The Winslow mail., 1898-11-12
GUARDED THE COAST.
History of Operations of the Signal
Service During War.
System Should be Made Permanent,
in the Opinion of Capt. John
r. Bartlett, Superintend-
ent Of the Service.

A complete history of the operations
of the United States coast signal sery-
zee is presented in the report of Capt
John Il. Bartlett, who was the superir-
/ tendent of that service. This institu-
ton was born of the emergency Great
ed by the war and Capt. Bartlett
/ shows how, within one week after The
orders had gone cut by telegraph, the
entire coast was under observation
| from a chain of stations extending
| from Maine to Texas. There were
eight districts in which were dis
tributed &c signal stations officered
and manned by the state naval militia,
Z force of 1S officers and 210 men.
The largest force was necessarily on
duty in Florida, five officers and 50
ncn. while Massachusetts, had two Of
iccrs and IL men. New Jersey and
PENNSYLVANIA had each five men. 1t
vas the purpose of all these observers
primarily to detect and report imme-
,.;at tely to headquarters in Washing
n by telegraph or telephone the ap-
.roacl: of an enemy's ship. But actual
many other useful purposes were
served.
Capt. Bartlett says that the prac-
teal operation Of this service for the
three months of its existence has con-
| vinced him that it would have served
he use for which it was established,
namely, to observe and report the APP
proach of an enemy's vessel. Then it
in dT-ic-
ing the department of the movements
CT United States vessels and was par
;icularly serviceable in reporting
and communicating with the Ore
gOn, when the whole country was
anxious for news of her. and the San
Francisco when that vessel needed as
sist2nce. But the most valuable result
of th~ test, in the judgment of Capt.
Bartlett, has been to determine the
points along the coast at which sig
nal stations are necessary. The cap
tain thinks that the coast signal serv-
ice should be an integral part Of a ma
tionai coast defense system manned
by the naval militia, of whose services
he speaks in the highest terms. AS an
outline of a permanent system such
as is maintained by every European
country. Capt. Bartlett suggests that
{ ch 1ife-zaving station should be made
and welI-disciPHned crews making
&c.. | o
good mate rial for signal men The
weather bureau stations. and such
lighthouses as are necessary to fill
in gaps, should also be made a part Of
the system. Permanent coast signal
stations should be established at those
points: Monhegan Island. Me-; Rock
port, Mass; Highland Lights, Mass;
Montauk Point, n. Y; Fire Island, N.
Y; Sandy Hook, n, j.; Rarnegat. N.
j.; Cape HeIlopen, Del; Cape Henry,
Va; Morris Island, S. c.; Tybee Is
land, Ca; Palm Beach, Fla, and Sand
Island. Fla.
Capt Bartlett suggests a list of
equipment supplies for these stations,
including homing pigeons, which he
says must be trained for one year to be
of service. He says that such a sys-
.em could be economically inaugural
ed and operated. In time Of peace it
would be a constant convenience to
the navy department and maritime in
terests CT the country and constant
practice would prepare the men for
the emergencies Of the war. 1t is most
essential, IN his judgment, to the naval
and commercial interests of the
United States.