Page
VISIBILITY OF ROAD
SIGNS
Severe Tests Made
For night observation, two stand- rd motor headlights were mounted in front of the screen, and a telescope, with hair lines, was erected in a cross arm between them, to ensure that the light beams could be directed to fall upon the screens. Sections of roadway were chosen for the work, which were thought to pre-
With the introduction of road signs to warn trame of places wners conditions may prove dan-. gerous, unless caution is exercis- ed, the selection of the nios; suit- able equipment demands careful consideration; often the signs have not been effective in arrest- ing attention. To provide some guide as to desirable features for such signs and obtain informa-sent average highway. The road tion on which to proceed, expert- mental, investigations have been carried out under a joint com- mittee of the American Associa- tion of State Highway Officials and the National Conference" on Street and Highway Safety. A report on the tests made and the decisions arrived at has been made avalable, through publica- tion recently in Public Reads, the journal of the United States De- part ment of Agriculture; Bureau Public Roads. The work,
of
which was carried out by. Dr. J.. Franklin Meyer and Dr. M. G. Lloyd, of the Bureau of Stand- ards and Mr. F. W. Mills, of the Bureau of Public Roads, was cons cerned with three pricipal phases. The first embraced personal ob. servations of standard signs hav- ing different colour combinations for background, and warning let- ters of different zizes without re- flector buttons. Secondly, obser- vations were made at night with signs having reflector buttons. and, thirdly, daylight determina- tions were made with the same And what effect on notices, to legibility the reflectors had, as compared with plain signs. The tests extended over sufficient a period to include summer, as well as winter conditions, and obser- vallons were made in such var led circumstances as bright sun- light. rain, snow and for and agaläst the changing natura? background conditions.
Free Observation
An apparatus was first design- ed by means of which the periods of free observation could be ac- curately measured and changed at will. This consisted of 'a screened eyepiece with two shut- ters moving" in parallel vertical planes, and an casel supporting a pendulum, by which the time interval could be regulated and controlled. The shutters used were held in place by magnets. Attempts were, made to elimin- ate errors in observathion due to the signs displayed becoming known to the observers, through changing the order of their pre- sentations, and the time periods during which they were observed.
used ran directly east and west, so that sunlight was behind the sign in the morning, and fell dir- ectly upon it in the afternoon; with all penumbral phases during. the day. A low concrete retain- ing wall' and a concrete buliding were on the observer's left; brkk buildings and vegetation immedi- ately in the rear, and to the right. The observers were of both sexes, and ranged in age from 17 to 70 years. The signs used were of the standard dimensions and de- sign. adopted by the American As- sociation of Highway Officials With plain signs 70 observery were used to make, observations" at various distances from 200 ft. to 500 ft. The time interval for legibility ranged from 1.0 second to 0.0 second. The latter was ap- parently the shortest interval which the legends could be dis tinctly read. Tests at 0.5, 0.4, and 0.3 second were included, to And whether the observer could stin seé a sign at all, and if so, its shape, colour and message. The average of all the observations at alt distances give the follow- ing results: Black letters on a white background 57 per cent., correct; black letters on a yellow background, te per cent correct; and white letters on 2 black background, 59 per cent. correct. At 200 ft, distance, wher the cor- rect readings ranged from 85 per cent to 93 per cerit., white letters
་
on a black background were found to be best, but at every other range black letters on a yellow background had the advantage of from 5 per cent, to 12 per cent. over the other combinations. in the more rapid tests the supëí- fority of signs made with black" letters on a yellow background was most pronounced.
Useless At Night
By experiment, it was found, useless at night, with the head- lights in use, to attempt to read daylight signs at any distance greater than 200 ft. At ranges in excess of this, the
black sign could not be distinguished from its surrounding background, ex cept when show afforded a con- trasting feld.
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1934.
ENGINEERING AND BUILDING
Liverpool And The Atlantic
Ferry
The North Atlantic has always been a field for enterprising ship- owners. Advantage has been rapidly taken of improved "met- hods of marine propulsion, for history shows that fastest and most
£350-*
comfortable ships have always taken the cream of the traffic. In the struggles for sup- remacy between the more notable lines, such as the Cunard, White Star, Collins, Inman, Gulon, Ham- burg-Amerike, and Norddeutscher Lloyd Lines, the names of com- panies have been usually cluted with these conflets, but the responsibility for their con- duct has usually fallen
on in- dividuals who have always, bred men of foresight and courage. Since the advent of the steam- ship, Liverpool has been fortu- nate in having such men Cunard, MacIver. Burns, Inman! Quton, Ismay, Graves, Johnston Leyland. Inverclyde, Booth. Allar, Royden. and Bates to guide the destinies of her shipping panles.
