The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-19
COMMUNICATING WITn WRECKS.
Increasing the Facility for Extending Aid
from the shore Other ships

Boston, Jan. 1s.-Edmund S. Hunt OF Wey-
mouth is the inventor Of an expcrimentally sue
cessful means OF communication between the
shore and n wrecked vessel. or between shin Mt
sea and a floating wreck. when 1t is impossible
for boat TO live upon the waters 1t Is in the
manner Of throwing life line TO the wrecks at
a range exceeded by the best appliances :or the
purpose generally in use.
The means heretofore OF carrying q line TO n
wreck has been the use OF n mortar. weigh
ing anywhere from 200 to 400 pounds. which
throws projectile 10 which a cord is attached.
The cord being firmly connected 10 the shot the
flight OF the shot is greatly retarded and It's IN
ltial direction largely modified, not only by the
weight of the line. but bv the lnnurnce OF the
wind. Under the most favorable circumstances
the range il, therefore. com parhtiNely snort ana
the direction OF flight uncertain. In Mr.. Hunts
apparatus the cord. instead OF DelnE ATTACHED 10
the nroieclilc. is made part OF II by being
colled within Il,
The operations Of the invention were wit
messed recently 10y Henry a. Whitney; Thomas
Motley Abbott Lawrence. BENJAMIN W. Crown
inshield. and Capt, +. II. Fauron. well-known
members OF the Massachusetts Humane So
ciety. The inventors appliances were then oi
crude character. but served TO illustrate the
principle 10 the comnlete satisfaction Of the
group of lockers on. The largest gun" and
the one first used. was a simple section of brass
tubing, with bore three inches in dlamoler,
having one end plugged. ana strengthened at
the breech by a broad band Of wrought iron,
vent for the insertion Of a fuse being drilled nj
the proper place the whole Weighing but 294
pounds This was simply set IN hollow cut
Tor il in log buried in the earth. heing secured
by an iron band passing over IT, the proIectlle
weighed. when charged, six and threS-quaIter
pounds and was a simple tin tube weighted at
thc lower end with lead. containing long coil
OF flax cord This cCrd was attached 10 short
length, perhaps n yard. Of light rope, about the
si2q Of "A lead pencil, which IN turn cq9pectnd
with a second coil OF cord, which Is h9ld IN NE
hand Of tar5 9 WaR TsT2 sbs SnQSf Min W paranc a4l
II can be cOled 50 tightly ms 10 pe IN
no danger of snaring up" and at the s9me
the greater portion of the cord tall excepting
the small coil held in the operators handl IS In
tho Droectie at the start the shot flies with per
feet freedom Of motion, passing through the
air as If nothing were attached to IT, ana con-
sequonty with grent accuracy OF aim.
Three ounces OF powder were used NJ mo
trial. and with the comparatively rude apparn-
tus above described. the distance made, as rsti-
mated 10y those present, WINS strong 500 yni us.
The wind WAS qunrtering, and the middle OF
the cord WAS swAyed considerably 10 Tue zee
ward but the proleetlles range M'as unHiIo'Hu,
and what would have been the sea 'nd OF the
line, if the trial had taken place upon a bench
instead Of in a field. was carried WIN lho IT.
most precision. Other succeeding experiments
we're made on tho same occasion with smaller
guns and proJectes with uniform success
Although some Of The gentlemen present
were Mt first rather skeptica regard ing the AZ.
paratus they were unhnmouS IN ls laVor az
the conclusion of the trial, and have given MIR,
Tho invention has since been patertel in this
country and in Englnnd, and severed Govern
meut officials have given IT a thofghgh test,
and Expressed grutlcaton at its working. The
Massachusetts Humnno Society has aIoptrl
tho apparatus and hHs, recently placed guns
and prolcctles in the lile-saving stations con-
trolled 10y them upon the coast OF MAsshcnu-
setts AT Tuckernuck. Capo Pogo. Hace folni,
Nnnsot and North Seltuate.
A finely y-llnshed brass gun. with all necessary
appointments. has been manuiactured Tor NE
U,imanc Society. ana Will soon be sent, with
full instructions as to its method OF use, a.
giit from thom to the Royal National lAleboat
Institution Of England. This gun Is somewhat
hrnvier than those now in use, and has been
frequently tested 10 insure its proper working.
With u charge Of ga ounces OF powder a. a lhlo
or considerably more than one-third OF mile.
and in the teeth OF gale.