Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-06-19
THE MARINE COMPASS.
The Reason Why 1t Varies During Thun
derstorms and In Fogs.

THE MARINE COMPASS.
The Reason Why 1t Varies During Thun-
derstorms and In Fogs.
Apparently the compass is a simple
instrument, needle Of steel suspended
Oh pivot. the needle magnetized either
by a magnet or battery, SO that its points
are attracted north and south. What at
tracts and determines the position of the
needle, whether it be currents of cleo
tricity from north and south passing
round the earth, or, as vulgar sea knowl-
edge has it, the north pole, scientists
yet are i'll doubt. OF course every school
child knows that the compass is useless
as it approaches the north pole, the dip
is so great, although instruments have
been made for the use of vessels destined
for voyages of discovery But this COM
mercial age requires that all things
should be practical
The modern steel and iron vessels
have made it a necessity that there
should be some test for the compass. In
fact, upon an iron vessel the compass is
useless unless the local attraction of the
iron in the vessel can be neutralized or
counteracted. This is done by placing
small magnets in the pilothouse, which
can only be done correctly by swinging
the vessel exactly north and south, then
by small magnets overcome the local at
traction, until the needle of the compass
is correct. There the danger begins. In
month or so the magnets lose part of
their power; the iron of the vessel alb
serbs it. The consequence is that the
vessel is in danger. Another thing,
dense fog will neutralize or rather
weaken the magnetic power of the nee
die of the compass, SO if there be the
least friction in the pivot the needle
swings upon, the compass is faulty and
the vessel is ashore. 1t is singular,
unexplained fact that coming to and
passing the straits of Mackinac the local
attraction of the shore is such that the
compass cannot be depended upon for
safe navigation. Many vessel might be
saved, if in fog, by placing compass
at the masthead and icon" the course
by the call of the man placed there to
observe it. If the ship is near the shore,
say within one mile, the needle of the
compass will be DETECTED one-fourth of
point; the shore attracts it. A thun-
derstorm will change the poles of the
compass at times, and summer light
ming or any electric disturbance will
make a difference In the fall bril-
liant display Of the northern lights (au-
rora borealis) will play hob with your
compass. Sometimes the point, espe-
cially in the spirit compass, may become
very blunt (it is made of brass) and the
compass cord will hang. 1t is good
plan for every captain navigating the
lakes to test his compass. Take piece
of steel or long knife, chisel or file;
apply it opposite the north pole of the
compass and gradually try to pull the
needle either way. If after releasing the
needle from the influence of the article
used it swings back and points to the
north, the compass is correct-that is, if
the needle is placed right on the card
But when within mile or more of
the shore the lead is the instrument to
be depended upon. Venture to say that
every shipmaster will tell you that at
times the compass has its moods. But
when we take into consideration the
many surrounding influences that in our
modern iron ship bear upon the efficien-
cy of the compass we wonder there are
not more errors.-E. R. P. Shurly in
Chicago Inter Ocean
The Psychic Fad.
Now that hypnotism is in the air, our
conversation books will have to be re-
modelled, as thus
Good morning Have you 'hibernated
we'll?
Yes, l had a most successful trance
last winter. Have you laid up at all?
Only for few days at Christmas,
just to escape the bills
Well, you take my advice, old man,
and rent private catacomb on the three
years system. it comes much cheaper
in the end, and you save all your coal
and gas, to say nothing of clothes
We've started Nirvana club in our
neighborhood on the tontine principle
The last person who wakes gets the
prize, unless the first who comes to
makes off with it.
1t is capital, any way, when you are
taking tour. Saves all the trouble of
sightseeing. You are just packed up and
forwarded from place to place, with an
automatic kodak which records every
thing you visited. Try it!
Will, some day. By Jove, 1 must be
off! I've got to attend an anasthetic
concert, absolutely painless.
And I've got mesmeric dinner party
on tonight. Ali the bores will be put in
glass cases and fed mechanically.
Goodby, then. Sleep well London
Punch
uUrKlng Fowuer Mills.
Apart from the danger of explosions,
which, by the way, are less frequent
than is generally supposed, gunpowdel
mills are exceedingly healthful places.
Such a thing as workman dying OF
consumption is unheard of, the explana.
tion being that the constant breathing
into the lungs Of dust containing char.
coal, sulphur and saltpeter is beneficial
to them. As to the death rate in powder
mills, the popular ideas are much exag
gerated, the average freight yard being
vastly more fatal than they. Statistics
show that from the beginning of this
century, when the Du Pont powder mills
were established, up to the present year,
there has been an average of not quite
one death q year from accidents Or ex-
plosions.
AS among the employers, so among
the men, fear is almost unknown, the
black faced fellows shoyeling the gun
powder about as if it We're coal and
walking through it knee deep, as they
would through SO much flour. They are
perfectly happy, these stolid Irishmen,
who go on risking their lives year after