I
as
com
||
rigged ships.
包
Later, four more ships were added to the service. enabling the Line to dispatch a ship from New York twice month with remarkable regula- rity. The average passage dur- ing the first nine years of the firm's existence occupied twenty- three days eastward and forty days westward. Fifteen days eighteen hours was the record eastward passage.
Regular Communication
It was only in the year 1838 that the practicability of estab- lishing regular steam, communi- catlon' with America was demon- strated beyond a doubt. The success of the Great Western and other vessels so impressed the British Government with the obvious superiority of steamships over saling vessels as a faster and more reliable means of tran- sit for postal matter, that they invited tender's for the future conveyance of the American mails by steam vessels.
One of these circulars found its way into " the hands of Samuel Cunard, of Halifax (Nova Scotia), aš
agent
廷
First Sailing Packet The inauguration of the mrst regular saling packet ne a private enterprise in the year 1816 marks an epoch. Prior to that date, the only regular ser- vice had been that of the State, maintained by the British Post Office packet brigs for the con- veyance of mails, and to facilitate Colonial administration, accom modation being provided for few, passengers. The Post Office packet service commenced ind regular schedule to New York at the end of 1710 with the sailing of the packet brig Royal Anne. These vessele made the 'passage from Bristol to New York in about Arty days, and the eastward run in about twenty-eight days. In 1783, when the United States had become independent, Halifax was made the mall terminal port on the American side. It was at about this time that Liverpool began to take its share of the trade in competition with. Lon- don, to which port most of the few private ship which competed with the
Government packets had initially plied. In 1816, the restoration of world peace, an American line, the Black Bal "Line, started the Arst regular packet service between New York and. Liverpool,
with four 500-ton fush-decked full-
* For Constructural Work of Every
Description
Use Green Island Cement
TWO REFLEX TYPE ROTARY KILNS HAVING AN OVER ALL LENGTH OF 264. FELT. THESE KILNS ARE USED TO MANUFACTURE GREEN ISLAND CEMENT.
J
Issued by
GREEN ISLAND CEMENT CO., LTD.
2ND FLOOR EXCHANGE BUILDING
there for East India Com- pany. The idea of starting a line of steamers connect the two countries had been consider- ed by him as early as 1830, wher the building of the Royal Wilkam was under consideration, and he immediately saw possibilities of carrying out his profect under the auspices of the British Gov- értment. Being unable to raise the necessary capital in Halifax, he proceeded without delay to London, and thence to Glasgow. Here the requisite capital was obtained, äns in due course a contract for a period of seven years was concluded between Her Majesty's Government and the newly-formed corporation, on whose behalf was signed by Samuel Canard, George Burns,
David and
MacIver, three thenceforth inseparably connected with he famous Cunard Co. and the City of Liverpool. The final agreement required that the service should be maintained By four large steamships, and that fixed dates of sailing should be adhered to. The subsidy was 81,000 per
names
annum.
NEW LIGHT ALLOY
Low Gravity And High Strength
SHEFFIELD'S MANY ACTIVITIES
Central Research Department
Features of a favourable char- acter have developed in the staple trades during the past few weeks, Lord Rutherford, chairman of the Advisory Committee of the De- partment of Scientific and Indus- trial Research, has opened the Central Research Department of "C" Messrs. J Stone and Com-the United Steel Companies, Li-
Under the name Ceralumini
mited, at Stocksbridge. This new department cost £60,000′ to "equip with the latest apparatus, and is considered one of the most up-to- date in the country. The individ- usy works comprising the United Steel Companies will continue to carry out investigations, in their respective works' laborator- fes. Research work of a character beyond that which is normally possible in a works" laboratory will be carried out in the Central Research Department. The fume- tons of this new department in- clude: the planning and execution of researches into new steels and products of all kinds; carrying our more thorough investigations into haterials than is normally possible in works laboratories; the development of new refrac- tory materials, undertaking in- vestigations of a spectat character of common interest to the whole of a special character of common interest to the whole of the works and to the industry generally, such as investigation on the creep the one strength of metals on hand and intricate and improved methods of chemical analysis on the other.
