GUIGLIELMO MARCONI.Signor Guiglielmo Marconi.Born at Marzabotta, near Bologna, Italy, in April, 1875. His father was a native of Italy and a man of substance, his mother was a Miss Jamieson, born in Ireland, but of Scottish lineage.Young Marconi early turned his attention to the wonders of electricity and began his experiments in wireless telegraphy in 1891. While yet a mere lad he came to England in 1896, and in co-operation with Sir William Preece, then the head of the telegraph department in England, began further experiments.On March 27, 1899, he succeeded in sending messages across the British channel from Boulogne to the south foreland.The next and greatest achievement of all, on December 12, 1901, he received a signal at St. John’s, Nfld., from Poldhu, Cornwall, nearly 2,000 miles distant.On February 26, 1902, he received messages aboardship on the Atlantic ocean from Poldhu, 2,099 miles away.He is now engaged in further experiments and hopes to establish permanent communication between England and America within a very shorttime, and later extend the system over the entire globe.At the present time all the leading steamship lines crossing the Atlantic, and many ships of the British navy, are equipped with wireless telegraph apparatus, by means of which vessels at sea are in constant touch with Europe and America; thus each ship has become a floating telegraph office.The inventor is somewhat above medium height and of a highly strung temperament. He is quiet and deliberate in his movements; he talks little; is straightforward, unassuming, and has accepted his success with calmness, almost with unconcern.He is undoubtedly the most prominent man of the day and the wonder of the age.Genesis of Wireless Telegraphy.Professor McBride, M.A., D.Sc., of McGill University, in his inaugural address as President of the Natural History Society of Montreal in October, 1901, referred to wireless telegraphy asfollows:—“Take a discovery that is exciting the greatest interest at the present time, and promises results of the most far-reaching importance, namely, wireless telegraphy. Let us trace the apostolical succession, to borrow a term from theology, of the idea which underlies the discovery.“Thirty or forty years ago the great Cambridge physicist, Clerk Maxwell, one of the greatest and most penetrative of the geniuses who have filled the chairs of that ancient university, was engaged in determining the value of the electric unit. As many of my hearers are aware, there are two ways of doing this: we can estimate either the push that an electric charge exerts on another similar charge, or else the pull that an electric current effects on a magnetic needle. In this way two different values for the unit are arrived at, and the relation between them, or to put it more simply, the number obtained by dividing the one by the other, gives the velocity of light in centimeters per second. This remarkable result suggested to Clerk Maxwell that, that mysterious thing called electricity had something to do with the ether which fills all space and transmits the vibrationswhich we call light, and he thereupon constructed this famous electro-magnetic theory of light which conceives light to consist of vibrations not on a comparatively gross material like ordinary matter, but of electricity itself. This theory received at first little support from the German physicists, who are inclined to scoff at every idea that is not of German origin.“Amongst a crowd of scoffers, however, one open-minded enquirer was found who said to himself ‘If Clerk Maxwell is right, I ought to find that if I start artificial electric vibrations they will propagate themselves like light waves.’ This man’s name was Hertz, and he promptly set about producing electric waves purely with a view of testing Clerk Maxwell’s theory.“He had many difficulties to overcome before he succeeded in producing them in sufficiently rapid succession, but this was at last accomplished and Maxwell’s theory triumphantly vindicated.“The electric vibrations comported themselves like light. It is true that a stone wall was as transparent for them as a sheet of glass is for ordinary light, but they were reflected by a metal plate and could be brought to a focus, etc., etc. Now this invisible light, as we may call it, is what Marconi and others have employed in their so-called wireless telegraphy, but, without Maxwell or Hertz, it would have remained undiscovered to this day.”Historical.Wireless telegraphy, or the transmission of signals through space by means of electric waves, is of a comparatively recent origin, although the idea of the existence of electric waves dates back some forty years ago.In 1868 Clerk Maxwell, then Professor of Physics in Cambridge University, first published a theory showing that an intimate relation between electricity and light existed. This theory, which has received most conclusive substantiation since then by eminent physicists, is known as the electro-magnetic theory. It tells us that electric waves and light waves are similar; that they represent a transfer of energy by means of the all-pervading universal ether; that they differ radically in their effects on the physical senses in wave length and period of vibration, and that both possess the same velocity, 186,000 miles per second.Many of the exponents of the electro-magnetic theory discussed the properties of electric waves long before they were experimentally demonstrated.Our experimental knowledge of the existence of electric waves dates from about 1880.Hertz, a German physicist, while working under the illustrious Helmholtz, discovered that smallsparks could be made to pass between the two conductors when held near a circuit in which electric oscillations were set up. He soon discovered that this was due to the action of electric waves, and, realizing how fundamental in importance this was to the thorough knowledge of the electro-magnetic theory, he commenced a series of experimental researches which were of such a brilliant and productive nature as to mark them as amongst the most important investigations in the whole domain of science.A number of experimenters then followed, amongst them Signor Marconi, who has since become closely identified with its practical application.In 1890 the coherer was discovered by Branly, and simultaneously by Oliver Lodge.Lodge’s coherer was a very delicate instrument, and by its means the electric waves could be detected at a much greater distance than was possible with the conductors used by Hertz.In 1895, in Cambridge, Mr. Rutherford (now Professor of Physics in McGill University), first showed that the waves could be observed by a magnetic detector.He discovered that a weakly magnetized steel wire becomes instantaneously demagnetized under the influence of electrical oscillations, such as electric waves. With his detector he succeeded in establishing communication at half a mile.In 1896 Marconi came from Italy to England, and, with the help of a Government grant, obtained through the instigation of Sir William Preece, head of the British telegraph department, commenced a series of experiments in wireless telegraphy. Very rapid strides were made, and the distance to which signals could be sent was very much increased.An important development soon followed in regard to the use of a vertical wire for transmitting the waves, instead of a horizontal one, which increased the distance still more.Although Marconi has come to be chiefly associated with the development of wireless telegraphy, other systems have been established in various countries which involve slight modifications in the apparatus employed.In Germany the Arco Slaby system is used with success, and in the United States the De Forest is being installed in many places.Then there is the Armstrong, Orling and the Muirhead Lodge system. In England a wireless telegraph company was organized in 1902.This company, having secured the Marconi patents, aimed to monopolize that business in Great Britain, but, as the Government there controls the telegraphs, this was not permitted.The company complained as to the attitude of the British Government in retarding instead of encouraging the enterprise. When the subject was broughtup in the House of Commons on June 8, 1903, Mr. Chamberlain, the then Postmaster-General, explained that he had no desire to hamper a new invention, but the Post-Office did not intend to throw away its right to the monopoly in public communication as it had done in the early days of the telephone.He had not been dealing with Mr. Marconi, but with the company owning Marconi’s invention. The company asked for a permanent exclusive right to use wireless telegraphy in Great Britain.This was refused, on the ground that it was not business. When the company was prepared to talk business, he was prepared to deal with it. When the company asked for a private wire to Poldhu he (Mr. Chamberlain) had granted the request immediately.At the time President Roosevelt sent his wireless message to King Edward, and the latter replied by cable, the Post-Office had arranged to convey the message from the nearest office to Poldhu at any hour, although there was no difference whatever in telegraphing from London to Poldhu.The company next asked the Post-Office to act as its agent in collecting messages in Great Britain for transatlantic marconigraphing, but he had submitted certain conditions with the view of preventing interference with the admiralty and for strategic reasons, adding that when the conditions were accepted and the company satisfied the Post-Office experts of itsability to send messages across the Atlantic, the Post-Office would appoint the company as its agent, as it already had done in the case of the cable companies.That letter had been sent to the company on March 31, but no reply had been received.Mr. Chamberlain contended that the Post-Office was in no way to be blamed for the delay, but it refused to take the public money for messages until the