Minot's Ledge Lighthouse. The most expensive beacon on the Eastern seaboard.

If one were able to look, upon the many wrecks that are strewn upon the bed of the oceans and lakes, he would readily comprehend the value of the numerous devices that find their way to marine bureaus and patent offices, to prevent such maritime disasters. In 23 wrecks, alone, in the last century, nearly 8,000 lives were lost. A map of the Atlantic coast-line of the United States shows places where hundreds of good ships went down with all on board. In the old days when only the hardy mariner traversed the seas, the loss of life was great. To-day, however, when the whole of mankind is inclined toward globe-trotting, and when every precaution is taken to avoid calamity, the destruction of life and property is truly appalling.

Naturally, scientists and inventors have been at work to solve the question of preventing wrecks. The result has been gratifying in the extreme, and one may travel generally with a very reasonable degree of safety. But, with further research, greater improvements in precautionary methods and devices will result.

The Breeches Buoy Life-saving expedients on the Eastern seaboard.

Of prime importance is the protective system of the Hydrographic Office in Washington, and its branches. Here experts study the currents of the oceans, rivers and lakes, plat and chart the spots where danger lies, and advise mariners of their discoveries. In conjunction with the weather bureau, warnings against winds, hurricanes and storms are given. One of the methods applied to rough seas is the old and familiar one, still in vogue, of pouring oil on the water. Many devices have been arranged to do this effectually, and every ship is now equipped with, some barrel-shaped machine for letting oil slowly seep out to quiet the angry waves.

Typical lighthouse and tender.

Each year is adding to the number of lighthouses erected on rocky coasts and reefs. These houses are equipped with the most modern apparatus for warning ships at sea. Great lamps revolve in their high turrets in the lighthouses, aided by powerful prismatic lenses and brilliant reflectors, and sending out their light for many miles. Lightships also are anchored in dangerous places, and send forth their warnings. In many shallow waters, the bell-buoy tolls out its incessant alarm and at night, flares its warning beacon.

Collisions at sea and their accompanying disasters have caused learned men to study how to foretell the approach of dangerous objects. Often, in a fog, an iceberg or another vessel is encountered. The devices invented to prevent this are many. Wireless telegraphy is of great service. Where two vessels are equipped with the Marconi system, it is possible to catch signals many miles away, and to avoid the same patch in the sea. But this method has not come into general use. Moreover, it would not detect the presence of an iceberg. Counsequently a instrument known as the thermopile, or heat detector, has come into use, in various shapes and kinds.

It is well known that an iceberg greatly chills the water in its vicinity. Similarly, a vessel with great steam-boilers sends out heat. If it is possible to know the temperature of the water in which one's vessel is floating, and to detect some sudden change, either of heat or cold, it is easy to avoid a possible collision. Instruments have been made that are so delicate that they can detect the heat of a candle a quarter of a mile away.

The thermopile in use by ship masters is made up of a galvanometer for registering an electric current, and two or more wires of different degrees of sensitiveness when subjected to heat or cold. Some of these different wires are made of copper, German silver, bismuth, antimony or selenium. These metals are arranged to hang over a ship's side in such a manner as to feel a change in the temperature of the water. If an iceberg is near, the chill in the water will be noted, the current sent to the galvanometer, and a bell will be rung. If a steamer is near another bell will ring, denoting the approach of a heated object. Admiral Makaroff, of the Russian navy, has perfected a thermopile which is located in the keel of vessels. It consists of a tube so arranged that the water of the sea may run through it. The thermopile proper is suspended in this water, and if the temperature suddenly changes a danger bell is rung in the pilot house.

Typical range light.

Means have been employed to some extent for transmitting warning waves through water. It is well known that water is a great conductor of sound. Divers can easily distinguish the throbbing of a steamer's propeller, or paddle wheels, a mile, or more, away. Work has been done on devices to be placed in the keel of a vessel, consisting of a sensitive diaphragm which will record noises in the water.