Consisting of 51 pieces, and weighing as a whole, 383 tons, the mill represents one of the largest consignments of machinery to leave Sheffield since the war. Sheffield Corporation (subject to confirmation. by the City Cona- -cil) are to place contracts for the erection of new powerstations, turbo-alternators of the value of £200,00, six high-pressure bollers and auxiliary plant at a cost of £430,000;" and 500 tons of high manganese and chromium steel tramway rats. As compared with
the last "put
Arst six year,
ot
the
months of current.. out-" raw and semi-fn- Ished materials shows a rise. Consumption of iron and steel serap and pig-iron la exceptional- ly heavy, A fresh spurt of "busi- ness in semi-manufactured ma- terials is anticipated within the next few weeks to cover contracts expiring this month. At present there is a lull in fresh contract- ing. Large and medium castings are in steady request, and an ex- panding trade is being done in stainless steel plates.
pany, Limited, Deptford, London, S.E.14, have introduced & bew light alumilhlum alloy which has been developed to meet the de- mand for an alley of low specific gravity and high strength.com- bined with good casting' proper" tles. The percentage composition of the alloy, which is covered by a British patent, is as follows: Copper, 2-5; nickel, 1-5; magnes
um, 0-8; fron, 1-2; silicon, 1-2; and cerlum. 0-15, the remainder being aluminium.
The most dovel feature of this complex aluminium-rich alloy is the pre- sence of certum. Investions in Messrs. Stone's laboratories, we are informed, have established the fact that In addition to its renning. action on the main structure, cerum allows the bene- Actal mechanical effects of a re- latively high fron content to be.. secured by suppressing the em- brittling iron-aluminum con-.. stituent which is otherwise ilable' to be formed. More
over, the small percentaen of certum, it is stated, improves the casting pro-
The Advisory
Committee ap- pointed to administer the Lever- perties, of the alloy and enables castings having a smooth and
truime Research Fellowship has clean surface and an attractive
recommended, and the Trustees appearance to be produced in the
have approved, 12 nominatons foundry. The heat treatment
to fellowships, tenable for vary- The Department will also un- applied to Ceralamin is relatively
ing periods up to two years; in ad- dertakes precis service of im- simple. The castings are main-
dition, three fellowships awarded portant technical literature in tained at a temperature of from
last year have been extended for the most commonly used langu- 515 deg. to 535 deg. C.-the solu.
a further period of one year, ages and co-ordinate data for tion temperature-for some four publicity purposes. The new de-
Among the fellows are Dr. R. to six hours, and are then quen-
Maclagan Gorrie of the Indian partment consists of chemical, ched in water. They are subse-
Forest Service, who is investiga- corrosion-test, microscopical and quently aged by heating to 175
ting "The Correlation of Erosion physical, macroscopic, refractor- deg. C. for 16 hours, and are
Damage and Grazing in Forest les and fuel laboratories, mec-" Lands"; Dr. H. S. Hatfield, who again quenched in water. Care-"
hanical testing room, steel fül measurements, we understand,
is studying "The Behaviour of meiting room, heat room; and have failed to detect any distor-
Crystalline Substances in Electric balance room. "A Sheffield firm. tion as a result of the heat, treat-has just completed a steel rolling
and Magnetic Fields"; and Dr... ment, even iä casting's possessing
W. H. Taylor, of Manchester University, unfavourable features.
Heat Treated
The heat-treated alloy, it is claimed, possesses high tensile strength at ordinary and at elvated temperatures, combined with high elastic limit and high Brinell hardness. The chill-cast, fully heat-treated, alloy is shown, to possess a maximum tensile stress of 23 tons to 27 tons per square inch," a 0-1 per cent, proof stress value of 21 tons to 24 tons' per square inch, an elongation of
SCOTTISH SHIPBUILDING 1 per cent, and a Brinell value
Wille a fair amount of activity is still general in the shipbuilding industry of Scotland. the past month has been a very quiet one from the standpoint of new con. tracts and launches. Messrs. U.
