Thomas P. Giblin Responsible for Vital Accuracy of Wireless Apparatus's Receiving Instruments and Proper Functioning of Radio Compass on Which Flyers Depend
Improved winding radio coils in the type SE-1405 amplifier used in the wireless apparatus of the "Nancy" Four which Lieutenant Commander Albert C. Read piloted in the first successful transatlantic flight, worked out by Thomas P. Giblin, a Providence radio engineer, was responsible for the high efficiency of the plane's receiving apparatus. The coils were manufactured by a local concern of which Mr Giblin was manager.
Because of the greatly reduced size of wireless aerials permissible on a seaplane of the NC-4 type, a strong "booster" is vitally necessary to increase the intensity of sounds received to a sufficient degree of audibility. The amplifier devised - by Mr. Giblin by a method which is a closely guarded naval secret, made possible a very wide receiving radius.
Not only is the amplifier an important, unit in the receiving of messages, but also in the accurate functioning of the delicate radio compass upon which the airship depends for its direction while in flight. The NC-4 was in constant communication with the chain of destroyers strung out across the Atlantic, the vessels sending frequent position data. This was picked up and registered by the radio compass and from the longitude and latitude figures thus received the flyer was able to plot out his own relative position and direction of flight. Without the reliable "booster" in the circuit of the wireless mechanism aboard the airship, the compass would either register inaccurately or perhaps fail to work altogether. Published reports of the trip reveal how effectively the contrivance worked.
The amplifier which contains the coils devised by Mr Giblin, as well as the Audion bulb, is an instrument not quite the size of an ordinary quart measure. In spite of the comparatively small size, the efficiency of the device proved uniformly accurate, contributing in a very large measure to the success of the epoch-marking flight. Mr Giblin has since developed a powerful amplifier coil which has been successfully tested at the Naval proving ground at Hyattsville MD 2
The Personal Narrative of the Wireless Operator on the Naval Seaplane Which First Spanned the Atlantic in an Historical Air Flight Ensign Herbert C Rodd
The Navy NC-4 historic flight across the Atlantic had another connecton to Rhode Island in addition to Thomas P. Giblin. The construction of the planes hull was completed at the Herreshoff Company in Bristol, Rhode Island.
