Signalling and Safety at Sea. 19 



reliable distance determinations. With stations so distri- 

 buted as to give simultaneous readings of angles by wireless 

 goniometer, the seaman can, indeed, proceed by wireless 

 alone from headland to headland, hearing the name of each 

 proclaimed in plain language and laying his course by the 

 use of the radio-goniometer. 



It is evident that the last few years have opened up won- 

 derful prospects to coastal navigation. And surely those 

 voices, crying to the Mariner through darkness and storm, 

 reassuring him and guiding him on his way, captivate the 

 imagination beyond any other of the marvels of applied 

 science in our time. 



II. Avoiding Collision. 



The existing rules for avoiding collision at sea have been 

 in force tor more than one generation and, it is needless to 

 say, have done inestimable service. They date from a period 

 when the resources of science were much less than they now 

 are. Wireless telegraphy was unthought of, and submarine 

 signalling, if occasionally mooted as a possibility, had not 

 been put to any practical trial. These time-honoured rules 

 tell the sailor what he is to do when he sights another ship 

 with which collision may occur. In general one only of the 

 ships may alter course, and their relative position decides 

 which of them is to do so. The compulsory use of certain 

 regulation lights on vessels enables these rules to apply also 

 to night time in clear weather. 



When the weather gets thick, or fog or snow comes on, it 

 is assumed that all methods save those of whistling and 

 listening fail. A prolonged blast must be emitted at 

 intervals of not more than two minutes, The ship must slow 

 down to " a moderate speed/' The great problems then 

 confronting the sailor are to hear the sound on the other ship 

 in good time ; to locate it; and then do the right thing ; at 

 the same time letting the other ship know what he has done. 

 The trouble is, mainly, that the relative position of the ships 

 is difficult to determine. Sound directions are liable to 

 deceive and in very wild weather to carry badly, or to be 

 inaudible owing to the noise and uproar upon and around 

 the ship. For a happy issue out of all these afflictions the 

 mariner can only trust to his vigilance, to his presence 

 of mind, and to a considerable measure of luck, These 

 failing him his own ship or the other ship mav be lo^. The 



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