The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-19

as insulators, but no permanently satisfactory
results had boon attained. 1t was Sicmens who
suggested tho use OF gutta percha for insuat-
ing purposes and In the summer OF 1897 the
first long subterranenn wire from Berlin
to Grossbceren was laid by him with
wires thus insulated. Since that time.
not only tho subterranean land lines but also
tho submarine cable lines have almost with
out exception been insulated In this manner.
1t was Siomens who urged that tho public
should DO allowed the use OF tho teleGra ph
lines. proposal which, ut first. met with con-
siderable opposition in military circles. Tho
great celebrity and certainty. however. with
which his new patented dial and printing tel
egraph worked on the overhead line between
Berlin and Potsdam. and on the underground
line between Berlin and Grossbeoren. contrib
uted in no small degree to produce eventually
q decision favorable to the public interests
But all scientific pursuits In Berlin were tenn
porarily interrupted by the revolution OF 1913
The whole governmental machine having
fallen out OF gear. the telegraph commission
ceased for short time to do anything.
The frst scientific work done by Siemens
during the revolutionary period was the appll-
cation OF electricity to the discharge OF sub
marine mines in the harbor OF Kiel. He was
next employed upon the underground tele-
graph lines between Berlin and Frankfort on
the Main. where he overcame the difficulties
encountered in securing insulation during
rainy weather by inventing bell-shaped in
sulators Of porcelain. These possessed the
great advantage that the inner surface OF the
bell always remained dry. even in wet weather.
and thus insulation was secured under
all circumstances. Siemens had the salts
n fol ar,l,
line-not merely OF Germany. but OF Europe
at work in the winter Of 1S4S $40. so that the
election OF an Emperor which took place in
Frankfort was. by It's help. known the same
hour in Berlin. This led the Prussian Gov
eminent to determine upon the INN ediate
construction OF line from Berlin to Cologne
and tho Belgian frontier. and after that. upon
other lines to Hamburg and Bresau. All
these lines were. for safety's sake. to be I'M
foreground Difficulties arose at the rivers
Elbe and Rhine. and especially at tho latter
waterway. whose active navigation caused
Siemens to fear injuries to the wires through
dragging anchors. An envelope Of iron wire.
which was employed In crossing smaller
rivers. appeared insufficient for the Rhine
as the Tickle OF the fishermen being
provided with sharp points. could pene-
trate through the wire covering and iniure the
insulated conductors within. Moreover. a
cable could not then be made strong enough
to resist the dragging anchors OF large ships.
Siemens. therefore. caused to be specially
constructed for the Rhine a chain Of wrought
iron tubes. in the cavities OF which the insu-
lated wires were placed. while a strong chain
cable. supported by series OF heavy ship
anchors. was destined to protect the tube
chain from the dragging anchors OF vessels
passing down the river This first large sub
aqueous line. with its external protection.
bore we'll the test OF experience. When. many
years later aftor the building Of the fixed rail-
way bridge. it was taken UP. a number Of
ships anchors were found suspended to the
protecting chain. which anchors the sailors
had been obliged to cut in order to free their
ships. The chain had thus done its duty.
Mr.. Siemens recalls the interesting circum-
stance that during the construction Of the
line from Cologne to the Belgian frontier
he got to know the operator OF the pigeon post
between Cologne and Brussels. Mr.. Reuter-.
whose useful and profitable business was
with complete destruction by the
laying OF the electric telegraph When Mrs.
Reuter- who accompanied her husband on his
journey. was lamen.inG over the impending
collapse OF their business. Mr. Siemens gave
the couple the advice to GO to London and
there set up n misunderstanding bureau.
such rs had just been established In Berlin by
a Mr. Wolf. The Reuters followed his advice.
with remarkable success.
After completing the telegraph line to the
Belgian frontier Mr.. Siemens had to answer
the question what turn he should give to his
future life The military authorities had only
with reluctance granted the prolongaton OF
his order for service with the Ministry OF Com
merc e. and had emphatlca!ly declared that an
n ~ NJ ha ha
siemens accordingly had tho choice either OF
stepping back into active military service
or Of going over to Govern ment telegraphy. In |
which his position as managing engineer was
assured. or. lastly Of renouncinG every position
In tho public service and devoting himself
entirely TO private. scientific, and technical
activity. He decided for the last named course.
To return to the military garrison service. |
after the exciting and successfully active life
which he had lately led. would have been ex-
ceedingy distasteful On the other hand the
civi service did not at all content him. There |
was wanting In 1t the feeling OF comradeship
which mtigates and renders endurable the
oppressive differences OF rank and power:
there was wanting in 1t also the plain-spoken
candor which reconces one with tho blunt
ness which Is traditional in tho army. His
experience OF the civil service had given |
Siemsns sufficient grounds for the formation
of this opinion. He determined. conse-
luently. to become n partner IN fac |
tory for Geographic apparatus which he |
had founded in conjunction with his friend |
dalske. and into which he had reserved the |
light OF entering, The great Importance OF
Electric teleGraphy for practical life was now |
'ecoGhizsd, and the managers OF railways In
particular had begun to increase the efficiency
u their limos and the security OF their working
~ laying down telegraph wires for intelligence
md signals. In connection with telecraphy.
moreover were cropping IN an abundance OF
interesting scientific and technical problems.
which Siemens felt vocation to solve thus
thanpened In June. 1880. he requested his dis
harGe from tho military service. and soon
IIterward resigned his office rs technical
manager OF the Prussian State telegraph.
With the then defective arrangements for pro-
notion he had. In tho fourteen years OF his
Military service become tho senior OF rather
moro than half OF the Second Lieutenants. and
eceiyed therefore. according to custom. his
!scharge as First Lieutenant. with tho per-
mission tn nInoar'a Uniform fOQAthar