New-York tribune., 1921-05-08
The Staten Island beacon that thrcvs
a 3O,00O-condIepower beam upon
Ambrose Channel. Radio signaling,
Dhile not so picturesque, is more re-
liable in thick sUeather

much clearer and another observation was tax
en- and the ships course slightly altered After
another hours sailing the radio signals were
again observed, but the readings were the same
and the ships course was not altered in the
slightest. Readings were taken at the end of
another hour, and it was found necessary to
make slight alteration in the ships course.
At 5:15 p. m. the Fire Island Lightship was
nrst sighted, but no alteration was made in the
ships course, which was continued according
to the wireless direction.
The Tulip arrived abeam of the Fire Island
Llghtship at 6:03 p. m. and actually passed
only 800 feet north of the vessel. This dis
tance is less than the length of some liners
and demonstrates the reliability of the new
signals beyond any question. The same result
could have been obtained if the windows of the
pilot house on the Tulip had been tightly
closed and the course had been calculated
wholly in the dark.
Among several similar tests made by the
Tulip one of the experiments off the New Jer-
sey shore is especially interesting The Tulip
proceeded to a point about twenty miles off Sea
Girt, N. j., and after drifting about for time
ascertained its position and laid it's course for
the Ambrose Lightship. At about o'clock in
the afternoon radio bearings were received
from Sea Girt and the course was corrected.
Half an hour later the radio signal was picked
up from the Fire Island Lightship and the
course checked About twenty minutes later the
course was again checked from the signals
and slight change made The starthad been
made off Sea Girt at 12:37 o. m. and the AM
hrose Lightship was reached at 2:2S o. IN
After run of nearly two hours the Tulip,
coming in from the open sea, passed within
less than 300 feet of the Ambrose Lightship
The government plans to give an exhaus-
tive test of the new system OF radio signals
at the entrance TO New York Harbor The
experts are confident that the system la prac-
tically perfect. In the next few weeks il
will be tested by many vessels large and
small entering the harbor under all kinds of
weather conditions. Although in the light
of experience the system may be slightly
modified, the radio lighthouse is doubtless
here TO stay and from now on will be a
permanent fixture of the harbor. The val11e
OF such signals to the great fleets entering
New York Harbor viii be incalculable.
The radio lighthouse viii doubtless soon be-
established in other harbors, both at home an.
abroad, 1t is especially well adapted for pro-
tecting shipping off dangerous coasts. BY In
stalllng several such stations in the danger
zone vessels far out at sea can readily be
given their positions in relation to the danger
points. The reefs and capess which have
been the terror of mariners for centuries win
thus be robbed of their menace
Most vessels nowadays carry radio and
operators. One Of the great advantages Of
the new device is that its expense is trSainx.
Even vessels not equipped with radio can take
advantage Of it. Similar systems have been
experimental with abroad, but it is believed
that the present equipment at the entrance
TO New York Harbor marks great advance
IN point of simplicity and efficiency.