The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-02-22
SAFETY ON The OCEAN
How Wireless Telegraphy Robs
Old Neptune of Terrors.
MEANS OF AVERTING DISASTERS

Records For 1905 show Numerous
Rescues Brought About Through
This Medium Aerograms Already
Have Become "a Tremendous Factor
I'm Making Ships Practically Safe.
Demonstration of the practical worth
OF wireless telegraphy has been the OBJ
lect sought by Rear Admiral Manney
of the bureau of equipment ever since
the time the charge of the wireless
work of the government was cOncen-
trated in his Office. says Washington
special dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.
Principally this work has been along
the line of making the system, which
now extends on the Atlantic coast from
northernmOst Maine to Key West and
then jumps across to Guantanamo, to
Culebra and Colon, on the isthmus, just
as accurate and reliable as would be
system Of land wires and ocean cables.
A second matter and an important
one in the view Of the bureau is the
work done by wireless telegraphy in
the way Of saving life and property at
sea.
In order to definitely ascertain the
present value Of the wireless stations
of the navy in this matter Rear Admit
raj 1anney recently sent request to
the wireless station at Newport, r. l.,
Commander Albert Greaves in charge,
asking for report.
In reply he learned OF the following
instances in which wireless telegraphy
In 1905 played an important part:
Jan. 3.-The Pilgrim reported that it
had run down a schooner in the sound
and asked that a tug be sent to the
rescue
Feb. 5.-Lightship No. 81 wired that
it was damned in the ice and in dan
gerous position off Dumping rocks.
The Hist was sent to it's assistance and
the Iightship saved
- March 31.-Thr Manitou was report
ed with thrust shaft fractured, and
the report was forwarded to the ships
agents.
June 1.-The station notified the light
ship on Nantucket shoals to watch for
a motor boat adrift s.-,- IS
Aug. 20.--A message was received
from the lightship that the British
steamer KoErania had its low pressure
piston broken, and the news was for
warded to the agents. The Chattanoo-
ga on the same day reported that it
had passed a sunken wreck dangerous
to navigation, and the news was given
through the wireless station to the
press, the Topographic Office and navi.
gators
Sept 21.-German oil ship POebuS re-
ported that it had had collision with
an unknown steamer in fog at night
Sept 22.-While the Columbia was
searching for the derelict Warren a
telegram from the Philadelphia Mari.
Tune exchange was received giving the
latest known location of the wreck
This was transmitted to the Columbi
and enabled it to find and destroy the
derelfct two days later.
Dec S-Steamer Cowrie reported
passing the brigantine Harry Smith
under Il jury rudder. The information
was sent to it's owners.
Dec. 9.-The German steamer Ba-
yonne reported that one Of its main
boilers was leaking, that it was re-
turning To New York and asked that
tug be sent to meet it. The request
was transmitted.
Dec. 10.--Lightshfp No. So reported
that 1t was ia distress on Nantucket
shoals and asked help. Assistance was
sent from Boston, and, although the
ship was lost. all hands were saved.
En comment upon this record Com
nander Greaves writes, .'This shows
what a tremendous factor wireless
telegraphy is destined to become In
ameliorating and, in many cases, alto
gefher aver:ing disasters on the high
seas"