Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-12

Mount Washington's Electric Search Light
Awaits the Word.

Mount Washington's Electric Search Light
Awaits the Word.
Aspecial to the NY. World from Mount Wash
ington, n. H.. says: ut is probable that the cleo
trio search light now being placed on the
summit at Mount Washington, and which will
be the largest and highest search light in the
world, will be in full operation next week
Placed as this search light is ut an elevation OF
G, 800 feet much is expected 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 approaching dangerous
shores. Owing to the curvature of the earth
however, it is impossible to throw beam OF
light from a steamer and have it seen more
than ten miles,
The search lights in the United States wal
vessels of the first class have only so 900 candle
power, while the one on Mount Washington has
100, 600, making it the largest search light ever
made. At the arc the power will be 70. 900, but
it is magnified by the lens to 100 900. The cur
rent is 80 amperes and the voltage Sc. A French
lens, 30 inches in diameter, Is to be used. This
with favorable atmospheric conditions, will
u
piazzas Of the Fabyan House, six miles west OF
the mountain, and at tie Glen, four miles east
The beam Of light will be SO strong that when
received direct by the naked eve at any distance
less than ten miles it will DO as dangerous az
when one stands and looks at q MONDAY sun.
It is expected that every hotel within twenty
miles from the summit can be illuminated by
the search light, and that lawn parties and
tennis tournaments in the evening will be
added attractions at each. It is claimed that
the light will be seen on clear nights at q dis
lance Of from 100 to $50 miles, and at that great
distance it ID expected to have the appearances
Of comet.
As this is the first experiment ever attempted
at such IN altitude six different lenses, intro
ducing the prismatic colors, will be used. max
ing display that viii rival the northern lights
The movement Of the light will be controlled
by electricity. Some novelties in the way of
combinations Of convex and concave lenses will
be introduced. These viii produce light Of d.
verging or fantail appearance and spread over q
much larger territory than when thrown 40 sin
gle reflected beam from the arc. An instrument
win also be placed before the lens which, when
turned in certain positions, win cause the light
to appear in the form Of dots, dAshes, cres-
cents, &c. These flashes win indicate the char
acters Of the Morse system OF telegraphy and
win be Of great advantage In communicating
with and signaling distant points Of observa-
tion. During fogs, which are very prevalent on
Mount Washington, the powerful light win be
cot strnaghtupward. Experiments VIII also be
made to have the light penetrate the fogs.
The lamp II to be placed upon the top Of the
tower, contributed some ten or twelve Years
ago for the use Of the United States geodetic
coast survey, and which stands ON the highest
point Of the mountsin. An addition TO the
tower win pnt the lamp eighty feet above the
| platform which surrounds the summit House,
or 6,s66 fest shove the Sea lsvsl
A stK-fDot telescope With . nveinch lens win
Be placed N ths tower for the dee of visitors.
Guests wnl see distinctly interesting points In
~ - n. ~, 49, - ~ tn.ss "a, -
Gated the boiler, stsan saGins ef fifteen horss-
power and The dynamo.