company was willing to allow the Post-Office experts to go to Poldhu and satisfy themselves that the wireless system is workable. All this shows the company was not at that time in a position to transact public business, otherwise the Post-Office experts would have had access to its station at Poldhu. The subsequent failure showed the contention of the Post-Office was correct.In the early part of 1903 a transatlantic communication was established for a short time and then collapsed; the system not having been fully perfected, the company should hesitate to again make the attempt until its plans are fully matured. As to the future of the system there is not the shadow of a doubt of its ultimate success. Meanwhile the Marconi Company has arranged with the British Government Telegraph System and also with the leading Telegraph companies in the United States and Canada to interchange traffic. Now nearly all passenger steamers crossing the Atlantic are equippedwith the Marconi apparatus and are in a position while at sea to send and receive messages to and from all parts of the world, and the company are doing a profitable business even now with its limited area of operations; what must it be when they shall have established communication over every sea and continent in the world. This will be accomplished in no very long lapse of time. The medium of communication provided by nature is ready and waiting like a willing steed to be harnessed for the uses of man.The man singled out by providence to perform this superhuman task is Signor Guiglielmo Marconi.Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus.Electric waves have long been harnessed by the use of wires for sending communications to a distance, but the ether exists outside of the wire as well as within; therefore, having the ether everywhere, it must be possible to produce waves in it which will pass anywhere on the earth’s surface, and if these waves can be controlled, messages can be transmitted as easily and certainly as the ether within the guiding wire. The problem lay in producing suitable instruments to effect this result. Marconi adopted a device invented by an Italian named Calzecchi, and improved by a Frenchman, Mr. Branley, called the coherer, which he greatly improved. This instrument is merely a small tube of glass about as big around as a lead pencil and two inches in length; this is plugged at each end with silver. The plugs almost touching within the tube, the narrow space between is filled with finely powdered particles of nickel and silver, which possess the property of being alternately good and very bad conductors of an electric current or waves. The waves that come from the transmitter, perhaps a thousand or two thousand miles away, are received, but are so weak that they could not of themselves actuate any ordinary telegraph instrument; they do, however, possess strength enough todraw the little fragments of silver and nickel in the coherer together in a continuous path; in other words, they make these metal filings cohere, and the moment they cohere they become a good conductor for electricity, and a current from a local battery operates the Morse instruments. Then a little tapper actuated by the same current strikes against the coherer, the particles of metal are separated or decohered, becoming instantly a poor conductor and thus stopping the current from the home battery; another wave comes through space into the coherer there drawing the particles again together and another dot or dash is printed. All these processes are continued rapidly until a complete message is received.The sending instrument, or transmitter, is called the oscillator, a device somewhat similar to the familiar Morse telegraph key.Marconi is now employed in perfecting an instrument by which the station only with which communication is desired can hear the signal, and receive the message. Thus the required secrecy will be preserved.Marconi has patented over a hundred devices in connection with wireless telegraphy, but the nature and application of these has not been given to the public as yet.Thomas A. Edison’s Opinion of Wireless Telegraphy.“There is absolutely no reason why Marconi may not develop a speed of 500 words a minute in the transmission of translantic messages,” said Thomas A. Edison in course of an interview; “on the other hand,” continued the inventor, “there are technical, scientific and mechanical obstacles which make it absolutely impossible to increase the speed of transmission of ocean cables.“There is not the least doubt but that the Marconi system is successful. All this talk about lack of secrecy and interception of messages is nonsense. At least ten men know the contents of every cable message, and none of them receive very high salary. Personally I have no doubt whatever that the Marconi system is both a commercial and scientific success.”A Cable Manager’s Views of Wireless Telegraphy.At the annual meeting of the Commercial Cable Company on March 3, 1903, Mr. Ward, the Vice-President and General Manager, referring to wireless telegraphy, said: “At the last annual meeting some remarks were made by me in regard to wireless telegraphy and its effects upon submarine cables. We see no reason to change the opinion expressed at that time.“Admitting the recent transmission of a message across the Atlantic without wires, radical improvements would have to be made in its development before wireless telegraphy could possibly hope to meet the demands of trade and commerce, and engage in successful competition with submarine cables.“A good deal has been said and advertised about the wireless systems for the past three years. As yet there is nothing to show that messages can be transmitted without wires even across short distances with anything of the regularity, reliability, correctness and secrecy at any time and all time during the day or night demanded of the present telegraph systems, and necessary for the protection, interests and the development of the telegraph business.“Furthermore, the transmission of messages between European and American coasts of the Atlantic is far from constituting a transatlantic service as it exists to-day.“The essential adjunct of an extensive inland system for the distribution and collection of messages on the North American Continent must not be lost sight of. A large part of the traffic passing by the Atlantic cables is destined for places remote from the seaboard. Messages to and from Chicago, St Louis, San Francisco, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Vancouver, etc., require and receive transmission which are measured by minutes. This important traffic would be practically extinguished if the sender could not rely on extremely rapid and accurate service.“For the benefit of those who do not share my confidence I may say that the etheric waves will be as obedient to us as to anybody, if it should ever be found practicable to dispense with cables and wires.“On the other hand, we have not been standing still in the matter of improvements.“The Commercial Cable Company will maintain its pre-eminence, and has nothing to dread from the competition of wire or wireless telegraphy. At the same time we are satisfied it has its limits.”An Interview with Signor Marconi.The following interesting interview had with Signor Marconi by a representative of theMontreal Star, Sept. 10, 1903, is worthreproducing:—“Seated in the rotunda of the Windsor Hotel to-day was a slightly built man with a keen expressive face and grey eyes that flashed incessantly. Probably not one of the guests that thronged the spacious lobby was aware that the little man sitting there so quietly was Signor Guiglielmo Marconi, the ‘Wizard of the Wireless.’“Signor Marconi reached the city early to-day from New York, where he has been for the past ten days. He is now on his way to Ottawa, where he is to have an interview with the Government in regard to his future plans. When approached by aStarreporter Signor Marconi chatted pleasantly of those plans and gave some interesting information of what had been done in the past and the prospects of the future.“He speaks English fluently with a slight accent, and appears to be more eager to interview than be interviewed.“‘I am glad to be in Canada once more,’ said the distinguished inventor. ‘Canadians have alwaysbeen extremely interested in my work and I am beginning to feel quite at home when I get here.’“‘Do you know,’ he said with a smile, ‘that this is my fourth visit to Canada?’“‘What is the object of your present visit to Canada?’“‘I am here partly on a holiday trip and partly on business. I am leaving for Ottawa to-night, and while there I shall go into a matter I have long been considering, but which as yet I have not been able to accomplish, namely, the establishment of Canadian stations for the transmission of overland messages. These stations will reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and I hope that in a short time the wireless system of telegraphing communications will be thoroughly tested and perfected overland.“‘In case I obtain the permission I desire, I shall begin operations as soon as possible, and Canada will offer exceptional advantages for the testing of the system by reason of its tremendous distances.’“‘It is merely a matter of time, then, before these stations are built and experiments begun?’“‘Yes, merely a matter of time. There is one point in regard to wireless telegraphy that the general public do not seem to grasp quite, and that point is the length of time that must be taken up by the incessant private experiments in order that the system may be perfected. One cannot go at matters of this sort too quickly; each step has to be thought out carefully,and often weeks are spent in perfecting some little detail; the progress of the work is, therefore, slow.’“‘Can you tell me anything of the negotiations you are conducting with the British Admiralty?’