The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-10-02
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Washington Star: John p. Buckley
461 West One Hundred and Forty-sev-
enth street, New York, but who is
well known in Washington and claims
this city as his adopted home, has
lately invented a scientific apparatus
known as the electric sounder. by
means of this Mr.. Buckley is confident
that the depth of water can be aseer-
tanned by sailing captains for at least
1000 feet ahead of their vessels. He
is assured that the present tedious
method of making soundings viii be
relegated to the past and Il vessel shall
no longer have to feel her way into
port when the air is foggy.
The sounding with tee new inven-
ton is done by means OF q bell circuit.
This passes through n carrier. thence
to a nonconducting cylinder filed with
quicksilver. The circuit is completed
by the cylinder striking bottom, the
bell on board the vessel is rung and
warning given that the vessel is In too
shallow water. The apparatus con-
slsts of an air gun, about 5000 feet of
wire, OF, rather, a cable consisting of
two wires. a hollow shell which will
float a cylinder of quicksilver and an
electric battery.
All is forced into the air gun by
turning Il wheel. The cylinder with
the wire attachment is loaded into the
gun. This wire is on a reel, and as
much is wound off as the force of the
lrojectile will carry. The %projectile is
sent through the air Il distance of be-
tween 2,oGO and 5000 feet. The num-
Der of turns the operator gives the
wheel when the air gun is loaded de
fnts1.l nc fhs. |. nh. n,-1.,> ~, 90 - fsnr Il. n
water and sinks. The length Of this
Wire, which i~ntervenes between the
cylinder and the hollow she'll or car
rier represents the depth of water in
which it will be safe for the vessel 10
venture.
Nearly all ocean steamers draw
thirty feet. When the wires enter the
cylinder they are separated. They
run into the cylinder separately and
terminate within only a short dis.
lance of the surface of the quicksilver
When the water is sufficiently deep Tbs
cylinder hangs simply to the end OF
the line. In shallow water the cylin'
der tumbles over on the bottom, as the
end is rounded. The mercury in The
cylinder then rushes about the ends
of the wires completing y metallic cur
rent and causing the ringing of thu
bell on shipboard connected with tn.
wires.
The efficacy of the invention de
ponds, it is said, upon the ccrtaint,
with which the cylinder will fall owe
when 1t strikes the bottom of the chan
mel. Mr.. Buckley is certain that thi
result will always happen. lie say
that the cylinders own weight wit!
the action of the waves will cause it t.
fall over Immediately, besides the fac
that the end is rounded like a ginge
ale bottle bottom. He has tried
model of his device in Lake Poncha1
train. On the sinking of the cylinde
the mar in charge of the apparatu
draws in the line. When he hears Il
warning bell he is certain that tn
course is clear, and the vessel may pre-
coed for the distance to which the lin
has been cast. When he reaches hal
the distance he may then discharg
another cylinder. When he rcache
the end of the course of the first cylir
der he will have determined the IL;
ture of the channel for the next zoe
feet.