of 130 to 140. "Corresponding figures given for the sandcast condition, are, maximum atresa, alloy, in the fully heat-treated
19 tons to 20 tons; proof stress. 18 tons to 20 tons; elongation, O per cent. to 1 per cent.; and Brinell value, 130 to 140. Special attention is drawn by the manu-
mil for Durban, South Africa
11
LEVERHULME RESEAR FELLOWSHIPS
-31
METAL WINDOWS
MANUFACTURER:
MADE IN HONGKONG
FROM
IMPORTED
· BRITISH MATERIAL
95% BRITISH.
and W. Henderson & Co. Ltd. facturers of the alley to the high THE TAI YING STEEL WINDOW MFG. CO.
Fartick, Glasgow, and Mesars. Wil liarn Denny and Brothers, Limited. Dumbarton, each booked an order for a new vessel, and although several other contracts are suppos- ed to have been secured by Clyde builders, official confirmation is lacking. Tenders are at present under consideration for at least Half-a-dozen new vessels, and an- nouncements regarding these, may be made public shortly. During the past month, the number of Inunches was confined to three two
on the Clyde and one on the Dee. The output for the month of June and for the half-year is "as follows:
་
fatigue strength, of the material, namely, 8-25 tons per square Inch Wöhler, 20,000,000 rever- sais). The alloy. is pointed out, is suitable for, high-duty service in the form of die-cast- ings, chill or sandcastings, and should prove of value in the aeronautical and motor-car in- dustries. A modified -form of the alloy, termed Ceralumin "D," '\is obtained by substituting the arti Delal ageing treatment by ageing at room temperatures for five days. It is stated that, by this means, a somewhat lower tensile strength is obtained, combined, however, with a considerably in- creased ductility. Figures given for the "D" alloy, in the chill- cast state, are: maximum stress value, 19 tons to 21 tona per Tons Vessels Tons to 14 tons per square inch
square inch; proof stress, 13 tons
30,925, elongation, 4 per cent. to
6 per 3,847
Cent; and Brinell value, 98 to 101. For the sand-cast alloy, the Brinell value is the same, but the
maximum stress is, 14 tons to 18: tons, the proof stress 11 tons to 13 tons; and the elongation 1 per cent. to 3 per cent. Ceralumin "D" is intended for castings, in which heavy stresses may be set up and a little tendency to yield is essential, such, for example, a. castings destined for shrunk-on cylinder heads.
Siz Months
1934
June, 1934
The Clyde
2 1.625 22
The Forth The Tay
The Dec
kind Moray
Firth
220
930
35-542
Total 3 1,845. 30 Although the butput for the Aret six months of the year has been very poor, active conditions have. prevailed at a number of the ship- yards and many vessels are near- ing the launching stage. Amongst these is the big Cunarder at Clyde- bank, which is to be put into the water in the month of September: and between now and the end of the month the output agures will mount up considerably
Sarcasm
Diner: "Are you the waitress who took my order?”.
Waltress:" "Yes, lar».
Diner: "You're still. looking well, How are your grandchild-
TELEPHONE: 27480, "-
SHIPBUILDERS,
OPOL 98/86, OHUN YONG STREET. FACTORY-NORTH-POINT, HONG KONG.
SHIP REPAIRERS, BOILER MAKERS, FORGE MASTERS, OXY-ACETYLENE AND ELECTRIC WELDERS, .
MECHANICAL AND
ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERS.
OF HONG KONG, LIMITED.
THE TAIKOO DOCKYARD & ENGINEERING COMPANY
SALVAGE TUG. "TAIKOO”
WIRELESS CALG
VFGN. 600 Markas
-DRY DOCK-
Length 787. Feet Length on Blocks 760 Feet. Depth on Centre of
SII (FW.0.S.T.) 34 ft. 6 ing. -THREE SLIPWAYS,—
Capable of Handling Ships Up
to 4,013 Tons Displacement.
Electric Grang at Sen Wall, Capable of Lifting 100 Tons at 70 Feet Radius.
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Agents,
HONG KONG, CHINA & JAPAN. TEL. ADDIM: "TALOoBOCE, HONG KONG. Tazathoza: 80211.
CALL Palth *NOMIKAL ONE” ÖTEE *AN, FRÍMARE *