The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-01-09

The boat carries a storage battery.
which furnishes its motive power the
system" or invention consisting in
the adaptation of wireless electric
waves of different lengths to the con.
troll of the motive power, steering
gear, and other mechanism. This
system, it is also claimed, will prevent
disturbance by electric waves else
where generated within the same
sphere of influence.
AT recent exhibition the boat was
manifestly operated without other
control than that exercised by the
manipulation of the wireless mechan-
ism on the bank. 1t moved forward
and back, turned right and left, de-
scribed figures, was guided to def
mite points, rang bells, exhibited flags
and lights, fired guns, ETC., giving
proof of effective control. The mech
anism is, however, far from perfect;
the speed is not great, the responses
to the operators will are hesitating
and inexact, and the range is limited
to few score yards. The exhibition.
in fact, was notable only as the be.
ginning of the development of a mech.
anism of possible great Importance.
Decrease in Shipping to Shanghai.
Pacific Marine News: There was
considerable decrease in tonnage of
American ships plying between
Shanghai and ports of the United
States during the past year. The ton
mage fell from 606,364 in 1909 to 475,-
62S in 1910 The withdrawal of the
steamship Minnesota from the Shang.
hal run was in part responsible. At
the same time, it is reported, through
consular agencies, that but five YES
sells of any considerable burden, flying
the American flag, make periodical
visits to the Chinese port. In 1910 the
British tonnage amounted to more
than 100000 tons; German bottoms
to 100000 tons and Japanese 60
100000 tons.
Pacific coast DrydocK.
Pacific Marine News: However cor.
dial the relations between business
men of Vallejo and those of San Fran
cisco, there is no overwhelming in !
dication that the former city has re-
linquished its intention to secure the
new drydock which Secretary of the |
Navy Meyer proposes to locate on the |
Pacific Coast, If the gentlemen who |
assembled at the Chamber of Com.
merce of this city and pledged sup
port to San Francisco's ambitions were
in earnest, they have found reason to
change their minds or have be6H over
ruled by the vallejo Merchants Asso-
citation, That organization proposes
10 send a representative to Washington
to urge the building of the big dry
dock at Mare Island and to secure the
of a dreadnaught as a
side attraction of the 1915 exposition.
In order that no time be lost in ac-
Iuiring knowledge of the ways and
of Congress and other de-
partments of the government, the as
ISOLATION has named Theodore A. Bell,
who has the reputation of getting
favors from the Democratic majority
in the house.
San Francisco commercial bodies
have decided that the drydock, which
will employ hundreds of we'll paid .
would look well in the
of Hunters Point, and |
men of Seattle will give the
a choice of several sites
along Puget Sound shores. 1t is mat
ter for regret that California can not |
go before the navy department with |
offer of single site that would fill
all requirements, since the undivided |
claims of our congressman should out |
weigh the influence of Washington's |
If Vallejo would be
with the battleship, a COM
promise undoubtedly might be ar
ranged.