“‘All I can say is that a contract between myself and the British Admiralty has already been signed and sealed for the adoption of the Marconi system on all the ships of the navy. Sixty-three of the battleships are already fitted up with the apparatus and the whole of the navy is to be equipped.’“‘The terms of the contract will allow me to use the different stations of the navy for the erection of my receiving station and my masts; negotiations have been going on for some time, and now everything is arranged and the British navy will be equipped with the Marconi wireless apparatus.’“The distinguished inventor then gave a very lucid description of the effectiveness of the wireless agency over marine areas; the unbroken surface of the ocean enabled great distances to be obtained.“In regard to the overland service, if the land was low lying, the same conditions prevailed as at sea. Over tracts, where the usual diversified topographical features were found, the potency of the vibrations might be reduced. The vibrations seemed to reach farther in fogs than in a clear atmosphere, but, as a rule, atmospheric conditions did not appear to affect the transmission of messages. In regard to the location of stations Signor Marconisaid that proximity to the sea was desirable for a station, as some geological formations were perverse and others responsive.“Before his return to England he would visit Cape Breton and his Receiving Station at Glace Bay.“He expected to be in Canada for some weeks.“Signor Marconi spoke of the voyage he made on the ‘Campania’ a few days ago. On that trip the ‘Campania’ was in constant touch with Poldhu until nearing the Coast of America, when she picked up the Narraganset Station.“Throughout the voyage a daily bulletin was issued of the world’s leading events, and the result of the yacht races were known on board a few minutes after the conclusion of the various races.“A few minutes’ chat with the ‘wizard’ is convincing proof that the distinguished inventor has implicit faith in the future of his system.“The great tone of assurance in which he speaks is only equalled by the modest way in which he refers to the marvellous results that have been obtained already.”The Trip of the SS. “Minneapolis.”“Signor Marconi has scored another triumph with his wireless telegraphy.“The passengers on the Atlantic Transport Company’s steamship ‘Minneapolis,’ which reached London on Tuesday, enjoyed the distinction of being the first transatlantic travellers to keep in touch with the rest of the world throughout their voyage from the New to the Old World.“The ‘Minneapolis’ left New York on January 31, and for five days kept in touch with the Cape Cod Station; after that the wireless plant began to respond to the messages at Cornwall.“The varying phases of the Venezuelan question, the domestic troubles of European potentates, the definition of true philanthropy by John E. Rockfeller, jun., King Edward’s illness, the contest for the Fair millions, the hurricane that destroyed 1,000 inhabitants of the Society Islands, Sir Thomas’ latest plans, Count Montesquious’ New York debut, the latest gossip from Washington and St. James’, these were among the tit-bits of news that varied the monotony to ocean travel.“When the English pilot picked up the ‘Minneapolis’ his two-day old newspapers were accepted with disdain, and he was informed of the latest news that had been flashed to the liner.”Valuable Use of Marconi System made by Disabled Steamer.Queenstown, Dec. 10, 1903.The saloon passengers of the steamer “Kroonland” are enthusiastic over the utility of the Marconi wireless telegraph system, by means of which news of the accident to that ship was received here yesterday.The breakdown of the steering apparatus occurred at noon Tuesday, when the “Kroonland” was 130 miles west of Fastnet. Captain Daxrud immediately sent to Crookhaven a wireless message to the agents of the line at Antwerp describing the damage and informing them that the steamer must abandon her voyage. A reply was received within an hour and a half. Whereupon Captain Daxrud complied with the instructions sent to him to return to Queenstown. Meanwhile, three-fourths of the saloon passengers and a number of those in the second cabin sent wireless messages to friends in various parts of Great Britain and Europe, and many of them received replies before Fastnet was sighted from the steamer.Some of the wireless messages were cabled to the United States. In some cases the senders askedfriends for money, and the replies authorizing the purser to advance funds to them, which was done before land was sighted.The “Kroonland’s” twin screws steered the ship easily, the only difference being steam was reduced.Another Use of Wireless Telegraphy.New York, Oct. 17, 1903.Wireless telegraphy was successfully used in tracing lost baggage on the last outward trip of the Red Star Liner “Finland,” on Oct 10.A passenger, who discovered some time after the steamer’s departure, that he left some baggage behind on the dock, communicated with the officials at the Pier through the Marconi Station at Babylon, L.I., and in twenty minutes received a reply that the baggage had been found and would be forwarded by the next steamer.A Newspaper’s Opinion of Wireless Telegraphy.The MontrealWitness, in its issue Nov. 18, 1903, says: “Whatever may be the actual achievement of the Marconi wireless system, so far as telegraphing across the Atlantic is concerned, that system is now an assured success in communicating from ship to ship and from ships to lighthouses on the coasts. In this respect the system has passed the stage of scientific curiosity and has become a necessity. The Cunard and Allan Lines now, for instance, are able to communicate with stations established on the south and northwest coasts of Ireland, so that their owners as ‘Syren and Shipping’ puts it, are no longer in a quandary during bad or thick weather as to whether their boats are calling at Queenstown or at Moville, as the case may be. The Marconi system was first installed upon the ‘Lucania,’ and so satisfied were the Cunard people with results that it is now in regular operation on the ‘Campania,’ ‘Etruria,’ ‘Umbria,’ ‘Ivernia,’ ‘Saxonia,’ ‘Aurania’ and ‘Carpothia.’“Other shipping lines have similarly found the Marconi system indispensable, so that now it is quite an ordinary occurrence for a ship on the North Atlantic to be in electrical communication with passingsteamers or the shore during nearly the whole of the voyage.“Such remarkable success as already attained is sufficient warrant for the general belief that this system of aerial telegraphy is but in its initial stages, and that its commercial success over wider spaces is only a question of time. Presently the system will be used on the Canadian Coast line, and then it is hoped that shipwreck caused by want of knowledge of locality will be largely a thing of the past.”Wireless Telegraphy.There has been no announcement in connection with science of recent date which has such an important meaning as the very modest statement recently made by Signor Marconi to the members of the Royal Institute of London. His discoveries in connection with wireless telegraphy have exceeded the expectations of many of the greatest scientists of the day who gave him all credit for the work which he had done, but could not bring themselves to believe that he could perfect his system within so brief a time.One of the principal handicaps which Mr. Marconi has endeavored to overcome has been that of rapid and reliable transmission of messages. For a time he found it very difficult to mechanically record messages which were transmitted with high speed. It necessitated the use of a telephone receiver which meant that the operator might take down the message, but there was no mechanical record which would cause a mistake in receiving it to be instantly detected.Mr. Marconi says: “I have perfected a receiver which will permit the transmission and receiving of messages at the rate of 100 words per minute on an ordinary Wheatstone recorder. This obviates thedifficulty of relying upon the operator to take the message by sound and permits of a double record of every message received.”The ability to transmit and correctly receive wireless messages at this rate means that this latest invention of science is now in a position whereby it can compete on even terms with the great telegraph and cable services of the world. Mr. Marconi further stated that his new invention further combined accuracy with absolute reliability, and it means that the future development of wireless telegraphy has received an impetus which will carry it into a broader field than has heretofore been conservatively looked for, and that this unlimited possibility can and will be made an actuality in the immediate future.No more important announcement could be made at this time when Mr. Marconi is about to install the new, high-powered apparatus which will allow uninterrupted communication between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and Poldhu, England.SS. PARISIAN.Wireless Telegraphy on the SS. “Parisian.”Through the courtesy of Major Fishback, Canadian Manager for the Marconi Telegraph Company, the writer had permission to visit the Marconi Cabin on the SS. “Parisian” in order to learn themodus operandiof wireless telegraph at sea.On boarding the ship the first object noticeable is a wire leading from the cabin to the peak of the main mast ending in a triangular form, connecting the apparatus with the ether and another wire to the ship’s hold going to earth.Mr. McGee, the young man in charge, politely pointed out and explained the uses of the various appliances comprising the Marconi outfit.First was a large Rumford coil, a glass cylinder through which the electric spark was discharged and a key or transmitter constituting the sending apparatus.Second, on the left was a large oblong box containing the coherer, the chief instrument in wireless telegraphy, and in the centre an automatic self-inking Morse register with an alarm