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» 412 with their correlated system of fire control. Fire Alarm System. Of the systems which are not ac- tually necessary for military operations unquestionably the fire alarm system is the most important. Until recently metallic thermostats, acting upon the difference of the expansion of two dissimilar metals, were installed in all the coal bunkers, magazine and _ store- rooms; but this type has been: found . deficient in many ways and so _ has been superseded by a simple mercurial 'type. The circuits from the thermostats are all led to annunciators constructed like those for the call-bell system, hav- ing as an auxiliary a switch. for each line in order that the bell may be cut out of circuit after an alarm has been given. ° The general alarm gong system, con- sisting of two or three contact-makers and 30 odd 12-in. electric gongs, serves the purpose of calling the crew to drill or arms or giving an alarm in case of danger. The purpose of anchor handling and boat hour gongs is implied: in their names. The gongs are usually 8 in. in diameter and are actuated by push- buttons. The former give directions from the forecastle deck for the con- trol of the anchor windlass engine; the latter provide a call notice to the officers' quarters that the shore-cutter is ready to depart. s Warning for Closing Watertight Doors. __ A warning is provided for the clos- ing of all watertight doors in cases of collision. The necessity here is for a sound that will be distinguishable from the noises of the machinery. The first 'means devised and one long used was that of an electric magnet compressing enough air and allowing it to escape through a shrill whistle. The sound produced greatly resembled the familiar chirp of the cricket. This has now been superseded by what is known as the electric "howler." A magnet ac- tuates a hammer against a tight pig- skin diaphragm, the noise being in- tensified by a horn such as seen on automobiles. The sound is not as shrill as the whistles, but is sufficiently dif- ferentiated from the ship noises to be entirely satisfactory. System of Gun Control. 'In vessels carrying oil for fuel it becomes evident that some indication must be given as to the height of the oil in the tanks when filling same. An ordinary float in the tank provides the switch for closing the necessary circuits. nated as broadside TAE Marine REVIEW Indications are shown on an annuncia- tor of the ordinary type. ct 43 purely for the control of the guns that primarily provision be made to quickly handle the ammunition. For the large turret guns it has been ex- plained that mechanical signals are employed. In the case of the sec- ondary battery, although voice-tubes al- ~ low verbal signalsto be transmitted, there has lately been installed a system desig- ammunition hoist signals. The indicators consist of a simple brass water-tight case with round white discs properly marked and_ il- luminated by 5-candle power incandes- cent lamps. The markings provide for signals to hoist, lower and stop as well as to determine the kind of ammuni- tion desired. Transmitters consist. of several -standard switches mounted in one cdse and propetly designated. As a check a similar indicator is installed at the loading end of the hoist and the lamps wired in series, the transmitter with indicator being. located at the up- per or receiving end of the hoist. In order that the turret guns and secondary battery may fire a broadside simultaneously, systems of. bells, buz- zers and contact makers have been de- signed. These systems have been nom- inated respectively for the turret guns --turret salvo-fiting, and for the small- er guns--broadside salvo-firing. Small 3-in.. electric bells -are--permanently in- stalled in and about the guns so as to be distinctly. audible; they give the or- der to "stand by." Portable -buzzers strapped to the chests of the gunners are operated by push-buttons and give the signal to "fire." The contact "mak- ers and push-buttons are located at the two principal fighting-tops, the cap- tain's battle station and the sub-sta- tions. The point interesting to note in this system is that of strapping the buzzers to the gunners. This is done in order that there can be no mis- take in the interpretation of the sig- nals, for though it may not be audible, the vibrations of the buzzer will be communicated to the body. Cease Firing System. The cease-firing system is identical to the general alarm system. The di- ameter of the gongs for this system is made 10 in. instead of 12 in. On some battleships in order to better differenti- ate the sound one system will have vibratory gongs, the other single-stroke. This system provides signals to com- mence and cease firing and pervades the entire vessel. Thus it is a gen- eral gun signal. At the present writing the actual electric firing of the guns from the essential among the systems_ October, 1909 vessel's electric plant: has never been required. The guns are provided with a local battery system and the consid- eration today is not only to retain this means, but also to provide a_ similar system taken from the vessel's perma- nent installation. Special motor genera- tors are to be designed so that only the requisite voltage and current will be delivered to the guns. Switches of a portable type, resceptacles for connec- tion at the guns and other necessary appliances will be furnished. No de- tails have yet been considered, and it is problematical whether such a_ sys- tem will not in the end find much ob- jection in the opinion of those vitally concerned. Morale in Warfare. . Morale in warfare is an important factor. The enemy must be more or less affected by what he estimates as the fighting strength of his opponent, or what the latter may hold in_ reserve as reinforcement. So there are re- tained in our large battleships at least two torpedo tubes. From stations locat- ed on the superstructure deck the fir- ing of the torpedoes is not only direct- ed but actually accomplished. Firing keys, not unlike telegraph keys, are located at these firing stations in con- junction with signals that permit no complication before the firing keys are actuated. To give the necessary directive action to the torpedoes a system of telegraph indicators 'and transmitters of the lamp pattern, as described under the head of electric engine revolution and elec- tric steering telegraphs, is installed-- one transmitter at each torpedo firing station with indicators at each torpedo tube. These transmitters indicate at the torpedo tubes the number of de- grees from zero center reading to 90 degrees port and starboard. This sys- tem bears the natural title of the gyro- indicator system, as by this means the torpedo gyroscope is so adjusted. (To be continued.) The Maryland Steel Co. at Balti- more expects to have the naval col- lier Hector ready for preliminary trials. within the next 30 days.- The Vulcan and Mars have already been delivered and the fourth and largest will soon be ready to lay down in the mold loft. The new tug George P. Murray, re- cently launched at Cooper's Point, Camden, N. J., has just received her official papers and will engage in towing in Delaware river and bay. She is the only wooden tug that has been built at Camden for 10 years. petites Shy