The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-17

In the present emergency, no more ef-
hcient corps has been placed at the ser.
vice Of the navy that the flights of car
rler pigeons which are now at the dis
posal Of Secretary Long. For two years
the Naval Academy has been experiment.
ing with carrier pigeons as messengers.
with remarkable success. and now that
there is need for the pigeons. 1t is found
that the navy has at its disposal 500 of
the neetest little messengers ever placed
at the call of country.
The organization of carrier pigeon
service for use i'm time OF war began
with Professor Marion, of the Naval
Academy. Lieutenant Harlow, T.. ;. y.
also began active experiments with the
bieds some years ago. and TO these two
gentlemen is due the credit which now
attaches itself to the pigeon service OF
the navy.
The first practical use TO which the
birds was put was on the fiagships Of
the Naval Academy off the coast. They
carried out with them carrier pigeons
which were released and sent TO the navy
department. In this way the boats at sea
kept the navy department at Washington
and the Naval Academy informed of their
movements. Professor Marion, who had
charge of the birds at the Naval Acad-
envy, soon demonstrated the value of their
service He invented a quill TO be used in
sending messages by the pigeons, and Sc
cured a great many orders for the gum
from private and public concerns.
For two years the most active training
has been gazing on, and a cote at Key
West was established and Lieut.. Harlow
was placed i'm command of 1t. As soon
as the heated discussion began between
this country and Spain, the Navy Depart
ment made inquiries about the pigeon ser
vice and found that a large number of
rapid. accurate pigeons could Dee placed AT
its disposal The birds were taken 20 Key
West which is only ninety miles from
Havana. and located i'm Lieut.. Harlow
cote there They have been taken out
from this cote 10 sea and released time
and agfin within the last few weeks, ana
always with the greatest success. Scarcely
ever has pigeon failed To return TO It's
home.
In the torpedo fotilla which is now be-
ing equipped TO match SPANS hotilla,
there have been means provided on every
boat for the accommodation Of the car
rier pigeons. and when the iOtlla starts
out. il will take with IL many of these
winged messengers.
The value of pigeons in the time OF
blockade is great, as the Navy Depart
ment can be notified of the blockade and
can send ships TO the relief Of those In
distress A scout boat in the gulf with
pigeon service is even of more value. Inc
scout ship can communicate with the
Navy Department within an almost in
credible space of time. and the navy can
thus be kept in constant acquaintance
with the movements of the enemy
When the Spanish torpedo fotilla OF
hornets set sail from the canary Isles
two weeks ago. the news was maze
known 10 the Navy Department by means
of the carrier pigeon swift Whlch was
released from the scout boat, lying OH 'he
Canary isles At the same time the news
was cabled to- Madrid TO Key West and
Ia Washington, but the first intelligence
WAS received through the pigeon.
Although the United States owns a
eraot many of these swift birds stu
there are too few TO supply the war shlps
and for that reason hOming pigeon IAN
ciers have offered their birds TO Secre-
tarv Long. Some of these birds hold great
championship records. Lott, owned py
~ 3 Torkington, Jr of West Philadel-
mia. holds the championship In a w.
Zoo and 400 mile race. The Loft" has been
offered to the government, along with
bird that finished in a 500 mile race.
Charles H. Jones. of Clifton Heights.
Secretary Of the National Association OF
Homing Pigeon Fanciers, has 10 swift
birds that can be placed al the disposal
OF the navy.
Arthur McKenna, wel-knowh con-