bell attachment, these being the receiving instruments, and underneath the accumulators or storage batteries and six cells of a home battery to work the Morseinstrument. When the key was depressed for an instant a bright electric spark emitted from the contact points in the glass cylinder, giving a hard hissing sound; this imprinted a dot on the register, and a longer impression marked a line, the two forming the letter “a” of the Morse alphabet.The characters or code used by the wireless system is what is known as the European or Continental Code, that is the spaced letters are eliminated and dots and lines substituted the same as the cable system.All the vessels equipped with Marconi apparatus on the St. Lawrence route have a capacity of eighty miles’ transmission, but a possible one hundred and twenty, this distance being deemed great enough for all practical purposes.On the New York and Liverpool route the steamships have a much more extensive equipment, which enables them to keep in touch with the one side of the Atlantic or the other during the entire voyage.The cost of the Marconi equipment of the former averages £200—or $1,000.Five Marconi stations have been erected on the Lower St. Lawrence during the present summer and a fair, profitable traffic carried on so far. These stations will be closed during the winter, but a station is being erected at Cape Race, Nfld., which will be open throughout the year.The rates charged is two dollars for ten words andtwelve cents for each additional word plus cable or land line rates.Mr. McGee informed me the “Parisian” was enveloped in a dense fog when in the vicinity of Belle Isle on her inward trip. The captain was surprised at not hearing the fog syren and the Marconi station was communicated with to learn the reason. A response immediately came that the fog horn had been and was then blowing since the fog had fallen, thus showing the ship was out of range and in safety.Many passengers took occasion to Marconigram friends of their whereabouts and their probable arrival at Montreal.Passengers by the St. Lawrence route are now enabled to communicate with friends three days after departure and before arrival at Montreal by means of the Marconi telegraph system. All the Marconi stations are connected with the Canadian telegraphs.Mr. McGee also stated this was his first trip as operator with the Marconi Company.He had attended the company’s Instructive School in London for a period of three months, at the end of which time he was considered duly qualified and was appointed to the “Parisian.” This shows the wonderful and mysterious wireless telegraphy is acquired more rapidly than the Morse system, which takes from six months to one year to become fairly proficient.The operations of the one is very similar to theother; each ship or station has an individual call or signal, and should the current affect any instruments within range, no attention is given unless its own particular signal is heard.Many objections have been raised against wireless telegraphy, for the reason that any one with a wireless outfit could intercept a message.The very same thing can be done on land by any competent operator if he feels inclined to gratify his curiosity and incur the penalty for so doing.Taken altogether, the wireless system on shipboard will prove an immense convenience to ocean travellers and shipping interests, and will ensure greater safety to both life and property.The Future of Wireless Telegraphy.When, at the close of 1901, Marconi first announced to the world his marvellous achievement that he had received a signal from Poldhu at St. John’s, Nfld., many were incredulous and doubted its possibility, even many scientific men were sceptical and suggested many reasons why there might be an error in the experiment made. Amongst these were Edison, Graham, Bell, Sir Wm. Preece and others but, when the facts became known, all had to admit the success of the experiment and the accuracy of Marconi’s statement.Mr. Edison became a warm believer in wireless telegraphy, and is now identified with its development. Soon after this triumph of the young Italian, the voice of the company promoter was heard in the land.A wireless telegraph company was organized in England. This company had the audacity to claim an exclusive monopoly to operate the Marconi system, but this the British authorities refused to grant. Following this a company was formed for the same purpose in the United States and one in Canada, these being all more or less co-related.The principal object being to establish wireless communication between Europe and America, awireless station was erected at Glace Bay, Cape Breton and one at Cape Cod, Mass., early in 1903. When these were completed communication was for a short time carried on.A congratulatory message from President Roosevelt to King Edward was transmitted and a reply returned by the King, but the system broke down and it has so remained.Mr. Marconi has been (ever since the mishap) devoting his inventive genius to the perfecting of his devices, and, it is believed, transatlantic communication will be once more re-established within a very short period. Meanwhile, these companies are not standing still, but are very busily engaged in equipping passenger steamships with Marconi wireless instruments, enabling vessels to communicate with each other or with the stations on land on either side of the Atlantic. The wireless telegraph business is constantly increasing and becoming very lucrative. Traffic is now interchanged between the British Government telegraph lines, the American and Canadian telegraph companies and the wireless companies, so that a message can now be sent from any telegraph station to a person aboard ship, orvice versa, by payment of the tolls required for each company’s service. This seems to be naturally the proper sphere for wireless telegraphy.In time every ship that floats, whether naval or mercantile, will eventually be installed with Marconiapparatus. This should be made one of the conditions of insurance, if not compulsory. As far as being successful competitors with existing land or cable telegraph systems, it is more than doubtful, except in places where no other telegraph system can be maintained. Wireless telegraphy for a long time to come will merely be auxiliary or supplementary to the land and cable systems, and mutually beneficial to each instead of being antagonistic.The wireless system of telegraphy will be of immense benefit to Canadian shipping interests owing to the long stretch of river navigation from Montreal to the Gulf.Several minor stations have been erected recently on the Lower St. Lawrence and are now working satisfactorily.The Canadian Government recognized the importance of wireless telegraphy in its inception and granted Marconi a substantial sum to enable him to build his wireless station at Glace Bay. The public hardly yet realize its great possibilities.Dominion Wireless Telegraph Company, Limited.PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 160 ST. JAMES STREET, MONTREAL. CAPITAL STOCK, $1,200,000. PAR VALUE, $5.This company proposes to build and operate stations at all important points in the Dominion of Canada and do a general telegraphic business between stations in the United States or elsewhere, owned or controlled by the American DeForest Wireless Telegraph Company or any of their subsidiary companies. It will also build and operate stations on both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts for transmission of messages abroad, and will work in harmony with like stations built by foreign DeForest companies, will erect and operate stations along all of the important rivers, gulfs and lakes, as well as on the sea coast, and will equip vessels with Wireless Telegraph instruments, keeping them in touch with their home office until their destination has been reached.This company proposes to erect and operate stations as follows:ONTARIO.BarrieBellevilleBerlinBrantfordBrockvilleChathamCobourgCollingwoodCornwallFort WilliamGaltGuelphHamiltonIngersollKingstonLindsayLondonNiagara FallsOrilliaOttawaOwen SoundPeterboroPort ArthurPort HopeRat PortageSault Ste. MarieSmith’s FallsSt. CatharinesSt. ThomasStratfordTorontoWindsorWoodstockQUEBEC.FarnhamFraservilleGranbyHullLachineLevisMontrealPerceQuebecRichmondRimouskiSherbrookeSorelSt. HyacintheSt. JeromeSt. JohnsSt. Pi’re MontmagnyThree RiversValleyfieldNEW BRUNSWICK.ChathamFrederictonMonctonSt. JohnNOVA SCOTIA.AmherstHalifaxDartmouthLunenburgNew GlasgowTruroSydneyYarmouthPRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.CharlottetownSummersideMANITOBA.BrandonPortage La PrairieWest SelkirkWinnipegNORTHWEST TERRITORIES.CalgaryReginaEdmontonMoose JawMedicine HatBRITISH COLUMBIA.Grand ForksRosslandKamloopsVancouverNelsonVictoriaNew WestminsterFernieYUKONDawsonThus bringing not only every important point in the Dominion of Canada in touch by wireless telegraphy, but also Europe, through the station to be erected at Halifax, and Asia from stations on Vancouver Island.All doubts of the practicability of wireless telegraphy may now be abandoned.These new competitors must be somewhat disconcerting to managers and shareholders of the older systems of telegraphy, but they will no doubt prove equal to the problems confronting them and maintain their ascendency as heretofore.
GUIGLIELMO MARCONI.
GUIGLIELMO MARCONI.
Born at Marzabotta, near Bologna, Italy, in April, 1875. His father was a native of Italy and a man of substance, his mother was a Miss Jamieson, born in Ireland, but of Scottish lineage.
Young Marconi early turned his attention to the wonders of electricity and began his experiments in wireless telegraphy in 1891. While yet a mere lad he came to England in 1896, and in co-operation with Sir William Preece, then the head of the telegraph department in England, began further experiments.
On March 27, 1899, he succeeded in sending messages across the British channel from Boulogne to the south foreland.
