The Life-Boat Jouenal
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THE LIFE-BOAT JOUENAL OF THE National %ife*boat Jnstitution, (ISSUED QTJABTEBLT.) ["PRICE 3d., WITH VOL. XII.—No. 138.] NOYEMBEE, 1885. LWBECK CHAKT. THE KECENT EXPEEIMENTS AT THE SOUTH FOBELAND WITH LIGHTHOUSE ILLUMINANTS. THE experiments -with lighthouse illu- The experiments weie carried out •with minants -which have been in progress at praiseworthy publicity, instead of with the South Foreland for twelve months, that unmeaning air of mystery which so under a Committee of the Elder Brethren often enshrouds experiments of -world- of the Trinity House, were brought to a wide importance carried out by Govern- conclusion in March last, and the Report ment departments. Not only were mem- was presented to both Houses of Parlia- bers of scientific societies, especially those ment in the form of a Blue Book, and engaged in engineering, invited to inspect published in August. the arrangements, but tickets of admission It has not been our fate to look into were freely issued to the general public many Blue Books, and we fancy they on application. Nearly every maritime often deserve their reputation of being nation in the world, including some of our very dry, and an uninteresting study. If Colonies, sent officers to visit the station, so, this one is a good example of the old but of course our neighbours the other proverb, " The exception proves the rule," side the channel, from their position, were for it is in many ways a most interesting able to give most assistance by taking and, at the same time, instructive docu- observations, &c.; and no doubt many ment, on a subject of the first import- useful hints were obtained from the ex- ance, not only to ourselves, but to the perts of other nations, -who -were always whole maritime world. The first point invited when they visited the station that strikes us is the thoroughness of the to give any suggestions that occurred to work done, which was the natural out- them. come of the well-matured plans formed The illuminants selected for competition for carrying out the experiments. The were electricity, gas and mineral oil, each scientific world was called upon to con- of which was displayed from wooden towers tribute its quota to the work in advice about 250 feet high, built at the South and assistance, which helped much to Foreland, near the powerful electric lights bring about the satisfactory results ob- permanently exhibited there. tained. The co-operation of the Scotch With the view, we suppose, of inter- and Irish Lighthouse Boards was invited fering as little as possible with the ofBce and cordially given, and they, as well as of the permanent lights, and not to perplex the Board of Trade, were ably represented passing ships, the experimental lights were by their scientific officers. only allowed to show through a section of YOL. XII.—No. 138.—LIFE-BOAT JOUENAL. 658 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885. the lantern extending northward, partly rejected, leaving four thousand on which over the land and partly over the sea, and to ground a decision. one to the southward over the sea. The Behind these general arrangements, powers of the different lights were tested there were, of course, many matters of scientifically by photometry, and prac- detail to be carried out, which con- tically by the eye at marked distances, as tributed, with equal if not greater im- well as from the neighbouring lightships, portance, to the conclusive and satisfactory and by the masters and • pilots of passing results sought for. Amongst these we vessels. The first-named method proved may enumerate the height of flame, number of little or no practical value, because it of jets of gas or oil in a light, the number was found that the most distant stations of electric lights or of currents, &c. The erected for its use, rather less than two question of expense also had to be con- miles and a half from the towers, were too sidered, more particularly in proportion far off to admit of the light being measured to the benefits to be derived from adopting by it. Under these circumstances, the the more expensive forms, either in new only test to be relied upon was that of lighthouses, or instead of the cheaper observation with the eye. systems at present in use. Upwards of six thousand of these obser- The cost of establishing a first-class light- vations were taken at different stations, house with gas is computed at 20,5161., under varying conditions of weather, and and its annual maintenance at 1,6S7Z. by different observers, amongst whom were An electric light of the same power would the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House cost 17,749Z., and 1.927Z. per annum for and their officers on land and sea, which maintenance. include the men on board the neighbouring A first-class oil-lighted