Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-01
STORM SIGNALS
THE SEA COAST LINE OF THE SIGNAL CORPs-HOw
AND WHERE THE STATIONS ARE ESTABLISHED
THE MODE OF OPERATING TIE LINE.

oIohbI SlUNAlko
THE SEA COAST LINE or THE SIGNAL CoRPs-How
AND WHERE THE STATIONS ARE ESTABLISHED
The MODE OF OPERATING TIE LINE.
The following is taken from letter recently
written by officers of the SIGNAL corps, to the
London LlOyds. in reply to inquiries from
the latter, regarding the American systsm ef
storm signalling: On March 3rd 1878, Congress
authorized the establishment of signal service
stations at lighthouses, and life-saving stations
on the lakes and sea-coast, and made provision
for connecting the same with telegraph lines or
cables. Since that date lines have been buil,
from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, south along the
coast to Cape May. New Jersey; from Delaware
Breakwater. Delaware. to Chincoteague, Va;
from Norfolk, Va, via Cape Henry, Va, Kitty
Hawk, Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout. and VIII
mington to Smithville. n. c. The total distance
Is abont $50 miles. In order to connect these
with the Office of the chief signal officer wires
are leased from the Western Union Telegraph
company. viz; frOn Cape May, n. j.. via Phila
delphia. Pa, Baltimore, Md, and Washington
ID. G., to Norfolk, Va. and from Delaware
Breakwater. Del, to Philadelphia. Pa.
The following have been built and are operated
BY the signal service, but are merely connected
with the Western Union Telegraph Company
viz From Narragansett Pier via Point Judith
to Block Island, RI. and from RockpOrt to
Thatcher's Island, Mass. All are operated on
the Morse system.
The following are the stations where me-
neurological obseryations:are taken and caution
AIRY signals displayed on the above, viz: Thatch-
er's Island. Mass; Point sddith, New ShOrehan
and Southeast Light Block Island, RI; Sandy
Hook. Barnegat Atlantic City and Cape May
NJ: Delaware Breakwater Del; Chinc0teague
Norfolk and Cape Henry, Va. Kitty Hawk, Hat
teras, Portsmouth, Fort Macon, Wilmington and
Smithyilie. C. Repair stations are lOcatad al
Nanasguan and Little Egg Harbor Qife-saving
station No. 49, Nj; Ocean City. Md, Oife-
saving station No 8, near False Cape) Cape
Lookout, New River and Sloop Point. NC.
From Cape Henry to Kitty Hawk there is q
second line. which connects the eleven inter
phone, thus bringing the two branches of the
government service (Treasury and War; into
united relations to each other.
When the first sections Of the line were built
wooden poles were used. but they having been
washed out at places along the beaches during
heavy storms, (the times when lines are most
needed, iron poles have been partly substituted,
the policy being to use the latter kind eXclu-
siyely along the beaches.
The line from Serves delaware Breakwater, J
Del, to ChincOteague. Va. has been wholly
built with iron poles. From the date of building
this particular line to this present time, not a
pole has washed out or been blown down, nor
has it given any trouble.
The iron poles stand admirably. In severe
storms the line has at places been submerged.
but after the abatement of the storm. it re-
NAMED intact, and continued to work well.
Some leaning poles were found, which were
easily Strengthened.
When the beach is washed away gradually,
the weight of the wire and pole causes the lat
ter to sink into the sand The iron pole is
therefore admirably adapted to places where
wooden poles would be washed out. The length
ls twenty feet; internal diameter about two
inches; weight seventy-fve pounds; present
cost 800; wooden insulatOr screw plug is set
10 the top and held by a nail driven into it
through hole in the pole. The cost of the
plug is six cents. The poles are drawn as for
water pipes. except that as they are passing
through the final rolling process they are chilled
as they leave the rollers; they are thus tenn
pered. which gives them more strength.
Where two wires are run on one line of poles
steel cross-arm which holds two wooden in
suiator plugs is clamped to the top of the pole.
The Cost of the cross arm is sixty cents; distance
between plugs two feet. Both wires must
however, be strung at the same time so as to
prevent the poles from turning in the
ground.
The stations on the coast line are fully equipped
with meteorological instruments for observation
and signal apparatus for communicating with
vessels passing or i'm distress. The practical
result of the system is-frst, to warn passing
vessels of approaching storms, so they may seek
shelter: second. in case of vessels being in dis
tress to quickly summon the aid of the life
saving crews and the wrecking companies and
to notify interested parties; third Hatteras is a
valuable station for first feeling the effect of
hurricane approaching the coast from the south
and southeast.
During the building Of the Cape Henry-Kitty
Hawk section, a vessel having a cargo of tea
was stranded. The aid Of tine Norfolk Wrecking
Company was at once summoned. Both the
vesse! and cargo were saved, in advance of q
severe storm which swept the coast The value
Of the cargo was more than three times the cost
OF that section.
In case of vessels in distress, temporary sta
tiens are opened abreast the same on the beach
Tor the purpose Of giving such personal assis-
lance as may be possible and for transmitting
ell information without delay by wire to this
ONCE. to wrecking companies, boards of trade
chambers Of commerce, &c.
The average cost Of building the line, the
labor having been done by troops. is about $40
per mile. The average cost of establishing the
stations is 300 per station the yearly average
cost OF maintaining a station is $500; yearly
average cost Of maintaining line is 81, 6O4, for
q total Of about 4S0 miles. This is exclusive OF
pay OF troops and operators. No rent Is paid ct
hfe-Saying stations.
ALI signal service men are instructed in tele-
the Morse system, except the telephone line
from Cape Henry to Kitty Hawk.
Gen. GaYiields RELIGION.
The REV. DR.. sAMsoN's RECOLLECTIoNs OF THE
DEAD PRESIDENT.
From the n. Y. Times.
The Rev. DR.. g. w. Samson, q native of the
city of Washington, and for several years a warm