The next and greatest achievement of all, on December 12, 1901, he received a signal at St. John’s, Nfld., from Poldhu, Cornwall, nearly 2,000 miles distant.
On February 26, 1902, he received messages aboardship on the Atlantic ocean from Poldhu, 2,099 miles away.
He is now engaged in further experiments and hopes to establish permanent communication between England and America within a very shorttime, and later extend the system over the entire globe.
At the present time all the leading steamship lines crossing the Atlantic, and many ships of the British navy, are equipped with wireless telegraph apparatus, by means of which vessels at sea are in constant touch with Europe and America; thus each ship has become a floating telegraph office.
The inventor is somewhat above medium height and of a highly strung temperament. He is quiet and deliberate in his movements; he talks little; is straightforward, unassuming, and has accepted his success with calmness, almost with unconcern.
He is undoubtedly the most prominent man of the day and the wonder of the age.
Professor McBride, M.A., D.Sc., of McGill University, in his inaugural address as President of the Natural History Society of Montreal in October, 1901, referred to wireless telegraphy asfollows:—
“Take a discovery that is exciting the greatest interest at the present time, and promises results of the most far-reaching importance, namely, wireless telegraphy. Let us trace the apostolical succession, to borrow a term from theology, of the idea which underlies the discovery.
“Thirty or forty years ago the great Cambridge physicist, Clerk Maxwell, one of the greatest and most penetrative of the geniuses who have filled the chairs of that ancient university, was engaged in determining the value of the electric unit. As many of my hearers are aware, there are two ways of doing this: we can estimate either the push that an electric charge exerts on another similar charge, or else the pull that an electric current effects on a magnetic needle. In this way two different values for the unit are arrived at, and the relation between them, or to put it more simply, the number obtained by dividing the one by the other, gives the velocity of light in centimeters per second. This remarkable result suggested to Clerk Maxwell that, that mysterious thing called electricity had something to do with the ether which fills all space and transmits the vibrationswhich we call light, and he thereupon constructed this famous electro-magnetic theory of light which conceives light to consist of vibrations not on a comparatively gross material like ordinary matter, but of electricity itself. This theory received at first little support from the German physicists, who are inclined to scoff at every idea that is not of German origin.
“Amongst a crowd of scoffers, however, one open-minded enquirer was found who said to himself ‘If Clerk Maxwell is right, I ought to find that if I start artificial electric vibrations they will propagate themselves like light waves.’ This man’s name was Hertz, and he promptly set about producing electric waves purely with a view of testing Clerk Maxwell’s theory.
“He had many difficulties to overcome before he succeeded in producing them in sufficiently rapid succession, but this was at last accomplished and Maxwell’s theory triumphantly vindicated.
“The electric vibrations comported themselves like light. It is true that a stone wall was as transparent for them as a sheet of glass is for ordinary light, but they were reflected by a metal plate and could be brought to a focus, etc., etc. Now this invisible light, as we may call it, is what Marconi and others have employed in their so-called wireless telegraphy, but, without Maxwell or Hertz, it would have remained undiscovered to this day.”
Wireless telegraphy, or the transmission of signals through space by means of electric waves, is of a comparatively recent origin, although the idea of the existence of electric waves dates back some forty years ago.
In 1868 Clerk Maxwell, then Professor of Physics in Cambridge University, first published a theory showing that an intimate relation between electricity and light existed. This theory, which has received most conclusive substantiation since then by eminent physicists, is known as the electro-magnetic theory. It tells us that electric waves and light waves are similar; that they represent a transfer of energy by means of the all-pervading universal ether; that they differ radically in their effects on the physical senses in wave length and period of vibration, and that both possess the same velocity, 186,000 miles per second.
Many of the exponents of the electro-magnetic theory discussed the properties of electric waves long before they were experimentally demonstrated.
Our experimental knowledge of the existence of electric waves dates from about 1880.
Hertz, a German physicist, while working under the illustrious Helmholtz, discovered that smallsparks could be made to pass between the two conductors when held near a circuit in which electric oscillations were set up. He soon discovered that this was due to the action of electric waves, and, realizing how fundamental in importance this was to the thorough knowledge of the electro-magnetic theory, he commenced a series of experimental researches which were of such a brilliant and productive nature as to mark them as amongst the most important investigations in the whole domain of science.
A number of experimenters then followed, amongst them Signor Marconi, who has since become closely identified with its practical application.
In 1890 the coherer was discovered by Branly, and simultaneously by Oliver Lodge.
Lodge’s coherer was a very delicate instrument, and by its means the electric waves could be detected at a much greater distance than was possible with the conductors used by Hertz.
In 1895, in Cambridge, Mr. Rutherford (now Professor of Physics in McGill University), first showed that the waves could be observed by a magnetic detector.
He discovered that a weakly magnetized steel wire becomes instantaneously demagnetized under the influence of electrical oscillations, such as electric waves. With his detector he succeeded in establishing communication at half a mile.
In 1896 Marconi came from Italy to England, and, with the help of a Government grant, obtained through the instigation of Sir William Preece, head of the British telegraph department, commenced a series of experiments in wireless telegraphy. Very rapid strides were made, and the distance to which signals could be sent was very much increased.
An important development soon followed in regard to the use of a vertical wire for transmitting the waves, instead of a horizontal one, which increased the distance still more.
Although Marconi has come to be chiefly associated with the development of wireless telegraphy, other systems have been established in various countries which involve slight modifications in the apparatus employed.
In Germany the Arco Slaby system is used with success, and in the United States the De Forest is being installed in many places.
Then there is the Armstrong, Orling and the Muirhead Lodge system. In England a wireless telegraph company was organized in 1902.
This company, having secured the Marconi patents, aimed to monopolize that business in Great Britain, but, as the Government there controls the telegraphs, this was not permitted.
The company complained as to the attitude of the British Government in retarding instead of encouraging the enterprise. When the subject was broughtup in the House of Commons on June 8, 1903, Mr. Chamberlain, the then Postmaster-General, explained that he had no desire to hamper a new invention, but the Post-Office did not intend to throw away its right to the monopoly in public communication as it had done in the early days of the telephone.
He had not been dealing with Mr. Marconi, but with the company owning Marconi’s invention. The company asked for a permanent exclusive right to use wireless telegraphy in Great Britain.
This was refused, on the ground that it was not business. When the company was prepared to talk business, he was prepared to deal with it. When the company asked for a private wire to Poldhu he (Mr. Chamberlain) had granted the request immediately.
At the time President Roosevelt sent his wireless message to King Edward, and the latter replied by cable, the Post-Office had arranged to convey the message from the nearest office to Poldhu at any hour, although there was no difference whatever in telegraphing from London to Poldhu.
The company next asked the Post-Office to act as its agent in collecting messages in Great Britain for transatlantic marconigraphing, but he had submitted certain conditions with the view of preventing interference with the admiralty and for strategic reasons, adding that when the conditions were accepted and the company satisfied the Post-Office experts of itsability to send messages across the Atlantic, the Post-Office would appoint the company as its agent, as it already had done in the case of the cable companies.
That letter had been sent to the company on March 31, but no reply had been received.
Mr. Chamberlain contended that the Post-Office was in no way to be blamed for the delay, but it refused to take the public money for messages until the company was willing to allow the Post-Office experts to go to Poldhu and satisfy themselves that the wireless system is workable. All this shows the company was not at that time in a position to transact public business, otherwise the Post-Office experts would have had access to its station at Poldhu. The subsequent failure showed the contention of the Post-Office was correct.
In the early part of 1903 a transatlantic communication was established for a short time and then collapsed; the system not having been fully perfected, the company should hesitate to again make the attempt until its plans are fully matured. As to the future of the system there is not the shadow of a doubt of its ultimate success. Meanwhile the Marconi Company has arranged with the British Government Telegraph System and also with the leading Telegraph companies in the United States and Canada to interchange traffic. Now nearly all passenger steamers crossing the Atlantic are equippedwith the Marconi apparatus and are in a position while at sea to send and receive messages to and from all parts of the world, and the company are doing a profitable business even now with its limited area of operations; what must it be when they shall have established communication over every sea and continent in the world. This will be accomplished in no very long lapse of time. The medium of communication provided by nature is ready and waiting like a willing steed to be harnessed for the uses of man.
