QCWA: Marconi System Test

New York Times
Wednesday October 4, 1899   Page 2
Supplied by Bob Judge, Garden State Central

TEST OF THE MARCONI SYSTEM

   During the race yesterday there was an interesting and exhaustive trial of the system of Wireless telegraphy invented by Signor Marconi.  The test was made under the direction of Signor Marconi himself and under the auspices of The New York Herald, which had chartered the steamship Ponce from to conduct the experiments.  The results of the trails was eminently satisfactory, both to the inventor and to his patron.  The Herald, one of the editors of which said last night that the usefulness of Signor Marconi’s device had been fully demonstrated.

    The Ponce followed the yachts as closly as possible, and from time to time, bullentins written by The Herald’s reporters were sent by Signor Marconi and his assistant over the apparatus rigged on one of the vessel’s masts.  These messages were received at Navesink, whence they were transmitted over the wires of the Postal Telegraph Company to The Herald office.  This “relay” involved an expenditure of time, which the inventor thinks was unnecessary, but with the drawbacks, bulletins were received at The Heralds office and displayed on the bulletin board within sixty seconds after they were sent.

   For instance, the unofficial time at which the Columbia rounded the first turning point was 1:38 and at 1:39 this fact was bulletined in front of The Herald Building.  In all, something over 2,500 words were dispatched during the day.  These words were only partially “code” and the test was practically that of sending complete words.  The messages were sent at a rate of fifteen words a minute.

   In addition to sending bulletins on the progress of the race a number of private messages were sent for persons aboard the ship, and telegrams were received from the Navesink Station advising those aboard of the state of the stock market at 10:30 o’clock.  When compared with the figures as given by the tickets they were found to correspond exactly, thus proving the accuracy of the system.

   Among those on board the Ponce were Lieut. J. B. Blish, Lieut. Commander Qualtrough and Lieuts. Denfield and Newton of the navy, who were enthusiastic over the results of the trial.  These officers will have a conference with Signor Marconi today to arrange for a series of tests of the system on behalf of the United States Government.  Capt. Wildman of the Signal Corps of the army was also an interested observer of the tests.

This beautiful painting of Twin Lights was painted by artist Lola Adolph. Used with permission

Page updated January 3, 2004   page created July 4, 1999