The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-02

house or on the bridge, from which points
the number of engine revolutions desired
could be instantly transmitted. These
telcgraphs were SO constructed that mes
sages could be repeated back from the en-
CINE room.
Similar telegraphs with repeating dials
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 soon
at all tho stations at tho Same moment. A
direct reading rudder transinitter showed
the anglo of tho rudder with the keel and
bad connection with dials placed on the
bridge at the steering engine and in the
coming tower. This angle was shown at
all tho stations simultaneously. There
were also heeling indicators, to show the
angle of heel and tho anglo OF roll. These
wore located in the charthouse and On the
upper deck.
The dials Of all the telegraph and indi-
! Gators were lighted by electricity, and cur
rent for the Instruments was supplied from
the dynamo circuits. but a battery was
kept in reserve in case the dynamos were
not in operation. There were in all two
hundred and thirty-seyen is candle power,
| one hundred and ffty-one 10 candl power
and ten 80 candle power incandescent
lamps, or a total of S9S lamps. There were
So voice pipes and s telephones on board
| the ship, II electric buzzers, 3 bells, 2
gongs, an automatic water alarm circuit
and twelve 10 inch clockwork alarm gongs,
with electrical escapements.
What it would mean to nave 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 be still greater in the case of some
of our ships which have even more com
| prehensive electrical installations. The In
| diana. fer 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 filled.
The necessity for having men on board
| ship who can fix all these wires and switch
es and appliances when they are shot out
of gear has been fully realized of late.
Without such men the mar at the button
is powerless. His switchboard might as
we'll be q checkerboard if the life is not in
ii.
1t is understood that representations of
. most impressive nature have been made
! to the authorities at Washington in regard
to the urgency Of the immediate formation
Of an electrical corps for the army and
navy. Lieutenant Bradley A. Fiske OF the
navy has advocated such a step.
It would Seem that such u corps could
be formed under existing laws, and there
! would be no difficulty in enlisting MEM
bers. The attractions of the naval reserve
and Of the national guard induce q largo
membership in the different regiments,
and membership in IN electric regiment
would be equally desirable and confer
equal distinction.
Lieutenant Fiske's suggestions were
made several years ago., and had they been
carried out at the time the present emer-
gency would not have been SO embarrass-
ing. As it is Uncle Sam needs patriotic
electricians, both on sea and land, to make
sure that the nan at the button may bel
affective.