The man singled out by providence to perform this superhuman task is Signor Guiglielmo Marconi.
Electric waves have long been harnessed by the use of wires for sending communications to a distance, but the ether exists outside of the wire as well as within; therefore, having the ether everywhere, it must be possible to produce waves in it which will pass anywhere on the earth’s surface, and if these waves can be controlled, messages can be transmitted as easily and certainly as the ether within the guiding wire. The problem lay in producing suitable instruments to effect this result. Marconi adopted a device invented by an Italian named Calzecchi, and improved by a Frenchman, Mr. Branley, called the coherer, which he greatly improved. This instrument is merely a small tube of glass about as big around as a lead pencil and two inches in length; this is plugged at each end with silver. The plugs almost touching within the tube, the narrow space between is filled with finely powdered particles of nickel and silver, which possess the property of being alternately good and very bad conductors of an electric current or waves. The waves that come from the transmitter, perhaps a thousand or two thousand miles away, are received, but are so weak that they could not of themselves actuate any ordinary telegraph instrument; they do, however, possess strength enough todraw the little fragments of silver and nickel in the coherer together in a continuous path; in other words, they make these metal filings cohere, and the moment they cohere they become a good conductor for electricity, and a current from a local battery operates the Morse instruments. Then a little tapper actuated by the same current strikes against the coherer, the particles of metal are separated or decohered, becoming instantly a poor conductor and thus stopping the current from the home battery; another wave comes through space into the coherer there drawing the particles again together and another dot or dash is printed. All these processes are continued rapidly until a complete message is received.
The sending instrument, or transmitter, is called the oscillator, a device somewhat similar to the familiar Morse telegraph key.
Marconi is now employed in perfecting an instrument by which the station only with which communication is desired can hear the signal, and receive the message. Thus the required secrecy will be preserved.
Marconi has patented over a hundred devices in connection with wireless telegraphy, but the nature and application of these has not been given to the public as yet.
“There is absolutely no reason why Marconi may not develop a speed of 500 words a minute in the transmission of translantic messages,” said Thomas A. Edison in course of an interview; “on the other hand,” continued the inventor, “there are technical, scientific and mechanical obstacles which make it absolutely impossible to increase the speed of transmission of ocean cables.
“There is not the least doubt but that the Marconi system is successful. All this talk about lack of secrecy and interception of messages is nonsense. At least ten men know the contents of every cable message, and none of them receive very high salary. Personally I have no doubt whatever that the Marconi system is both a commercial and scientific success.”
At the annual meeting of the Commercial Cable Company on March 3, 1903, Mr. Ward, the Vice-President and General Manager, referring to wireless telegraphy, said: “At the last annual meeting some remarks were made by me in regard to wireless telegraphy and its effects upon submarine cables. We see no reason to change the opinion expressed at that time.
“Admitting the recent transmission of a message across the Atlantic without wires, radical improvements would have to be made in its development before wireless telegraphy could possibly hope to meet the demands of trade and commerce, and engage in successful competition with submarine cables.
“A good deal has been said and advertised about the wireless systems for the past three years. As yet there is nothing to show that messages can be transmitted without wires even across short distances with anything of the regularity, reliability, correctness and secrecy at any time and all time during the day or night demanded of the present telegraph systems, and necessary for the protection, interests and the development of the telegraph business.
“Furthermore, the transmission of messages between European and American coasts of the Atlantic is far from constituting a transatlantic service as it exists to-day.
“The essential adjunct of an extensive inland system for the distribution and collection of messages on the North American Continent must not be lost sight of. A large part of the traffic passing by the Atlantic cables is destined for places remote from the seaboard. Messages to and from Chicago, St Louis, San Francisco, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Vancouver, etc., require and receive transmission which are measured by minutes. This important traffic would be practically extinguished if the sender could not rely on extremely rapid and accurate service.
“For the benefit of those who do not share my confidence I may say that the etheric waves will be as obedient to us as to anybody, if it should ever be found practicable to dispense with cables and wires.
“On the other hand, we have not been standing still in the matter of improvements.
“The Commercial Cable Company will maintain its pre-eminence, and has nothing to dread from the competition of wire or wireless telegraphy. At the same time we are satisfied it has its limits.”
The following interesting interview had with Signor Marconi by a representative of theMontreal Star, Sept. 10, 1903, is worthreproducing:—
“Seated in the rotunda of the Windsor Hotel to-day was a slightly built man with a keen expressive face and grey eyes that flashed incessantly. Probably not one of the guests that thronged the spacious lobby was aware that the little man sitting there so quietly was Signor Guiglielmo Marconi, the ‘Wizard of the Wireless.’
“Signor Marconi reached the city early to-day from New York, where he has been for the past ten days. He is now on his way to Ottawa, where he is to have an interview with the Government in regard to his future plans. When approached by aStarreporter Signor Marconi chatted pleasantly of those plans and gave some interesting information of what had been done in the past and the prospects of the future.
“He speaks English fluently with a slight accent, and appears to be more eager to interview than be interviewed.
“‘I am glad to be in Canada once more,’ said the distinguished inventor. ‘Canadians have alwaysbeen extremely interested in my work and I am beginning to feel quite at home when I get here.’
“‘Do you know,’ he said with a smile, ‘that this is my fourth visit to Canada?’
“‘What is the object of your present visit to Canada?’
“‘I am here partly on a holiday trip and partly on business. I am leaving for Ottawa to-night, and while there I shall go into a matter I have long been considering, but which as yet I have not been able to accomplish, namely, the establishment of Canadian stations for the transmission of overland messages. These stations will reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and I hope that in a short time the wireless system of telegraphing communications will be thoroughly tested and perfected overland.
“‘In case I obtain the permission I desire, I shall begin operations as soon as possible, and Canada will offer exceptional advantages for the testing of the system by reason of its tremendous distances.’
“‘It is merely a matter of time, then, before these stations are built and experiments begun?’
“‘Yes, merely a matter of time. There is one point in regard to wireless telegraphy that the general public do not seem to grasp quite, and that point is the length of time that must be taken up by the incessant private experiments in order that the system may be perfected. One cannot go at matters of this sort too quickly; each step has to be thought out carefully,and often weeks are spent in perfecting some little detail; the progress of the work is, therefore, slow.’
“‘Can you tell me anything of the negotiations you are conducting with the British Admiralty?’
“‘All I can say is that a contract between myself and the British Admiralty has already been signed and sealed for the adoption of the Marconi system on all the ships of the navy. Sixty-three of the battleships are already fitted up with the apparatus and the whole of the navy is to be equipped.’
“‘The terms of the contract will allow me to use the different stations of the navy for the erection of my receiving station and my masts; negotiations have been going on for some time, and now everything is arranged and the British navy will be equipped with the Marconi wireless apparatus.’
“The distinguished inventor then gave a very lucid description of the effectiveness of the wireless agency over marine areas; the unbroken surface of the ocean enabled great distances to be obtained.
“In regard to the overland service, if the land was low lying, the same conditions prevailed as at sea. Over tracts, where the usual diversified topographical features were found, the potency of the vibrations might be reduced. The vibrations seemed to reach farther in fogs than in a clear atmosphere, but, as a rule, atmospheric conditions did not appear to affect the transmission of messages. In regard to the location of stations Signor Marconisaid that proximity to the sea was desirable for a station, as some geological formations were perverse and others responsive.
“Before his return to England he would visit Cape Breton and his Receiving Station at Glace Bay.
“He expected to be in Canada for some weeks.
