The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1898-11-30
GUARDED THE COASt
History of Operations of the Signal
Service During War.
Eystem should he Made Permanent.
in the Opinion of Capt. john
L.. Bartlett, suDeriEtcnd-
ent of the service.

A complete history of the operations
of the United States coast signal serv-
ice is presented in the report of Capt.
John Il. Bartlett, who was the superin-
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 out 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 SO signal stations Differed
and manned by the state naval militia,
a force of Is officers and 2l0 men.
The largest force was necessarily on
duty in Florida, five officers and so
men, while Massachusetts had two Of
ficers and Al men. New Jersey and
PENNSYLVANIA had each five men. 1t
was the purpose of all these observers
primarily to detect and report imme-
diately TO headquarters in Washing
ton by telegraph or telephone the APP
proacli 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-
WINGED him that it would have served
the use for which it was established,
namely, to observe and report the APP
proach of an enemy's vessel. Then it
served an excellent purpose in advis-
ing the department of the movements
of United States vessels and was par
ticularly 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
sistance. But the most valuable result
of the 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 ma
tionai coast defense system manned
by the naval militia. of whose services
he speaks in the highest terms. AS an
outline of permanent system such
as is maintained by every European
country, Capt. Bartlett suggests that
each life-saving station should be made
a coast signal station, the trustworthy
and well-disciplined crews making
good material for signal men. The
weather bureau stations. and such
lighthouse as are necessary to fill
i'm gaps, should also be made 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.; Barnegat, N.
J.; Cape Henlopen. Del; Cape Henry,
Va. Morris Island. S. c.. Tybee Is
land. Ga; Palm Beach, Fla, and Sand
Island. Fla.
Capt. Bartlett suggests 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-
tenn 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 of the country and a constant
practice would prepare the men for
the emergencies of the war. IT is most
essential, in his judgment, TO the naval
and CONNIE rciai interests of the
Ifnitpd States