Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-03-25
BeaconS at Sea,

Oept. }. E. S;oaer. vino. il may be romem-
bsrei, wen high comuonda:ion several years
asv from the French Government for his valu-
sb!o devices 10 Iife-D:esc17iIg apparatus, has
devised a system, after several years study, by
which tbs risks of msriDe disaster may be
greatly REDUCED. A correspondent. Ct The New
York Star thus describes il:
Briefly stated, the plan conteDpIates The
auohoring, by strong sVsyiug cables, OF suitably
constructed stations or Lighthouses, at distances
OF about 100 miles apart, on the line of the most
diteo! ard feasible route across the Atlantic.
This recesststes only thirty stations at the
most between New York and Queenstown or
Havre. Bsing supplied with strong electric
lights, no craft, whether steamer or sailing
vessel, need ever, during the whole voyage, DO
out Of sight of one or the other of these lights,
and consequently 10 case of any trouble requir-
ing help it Will always DO within reach. Besides,
as each station is to be connected with every
other aGd With both shcres by submarine te!e-
graph, and supplied With necessary apparatus,
| additional aid to Dry extent could be imme-
dlately summoned from adioiniog stations or
from the nearest land.
Each light house will keep % hand moder-
o'S VI iuo lOVog uOCNS0 1uppllS0, III
cluding, of COURSE. coal and non perishabe pro.
| visions. IS we'll es repairing tools. A small
quantity at each will SUFFICE as the stations will
| be, as stated, but about 100 miles apart aud can
| be readily replenisbed.
As to the availability of tho electric light for
this purpcs,, recent improvements 10 that art
| have clearly shown lis adaptabiliy. The light
house ct Havre, France, is supplied by az
electric lamp. AS all mariners know, that light
is plainly Wis Bile SO miles out. A French man
of war has al electric lamp which can b., seen
! leo miles. but We learn of one on q Spanish
ship that can be seen $50 miles.
A word as to the anchoring cable of deep ses
| light houses. No matter what the depth OIL
water, the cable will have attached through it,
entire length a number of submarine buoys Of
just about sufficient buoying capacity TO neu.
trsiiZe the cables weight, whatever it, length
| may be. Thus thu entire strength OF the cable
| If which there will be two or moro to each house
will DO available In holding the light house il
position and the latter being constructed with
References to Offering the least possible resistance
to winds and waves, will not require that degree
| Of holding power q sailing craft of the same di.
| mensions would.
These marine stations arc to be constructed oil
both wood and iron, in form somewhat ressmb.
| ling douba apex pyramid, and will txssrd
about IS far balCw thu water surface as above.
Ih- entire cost with outis will be lsss than
$z6, 0)O esCa
Thus We see By this one disaster of last week
there was lost to the owners, freishters ard in.
surai CO compsuioa, hn amount moro than large
ennush to have built and anchored the thirty
light no"Ses referred t. giving Us lighted ps.h.
| WAY across the Atlantic.
With this tystem II. ;perstion, or with In cleo
| trio light house on the GOES. OF Holl. rood, OF
| even with ono lamp Oh the Montana, tho disss
ter or laar week would have been impossible. II
should De b0rre IN mind too, that while thi.
new light is visible and made available ton, enc
wen twenty timts tue distance Of any Other
knuwr light so !:s penetrating power. either
through darkness, cerss ftg, OF even water, ii
| equally grost