New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-13
4 FLASH or LIGHT ~ TIE NIGHT
HOW NEWS IS SENT IN FROM SEA THROUGH
THE DARKNESS AND LIVES AND
PROPERTY SAVED

Slowed snugly away in his little tower at Fire
Island the man who always has his weather eye
omen sweeps the horizon with his night glass. ever
watching and waiting. Beside him Is his list OF
vessels bound 10 the great port OF which the nam
ing beacon way above his head Is one OF the senti-
ncs and al around IS the moaning OF the distant
surf. the breaking Of waves on the beach al MS
feet and the whistle OF the wind as 1t eddies ana
swlrs around the tower and huge lamp at Its
top Minute after minute passes away. each one
marked by a great beam OF light sent out over
the waters.
suddenly there comes from the southeast. as II
thrown up by the ocean, g.eam or req Neu'
the danger slgnalbut the watcher s not disturbed
He only waits Not for long. however as the night
clas. pointed toward that point OF red on the
oceans rim shows a blue light on each side OF IT,
about hundred feet away. while just below the
rel light IL a faint speck Of green. That Is enough
The signals have told their story. and the next
ins,an, a binding fash OF green light from the
tower answers the distant vessel. and before us
glare has died away the electric spark mas sent
to the Western Union telegraph Office AMI To eYery
newspaper In the city Ia" message STEAMER runs
s,uthcas, Of Fire Island"
Tn. big boat speeds on her way; the watcher
checks her name on the list OF vessels due. Bat
others have secn the green signal The dim lights
o, the steamer had not attracted the attention OF
the sailors on the little pilot boat standing to the
eastward but the brilliant fash Of green tod them
that a signal had been answered. and there was no
need for the Parts to send up the familiar pllo'
call OF whlte--red-wh!tc. The Paris meant $50 Tor
the pilot catching her. and the men started right
Of after her knowing that she was due and hoping
IL was her signal that had been answered
The ocean greyhound has passed away TO the
west ward In the darkness. and again the watcher
resumes his vigil. But the wind has increased
The breeze has given way before gathering OF the
- fhtnaa m Z
n sIrging Of waves and the surf Il beating ana
,,ounding on the shore with a hollow. resembling
boom that tells ~ a tempest abroad In the night.
Kicker ana blacker grow the clouds overhead
narrower and narrower grows the circle OF ihky
AGA and sky that marks the limits or visic.i ana
while the faithful monitor overhead Keeps up us
cocklke regularity Of blazing and fading us
range OF power Is constantly lessened by the coming
storm
u.u., an the beach the swing OF n lantern marks
.h.r. the ufe-snver Is steadily trlmpng along to
moe, his COMPANION from the next station. X Is
terribly Lonely mission. He Is alone with the
moaning surf and each step IS IKE entering so'v
.,,,r,,d ro,ln OF darkness ruled 10y the spirit OF
the storm on one side OF him Il the sulleh srI'd-
ing sea on the other a waste or sanu ana III HUN
.,o o,f,l eieam Of his own lantern. He Is lonely
o,d cold but that has terrors Tor hlfn' MS next
s,., may touch some lonelier and colder than
lao , human body pressed into the moist. un-
,.,..1irV sand or away through the breakers
rlses the form OF n ship. helpless for all her
srco,rth. driven by the gale far on the shore de-
.,,o ,be friendly warning from the tall tower with
its finger OF flame
,,hon tho crimson signal In his hand tells the
watch at the station that there Is work to do' ana
tho wrecked mariners that help Is at hand He
tr,o. =, the station to assist IN the preparations
= rescue As he nears the little house there begins
brilliant display Of fireworks. glare or req
,ao,,,g 70 a clear white which IS followed BY
ovid green. conveys the message to the next sta
,ton and bright white blaze tells that the signal Is
con and understood. and then the beautiful Cpston
49,, s..,I s,ootng through the gloom series OF
liars cosily understood. \ bright green tens me
distant watchers that aid Is needed ana a req aii
me- ,yould have called for rocket apparatus,
,gr.cn and red for the life car or brceches buoy,
ar1 60 on-dlffercnt combinations or cOIors convey
ing different Instructions ,. A.. oor,
,rtn nlay the Coston colors. big yachting cup
has is regatta. From up ana down the co.'s
come the swift whit winged or a. n, and
me-. n Some OF the strdgslers come IN hle anu
vs. n y-hitc- rel-grcen-w succession or hr'S hP-
RS lighting mp the sails OF be!ated hyer me
waiting fleet prepares TO We'oS' W.,on and rhas
~, close after her comes a red-whlte. followed ny
red and then "A white star and the welcome 70 ti.e
man from Boston Is extended to the Corinthia"
Teyt comes n four-color combination, ana the
y ,bite-green which Is followed by n b.ue star
srows that On. OF the American Steam facht GUIDE
No..U,hsre "a The COMMODORE" some one ASKS;
"Jicre he comes" Is the answer ana y, l. bsLrS
lit, Yacht Electra. showing her Costoh s'shai Oh
,,ol,o,y-h,ue-red followed by stars OF the Sallc
cc,;nr and IN the same order. comes up 10 tne an
bNrace in her stately fashion and after greetings
are exchanged the fleet settles down 10 rest