note of Statten Island ferry's horn

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: Amos
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 12:45 PM

From the Coast guards latest edition to the Rules:

ANNEX III, section 1, paragraphs (a) and (c) are amended to read as follows:

1. Whistles

(a) Frequencies and range audibility
The fundamental frequency of the signal shall lie within the range 70-700Hz. The range of audibility of the signal from a whistle shall be determined by those frequencies, which may include the fundamental and/or one or more higher frequencies, which lie within the range 180-700Hz (+/-1%) for a vessel of 20 meters or more in length, or 180-2100Hz (+/-1%) for a vessel of less than 20 meters in length and which provide the sound pressure levels specified in paragraph 19c0 below.

(c) Sound signal intensity and range of audibility
A whistle fitted in a vessel shall provide, in the direction of maximum intensity of the whistle and at a distance of 1 meter from it, a sound pressure level in at least one 1/3rd-octave band within the range of frequencies 180-700Hz (+/-1%) for a vessel of 20 meters or more in length, or 180-2100Hz (+/-1%) for a vessel of less than 20 meters in length, of not less than the appropriate figure given in the table below.

Length of vessel in meters
1/3rd-octave band level at 1 meter in dB referred to 2X10-5N/m2 Audibility range in nautical miles
200 or more
75 but less than 200
20 but less than 75 143
138
130 2
1.5
1
Less than 20 120*1
115*2
111*3 0.5

*1 When the measured frequencies lie within the range 180-450Hz
*2 When the measured frequencies lie within the range 450-800Hz
*3 When the measured frequencies lie within the range 800-2100Hz

(It was a table in the original page, sorry)

A

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 09:20 PM

Ferry Captain's either in jail or out on bail and not taking calls.

The more I think about it, that part where it goes to C in the fiddle tune "Staten Island" probably has absolutely no correlation to the actual note of the Ferry's whistle. Hornpipes are almost always done in either D, G or A. If the whistle's actual pitch was D, then the tune would have to be done in E major to make the passage work. Hah! Most fiddlers I know don't even know that there is a key called E major!

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 08:49 PM

Surely it is not beyond the bounds of human ingenuity to phone up the relevant Port Authority, ask to be connected to the Ferry Captain via cell-phone, have him sound his horn, and settle the question thus.

I would do it myself, but the phone charges from Pitlochry would be crippling ....

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: jets
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 08:30 PM

I do know that fog horns at light houses are all tuned to "D"for it has been found to carry further .I then would think that fog horns on vessels ,if tuned at all ,would be also tuned to "D"

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 02:11 PM

The idea that it is a C probably comes from the well-known fiddle tune "Staten Island" (aka "Staten Island Hornpipe"). The tune is is D with one passage moving into C in the middle of the B part. Some people feel that the C passage sounds like the Staten Island Ferry blowing its whistle. I have no idea if it was the intention of whoever wrote the tune or if it's a joke that's come to be taken seriously. For that matter, someone once told me that the tune was not named for Staten Island, New York at all, but for an island off the coast of Ireland. But he may have been lying.

I profess no sure-fire knowledge in the matter. I am but a sponge for other people's ignorance.

Bruce

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: Steve-o
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 01:46 PM

Being made by and for New Yorkers, the note is of course an F sharp. Read into that anything you'd like.

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: dwditty
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 11:56 AM

if it is anything like the note a basketball crowd always chants "Air Ball" in when a player misses everything, it would be Bflat. You can look it up.

dw

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: Amos
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 10:12 AM

Obviously, I've been away too long! It'd cost you a buck at least to get down to it, in any case.

A

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 09:11 AM

Actually. Amos, the Staten Island Ferry is free, and has been for some time.

Subject: RE: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: Amos
Date: 08 Dec 03 - 08:37 PM

It'll only someone a buck to take the ride and read the note on his electronic tuner!


A

Subject: note of Statten Island ferry's horn
From: GUEST,guest mick
Date: 08 Dec 03 - 08:15 PM

Does anyone know what the note of the Staten Island ferry is?
My brother John thinks it might be C