The herald., 1896-11-30
NAVAL PIGEON SERVICE.


The announcement that the govern
ment has decided to establish 4 service
of carrier pigeons for use by the army
and navy shows that the authorities
have at length determined to remedy
what was a serious defect in our intelli-
gence department. In this manner
Great Britain has hitherto Jagged far
behind most of the continental powers.
which of recent years have devoted
considerable outlay and attention upon
the development of an efficient service
of carrier pigeons. 1t is true that for
some time past the naval officers at Dav-
enport have been training few BIRDS
and have thus established the nucleus
of a columbary: but their efforts have
so far been unofficial and due wholly to
their own public spirit. 1t is now said
to be the intention of the government
to establish pigeon training establish
ments at all the principle naval ports,
so as to secure for any emergency ar
adequate supply of trained birds. These
messengers would be utilized mainly for
purposes of coast defense, IL certain
number being taken to sea on every YES
sci appointed TO that duty and despatch
ed to land with the information as soon
as an enemy is sighted The value of
this addition to the eyes and ears of our
forces has long been obvious to those in
trusted with the all-important duty of
our coast defense, and it is in Difference
to repeated representations from such
quarters that the authorities have de-
cided upon the step above indicated.
On the continent as has already been
pointed out. very great Importance is
attached to the carrier pigeon branch of
the intelligence department of the army
and navy. At present it has reached its
highest development in Germany and
France. In the former a sum of f2500 is
annually set aside from the war budget
for the training and support of carrier
pigeons. Every fortress and military
camp on the frontiers has its colum-
barry supplied with trained birds. housed
ready for mergencies. These number
in the aggregate about 10000; but in ad
dition, all trained pigeons i'll the coun-
try are numbered and registered, and
can be claimed by the authorities should
the need for them occur. These birds
may not be sold or taken out of Ger
many without official sanction, and their
registration is compulsory under severe
penalties. 1t is estimated that from the
reserve so formed the government can
draw from 25,000 to 10000 birds, all
trained and ready for use.
Across the French frontier similar
system is in force. The principal pig
con training station is at the great mill
tary camp at Chalons; but there are
depots in all the frontier towns and
fortresSeS From these outlying points
a regular pigeon-post service to the
headquarters is maintained. Three
times week number of birds are talk
en- by train to certain points on the
frontier, where they are liberated, a
careful record being kept of their num-
Der and the time occupied in reaching
their destination. This system of train
ing is generally followed. and the per-
centage of losses is very small. 1t is
calculated that in every line of railway
and every telegraph wire on both sides
of the frontier were destroyed by means
of this system of pigeon-post the author
tiles could be kept abreast of the prog
ress of events. In France also the gov
eminent encourages the rearing and
training of pigeons by the people. AL
most every town has it's society or un-
ion, generally under official patron
age, and for the periodical flying con-
tests thousands of birds will be estered
Stringent regulations as to registration
and sale are also in force in France; and
the state has likewise the option of talk
ing all trained birds. should the public
service require it.-St. James Gazette.