Year: 1875

IN IMPORTANT LIFE-SATING IN


VENTION.


Our Philadelphia correspondent sends the
following


An invention which has attached to It fal
more of importance than the success OF
fifty such wild fancies as the Ksely mator,
has its origin in the crystal brain of dis
tinguished Philadslp lphian; and may be sum
ed up to be the following, to wit an i'm
proved method of fog signaling, BY means
of which steamers and all sea crafts may be
thoroughly admonishsd of the dss,rustion
towards which they are being hurled, sufli-
GENTLY soon to change their course, and
stear clear of harm.


The idea first took protractsd shape in
tho mind of Mayor Augustus Willis, the in
ventor after careful perusal OF lecture
delivered by Prof. Tyndale, in which it was
asserted that the present system Of flag
signals was deficient in proper distribution
of warning, and that at three miles dis
tance, gun or whistle signals were not au-
dible, during the prevalence of dense sea
fog.


The idea struck the inventor at once,
that to originate . substanti e
nent in this sphere, sound must be made
to travel distance of three miles At least,
and to accomplish such a grand achisv-
ment, beset himself, out ofsthe pursst
philanthropic motives to work. The loss of
the Schiller and the wreck of the Abbots-
fsrd, were recent and strong incentives, to
his pursuit Of this most praiseworthy de-
termination, and he has at length succeed
ed in gaining such scientific acknowledge
ment Of his efficient labors, that Philadsl
phia feels naturally proud that the future
commerce of the world will owe so much
to one of her sons.


The inventor has struck at tho very foun-
dation of the obstacles which has hitherto
prevented the transmission of soun1-fer
sound, no matter how intense, does not
reach through or penetrate fog bank ut
sufficient distance seward to warn endan-
gered vessels of impending ruin.


This obstacle, Major Willis has overcome
completely by constructing projectile in
the character of rocket, which, after
reaching certain distance, say three miles,
will explode with loud report, equal to the
discharge of musket On shore.


The construction of the signal-shell has
been rendered perfectly harmless, 30 that
the explosion is followed by no other result.
than the signal of danger.


The promulgation of this invention you
will readily see will have for its effect the
benefit of the marine world, and the many
thousands Of lives that will be preserved
through its instrunentalityw will owe bound
less debt of gratitude to the persevsring and
self-sacrificins inventor.


This signal consists Of projectile, adap-
table to the calabrs of any cannon the shell
of which is made Of gutta percha, varying
n thickness from "a to n inch, according
to the calibre and explosive force of the gun
used. 1t is weighted with iron filings.


The magazine or cartridge which e1.
plodes tho shell, is placed in its centre, and
is exploded either by fuse graded to the
distance, the shell is required to
travel, (say from three to five miles in mid
air, or if the shell should come in forcible
contact with any obstruction, q shaft or
needle will discharge the magazine by
means of Illuminating cap, thus avoiding
the possibility Of danger to life or property.
In its passage through the air a streak of
flame Is spread in the wake of the shell, and,
BY simple device, shrill whistle is also
sounded, which attracts the auricular at-
tention Of those who may be in ito course.
While the fiery train indicates the direction
IN which the warning is sped. When the
she'll explodes, light or combination Of
lights, will be exhibited which will indicate
the precise psint on the coast from which
the shell was sent, thus correcting any mis-
take in reckoning, and at tho same time
giving unmistakabls warning of the prox-
unity of danger.


The construction Of the shell is such, that
should it explode near to vessel, no injury
could result, from tho fact that tho iron
ilings and the gutta percha shell, are i'm
nediatsly scattered into harmless frag-
aeA.s.


Vessels at sea, instead of the ordinary
minute gun, will find a signal of this char
'cter of infinite advantage, from the fact,
hat as the shell can be made to fit any gun,
ne shell would advise any who heard or saw
t, Of the immediate necessity of rendering
and also give approximate H.
truction of the nsarness and direction of
hose in distress,