The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-14

has reached, possibly, the point of action.
Already homer pigeons are used on the
Atlantic coast to establish communication
between vessels out at sea and the main
land. There has been for some time, a
daily service III existence between Halifax,
n. s., and Sable Island. The Navy De-
partment of the United States has taken
measures to establish lofts or stations
along the coast of the Atlantic and the
Gulf of Mexico and ultimately complete
system of such stations will extend from
the most northern harbor of Maine to the
most westerly harbor of Texas.
To bring about the esta blishment of tn
desired service of homer pigeons here, a
communication has been addressed to the
Board of Trustees of the Chamber of Com
merce of San Francisco by A. Carlisle,
who offers 10 supply, for experimental
service, the free use of fifty pairs of
thoroughbred homer birds.
The communication in reference to this
matter was forwarded yesterday afternoon.
In addition to his offer of a loan of his
birds. Mr.. Carlisle also promised that if
the Chamber of Commerce will assist him
to enlist the cooperation of shipmasters
and others, he will provide free loft room,
and will bring pigeons across the bay from
his lofts in Berkeley TO give a daily service.
Mr.. Carlisle has discussed the plan OF using
homer pigeons to secure a regular weather
service between the Farallones and San
Francisco with Mr.. Harmon of the United
States Weather Bureau. who strongly
favors the idea. The homer pigeons in
trials in this State have flown long
distances. Mr.. Carlisle says that his birds
have covered the distance between Oroville
and San Francisco and Fresno and San
Francisco with ease.
Poc ,,,,;a IL L
has no hesitation in saying that 1t will be
practicable to take birds out as far as $50
miles from this port. That is so far be-
yond the present range of local observa.
ton from the mainland or from the Far
ailoDes that manifold advantages can be
safely anticipated. The discovery of dere-
licts, the continuance of Gains which pre-
vent ships from coming into port accord
ing to expectation, deaths on outward
bound vessels, ships or cargoes on fire.
collisions or other casualties demanding
prompt assistance from the shore could be
reported with very little delay, Mr.. Car
Isle says.
sideration OF the Trustees of the Cham her
OF Commerce is very simple. Mr.. Carlisle
says that he will bring over daily, or have
brought over daily, pigeons to be sent to
sea upon pllot-boats, tugs, sailing vessels
or other craft. and he will provide instruc-
lions IOr the nanullng OF the birds. 1t will
be necessary to teach the birds what is re-
quired of them, and for this reason they
must be taken seward varying and in
creasing distances until they reach the
greatest distance from shore at which it is
proposed to utilize their services. The
distance from the Farallones is go small
in com parison with the flying capacity of
the pigeons, that they will be BILE to I'M
dertake early the transm ission of mes
sages between the Farallones and this
City. The communication once estab-
lished can be maintained at very small
expense.
The lack of communication which has
led to the continual urging by the Cham
Der of Commerce of the construction of q
cable to unite San Francisco and the Far
allones still exists. While there is no
cable the homer pigeon line might be util-
lied as very acceptable substitute the
best that can be provided. The use of
the birds far out at sea will always be val
liable. Captain Merry, secretary of the
Chamber OF Commerce, believes that Mr..
Carlisle's move is in the right direction
and he is quite enthusiastic concerning it.
The communication addressed to the