station would lightships, and at the Eamsgate and North cost 8,064Z., and the annual maintenance Foreland lighthouses, besides the different 724Z. Were no other considerations forth- observing huts erected for the purpose; coming, here alone is a very strong argu- also the coastguard on shore, and a few ment in favour of oil, especially in these by pilots and masters of vessels navigating days of sad depression and " hard times " the neighbouring waters. A complete and for the shipowners, on whom the expense ingenious system was provided for register- of maintaining the lighthouse falls. ing their observations, founded on the The general conclusions come to by the assumption that the electric light was a Committee, and the reasons upon which standard, giving it the value of 100, and they are founded, will, we think, recom- recording the relative values of the other mend themselves to all impartial minds. two lights, by higher or lower numbers, as They found that the electric light necessary, i.e., if the gas or oil was con- proved itself, under all conditions of sidered only half as powerful as the weather, to have greater penetrating power standard, it was recorded at 50, and vice than either of the others, but in clear versa; if considered double as good, it weather it had such a dazzling effect at would be marked at 200. Books prepared short distances, that it was very difficult in the necessary form for recording these to judge one's distance from it, and it is observations were widely distributed, in therefore very unpopular with seamen. order to give every facility for marking The Committee do not think it suitable the records. The outcome of these mea- for general adoption round the coast, but sures was the receipt of upwards of six they consider that for bold headlands thousand returns, which had to be with great elevation, or those which con- examined and scrutinised, with a view to stitute important landfalls for the mariner, decide their value for tabulation and it has great advantages. analysis. This, itself, was no light work, The difference between the powers of and resulted in about two thousand being gas and oil was found to be so slight as NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOUKNAL. 659 not to compensate for the extra cost both not be for some little time with either of the of installation and maintenance, and the other two lights. They therefore recom- inconvenience if not danger of the greater mend mineral oil as the most suitable and heat generated in the lantern by the economical medium for the ordinary nece's- former, added to which comes the con- sities of lighthouse illuminants, but for sideration that all lighthouse-keepers in special places, such as salient headlands, the service are now fully acquainted with important landfalls, &c., where a more the working of the oil lamps, and getting than ordinarily powerful light is required, the best results out of them, but would electricity offers the greatest advantages. THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. MONTEOSE BBANCH. LXV. MONTEOSE No. 1.—The Mincing in the course of years sprang into exist- Lane, 33 feet by 8J feet, 10 oars. ence again, the burgh receiving its first LXVI. Ditto No. 2.—The Boman Governor of charter from David I., about the begin- Caer Hun, 30 feet by 8 feet, 10 oa^s. ' ning of the 12th century, and William STANDING upon what may be termed a the Lion resided at its rebuilt castle at narrow sandy peninsula, is to be found the end of that century. Edward I. also Montrose, a Eoyal burgh and seaport visited the place, and received the homage town in the county of Forfar, bounded on of Baliol. Later on Wallace took it from the east by the German Ocean, on the the English, landing at the harbour when south by the river South Esk, and on the j he came from France at the invitation of west by a large basin not less than seven the northern lords, and David II. granted miles in circumference, into which the a charter increasing the privileges which tide, flowing up the South Esk, spreads David I. had conferred upon the inhabit- itself after passing the town. This basin ants. Sir James Douglas embarked from becomes dry at low water, but its alternate this port in 1330, on his unsuccessful filling and emptying, as the tide flows attempt to cony tlie heart oi Robert and ebbs, has an important effect in Bruce to the Holy Land; also, the cele- scouring and deepening the harbour. On brated Marquis of Montrose was born the east of the town, and between it and here, in 1626. It was, too, the first port the sea, are extensive links, or downs, a made by the French fleet in 1715, with pleasant stretch of green turf laid out James the Chevalier on board, and the partly as a racecourse, but forming prin- port was used as a rendezvous of the cipally one of the finest golfing grounds Jacobites in 1745.