NEW SIGNAL LIGHT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 193, 16 August 1871, Page 2

NEW SIGNAL LIGHT.

■■ A New, signal light possessing remarkable properties," has recently been 'patented (No. 301, 2nd February, 1870). and .is, about to be introduced, under' the name of "Holmes's patent inextinguishable selfigniting marine and storm signal light." The illumioatihgVpQwer .is produced : 6y contact With water oFa chemical compound enclosed in an air-tight chamber. The mixture is decomposed, and a, highly inflammaible 1 gas ,■. is , : gep^atod^^*^ -gqlt-f '," ion contact with atmospheric air.' This chamber-is «f cylinder r 4in; ? high by 3io. in diameter; and through the- centre of which - a' tube Jig. iu^diarheter-paVs^ 'o^6o^6'^ anif, bottom.* The tube' has 'numerous perforations ia the -portionvwithin the chamber.

The top of the tube is covered over with a suitable conical -shaped nozzle, having an opening one-sixth of 'an inch in "diameter for the emission of the gas. The lower end of the tube, which projects some 4i0., is open for the admission of the water into the chamber, when the lamp is prepared for use. Both these orifices are hermetically closed by soft metallic caps soldered down, after the body of the lamp has been charged, and in which airtight condition it will keep for years. On usiuj; the lamp" the soft' metal caps nre easily removed by means of a knife or the finger. In order to give the necessary specific gravity to the lamp in water, a wooden flatboard is fitted to each, and is so tontrived that on throwing the lamp into water it assumes an upright position. When the lamp is in use the water enters by the bottom of the tube, and passes through the perforations into the chamber, decomposing the chemical compound. The developed, gas also passes through these holes, and. by pressure is passed through the nozzle, and inflames upon a contact with, the external atmosphere, producing a most powerful and brilliant light, fully fifteen times that of the best gas. The flames given off is some 18in. in height, and burns with an equal intensity over a space of five minutes. The light then becomes gradually reduced in intensity as the ioternal pressure in the chamber is relieved, tbe gas giving off a brilliant flame some 6in or 7in in height, which continues burning for thirty or forty minutes. The light thus produced is inextinguishable either by wind or water. From the powerful nature of this flare, bursting out as it does instantaneously on exposure to water, and being perfectly inextinguishable the effects of storm, through which it will burn for some forty minutes, it is singularly applicable to all persons where a brilliant signal light is required. Attached to a life buoy it will mark the position of the lifesavitg apparatus to the drowning sailor on a dark night. Fired in connection with the line of the Manby rocket apparatus, it will instantaneously point out the position of the fallen line into the ocean. In shipwreck, when the unfortunate vessel is stranded on a dark night, a few of these lamps cast upon the turbulent sea will give a light sufficient to enable assistance to be promptly and successfully rendered in saving life and property. As a "flash" signal from pier and harbor heads to indicate the time of high water for the passing of vessels over a bar, it is equally available. As a rescue signal in connection with lifeboat services, and for the purpose of the Royal Humane Society's stations, it. will prove invaluable, as also for use as a danger signal for railway guards in times of accident ; the peculiarly brilliant nature of the light, and the subsequent duration of the flame over so long a period of time, give great value to the patent. These lamps are constructed so that when once used they may bo cast aside as valueless. The chemical compound employed is phosphuret of calcium, chalk burned with phosphorus. Various foreign patents in connection with this signal light have already been taken out.