SAFETY AT SEA

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1932, Page 3

SAFETY AT SEA

USING WIRELESS BEACONS.

SUGGESTION FOR NEW ZEALAND.

The opinion that the installation of wireless beacons would be of considerable value to vessels when approaching New Zealand or when navigating between coastal ports, was expressed at Auckland on Saturday by Captain J. H. Gaskell, the commander of the Shaw, Savill and Albion liner Mataroa. Captain Gaskell cited an incident which occurred when the Mataroa was recently proceeding from Auckland to Gisborne. According to the captain’s account the vessel left Auckland in a moderate north-easterly gale with heavy misty rain, which reduced the visibility so much that a wide 'berth had to be given to East Cape outside the 100fathom line.

After rounding the cape, Captain Gaskell arranged with the New Zealand (Shipping Company’s liner Rangitata, which was at anchor in Tokomaru Bay, to take reciprocal wireless bearings. Captain Gaskell immediately, put the ship’s head on the hearing indicated, and so accurate did it prove that the Rangitata was made right ahead. ‘‘'This surely demonstrates not only what a great aid it would be to safe navigation on this coast, but what a comfort it would be to masters of ves-

seis if they were able to verify their positions by wireless beacons similar to those established round the coast of Great Britain and most other places in Europe and America,” added Captain Gaskell.