290 WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. 



been remarkable. During the naval maneuvers 1 had an opportunity 

 of testing how much they increased the range of signaling with a given 

 amount of energy and height. When working between the cruisers 

 Juno and Eiiropa, I ascertained that when the induction coil was 

 omitted from the receiver, the limit distance obtainable was 7 miles, 

 but with an improved form of induction coil included, a distance of 

 over 60 miles could be obtained with certainty. This demonstrated 

 that the coils I used at that time increased the possible distance nearly 

 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 ])rake 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 40 miles 

 of land, the amount of current used and the liability of the l)rako get- 

 ting 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 prac- 

 tical daily operation between the East Goodwin light-ship and the 

 South Foreland light-house since December 24, 1898, and I have good 

 reason for believing that the officials of Trinity House are convinced 

 of its great utility in connection with light-ships and light-houses. It 

 ma}^ be interesting to you to know that, as specially arranged ])y the 

 authorities of Trinity House, although we maintain a skilled assistant 

 on the light-ship, he is not allowed to work on the telegraph. The work 

 is invariably done by one of the seamen on the light-ship, 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 v^essels run 

 ashore on the sands near the light-ship, one because the light-ship her- 

 self 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 b}^ 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 £3,000. This one saving alone is 

 probably sufficient in amount to equip all the light-ships round England 

 with wireless telegraph apparatus more than ten times over. The sys- 

 tem 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 light-ship and the South Fore- 



