FOR A NEW FORM OF LIGHTHOUSE, ETC. 163 



If Mr. Herbert's proposal to moor a series of floating 

 lights along the middle of the English channel should 

 find acceptance, the plan here proposed would be specially- 

 applicable on account of the depth of water. In that case 

 it is suggested that each vessel should become a telegraph 

 station, and by means of a cable each would be in commu- 

 nication with the others, with the shore, and with 

 London. It is already the duty of light-keepers to 

 report wrecks, vessels in distress, and even vessels sighted. 

 These reports could then be made instantly to head quar- 

 ters, and the information would be received when it was 

 of most value. Injury to the illuminating apparatus, to 

 the vessel, serious illness of a light-keeper, or deficiency of 

 stores, could be reported at once, and the requisite assist- 

 ance could be early afforded. In addition to this each 

 lightship would occupy the post of a sentinel, and the time 

 may come when the information they could give might 

 be of importance to the Government. 



The paper was illustrated by models of the ordinary and 

 proposed lightships; and the relative steadiness of the 

 latter was shown when the water was agitated, or equal 

 force applied to disturb the equilibrium of each. 