Another instrument used to detect sound for life-saving purposes, consists of an immense hood connected with a funnel, from which lead rubber tubes, adjusted to the listeners ears. This instrument can be revolved in any direction, and so sensitive is it that distant noises not otherwise audible may be detected. More than this, there is a compass attached to the instrument, and arranged so that it will show the direction of the warning sound.

Possibly the greatest benefit to sailors would be some means for dispersing fogs, and experiments have been made which, ere long, will probably result in such a discovery. Some scientists have been at work on the theory that the moisture in a fog may be condensed by an electrical discharge. To a small degree, this has proved effective. Professor Oliver Lodge, of Liverpool, by means of electrical discharges, cleared a room of thick turpentine smoke, and a reservoir, of magnesium smoke. In announcing his researches before the British Association for the Advancement of Science, he advocated using the donkey engines on board ships, to generate electricity, to be discharged from poles on the masts.

The means of saving life in wrecks are being improved. Each year, new devices are invented, such as automatic davits for letting down lifeboats, etc.

A new life-buoy has been perfected which is so arranged that water is allowed to leak in through a crack and mix with a powder (calcic phosphide). When the buoy is in the water this powder ignites, producing a bright flame which runs out through a tube a foot or so above the water, and, for an hour or so, is visible many miles away. Another sort of buoy has a lighting device and also the means of carrying food and drink.

Besides all these devices for preventing wrecks, there is ever a watchful eye on the lookout to protect the stray mariner from death, after his ship is wrecked. The United States Life Saving Service is a credit to the nation. Its members, like their great brother order of life and property savers, the firemen, accomplish much in the saving of life that would be impossible, were it not for the great hardship these brave men undergo.

Along the coasts of oceans and great lakes, extend lines of life saving stations, manned by hardy crews whose business it is to watch out for vessels in danger, or already wrecked. Patrols of men walk the beaches, or spy out upon the waters from their watch stations, for a sign of distress.

Long Island life savers running a life-line to stranded ship.

After the distress signal has been sighted, everything in the station is bustle. It may be that a big ship has crashed upon a reef or sand-bar, and is pounding herself to pieces in the angry waves. If the ship cannot be reached from land, the life-savers must clamber into their big boats and pull away to the rescue. Often the savers, themselves, go down before the fury of the tempest, in trying too rescue their fellow men. But, more often, are the sailors, chilled through by the icy waves, brought safe to shore.

If the use of a life-boat is impracticable, resort may be had to the breeches buoy. The savers are equipped with a coast gun--- sort of short cannon-in which is loaded an iron pin fastened to a life line. The gun is fired off, the pin hurtles over the ship in distress, and the line is hauled in by the weary sailors until a block and tackle are taken on board. This tackle is attached to the mast, a rope is run through it to shore, and down this rope travels a pulley, to which is attached a heavy pair of .leather breeches. The sailor gets into this buoy, and is drawn safely through the waves to shore. There are many methods besides these, used by life savers, but these are the most important and most commonly used. Naturally, a life saving station is equipped with the latest kinds of improved boats, etc. The life boat now in most common use is fitted in the bottom with self-acting valves, which empty it of any water that may dash over the sides. So perfect are these boats, that in practice tests, the savers frequently tip them over completely, and they will right themselves, and drain off all the water.

Among the Government lighthouses which serve their beneficent purpose on dangerous coasts, that at Minot's Ledge, Boston Harbor, is perhaps the most noteworthy. It has been twice destroyed, once in 1842 by a drifting ship striking it in a storm, and again in 1863, when a historical hurricane swept the New England coast. The second "house" was supported on steel piles 13 inches in diameter, and after the light went out when the storm was at its worst, the huge beams were found twisted like twine, leaving no other evidence of the tragedy, which cost the lives of three persons living there. The present structure is built of masonry and cement, and promises to last for centuries.

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© 1998, 2002 by Lynn Waterman