Aids to Navigation

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 20, 30 November 1928, Page 29

Aids to Navigation

Steps Taken by Canada prRom time to time references have been made to direction-finding radio beacons and their service to navigation, aerial and maritime. This is by no means a new service. Such beacons were used to great extent during the Great War, especially in the tracking down of submarines and the saving of shipping from this menace. For this purpose Canada had four such stations on the east coast during those trying times, and all four were responsible for the saving of many lives and much shipping. Since then Canada has done much

to improve and extend this important means of communications,: and now such stations are dotted over each coast. The plan has met with great success, and many a fine ship has been saved from the Atlantic graveyard between Sable Island and Halifax by getting her correct location from the shore stations. It was not until 1924 that a station of this type was installed on the west coast of Vancouver Island, a coast much dreaded by mariners. During the last year 3100 bearings were given to ships of all nationalities, in cluding war craft. The Vancouver station has a splendid record, the bearings being almost 100 per cent. correct. Hundreds of letters are received yearly from satisfied users. Stations of this type are usually manned by four men. Service is supplied free. . Graveyard of the Pacific. OME time ago two ships: in-bound from the Pacific went ashore in a

fog at Race Rocks, a lighthouse station near Victoria. It was: stated that a silent zone existed as the fog-horn was not heard, After a great deal of investigation it was thought that perhaps there was a "silent zone," a serious menace to navigation. The department decided to install a radio beacon. This apparatus is practically the same as an ordinary transmitter, but it is operated automatically and does not require the attention of any person other than to start it. As soon as the lighthouse-keeper starts the fog alarm apparatus he puts in. a switch and the radio beacon starts transmitting the letter "J." During the transmission any ship properly equipped can get bearings on the Race Rocks. The plan has been admirably . successful. Other Measures.

NOTHER step has been taken to ensure the safety of ships. plying between Canada and the Pacific ports. Numerous short-wave stations keep in touch with ships until they drop anchor in their port of destination. This development . of the short-wive has been attributed to the work of the | amateur transmitters, who are numerous in Canada. In addition to these the Canadian Government has established radiophone installations at several points along the coast. These are exclusively used in connection with life-saving stations. Land lines are not dependable, 'and then the wireless comes to the rescue. It is to the credit of those concerned that very few disasters have occurred on the Vancouver Island eoast since the establishment of the various aids outlined. Vancouver Island can no longer be called the "Graveyard of the Pacific."