New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-23

and more important value in peace as the captain
or navigator Of vessel having tho apparatus may
employ IT constantly I'm navigating along coast
and In going in and out OF port. both at night
and by day. by finding the exact distance from the
ship OF lighthouses and landmarks
on its first appearance tho range-1nder was seen
to be valuable addition 10 marine apparatus. 1t
has been subjected TO rigid tests on United States
warships FOR five years. and the results OF the
tests have been satisfactory that last year or
ders given by the United States Naval au-
thor!tios that ships OF should be equipped
with the apparatus. The apparatus is now in use
on the Chicago. Baltimore San Francisco. New
York. Minneapolis. Columbia and Cincinnati. The
Maine. Texas. Indiana. Massachusetts and all the
vessels Of the Navy also to have the range
finder mounted for
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION.
The officials OF foreign navles and navlgators all
over the world concede the great practical i'm
portancc % the apparatus and its useful accuracy
Heretofore It has been the practice OF gunners
IN the navy 70 find the approximate range OF
target by firing small gun. and then observing
where tho shot struck and ;he elevation Of the
gun fired. Science. made effective through the
Fskc apparatus. now shows the man who aims
gun from turrct. deck portfolio. just how far
away his enemy IT, without the use OF range
finding shots An Indicator is read by
toned a, It for the purpose. and the indicated
range - Immediately told to the gunner by sys-
torn u signals
The importance OF TIC invention in scientific naval
warfare Will readily be seen. As has been said.
f. u o, even more importance during piping times
% peace" The value OF the apparatus 70 the
maritime world may even be compared with the
value OF the magnetic needle the and other
Inventions that have lehtcned the labors OF those
who "go down 10 the sea In ships
Tho apparatus Is being made IN tho big building
Thames and Greenwich SITS. belonging to the
Western Electric Company. That company now
owns the United States and foreign patents cover
ing the invention. Up on the tenth floor Of the
building is a room. IN which now stand several OF
the machines watch compose the complete appa-
ratus. some ~ them being aim )st ready FOR use
on the vessels for which they have been ordered
and designed. \ Tribune reporter these
chimes a Few days ago While tho machines. or.
more properly. Instruments. are trumphs OF Ameri-
can ingenuity they arc also splendid evidences
81 American CONSTITUTIONAL skill. and as good x
amples. perhaps. OK hirh- grade MISUNDERSTANDING
be found.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS
The apparatus may be described ~ consisting OF
three paris-two range-nnIers and an indicator
electrically connected with them. The range finder
proper consists simply OF are OF conducting
material. which in realty is merely a length OF
wire supported on the circumference OF "A circular
platform resting on a tripod Centrally pivotei on
the platform IT, an ordinary telescope. shown in
the illustration. The telescope is provided with an
arm or wiper" which sweeps over the wire or arc
always making contact with Il. The extremiues OF
the are 81 one range-hnder paced near the bow OF
the ship connected by wires which are properly
insulated and disposed between decks so that they
Will be protected from injury, with the other range
finder near the stern. Connected to these wires is
the Indicating instrument, on the face OF which
there Is a dial marked 10 indicate yards OF range
on "A plvoicd needle pointer with the pivots Of
the telescopes ~ connected galvanic battery Of
any convenient form
ono OF the finders Is placed on a platform
built on the military In the forward part OF the
ship. and tho other rangc-hnicr Is similarly paced
on military mast near the stern. The indicator Is
usually In the coming tower. or In some other pro-
tectcl place though the range finders hardly be
said to be protected
The method OF operation is as follows:
at the forward range finder keeps the telescope
bearing ON the target and signals the man at the
Indicator that he Is doing The man at the range
finder In the stern does the same The man az the