Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-20
PIGEONS FOR SHIP NEWS.
They Fly Straight for Shore When
Miles Mt Sea.


From the New York World.
The accident to La Gascogne last winter,
which left her practically helpless at sea
for many days, aroused discussion both In
this country and in France as to some
means Of getting news from a disabled
steamer. Some one suggested the use of
carrier pigeons, and this idea, although not
a new one, has now been tried.
The Petit Journal of Paris placed itself at
the head of this interesting experiment with
carrier pigeons 1t chartered an ocean
steamer, the Manoubia, and invited all
owners of carrier pigeons to send their birds
to participate in the trials. 1t was decided
to put the pigeons on board and let them
loose at sea, at different distances.
The port of Saint-NaZaire was chosen. All
the previous day the baskets continued to
arrive in such numbers that the entire
night was passed in perfecting arrange
ments necessary for accommodating so eX-
traordinary gathering. There were fully
hve thousand pigeons passengers. All had
to be received, registered and sorted, and
the hampers containing them were slowed
In such manner that they could be reach
ed conveniently. All was done with the ut
most system.
Each carrier pigeon was marked on the
wing with the stamp of the Petit Journal.
Special attention had been paid to assuage
their thirst, as a pigeon cannot get along
without its full supply of fresh water. The
plan which the owners had adopted for
calling attention to their birds thirst was
very curious. On all the baskets card was
tied, by means of which the pigeons ex-
pressed their wants as follows:
"A drink of water, if you please" 1--WE
are thirsty Some fresh water, if you
please" Please fill our drinking cups"
These appeals were listened to and the wa
ter pals circulated freely, while corn was
thrown into the cages.
The Manoubia set out to by way of
Croisic and Belle Isle. steering westward.
All hands were called at o'clock in the
morning. The steamer was now over sixty
two miles from shore. The cages were
brought out. The pigeons seemed to know
that the moment had come. They showed
every sign of Impotence.
As the doors flew open and the pigeons
came out the spectators were uncertain as
to whether they would not leave the deck
and settle on the yard arms. Suddenly
there was a great futtering of wings, and
fifteen hundred pigeons whirled beautifully
into the air If five minutes they had dis
appeared.
a few hours later, at 125 miles from
shore, the second batch was let loose un-
der the same conditions. They, too, headed
straight for land. Unfortunately, the sea
was now extremely rough, and the Manou-
bia put about and cast anchor al Belle Isle.
There still remained on board 1000 pigeons,
which it had been intended to counter
mark and set loose at 1S5 and 300 miles.
Nevertheless, these first results were re-
garded as very satisfactory. Not only did
the carriers return unerr;ngly, but great
fiocks of them displayed wonderful sagaci-
ty. Only two or three bewildered pigeons
aiighted in the rigging. AS to the remain
der, they took the homeward route with adj
mirable precision, and the pigeon houses
were alive and noisy with the returning
messengers.