The Arvada enterprise., 1923-08-16

Me- In 1907 when 2.734 hours of fog prevailed dur
ing the year
BuOys. a rule. are employed to mark shoals
or other distractions and to indicate the ap-
proaches to and limits Of channels or the fairway
passage through channel. In some cases they
Indicate anchorage grounds. Buoys originally were
either solid wooden spars or built up In various
shapes Of wooden slaves like barrels. Built-up
buoys now constructed Of iron or steel plates.
In order TO give the proper distinctiveness buOys
are given certain Characteristic colors and num-
bers. They are anchored In their positions by
various types Of mornings depending on the char
acter OF the bottom and the size and Importance of
the buoy.
Bell buoys have a hemlspherlcnl-shaped hull.
built OF steel plates, with fiat deck, and carry a
structural-steel suIersructure which supports a
bronze bell and usually four Iron clappers. The
motion Of the buoy In the causes these clappers
TO strike the bell that the action Is entirely
automatic.
Whistling buoys are built OF steel plates, and
consist OF pear shaped body with the smaller end
uppermost. with n long open tube on the lower
end This tube extends throughout the length Of
the buoy, and Is closed mt the upper end by
head.plate OH which is mounted n check valve and
n whistle on the superstructure OF the buoy. The
sound IL produced by the air In the upper portion
Of the tube being compressed by the falling Of the
buoy In the waves, Its means OF escape being
through the whistle fresh supply Of air Is
again.
Lighted buoys are modern invention having
come into use within about the last IS years. and
are considered by mariners generally among the
most valuable Of recent developments In coast
lighting All Of the lighted buoys now In service
use compressed gas, either oil gas acetylens In
the types now In use the gas at pressure Of about
70 atmospheres Is contained either directly In the
body OF the buoy or in tanks fitted into compart.
rnents Of the body and Il piped to the lantern at
the top Of the auperstructure II the light 10
flashing. a. IL commonly the case. a small pilot
light burns continuously and ignitea the main turn.
er as gas Ia admitted from the flashing chamber
The latter II a regulating compartment In the base
OF the lantern and 10 provided with flexible dia.
phragm and valves for cutting OF and opening the
flow Of gas ut intervals. the operation being due to
the pressure Of the gas In the reservoirs.
The lighthouse service maintains light vessels
on SO stations, and has for this purpose GO Light
vessels OF which IL are relief vessels. They are
generally employed for marking dangers at sen,
approaches or entrances To hnrbors. and nj i'm.
portant points In the course OF vessels. wher. a
lighthouse Is not feasible. and nre OF par.
tculnr value in providing both light and n fog
signal which may be approached close to. thus en-.
abllny mariners to fix their position ut sen with
reasonable certainty In this respect light vessels
are superior TO lighthouses. as In the cuse of the
latter due allowances must be mnde for n sa dis.
lance In passing. valuable secondary advantage
Is the fact that light vessels may be shifted TO meet
varying conditions Of traffic. such MS changes in
shoals or channels use Of deeper draft vessels md
similar contingencies Most Of these ships nre now
equipped with n tubular steel mast contpinin, I,
ladder. surmounted NJ the top by n lantern OF IN.
type used In lighthouses onanng "A repulnr ,ivh,
house lens. These lsghtships are supplied with
poth the ordinary articles for maintenance md
materials FOR construction or repair by number Of
small vessels known us lighthouse tenders