Radio Broadcast (May-Oct 1922)

Making Life Safe at Sea A Discussion of Some of the Scientific Aids to Navigation Which Will Go a Long Way Toward Promoting Our Ocean Commerce and Reducing the Hazard of Sea Travel By ARTHUR H. LYNCH NOT many of us do a great deal of sea traveling, and those of us who do frequently board our marine carrier with perfect confidence in the line, the captain, the "wireless" and good luck. Little, if any thought is given to the danger — and there is danger every time we go up the gang-plank, whether it be for a trip of a hundred or many thousand miles. Radio telegraphy has undeniably reduced the danger factor of yesteryear, but even that great instrument for safety has its limitations. Systems are available, however, which can make navigation practically safe from a standpoint of collision or running aground in an effort to pick up a lighthouse or vessel in thick weather. Unfortunately, these scientific achievements are not in general use. There seems to be a cycle of time necessary before any new marine aid is applied. To those who have followed the trend of progress, it must be apparent that instances are few in number of a new scientific achievement being put to practical use soon after its discovery. In the words of a man who has ardently devoted himself to the safety of life at sea, "Only a terrible disaster wakes the people to a realization of the possibilities of sea safety devices. Prompted, perhaps, by the immensity of the loss of life and property, and its attendant publicity, the layman asks, 'Couldn't something have been done to prevent it?' After every great marine disaster investigations take place and the public seeks to avoid a similar catastrophe." Does it not seem strange that the makers of our marine laws, in whose trust is left the safety of life and property on the high seas, do not concern themselves more quickly and more intelligently with man-made devices which can accomplish this result? Is it because they are hampered by insufficient funds to carry on their work? If so, let us all do what we can to see that the necessary appropriations are made. If it is simply the fact that they need a little pushing, let us all push together. In bringing this matter to general consideration, and in pointing out a most valuable marine safety system, it is, perhaps, advisable to consider the details of some marine tragedies which in all likelihood could have been avoided. It is remotely possible that such consideration may lead, directly or indirectly, to safer sea travel. CONCERNING THE "REPUBLIC" AND "TITANIC" THE much-heralded story of the saving of the steamer Republic by radio, and the averting of a disaster which would doubtless have taken place without it, greatly stimulated the framing of laws requiring vessels, which carry a certain number of people, and travel a certain distance, to be provided with radio equipment. Regarding this particular collision, which occurred on January 23rd, 1909, it is significant that even with her radio the lives on this vessel might not have been saved had it not been for a certain device we are to consider further along which is not in universal use to-day, and for which there is no compulsory legislation. The value of radio to the safety of life at sea found little support or interest among maritime legislators until after the sinking of the Titanic, on April 15th, 191 2. Radio saved more than seven hundred lives in this most terrible of marine tragedies, but the loss was so great that it set the world to thinking — for a little while. Marconi had proven in 1899 that radio was a valuable aid to safe navigation, after having brought his equipment to a point of practicability. However, little consideration was given to his conclusive evidence until 1910, and it was not until 191 3 that radio even began to receive the attention it deserved! Since that time, it has gone through a series of rapid changes, and improved equipment is continually finding its way from the factories.