Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1883 — THE SIGNAL SERVICE. [ARTICLE]

THE SIGNAL SERVICE.

Some Details of the Work Done by the Weather Bhrean---The Extent of the System and Ita Use. [From the National Republican. 1 The weather Bureau or meteorological division did not get into full operation under government auspices until November, 1870. During that year there were but twenty-four signal stations throughout the country. In 1871 there were fifty-five. In 1878 these were increased to seventy-nine, and since 1877, when there were 109, the number has run up to 146 the present year. Each of these stations, three times daily, sends a cipher dispatch in ten words to the central or chief signal office in this city, which gives a complete history of the weather in every particular, as shown by the scientific instruments in use—the barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, anemometer, anemoscope, rain-guage, etc.—which record the direction and velocity of the wind, humidity of the air, nature of the upper and lower clouds, rainfall, etc. At the head office these are translated, mapped, printed and sent to various points. These maps are carefully studied by the “indications” officer, and his deductions are sent to the newspapers, and also what is called the fact-room where they are compared with aotual occurrences after the time cover has elapsed. It would be dry reading to go into details, and the whole subject oan be better understood, and a very pleasant time had also, by a visit to the in-strument-rooms of the signal office on G street, where a corps oi deputies to the clerk of the weather keep a record of his transactions wonderful to the uninitiated to behold. The rooms are open to the public every forenoon. Prior to the establishment of this bureau Dr. Myer and Professor Henry, of the Smithsonian, assisted by such scientists as Espy,. Maury, Loomis and others, labored hard in this field, but no synoptic weather maps were issued. No work demands greater precision, more copious and circumstantial detail, and closer attention to the developments of each moment than weatherprognosticating. The weather-map is the weather-prophet’s strategy. From it he evolves his decisions and issues his pronunciamentos. Ho sees the weather in all its varying conditions everywhere all over the continent as plainly as you see a balloon in mid air, and his science, yet in its infancy, may, in less than another decade, so far develop as to teach how to harness the elements and ride the storm. Not only are storms foretold, but the oscillations of the rivers—their rise and fall —are reported, so that fioqds and distinctive stages of low water and attendant disasters can be provided against, and millions of property has been, saved by this branch of signal service alone. The coast signal stations warn vessels of the approach of storms, and give life-saving stations quick notice of the approach of marine disasters asking rescue. By using the international code of signals—which is really a universal sign language, by which people of different tongues, who cannot understand each other’s speech, can communicate with each other with perfect intelligence—signal men have saved much life and property through the exchange of signals, by means of which the people on wrecks have been informed of the steps being taken for their rescue on shore, and have acted in intelligent concert, thereby saving whole shiploads of human life and valuable property. Space will not allow a citation of the numerous cases, but the record of them can be seen at the chief signal office. Six years ago the Austrian Meteorological Association Journal declared that “not only had the American signal service passed all of the older European systems with amazing rapidity, but owing to the strict military training of tne observers and the energy aud system of the management it has spread itself in every direction.” The ocean-line stations extend about eight hundred miles, connected principally by submarine cable, a chain of sea-coast sentinels ready to warn of danger and summon succor through the use of batteries not made for the barbarous practices of war. Now, all the military garrisons on the Indian frontier are connected with wire, erected, operated and maintained by the signal corps, and civilization has, as a consequence in the last five years, taken a stride of 200 miles in its westward march, Arizona has 1,245 miles, Texas over 2,000, and the Northwest about 2,500. The cotton belt system was inaugurated by General Hazen, and has already accomplished results that can be characterized as grand. The railway bulletin service is another new feature, and an excellent means of disseminating weather indications. Over 100 railroads co-operate in this work, and under the orders of their several superintendents the weather bulletins are distributed to fully 3,000 stations that would not otherwise receive them. The extension of the special frost warnings to the fruit interests is another phase worth millions annually. But above other considerations and benefits is the profits that must, sooner, or later avail through the existence of a corps of experts out of whose familiarity with the element! will at some time be educed methods of safety from their violence, and skill to direct them at will into channels of utility.