Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1899-05-24
GUARDED THE COAST,
History Of Operations Of the Signal
Service During War.
systsm should be Mads Permanent
In the Opinion OF Capt. John
n. Bartlett. Supernatural
snt of the Service,

A complete history of the operations
of the United States coast signal serv-
zee is presented in the report of Capt.
John L. Bartlett, who was the superin-
,endept 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.
n force OF Is officers and 210 men.
The largest force was necessarily on
DUTY in Florida, Ave officers and 81
men. while Massachusetts, had two Of
fcers and Al men. New Jersey and
PENNSYLVANIA had each five men. 1t
was TIE purpose of all these observers
primarily to detect and report imme-
dlately to headquarters In Washing
ION by telegraph or telephone the ap-
rroael. of an enemy's ship. But actual
y 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 1t would have served
the use for which it was established.
namely, to observe and report the up
proach OF an eneIny's vessel. Then IL
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 Orc
gon, when the whole country was
anxious for news of her, and the San
Francisco when that vessel needed as
sis.srce. But the most valuable result
Of Tho test, in the judgment of Capt.
Bnrtlttt, has been to determine the
points along the coast at which sig
onl stations are necessary. The cap
tain thinks that the coaat signal serv-
&c should be an integral part Of NJ.
tiona. coast defense system manned
by the naval militia, of whose services
he speaks in the highest terms. As an
outline OF permanent system such
rs is maint aimed by every European
country. Capt. Bartlett suggests that
each life-saving station should be made
a coast signal station, the Trustworthy
and well-dlsciplined crews making
good material for signal men. The
weather bureau stations, and such
lighthouses as are necessary to I'll
in gags, 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
"; Sandy Hook, N. j.; Barnegat, N
j.; Cape Heplopen, Del; Cape Henry
Va; Morris Island, 8. c.; Tybee Is
land, Ca; 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 sys.
tenn could be economically inaugural.
ed and operated. In time of peace II
would be q constant convenience tc
the navy department and maritime in.
terests of the country and q constant
practice would prepare the men for
the emergencies of the war. 1t is mos
essential, in his Judgment, to the nava.
and CONNIE rcial interests of the
United States.