WILSON'S SEMAPHORE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 51, 27 September 1864, Page 3

WILSON'S SEMAPHORE.

(to tiie editor of tiie southland times.) g IR] i n your issue of the Bth August, which but lately foil into my hands, I read, with some surprise "the article healed "Wilson's Semaphore," wherein Mr. R. Wilson, late signalman at tliis station, claims to himself the credit of having invented and organised here an entirely new system of signalling by semaphore. The following" may show to what extent he is entitled to any° such claim :— Wilson's original invention, or rather the invention communicated by him here, was simply the making use of five squares or circles in place of the old principle of arms used on semaphores, and tbis apparent improvement on the arms was adopted because it seemed at the time to be less expensive in construction. The system of signalling in use here is nothiuo- more than Marryat's— symbols b.-ing used to represent the flags. As regards the semaphores, they were planned by the Harbor Master and mvsclf. The method of working the shutt-rs, the size they were to be, tbe sites for the semaphores, and the rules for the guidance of the signalmen, were given me by the Harbor Master, without I am sure, Wilson being consulted on any of these points. It was after the semaphores were in operation, and Wilson having plenty of time on his hands, that he concocted Ins system of " Ocular Telegraphy," as he calls it ; but it was rejected as being too complicated, and Marrvat's system continued. After Wilson left the service of the Government, several improvements, having no reference to any of his ideas, were male in the wokmg of the semaphores, and others of a more important character are, I believe, now in contemplation. That the above statement is correct, I am prepared to prove, and desire to make it known, because I think credit should only be given to whom credit is due.- -I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Daniel Beat, Senior rilot. Pilot Station, New River Heads, 2Gth September, ISGI.