THE CONQUEST OF TIME AND SPACE 



the sound of the bell is so loud that it is painful to the 

 listener if the receiver is held against the ear, while at 

 ten or twelve miles the sound is scarcely audible. 



Probably the most dramatic rescue at sea in recent 

 years was that of the passengers and crew of the steamer 

 Republic^ referred to a few pages back. When her 

 wireless messages of distress were received a score of 

 vessels went groping in the fog to her assistance, while 

 the entire civilized world waited in breathless expect- 

 ancy. Most of the rescuing vessels, although constantly 

 in communication with the stricken ship, were unable 

 to locate her. But the successful vessel finally got in 

 touch with the Republic's submarine signaling appara- 

 tus, and aided by this located the vessel and rescued 

 the crew and passengers. 



This is only one instance of the practical application 

 of the submarine signaling apparatus. But its use is 

 not confined to the larger boats. The apparatus can 

 be made so small that even boats the size of a fishing 

 dory may be equipped at least with the sounding de- 

 vice, and thus protected. 



On the Newfoundland fishing banks one of the chief 

 causes of loss of life is the running down of the fishing 

 boats in the fog by passing steamers, and also the loss 

 of the dories of the fishermen who are unable to find 

 their way back to their vessels. Many of these fishing 

 vessels now supply each of the attending dories with a 

 submarine bell which weighs about forty pounds and 

 is run by clockwork. When caught in the fog the fish- 

 erman hangs this bell over the side of his dory and 

 thus warns approaching steamers of his position, at the 



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