250 Signor G. Marconi [Feb. 2, 



tenfold. I have now adopted these induction coils, or transformers, at 

 all our permanent stations. 



A number of experiments have been carried out to test how far the 

 Wehnelt brake was applicable in substitution for the ordinary make 

 and brake of the induction coil at the transmitting station ; but 

 although some excellent results have been obtained over a distance of 

 forty miles of land, the amount of current used, and the liability of 

 the brake getting fatigued or out of order, have been obstacles which 

 have so far prevented its general adoption. 



As is probably known to most of you, the system has been in 

 practical daily operation between the East Goodwin Lightship, and 

 the South Foreland Lighthouse since December 24, 1898, and I have 

 good reason for believing that the officials of Trinity House are con- 

 vinced of its great utility in connection with lightships and lighthouses. 

 It may be interesting to you to know that, as specially arranged by 

 the authorities of Trinity House, although we maintain a skilled 

 assistant on the lightship, he is not allowed to work the telegraph. 

 The work is invariably done by one of the seamen on the lightship, 

 many of whom have been instructed in the use of the instrument by 

 one of my assistants. On five occasions assistance has been called 

 for by the men on board the ship, and help obtained in time to avoid 

 loss of life and property. Of these five calls for assistance, three were 

 for vessels run ashore on the sands near the lightship, one because the 

 lightship herself had been run into by a steamer, and one to call a 

 boat to take off a member of the crew who was seriously ill. 



In the case of a French steamer which went ashore off the Good- 

 wins, we have evidence, given in the Admiralty Court, that by means 

 of one short wireless message, property to the amount of 52,588£. was 

 saved ; and of this amount, I am glad to say, the owners and crews 

 of the lifeboats and tugs received 3000Z. This one saving alone is 

 probably sufficient in amount to equip all the lightships round England 

 with wireless telegraph apparatus more than ten times over. The 

 system has also been in constant use for the official communication 

 between the Trinity House and the ship, and is also used daily by the 

 men for private communication with their families, etc. 



It is difficult to believe that any person who knows that wireless 

 telegraphy has been in use between this lightship and the South Fore- 

 land day and night, in storm and sunshine, in fog and in gales of wind, 

 without breaking down on any single occasion, can believe, or be justified 

 in saying, that wireless telegraphy is untrustworthy or uncertain in 

 operation. The lightship installation is, be it remembered, in a small 

 clamp ship, and under conditions which try the system to the utmost. 

 I hope that before long the necessary funds will be at the disposal of 

 the Trinity House authorities, in order that communication may be 

 established between other lightships and lighthouses and the shore, 

 by which millions of pounds' worth of property and thousands of 

 lives may be saved. 



At the end of March 1899, by arrangement with the French 



