The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1904-02-13
MARINE cHR0NOMETERs.
Aakins Of the Most Valued Posses.
sion Of the Sea Captain Ii Par.
sued by But Few,

the country, is the center of an i'm
portant industry on which depends il
large measure the safety of thou
sands of ocean travellers, says the
Philadelphia Ledger. This is the man.
ufacturing, and particularly the rating
OF marine thermometers. Nearly
every shpmaster, upon entering New
YORK after an ocean voyage, obtains
from the customhouse a permit to land
MS chronometer, so that it may be
rated according to standard time.
This rating may be likened to the
daily comparison which the man with
the fine watch makes with his Jew
elers timepiece.
In the case of a chronometer the adj
Juster' keeps a careful record of its
variation, and this record goes with
the clock when it is returned to the
snip. The importance to captain OF
knowing whether his chronometer is
running fast or slow cannot be over
estimated, for, although it may vary
only i've seconds month, each Sec
ono makes a difference of four miles
in ships course, and a mistake OF
such short distance, If not corrected,
might result in wreck and the loss
OF many lives. Knowing the exact
variation of his chronometer, the cap
tain is, therefore, able to make the
necessary allowance for it when lie
ascertafns the latitude and longitude
OF the vessel after taking his sight, or,
in other words. after determining the
angular position of the sun through
the use of the sextant.
Many of the large ocean liners carry
three chronometers, the ordinary YES
sci one and the deep-water ships
sometimes two or three, but the life
OF an ocean timepiece, if well taken
care of. is 100 years and more, and
accordingly the maker has to meet no
great demand. AS a matter of fact,
q chronometer really goes out of serv-
Ice only when it sinks with a vessel |
shipmaster, when about to abandon |
his command at sea, invariably thinks |
OF four things that should be saved |
his logbook, sextant, compass and |
chronometer. With these and a fair
supply of provisions he feels a GER
tain sense of security when he risks
his life in an open boat. A derelict
with chronometer on board is Indeed
q rarity. And when one reads of a
captain who has been unable to save
his thermometer the story is in
dubitable proof that the summons to
leave the vessel was so urgent as
not to admit moments delay. Leave
the ships. cat if you will, but save the
might well be taken as
an ocean maxim
Though carefully nursed, the chro-
nometer meets with many adventures.
1t may go through fire, shipwreck and
other perils of the sea, but rarely does
the regular. distinct ticking ever stop
forever. If captain dies or his yes
sci is condemned It finds another own
sr or another berth and this it shifts
about from ship to ship, changing
hands continually and travelling at odd
lines all the seven seas.
The manufacturing of marine chro-
lometers in this country is confined
o four firms, three of which are 10
ated in New York, and probably the
Whole output for year amounts to
80 or even fewer AS with other arti-
les, the price of chronometers varies {
ccording to quality and workmanship.
he cheapest cost about $500 each. q
Thile the United States government
Thich naturally buys the best, pays
ometimes as much as 1915.
The movements of chronometers are =
sually imported blank from Eng &
is, only the plates and h
heels are brought over. The manu- b
lcturer here provides the balance, :.
prings, pivots, jewels and other Of
arts needed to complete the whole, il
,gether with the brass-bound box in =
hich the clock is placed. Being set -
! gimbals within the box, the fc
will remain in a horizon SC
i position when the vessel rolls or sa
tches, and by this means the poise of p
e balance is not disturbed. fe
1t takes about three months to man. =,
'acture chronometer and another I.
rec months to adjust it, though maxi
o uSSioiC litat Tie liiucpleCe SQOul0
1t be sent to sea for two years after
mpletiOn, as the delicate mechanism m
ust be tested in various ways to obtain
perfect regulation. This adjustment tn
the regulation is called, is something
at requires the utmost skill and really '''
the most important feature of the
aker's art. Sudden changes of temper
ure. humidity and electric currents ms
II affect the speed, balance and hair tai
ring, and therefore all the running ha ,
rts must be so compensated and reeu- is
ed that whatever contingency NAV to
sc there will still be the steadiness gre
ich allows no capricious variations
1-fashioned chronometers were built
run eight days without winding. but ~;
'se have been superseded by the &C. in
nr timepiece. Fifty years ago the tog
'onometer was brought to it's present tue
tie of perfection, and since that time.
pite modern ingenuity, makers have :
nd no reason to make any alteration con
the principal parts of its mechanism Ism
hor