“Signor Marconi spoke of the voyage he made on the ‘Campania’ a few days ago. On that trip the ‘Campania’ was in constant touch with Poldhu until nearing the Coast of America, when she picked up the Narraganset Station.
“Throughout the voyage a daily bulletin was issued of the world’s leading events, and the result of the yacht races were known on board a few minutes after the conclusion of the various races.
“A few minutes’ chat with the ‘wizard’ is convincing proof that the distinguished inventor has implicit faith in the future of his system.
“The great tone of assurance in which he speaks is only equalled by the modest way in which he refers to the marvellous results that have been obtained already.”
“Signor Marconi has scored another triumph with his wireless telegraphy.
“The passengers on the Atlantic Transport Company’s steamship ‘Minneapolis,’ which reached London on Tuesday, enjoyed the distinction of being the first transatlantic travellers to keep in touch with the rest of the world throughout their voyage from the New to the Old World.
“The ‘Minneapolis’ left New York on January 31, and for five days kept in touch with the Cape Cod Station; after that the wireless plant began to respond to the messages at Cornwall.
“The varying phases of the Venezuelan question, the domestic troubles of European potentates, the definition of true philanthropy by John E. Rockfeller, jun., King Edward’s illness, the contest for the Fair millions, the hurricane that destroyed 1,000 inhabitants of the Society Islands, Sir Thomas’ latest plans, Count Montesquious’ New York debut, the latest gossip from Washington and St. James’, these were among the tit-bits of news that varied the monotony to ocean travel.
“When the English pilot picked up the ‘Minneapolis’ his two-day old newspapers were accepted with disdain, and he was informed of the latest news that had been flashed to the liner.”
Queenstown, Dec. 10, 1903.
The saloon passengers of the steamer “Kroonland” are enthusiastic over the utility of the Marconi wireless telegraph system, by means of which news of the accident to that ship was received here yesterday.
The breakdown of the steering apparatus occurred at noon Tuesday, when the “Kroonland” was 130 miles west of Fastnet. Captain Daxrud immediately sent to Crookhaven a wireless message to the agents of the line at Antwerp describing the damage and informing them that the steamer must abandon her voyage. A reply was received within an hour and a half. Whereupon Captain Daxrud complied with the instructions sent to him to return to Queenstown. Meanwhile, three-fourths of the saloon passengers and a number of those in the second cabin sent wireless messages to friends in various parts of Great Britain and Europe, and many of them received replies before Fastnet was sighted from the steamer.
Some of the wireless messages were cabled to the United States. In some cases the senders askedfriends for money, and the replies authorizing the purser to advance funds to them, which was done before land was sighted.
The “Kroonland’s” twin screws steered the ship easily, the only difference being steam was reduced.
New York, Oct. 17, 1903.
Wireless telegraphy was successfully used in tracing lost baggage on the last outward trip of the Red Star Liner “Finland,” on Oct 10.
A passenger, who discovered some time after the steamer’s departure, that he left some baggage behind on the dock, communicated with the officials at the Pier through the Marconi Station at Babylon, L.I., and in twenty minutes received a reply that the baggage had been found and would be forwarded by the next steamer.
The MontrealWitness, in its issue Nov. 18, 1903, says: “Whatever may be the actual achievement of the Marconi wireless system, so far as telegraphing across the Atlantic is concerned, that system is now an assured success in communicating from ship to ship and from ships to lighthouses on the coasts. In this respect the system has passed the stage of scientific curiosity and has become a necessity. The Cunard and Allan Lines now, for instance, are able to communicate with stations established on the south and northwest coasts of Ireland, so that their owners as ‘Syren and Shipping’ puts it, are no longer in a quandary during bad or thick weather as to whether their boats are calling at Queenstown or at Moville, as the case may be. The Marconi system was first installed upon the ‘Lucania,’ and so satisfied were the Cunard people with results that it is now in regular operation on the ‘Campania,’ ‘Etruria,’ ‘Umbria,’ ‘Ivernia,’ ‘Saxonia,’ ‘Aurania’ and ‘Carpothia.’
“Other shipping lines have similarly found the Marconi system indispensable, so that now it is quite an ordinary occurrence for a ship on the North Atlantic to be in electrical communication with passingsteamers or the shore during nearly the whole of the voyage.
“Such remarkable success as already attained is sufficient warrant for the general belief that this system of aerial telegraphy is but in its initial stages, and that its commercial success over wider spaces is only a question of time. Presently the system will be used on the Canadian Coast line, and then it is hoped that shipwreck caused by want of knowledge of locality will be largely a thing of the past.”
There has been no announcement in connection with science of recent date which has such an important meaning as the very modest statement recently made by Signor Marconi to the members of the Royal Institute of London. His discoveries in connection with wireless telegraphy have exceeded the expectations of many of the greatest scientists of the day who gave him all credit for the work which he had done, but could not bring themselves to believe that he could perfect his system within so brief a time.
One of the principal handicaps which Mr. Marconi has endeavored to overcome has been that of rapid and reliable transmission of messages. For a time he found it very difficult to mechanically record messages which were transmitted with high speed. It necessitated the use of a telephone receiver which meant that the operator might take down the message, but there was no mechanical record which would cause a mistake in receiving it to be instantly detected.
Mr. Marconi says: “I have perfected a receiver which will permit the transmission and receiving of messages at the rate of 100 words per minute on an ordinary Wheatstone recorder. This obviates thedifficulty of relying upon the operator to take the message by sound and permits of a double record of every message received.”
The ability to transmit and correctly receive wireless messages at this rate means that this latest invention of science is now in a position whereby it can compete on even terms with the great telegraph and cable services of the world. Mr. Marconi further stated that his new invention further combined accuracy with absolute reliability, and it means that the future development of wireless telegraphy has received an impetus which will carry it into a broader field than has heretofore been conservatively looked for, and that this unlimited possibility can and will be made an actuality in the immediate future.
No more important announcement could be made at this time when Mr. Marconi is about to install the new, high-powered apparatus which will allow uninterrupted communication between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and Poldhu, England.
SS. PARISIAN.
SS. PARISIAN.
Through the courtesy of Major Fishback, Canadian Manager for the Marconi Telegraph Company, the writer had permission to visit the Marconi Cabin on the SS. “Parisian” in order to learn themodus operandiof wireless telegraph at sea.
On boarding the ship the first object noticeable is a wire leading from the cabin to the peak of the main mast ending in a triangular form, connecting the apparatus with the ether and another wire to the ship’s hold going to earth.
Mr. McGee, the young man in charge, politely pointed out and explained the uses of the various appliances comprising the Marconi outfit.
First was a large Rumford coil, a glass cylinder through which the electric spark was discharged and a key or transmitter constituting the sending apparatus.
Second, on the left was a large oblong box containing the coherer, the chief instrument in wireless telegraphy, and in the centre an automatic self-inking Morse register with an alarm bell attachment, these being the receiving instruments, and underneath the accumulators or storage batteries and six cells of a home battery to work the Morseinstrument. When the key was depressed for an instant a bright electric spark emitted from the contact points in the glass cylinder, giving a hard hissing sound; this imprinted a dot on the register, and a longer impression marked a line, the two forming the letter “a” of the Morse alphabet.
The characters or code used by the wireless system is what is known as the European or Continental Code, that is the spaced letters are eliminated and dots and lines substituted the same as the cable system.
All the vessels equipped with Marconi apparatus on the St. Lawrence route have a capacity of eighty miles’ transmission, but a possible one hundred and twenty, this distance being deemed great enough for all practical purposes.
On the New York and Liverpool route the steamships have a much more extensive equipment, which enables them to keep in touch with the one side of the Atlantic or the other during the entire voyage.
The cost of the Marconi equipment of the former averages £200—or $1,000.
Five Marconi stations have been erected on the Lower St. Lawrence during the present summer and a fair, profitable traffic carried on so far. These stations will be closed during the winter, but a station is being erected at Cape Race, Nfld., which will be open throughout the year.
