The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-02-04
SIGNALLING AT SEA.
How uncls Sans war ships Keep up
Conversation.

Some interesting experiments in methods
for signalling at sea are being constructed on
board the ships Of the United States Navy.
Since the develo pment of the electric light it
has been found easier, quicker and more GER
tain to signal at night then in the daytime
besides reaching to greater distance
The present day system. Of signal
ling is by the ordinary flag on a
staff or by the general signal code. This
Is not likely to be superseded, as 1t Is only in
In night signalling, by means of the electric
lights, that i'm provements are sought. The
present system Of night signalling is by three
electric lights, green. red and white, of 16-
candle power each, fitted in vertical line on
a ajackstay, about six to eight feet apart
They are worked by an ordinary telegraph
key, one OF the long line keys Of the West
ern Union, to show them or shut them off,
and the Morse code Of telegraphing Is used,
red light for dot, all three lights briefly for
a space, or all three for a more extended
period TO signify the end OF a word.
The distance this system can be used de-
pends somewhat upon the clearness Of the
night bnt not generally beyond three miles
In fact the distance is still expermental. but
to communicate beyond three mleslthe Very
system is used. This was devised by a navy
captain named Very, has been in vogue a
long time and Is generally satisfactory. IL
consists OF pyrotechnical displays Of red and
green stars, by combinations of which GER
tain numbers are represented, having their
own Specification In the code.
The new electric lighting systems have en-
larged the sphere of signalling so much that
great deal is yet to be learned about IL. The
English navy system Is 80 candle-power
lisht, called the ''winking light" 1t is d-
rectrd TO the desired ship and messages
sent by disclosing or covering it with a shut
ter BY an ordinary telegraph key. This can
be worked very rapidly and Is clear for a
distance Of two miles, but the disadvantage
1t has is that 1t makes the signal only In one
direction at time.
Another system for long distance signal
ling at present under experiment In our
navy Is to throw the electric search light di-
rectly overhead and make dashes aud dots
with 1t against the sky so that they may be
read for many miles by the whole fleet.
But new French system, called the Ar
d0is, has been fitted on the Chicago Tor ex-
pertinent on her present cruise, and Will be
tested on favorable occasions, though the
old system will always be restored to an
emergency. This system Is made up OF 10
lamps which hang vertically from a back
stay, thus forming combinations winch, be-
ing interpreted, make up the code. The
combinations are worked from eyboard
bayine 60 different letters. signals, etc. 1t Is
the system now In use IN the french anu
German navies, but II IS considered by
whether It can be read at any great distance:
besides which, the greater the number nj
lamps the greater the danger Of confusion.
and the more chance Of some little thing 20.
ing wrong just when 1t Is most desired to
work right, during dirty weather with avery.
thing wet. Almost any system will work
satisfactorily IN port, but at sea the condi-
tions are very different, and what is wanted
is something that Will stand the practically
test under adverse circumstances. The
American officers will give them ali a trial
however. and make careful reports of their
observations to the department at Washing
ton, WIN the probable result that new orders
VIII oe Issued about signalling next year
eyGintlon will be the application OF a rev lsed
eult9n OF naval tactics, which has been pre-
pared oy board Of officers, and is to be
trieu on the recommendation Of Rear Admit
tiser.