The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-04-02
An Illuminated Highway Across the
Ocean Suggested.

Captain :. B. Stoner, who, it may be
remembered, won high commendatiOn
several years ago from the French gov
eminent for his valuable devices in life
preserving apparatus, has devised a sys-
tenn. after several years study, by which
the risks of marine disasters may be
greatly reduced. y correspondent of
the New York Star thus describes it
Briefly stated, the plan cOntemplates
the anchoTing, by strong swaying cables,
of suitably constructed stations or light
houses. at distances of about 100 miles
apart, on the route the most direct and
feasible across the Atlantic This ne
cessitates only thirteen stations at the
most between New \ Ork and Queens
town or Hayre. Being supplied with
strong electric lights, no craft, whether
steamer or sailing vessel, need ever,
during the whole voyage, be out of
sight of one or the other of these lights,
and in case of any trouble requiring
help, it VIII always be within reach
Besides, as each station is to be connect
ed with every other and with both
shores by submarine telegraph, and sup
piled with necessary apparatus, addi-
tlOnal aid to any extent could be imme-
diately summoned from adjoining sta
tiOns or from tie nearest land.
Each lighthouse will keep on hand a
moderate amount of the most needed
supplies, including, of course, coal and
non-perishable provisions. as well as re-
pairing tools. A small quantity at each
will suffice, rs the stations will be. as
stated, but about 100 miles apart and
can be readily replenished.
As 10 the availability of the electric
light for this purpose. recent improve
ments in that art have clearly shown its
adaptability. The lighthouse at Havre.
France, is supplied by an electric lamp.
As all mariners know. that light is
plainly visible fifty miles out \ French
man-Of-war has an electric lamp which
can be seen 100 miles. but we learn of
one OF Spanish ship that can be seen
$50 miles.
/ word as to the anchoring cable OF
deep sea lighthouses. No matter what
the depth, the cable VIII have attached
through its entire length a number of
submarine buOys of just about sufficient
huOying capacity to neutTaliZe the ca
! blc'S weight, whatever its length may
be. Thus the entire strength Of the ca
bic. Of which there viii be two or more
to each house. viii be available in hold
ing the lighthouse in position and the
latter. being constructed with reference
! to Offering the least possible resistance
to winds and waves, will not require
that degree of holding power sailing
craft Of the same dimensions would
These marine stations are to be con-
StTucted Of both wood and iron. in form
somewhat resembling q double apex
pyramid, and viii extend about as far
below the water surface as above. The
entire cost, with outfit, will be less than
/ 81. 600 each.
Thus, we see, by this one disaster of
last week. there was lost to the owners.
freighteTS and insurance companies an
amount more than large enough to have
built and anchored the thirty lighthouses
referred to, giving US a lighted pathway
+ across the Atlantic.
With this system in operation. or with
an electric lighthouse on the coast of
Hollywood. or even with one light on
the Montana. the disaster of last week
would have been impossible. 1t should
( be borne in mind, too, that while this
new light is visible, and made available
( ten, and even twenty times the distance
of any other known light. so its pene-
. tratiaE power, either through darkness,
! dense fOgs. or even water, is equally
great.