The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-28


be observed that the distances and
other readings on the map will have to
be different for each gun or station
but the map and the squares viii be
the same for all positions or locations.
Having now completed map ana
placed it in safe place behind the
fertilization, and conveniently located
in reference to the gun, we will pro-
coed to construct the apparatus ana
place it into proper position. Two
points of observation are established
on the shore of the harbor, so related
to each other that the lines or opser-
walton will always cross each other at
some angle when the observation
glasses are both directed to any single
point on the surface of the harbor, or
that section of the harbor that TINS
particular station has charge OF.
These glasses are attached to per-
pendicular standard or shaft that ro-
tates in bearings, and means are pro-
vided for elevating or depressing the
observation glasses, as occasion re-
quires. On the rotating standard IS
fixed device for transmitting electrl-
cal impulses, and a certain number OF
impulses will always be transmitted
for a given amount of rotation of the
st3ndard. These impulses represent
equal steps, which may be as short as
is desired. The equipments at each
point of observation are exactly alike
in construction and in electrical at
tachments. These two points of OBJ
servation are the transmitting sta
lions, and from each an electric wire
je ~, lr 70 iS To-
Gated. At two points on the shore of
the may that coincide exactly with the
two transmitting stations on the shore
of the harbor are mounted rotating
standards, each of which carries an
arm long enough to cover that section
of the harbor map that it is designed
| to stand guard over. These arms
should be light and no longer than is
| necessary to do the work. ratchet
wheel that is electrically controlled,
| having fine teeth is carried by each
| standard, carrying the arms. These
wheels are moved step by step as in
the telautograph, by the electric inn
| pulses that come from the transmit
tiers or the observing stations. There
must be means Of unifying the
| transmitters with the receivers, the
| same as in the telautograph, so that
| they will only need to be adapted to
this particular use Now, If the two
sets of apparatus are put in unison
which can be done in a second or two
and the two observers train their
glasses upon some object located in
the harbor, which we will say Is
square one hundred, as marked on the
| ,,-t1J ~ hot In niy,t
where the two arms of the receiver
across each other over the map will
be in square one hundred, and in the
exact part of the square that the OBJ
ject is in on the harbor In fact, 1T is
only a question of accurate survey and
accurate construction of apparatus to
locate an object to the fraction of a
yard. From the standpoint Of the
writer, not being a surveyor, the sur
veying would be much more difficult
feat than the construction and opera
ton of the apparatus Give me an ac-
curate survey and will guarantee the
rest
Suppose a ship enters the harbor,
the two observers train their glasses
on 1t and move the glasses as the ship
moves. The movement of the obser-
walton glasses transmits electrical i'm
pulses to the corresponding arms over
the map, causing them to move in the
same manner-relatively At the
point where the two arms cross a
tracer is carried that may or may not
trace a line on the map, whichever is
desired. The two observers should be
in telephone connection, and both
with the receiving station; and in or
der to be able to converse freely and
at the same time have their hands
free to move the observation glasses
they should wear receivers fastened to
the head, as they do in central tele-
phone stations. The tracer will rest
on the map in the same position that
the ship occupies on the water, and
will move as 1t moves. A station on q
harbor fitted out with this apparatus
and a disappearing gun could load and
take aim behind the works and Their
elevate the gun and fire. If a harboI
were filed with torpedoes or mines
and they were accurately located or
the map, anyone could watch the indi-
Gator as it followed the movement OF
the vessel, and when 1t was over q
torpedo it could be instantly exploded
by touching a button. A harbor cou16
be so fitted up that 1t would be sure
destruction to any vessel of an enemy
that attempted to enter it, and the
whole operation could be carried or
under cover practically. The receiv-
ing station would be under cover if the
fort and the observing station coule
5 be so masked as not to be noticed from
a ship.
The same system could be applied tt
the coast outside the harbor within
the limits of observation and survey
: Harbors and coasts could be brilliant
I ly lighted all over the surface at nigh
, by means of electric lights fixed or
buoys and connected with the shore By
1 submarine cables. These lights coule
t be so grouped as to light only the mid
$ die of the harbor, or the shore, or both
, at will. If ever a war occurs electrici
: ty will become much more of a facto
| than it ever has been, and in way'
, that we do not dream of now. There
, is an old adage which reads in TIM
/ of peace prepare for war" AS mat
q ter of fact most of the great improve
f ments in warfare are made after {
-.