DIRECTION FINDERS AT SEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 November 1924, Page 8

DIRECTION FINDERS AT SEA.

THEIR VALUE IN EOG. The great value of wireless direction finding apparatus on ships was well illustrated during a recent voyage ot the Melita of the Canadian Pacific Ocean service. Just before reaching the Belle Isle Straits between Quebec and Newfoundland, a dense fog was encountered and a possible danger arose owing to the proximity of another large vessel not carrying a direction Under making for the same port. The Melita’ s direction finder was then called on to perform a triple task —to find her own ships’ position in the fog, to find the position of the other vessel, and to give the latter her bearings. This was achieved with accuracy, and a. momentary lifting of the fog as the two ships were passing each other enabled visual bearings to be taken, which verified the data previously obtainable only from the direction finder. The fog again descended and for seven hours the new wireless beacon station at Cape Bald was used in guiding the Melita to the Straits. At one time the figures obtained appeared to be, putting the vessel north of her course, but the commander acted upon them and cvhanged course in accordance. That his reliance was justified was proved by. the fact that the ship passed safely through the Straits in a dense fog which rendered visual observations impossible. The method is very simple in operation and capable of great accuracy. British research work is responsible for the strides that have been made in this comparatively new branch of science, and due tribute to this fact is being paid by other nations. The United American liner Reliance is to be equipped with apparatus designed and constructed in England by the Marconi Company, which has a range of 100 miles, and covers all wave lengths from 400 to 1000 metres. The Cleveland of the same line has already been equipped, and has reported the assistance received from this aid to navigation. The value of direction finding stations is realised bv both the Board of Trade and the G.P.0., and shortly it is hoped to provide stations to assist Channel shipping in time of fog. Niton, in the Isle of Wight, is the place where the first new station i s to Ibe established, and other' coastal sta-, tions are now being considered.