The searchlight in the U. S. Navy

The types and uses of searchlights and signaling lights on naval ships are briefly described. A changed form of 12-inch incandescent light is suggested which will insure the lamp bulb filament always being at the focal point of the mirror and of the correct type for the application. The present type of low-power searchlight has many faults. These faults may be corrected by supporting the carbons rigidly near the arc, the positive carbon being held at the focal point by a simple automatic control. The best size and material of carbons should be used regardless of the burning ratio. The introduction of the high-power searchlight revolutionized the application of the searchlight to naval ships. Although great improvements have been made since that time there is room for a material reduction in the number and complexity of the parts. It is believed there is also a possibility of a considerable improvement in the electrodes. The use of the dome glass door enables a searchlight to operate in close proximity to large calibre rifles and makes it possible to successfully build even larger sizes of searchlights than those at present in use. The star shell has great possibilities, but it is doubtful if it will ever supersede the high-power searchlight.