Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY 87 to the Titanic disaster, it now occupies a position far more important than that taken merely from any commercial standpoint, for it is no longer merely a convenience to busi- ness or a means of furnishing the latest news for the en- tertainment of passengers, but is a life-saving proposition taking its place with the elaborate and costly systems of railroad signals. It is a curious fact that many of the most startling and newest inventions find ready and peculiar application as an aid in modern warfare. The nerves of every war ves- sel and fort are the wires of the telephones, telegraphs, telautographs, dynamos, storage batteries etc., that trans- mit orders by speech or in writing, find the range, fire the guns, explode the mines and seek out the enemy with a powerful searchlight. Every battle-ship, cruiser, etc., of the United States Navy is now equipped and with the completion of the new ultra- powerful station at Washington the War Department will be enabled to issue instructions to a ship no matter where it may be on the ocean or in what harbor it may lie. The government maintains an elaborate equipment at the Brooklyn Navy Yard where the future wireless oper- ators of the Navy are given a course extending from seven to ten weeks. The first few days are spent in mastering the theory. The second week usually commences alternate study and practice of the Continental Code which lasts thoroughout the entire course or until thoroughly mas- tered. Each week some special branch of study is given out such as repairing and overhauling certain instruments. At the end of seven weeks the student can usually send and receive 15 words a minute. He is then given two weeks to prepare for an examination which if passed rates him as an electrician, third class, and qualifies him for active work.