The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-14
coAsr nrannL snsrEaE.
The Navy pspartmeuts Plans FOR n Iine or
w. Signals from Matte 20 Pert Eads-

~ hiEnais from Mntpe 20 Pert Eads-
WASHINGTON. Nov. l9.-Pians have been per-
fected by the Navy Department for q complete
coast line signal system extending from Maine
around the Gulf to Port Eads, La, connected
throughout with telephone and telcGraphio
lines, and all in direct communication with
Washington. The special DO 'rd having the sub
ject under AMUSEMENT has completed Its work
and submitted a scheme which has the approval
OF the Secretary. and after certain arrangements
with the Treasury Department, whereby the
Mfe-saving service is to DO partly utilized, 1t will
be introduced generally. Tho board consisted
of Commander Schoulcr. Lieut.. Harlow, and
Lieut.. Gibbons Of the regular navy. and Lieut..
Anderson of the New York Naval Militia. Lieut.
Anderson has been placed on 1t In order to rep
resent the militia organizations, which will
have charge of certain signal stations within
their territory.
II Is found that for n comparatively small
sum the life-saving stations can DO equipped
with the necessary apparatus, including four
armed scmaphorcs. wig.wag flags and Very's
night signals. The perfection OF the plan will
lead to an extension Of the carrier-pigeon sys-
TEN and the establishment OF many new cotos
along the scaboard. 1t has been found that tho
pigeons can be relied upon to give quick service
with the shore from ships fifty miles at sea and
that night signals can DO read eighteen miles
away and the wix.wag about two miles. Under
he new system n fleet Of vessels cruising from
New York southwark can DO kept in almost
constant communication with tho Washington
authorities. and that messages can DO sent both
ways and received with promptness. Part Of
he report is in brief as follows:
1.-THE board regards the question OF mmun
cation as divided under two general heads
service from sea 10 shore and that from shore
to sea. Considering the Importance of receiving
Information from n distance beyond the range
OF visibility. there seems to be but one method
which has already had sufficient success to war
rant the board recommending 1t as the best
method for communicating with a feet, scout
l q vessel, or picket boat at a distance ranging
from ten to fifty miles, with q possible extern
sion of 100 miles: that is. homing pigeons. This,
OF course. is limited entirely to daylight, but
inasmuch as the same difficulties which
initiate against the successful use OF the
booming pigeon arc present with the feet or
scouting vessels in obtaining information. the
board is OF the opinion that this service, which
already exists in the Navy Department, should
be so extended as to cover such points OF coast
as are within the control of the Treasury De-
partment or the various State naval militias.
Al night the use; OF sea searf en- ier r d,st@ .iSnn 2.
within fifteen miles. have been experimental
with to such a degree Of success as to warrant
u IttOlllltlllnR W liz iloN " OIiiAlI
nicRting from the sea to the shore after night
fall. l is not believed that any system OF flags
considering the difficulties which n calm or
shore wind, a hazy atmosphere. and the pc
culiar character of a shore bac kSround present.
The board is, therefore, of the opinion that
some system based on the use of shapes or
semaphores u the only one which can be re-
lied upon. There already exists in the inter
national code OF signals with which all life
saving stations are either supplied or can easily
DO supplied a system of distant signals re-
Ouirlnu n hall. remnant. and SQUARE nag, or a
three-armed semaphore. The semaphore. how
ever; should be 1tied VIII four elements IT,
ing Of tn" display for any apprcciaole length OF
time is OF much greater value than the tenn
10 make with any semaphore having less than
four elements.
phores can readily be made to conform to, exist,
ing codes. or such codes as could be easily and
quickly adapted TO meet the peculiar character
called upon TO transmit. The board believes
that 1t is necessary for these stations to have
code, and that. SO far as possible, it be requi ed
that they must be prepared TO receive messages
t Hhie the ar, ssS ssni es or sh ss. eed .Ss, ef "t esn G ssaSiiS
DO adapted to meet the demands OF the wag.
ut is believed that the means Of transmission
OFF telligence from such stations as may be Sc
lecled to the main telephone and telegraph wi es
either already exist or can. with the assistance
afford a certain method OF transmitting inteili.
gence TO he ,'quarters. Having these systems
In MIND, the BOARD has SO suoolylQed inc coast
tions r strategic points, shall be amply pro-
tectcd by the methods, and 1t submits, charts
showing points at which. in it's opinion. homing
pigeon cotes and semaphore apparatus should
be installed and steps be taken to instruct a
sufficient number OF men at each one Of them in
the use OF these appliances. SO that the system
may be carried on, at least experimcntally, until
more specific arrangements can be made for
their care and maintenance.
The board is fully OF the opinion that the
general supervision OF this system OF coast sig
,al . N{@- N-- a.al lAfAprA ahUtNlH N ttnHA
the direction of the Navy Department. each
State having control OF such subsidiary stations
that there should be a general supervision ex-
ercised by the regular service in such a way that
there should be no departure by any one, Of the
districts from the general scheme which is to be
directed by the Navy Department. 1t believes
tina a semi-ann al Inspection by SOME officer
appointed by the department would be sum
volve upon the Naval Militia to make also
a semi.annua! report as to the efficiency Of
districts. 1t is suggested that the Naval
Militia, can very properly, take charge
districts; keep in touch with the men and pro-
pare plans for, the rapid connection OF all
telegraph system of the country; further; that
they make such arrangements with the differ
ent telegraph companies as will enable them 10
keep their Information up to date and he able TO
report all changes to the Navy Department
Any scheme OF this nature i'll, OF course. re.
quire the cooperation OF the Ire ,snry DEPART
ment.. The naval features Of 1t .hould be. in the
boards opinion, under. the direction OF the
Equipment Bureau, and steps should be taken
by the Navy Department TO secure such CO.
operation of the Treasury Department as will
insure an intelligent assistance in matters Of
naval defence.
1T is believed as essential to the success Of
this scheme that some extra compensation
should be awarded TO the men that may he called
upon to take charge of and manipulate the plant
at the various stations. The board does not
deem 1t within its province TO go into the details
OF either pigeon cotes or other methods OF signal
ling. The cost Of the system will be compare
lively light. Pigeon cotes now exist at Ports
and Mare Island: It. Is proposed by the board
to utilize the following life-saving stations for
the Highland Lights. Cape Cod. Chatham. shin.
necock. L l.; Fire Island and the U. 3. 3. New
Hampshire. headquarters OF the First Battalion.
New York Naval Militia. Also the stations at
Barnegat. Atlantic City, Assateague,C Cape Hat
terns, Wilmington. Tybee Island, st. Augustine.
Eads. Galveston, San Diego, Fort Candy, and
Cape Flattery."