Omaha daily bee., 1888-09-16

although accounts somewhat differ rs to
the actual value, there can be no doubt
that it is one OF the indispensable ad-
luncts to a modern man-of-war Some
complaints were made that the lookout
men were so dazzled by the beam that
they were unable to keep as sharp n
watch as is necessarily directions which
are no at the moment illuminated. On
the other hand, this dazzling effect was
turned TO a good use during the naval
maneuvers of last year, when the gun
Dock forts were rendered almost blind
every now and again by the
attacking ships skilfully flashing
the light full in their faces,
and during the interval of darkness
moving rapidly to another point. This
year Admiral Tryon made clever use of
the electric light in II manner which
recalls a somewhat similar use made by
the French in their attack on Sfax. I'm
able to approach the forts neal enough
to deliver an effective fire, the French
admiral placed his Hotchkiss quick
firing shell guns on board his small
boats, and as soon as it was lark sent
them to attack the enemy at close quar-
ters. He then threw the strongest pos
sible light upon the forts, and the small
boats moving ahead in the darkness just
beyond the flashes of light, anne in
close to the forts and poured in a deadly
fire. The defenders, completely bewil-
dered, capitulated soon after daylight.
AS another instance of the extensive
use of electricity ..-ahoard ship i may
be mention that the cape mail steamer,
Norham Castle, which has Just been re-
fitted with the electric light, has been
provided with q submarine lamp, by
means of which the hull and propeller
can be easily examined.
Electricity Cor Writer'S Paralysis.
Baltimore Sun: In one of the broad
windows of the recording department
of the Office of James Bond, clerk of
the superior court, is a small electric
battery. 1t is used by the recorders
for the relief OF the cramp of the mus
cles of the hand which follows long
continued and steady use Of the pen.
The relief is instantaneous, and the
clerks who formerly were at times COM
PEELED to stop work for several DAYS on
account of swelling and contraction of
the muscles of the hand now take a
few gentle shocks of the electric cur
rent on the slightest approach of stiff
ness. They return to work at once, en-
tirely relieved, and continue without
inconvenience. Nearly every one of
the score of clerks receives benefit
from the electric current, and the bat
terry is regarded as an indispensable
fixture Of the Office.
Electrical Notes.
A company of western men, with
Hamilton S. Wicks, of Kansas City, at
their head, has secured a contract will,
the syndicate controlling the Edison
Bell ~graphophone for all rights within
the territory west of the Mississippi and
east of the Rocky mountains. Offices
are to be established and the instru-
ments introduced into the leading cities
of that district by October l.
The West End railway company Of
Boston, which has decided to employ
the electric system, will Immediately
equip twenty cars. Overhead wires
will be employed, but a conduit will be
built on those sections where the over
head system is prohibited.
The Sprague Electric Railway and
Motor company have been awarded the
contract to equip the Cleveland, o..
electric road. This is to be u very com,
plete equipment, consisting of eight
miles OF track and sixteen cars, iron
poles, etc.
More than -four thousand Methodist Episco
pal churches have been built in sixteen south
ern states since the war.