The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-06-24
SIGHTING The STEAMERS
HOW AN EXPERT DOES IT AT THE
FIRE ISLAND STATION.

FARM k6kA0O SIAx4ONs
Recognising astcsmer by Her Smoke
or Other Little Details Before She
Tops tho Horizon Line.
/" TX hours before an Atlantic liner
Is made fast to her dock the
announceme1E of her arrival off
Fire Island Is made known in
New York City..sIs Il impossible to
estimate the great value OF such informa-
ton. Persons have abundant time to
prepare for the coming of friends, and
from places as far distant as Philadelphia
or Albany parties can come and be at
tho steamers landing before the gang
plank is thrown out. Carriages can be
summoned and dinners arranged for, and
in many other ways can the coming
friends be properly attended to.
The first land sighted by Ghe majority
of incoming steamers is Fire Island
beach. Every one has heard of Fire
Island. 1t is not an island, but the end
Of long and narrow strip Of land be-
tween tho ocean and the Great South
Bay, about forty miles from New York
City. Among the earlier seaside resorts
in this country Fire Island held con-
spicuous place. It has been a place Of
marine observation for nearly ten years.
The observatory was formerly on top of
the famous Surf Hotel, but SO satisfac-
tory became the results of enterprise that,
about five years ago, the Western Union
Telegraph Company erected substantial
wooden structure near the ocean shore,
suitably arranged for hsbitation and for
the watching and reporting of vessels.
Mr.. Peter Keegan, who had already
shown marked ability for the work re-
quired, was placed in charge and is there
to-day, accompanied by his wife and
children. The life in winter on Fire
Island is extremely lonesome. Commun-
ication with the main shore, across the
bay, Is only had a few times week, and
the lighthouse keeper and his family aud
the life. saving crew are the only neigh
bors Mr.. Keegan has. The past year he
has been placed in telephone communi-
cation with all the life-saving stations on
the south shore of Long Island.
1t doubtless seems to many people an
easy task-that of observing passing
steamers and telegraphiug the facts to
New York-but when one considers that
most of the vessels are from fifteen to
eighteen miles away, and that many Of
them 60 by in the night time and in fogs
and cloudy weather, then some idea can
be obtained of the skill and training
necessary to successfully perform this
work.
But once in all these years has Mr..
fa1 Ia
was expecting a certain steamer Of the
Bremen Line. Unknown to him q new
steamer had been sent over in place OF
the regular one, aud 1t was very natural
that he should report the one which he
had every reason to expect would arrive.
The observatory is a wooden building
about forty feet in height, and lies back
from the beach about two hundred feet.
1t is surrounded by waste of sand, and
in the winter it is an extremely lonely
place. Bay Shore, about ten miles dis
tant, is the nearest point on the mainland.
The top room of the town is the observa-
tory proper. 1t is small room with
windows ON the four sides aud lookout
aperture facing oceauward. On q small
table is telegraph Instrument, which fs
connected by wire direct with the West
ern Union office in Now York City. A
bookcase is we'll filled with standard
works, and upon the walls are pictures
of some of the best known ocean
steamers.
Mr.. Keegan has never been on board
of one Of these steamers, and says he
doubts il he could recognize them II he
j, oh, fha
His acquaintance with vessels comes from
long range, aud he has to make an ex-
animation of general outlines and details
such as would escape the notice Of other
people. But once has he been able to
read the name of q passing vessel, aud
that was few years ago when the
Amerique came within three miles of the
shore.
Mr.. Keegan keeps careful record of
the departure of all incoming steamers; {;
also reports of storms, adverse winds,
iceborgs, and everything that would be
apt to cause a delay, and from his
knowledge of steamers average speed
he approximates her arrival, and thus
fixes the time when it is necessary for
him to be on the watch.
AT night, all steamers, when opposite
Fire Island, send up signal. The signal
Of the Inman line is two blue aud red
lights followed by rocket showing blue
and red stars. The Cunsrd steamers
burn two Roman candles, showing six
blue balls. These signals merely indi-
cate to what line the steamers belong.
To distinguish what particular vessel it
is careful observation of the side and
stern lights has to be made. 1t is often
with great difficulty that signals can be
seen at night. AS soon as steamer
comes in sight the observer must fix his
gaze steadily upon one Of the lights uu-
til the signals are given The work is,
of course, very tedious.
The signals in the daytime are given
by means of colored asgs and at long
distance are very deceptive. Beyond a
few miles colors cannot be easily distin-
guished, so that the flag signals are gen.
orally of little value. Mr.. Keegan de.
pends almost entirely upon the outline
of the steamer, the position of the
smokestack, cabins, lifeboats, smoke,
etc., and also upon the course of the
vessel.