The rates charged is two dollars for ten words andtwelve cents for each additional word plus cable or land line rates.
Mr. McGee informed me the “Parisian” was enveloped in a dense fog when in the vicinity of Belle Isle on her inward trip. The captain was surprised at not hearing the fog syren and the Marconi station was communicated with to learn the reason. A response immediately came that the fog horn had been and was then blowing since the fog had fallen, thus showing the ship was out of range and in safety.
Many passengers took occasion to Marconigram friends of their whereabouts and their probable arrival at Montreal.
Passengers by the St. Lawrence route are now enabled to communicate with friends three days after departure and before arrival at Montreal by means of the Marconi telegraph system. All the Marconi stations are connected with the Canadian telegraphs.
Mr. McGee also stated this was his first trip as operator with the Marconi Company.
He had attended the company’s Instructive School in London for a period of three months, at the end of which time he was considered duly qualified and was appointed to the “Parisian.” This shows the wonderful and mysterious wireless telegraphy is acquired more rapidly than the Morse system, which takes from six months to one year to become fairly proficient.
The operations of the one is very similar to theother; each ship or station has an individual call or signal, and should the current affect any instruments within range, no attention is given unless its own particular signal is heard.
Many objections have been raised against wireless telegraphy, for the reason that any one with a wireless outfit could intercept a message.
The very same thing can be done on land by any competent operator if he feels inclined to gratify his curiosity and incur the penalty for so doing.
Taken altogether, the wireless system on shipboard will prove an immense convenience to ocean travellers and shipping interests, and will ensure greater safety to both life and property.
When, at the close of 1901, Marconi first announced to the world his marvellous achievement that he had received a signal from Poldhu at St. John’s, Nfld., many were incredulous and doubted its possibility, even many scientific men were sceptical and suggested many reasons why there might be an error in the experiment made. Amongst these were Edison, Graham, Bell, Sir Wm. Preece and others but, when the facts became known, all had to admit the success of the experiment and the accuracy of Marconi’s statement.
Mr. Edison became a warm believer in wireless telegraphy, and is now identified with its development. Soon after this triumph of the young Italian, the voice of the company promoter was heard in the land.
A wireless telegraph company was organized in England. This company had the audacity to claim an exclusive monopoly to operate the Marconi system, but this the British authorities refused to grant. Following this a company was formed for the same purpose in the United States and one in Canada, these being all more or less co-related.
The principal object being to establish wireless communication between Europe and America, awireless station was erected at Glace Bay, Cape Breton and one at Cape Cod, Mass., early in 1903. When these were completed communication was for a short time carried on.
A congratulatory message from President Roosevelt to King Edward was transmitted and a reply returned by the King, but the system broke down and it has so remained.
Mr. Marconi has been (ever since the mishap) devoting his inventive genius to the perfecting of his devices, and, it is believed, transatlantic communication will be once more re-established within a very short period. Meanwhile, these companies are not standing still, but are very busily engaged in equipping passenger steamships with Marconi wireless instruments, enabling vessels to communicate with each other or with the stations on land on either side of the Atlantic. The wireless telegraph business is constantly increasing and becoming very lucrative. Traffic is now interchanged between the British Government telegraph lines, the American and Canadian telegraph companies and the wireless companies, so that a message can now be sent from any telegraph station to a person aboard ship, orvice versa, by payment of the tolls required for each company’s service. This seems to be naturally the proper sphere for wireless telegraphy.
In time every ship that floats, whether naval or mercantile, will eventually be installed with Marconiapparatus. This should be made one of the conditions of insurance, if not compulsory. As far as being successful competitors with existing land or cable telegraph systems, it is more than doubtful, except in places where no other telegraph system can be maintained. Wireless telegraphy for a long time to come will merely be auxiliary or supplementary to the land and cable systems, and mutually beneficial to each instead of being antagonistic.
The wireless system of telegraphy will be of immense benefit to Canadian shipping interests owing to the long stretch of river navigation from Montreal to the Gulf.
Several minor stations have been erected recently on the Lower St. Lawrence and are now working satisfactorily.
The Canadian Government recognized the importance of wireless telegraphy in its inception and granted Marconi a substantial sum to enable him to build his wireless station at Glace Bay. The public hardly yet realize its great possibilities.
PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 160 ST. JAMES STREET, MONTREAL. CAPITAL STOCK, $1,200,000. PAR VALUE, $5.
PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 160 ST. JAMES STREET, MONTREAL. CAPITAL STOCK, $1,200,000. PAR VALUE, $5.
This company proposes to build and operate stations at all important points in the Dominion of Canada and do a general telegraphic business between stations in the United States or elsewhere, owned or controlled by the American DeForest Wireless Telegraph Company or any of their subsidiary companies. It will also build and operate stations on both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts for transmission of messages abroad, and will work in harmony with like stations built by foreign DeForest companies, will erect and operate stations along all of the important rivers, gulfs and lakes, as well as on the sea coast, and will equip vessels with Wireless Telegraph instruments, keeping them in touch with their home office until their destination has been reached.
This company proposes to erect and operate stations as follows:
ONTARIO.BarrieBellevilleBerlinBrantfordBrockvilleChathamCobourgCollingwoodCornwallFort WilliamGaltGuelphHamiltonIngersollKingstonLindsayLondonNiagara FallsOrilliaOttawaOwen SoundPeterboroPort ArthurPort HopeRat PortageSault Ste. MarieSmith’s FallsSt. CatharinesSt. ThomasStratfordTorontoWindsorWoodstockQUEBEC.FarnhamFraservilleGranbyHullLachineLevisMontrealPerceQuebecRichmondRimouskiSherbrookeSorelSt. HyacintheSt. JeromeSt. JohnsSt. Pi’re MontmagnyThree RiversValleyfieldNEW BRUNSWICK.ChathamFrederictonMonctonSt. JohnNOVA SCOTIA.AmherstHalifaxDartmouthLunenburgNew GlasgowTruroSydneyYarmouthPRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.CharlottetownSummersideMANITOBA.BrandonPortage La PrairieWest SelkirkWinnipegNORTHWEST TERRITORIES.CalgaryReginaEdmontonMoose JawMedicine HatBRITISH COLUMBIA.Grand ForksRosslandKamloopsVancouverNelsonVictoriaNew WestminsterFernieYUKONDawson
ONTARIO.
BarrieBellevilleBerlinBrantfordBrockvilleChathamCobourgCollingwoodCornwallFort WilliamGaltGuelphHamiltonIngersollKingstonLindsayLondonNiagara FallsOrilliaOttawaOwen SoundPeterboroPort ArthurPort HopeRat PortageSault Ste. MarieSmith’s FallsSt. CatharinesSt. ThomasStratfordTorontoWindsorWoodstock
QUEBEC.
FarnhamFraservilleGranbyHullLachineLevisMontrealPerceQuebecRichmondRimouskiSherbrookeSorelSt. HyacintheSt. JeromeSt. JohnsSt. Pi’re MontmagnyThree RiversValleyfield
NEW BRUNSWICK.
ChathamFrederictonMonctonSt. John
NOVA SCOTIA.
AmherstHalifaxDartmouthLunenburgNew GlasgowTruroSydneyYarmouth
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.
CharlottetownSummerside
MANITOBA.
BrandonPortage La PrairieWest SelkirkWinnipeg
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES.
CalgaryReginaEdmontonMoose JawMedicine Hat
BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Grand ForksRosslandKamloopsVancouverNelsonVictoriaNew WestminsterFernie
YUKON
Dawson
Thus bringing not only every important point in the Dominion of Canada in touch by wireless telegraphy, but also Europe, through the station to be erected at Halifax, and Asia from stations on Vancouver Island.
All doubts of the practicability of wireless telegraphy may now be abandoned.
These new competitors must be somewhat disconcerting to managers and shareholders of the older systems of telegraphy, but they will no doubt prove equal to the problems confronting them and maintain their ascendency as heretofore.