THE HIGHWAY OF THE WATERS 



same time affording his own vessel a guide for finding 

 him and picking him up. In this manner the appalling 

 loss of life in the fogs on the fishing banks has been 

 greatly lessened. Thus the submarine signaling device 

 gives aid to the smaller craft as well as the larger vessels. 



For the moment this is the last important safety de- 

 vice that has been invented to help lessen the perils 

 of sea voyages. Indeed the perils and discomforts of 

 ocean voyages are now largely reminiscent, thanks to 

 the rapid succession of scientific discoveries and their 

 practical application during the last half century. The 

 size of modem vessels minimizes rolling and pitching. 

 Turbine engines practically eliminate engine vibra- 

 tions. The danger from fires was practically elim- 

 inated by the introduction of iron and steel as building 

 material; the danger of sinking after collisions is now 

 guarded against by the division of the ship's hull into 

 water-tight compartments; sensitive instruments as 

 used at present warn the mariner of the presence of 

 ice-bergs; wireless telegraphy affords a means of call- 

 ing aid in case of disabled machinery and giving the 

 ship's location in a general way; while the submarine 

 signal makes known the exact location of the stricken 

 vessel in foggy weather. 



In a trifle over half a century the time of crossing the 

 Atlantic has been reduced by more than one-half. In 

 1856 the Persia crossed the ocean between Queens- 

 town and New York in nine days, one hour, and forty- 

 five minutes, making a new record. In 1909 the Maure- 

 tenia covered the same distance in four days, ten hours, 

 and fifty-one minutes. In March, 19 10, the same vessel 



[89] 



