snofsO plnza dof md nalo ~
und look of dot chart Dere vas no light dere und
l told you was madt schwear me de country
init everytings und keep de ship OFF undil morning.
About twelve o'clock sec no light more und In de
morning dere was noding. geep ON de course. und
ven pilot hove In sight he told me dot was das
elecpic light Das is all recht. suppose; bud dey
should put him down NIT der chart"