The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-20
THE LARGEST sEARCa.LIGHr.
The Electric Light on Mount Washing
ton to Be Visible 100 Miles.

The Electric Light on Mount Washing
ton to Be Visible / 90 Miles.
A dispatch from Mount Washington to
the New York World says: 1t is probable
that the electric search-light now being
placed on the summit of Mount Washing
ton, and which will be the largest and high
est search-light in the world, will be in full
operation next week. Placed ss this search
light is at an elevation Of $500 feet much is
ex pected from it, and the marine interests
OF the country are earnestly watching this
experiment.
Within few years these lights have been
introduced into the United States navy and
into the merchant marine service with good
results, especially to coastwise steamers,
which are enabled to make an entrance to
harbors and get bearings when approach
ing dangerous shores. Owing to the curva-
tLre of the earth, however, 1t is impossible
to throw beam Of light from steamer
and have it sc en- more than ten miles.
The search lights IN the United States war
vessels of the first class have only SO, 000-
candle power, while the one at Mount
Washington has 100000, making IL the
largest search light ever made. At the arc
the power will be 20 900, but it is magniied
by the Tense to 100000. The current Is 80
amperes aud the voltage So. A French
lens, 80 inches in diameter Is TO be used.
This, with favorable atmospheric condi-
tions, will make it possible to read a news
paper on the piazzas Of the Fabyan house,
six miles west of the mountain, and at the
Glen, four miles east. The beam of light
will be so strong that when received direct
by the naked eye al any distance less than
ten miles it will be as dangerous as when
one stands and looks at the MONDAY sun.
1t is expected that every hotel within
twenty miles of the summit can be ihumi-
mated by the searoh-hght, and that lawn
| parties and tennis tournaments in the even-
ing will be added attractinns at each. It is
claimed that the light will be seen on clear
nights at distance of FROM 100 to $50 miles
and at that great distance 1t is expected to
| have the appearance Of a comet.
AS this is the first experiment ever at
| tempted at such an altitude six different
| lenses, introducing the prismaHc eolors.
will be used, making a display that will
| rival the northern lights. The movement
of the light will be controlled by electric
| ity. Some novelties, IN the way of combi-
/ nations of convex and concave lenses,
| will be introduced. These viii pros
| duce a light of diverging or faBtail
4 appearance and spread over a much
| larger territory than when thrown as a
single reflected beam from the arc. An In,
strument will also be placed before the lens
which, when turned in certain positions,
will cause the light to appear IN the form
| OF dots, dashes, cresceRts, etc. These
flashes will indicate the characters Of the
Morse system OF telegraphy, and will be of
great advantage in communicating with
and signaling distant points Of observation.
| During fogs which are very prevalent on
MounS Washington, the powerful light will
be set straight upward. Experiments will
also be made to have the light penetrate the
fogs.
The lamp is to be placed upon the top Of
the tower, constructed some ten or twelve
| years ago for the use of the United States
geodetic coast survey, and which stands or
| the highest point of the mountain. An ad-
dition to the tower will put the lamp eighty
feet above the platform which surrounds
the Summit house, or 1855 feet above the
sea level. The Thomson Houston electric
system is being used. The cost will be
| $1,000. Lewis H. Rogers of Boston projected
the search-light scheme last winter, and has
spent much time In carrying it into opera
| ton.
A 6-foot telescope with 5-inch lens
will be placed in the tower for the use of
visitors. Guests will see distinctly interest
ing points in five different states as we'll as
mountains in Canada. In the lower story
of the tower are located the boiler, steam
| engine Of ffteen>horse power and the
| dynamo. The plant will be In charge of an
| expert electrical engineer. and F. Q. Sar-
| gent Of Boston is TO have charge Of the
| generating apparatus