The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-04-07

house or on the bridge, from which points
the number of engine revolutions desired
could be instantly transmitted. These
tolographs wero so constructed that mes
sages could be repeated back from the en-
glno room.
Similar telegraphs with repeating dial5
were placed at all steering wheels and the
steering engine. They were connected in
the same manner as the engine room in
struments, and their indications were seen
at all the stations at tho same moment. A
direct reading rudder transInitter showed
the angle of the rudder with the keel and
had connection with dials placed on the
bridge at the steering engine and in the
coming tower. This angle was shown at
all the stations simultaneously. There
were also heeling indicators, to show the
angle Of heel and the angle Of roll. Those
were located in tho charthouse and on the
upper deck.
The dlals of all the telegraph and indi-
Gators were lighted by electricity, and cur
rent for the instruments was supplied from
the dynam, circnits, but u battery was
kept in reserve in case the dynamos were
not in operation. There were in all two
| hundred and thirty seven 16 candle power,
one hundred and flfty-one 10 candle power
and ten 82 candle power incandescent
| lamps, or a total of 30S lamps. There were
| 83 voice pipes and telephones on board
the ship, / electric buZzers, 2 bells, 2
gongs, an automatic water alarm circuit
| and twelve 10 inch clockwork alarm gongs,
with electrical esoapements
| What it would mean to have any part of
| this complicated system destroyed or in
| jured without proper means or skill being
at hand for its reconstruction or repair it
Is not hard to estimate. The helplessness
would DO still greater in the case of some
| of our ships which have even moro COM
| prehensive electrical installations. The In
| diana, for instance, is fitted with electrical
| turret turning machinery and other mod
ern electrical applications, which must be
| supervised by attendants of special skill
and training, whose place could not be
casually filed.
The necessity for having mon on board
ship who can FIX all these wires and switch
es and appliances when they arc shot out
of gear has been fully realized Of late.
| without such men the man at tae button
is powerless. His switchboard might ms
well be a oheckerboard If the life is not in
Ii.
1t is understood that representations Of
n most impressive nature have been made
| W NlO uulhNIlJlOn uU W NuhllIBlOlA III INShIu
to the urgency of the immediate formation
Of an electrical corps for tho army and
navy. Lieutenant Bradley A, Fiske of tho
navy has advocated such a step.
1t would seem that such corps could
be formed under existing laws, and there
would be no difficulty in eniisting mem
bers. The attractions Of the naval reserve
and of the national guard induce a large
membership in the different regiments,
and membership in an electric regiment
would be equally desirable and confer
equal distinction.
Lieutenant Fisko's suggestions were
made several years ago, and had they been
carried out at the time the present emer-
genoy would not have beon SO embarrass'
ing. As 1t is Uncle Sam needs patriotic
electricians, both on sea and land, to make
sure that the man at the button may be
effective. CHARLES WARMER