Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-29

LIGHTS AT SEA.-When Mr.. Adams,
went into Office. he very properly recommen-
dcd the establishment Of National Observable
RIGS, which he was pleased to denominatc
Light Houses oftbo Skies and if he had
recommended the passage Of a law to compel
merchant ships. to wear a light at soa. or
TO establish Light Houses on the ocean,
he would have conferred a signal favor on our
Insurance. OFFICES, and preserved from
destruction a large amount Of property, and
thousands Of lives.
A writer in the New-York Gazette, has re-
Gently taken up the subject pfligh,ing ships at
sea, and a. his remarks are pertinent and
reasonable, we must copy them, though to do
so, we occupy space which was originally
marked out for tho accommodation Of other
matter:
"We have numerous instances Of vessels run
ming foul of each other, whereby many lives
and a vast deal Of property is lost. 1t cannot
be said that " what is ones loss is another's
GAIN" whero there 10 an extinction Of proper
ty, none are benefited BY it. To prevent which
NO would recommend every vessel to DO provi-
ded with a lantern, made for the purpose Of
exhibiting a light at all ines when at sea, cx-
cept whom the moon will shed sufficient light
TO distinguish obje cts.-This lantern should DO
placed in a particular part Of the vessel. so
that it can be seen ahead and on each side,
without dazzling the eyes Of those on board.
In square rugged vessels it should be suspended
at the head Of the forc-top-gahant mast, and
in schooncrs, &c. at tho heel Of the ~forc-top
mast. 1t should be made with lens and rehec-
tor in front, thick plain glass on each side,
hooks and braces TO keep it steady, and so
close that no wind can put the light out.
The expense Of oil for 4 conmon passage TO
Europe, cannot DO more than 81 or rs cents.
If all were TO use them, I trns. no accident Of
that kind could happen. 1t may be urged as
an objection, that these lights would be taken
for light houses, and mislead them, bot this
cannot be, for the change of position would be
so quick that it could not be misunderstood
besides being at the mast head, the rolling Of
the ship would give il a motion that a light
house docs not have. I'm the time Of war, tho
risk Of capture would be moro than running
afoul Of each other, but now that the ocean is
covered with ships. the chance is great Of COM
ing in contact. Besides tho number we hear
from daily!we have reason to think that many
very many, arc lost this way, that We never
hear from. We recommend that the papers
throughout the Union should give notice. so
that It may become general among all ma
tions. Yours, nc.
PUBLIC GOOD.
. p. 8. We know Of one ship that sunk two,
and injured a third"
Those who have been at sea and approach
cd the north coast Of America, IN the night
or crossed tho Grand Banks, or sailed in any Of
those places where the ocean is literally swarm
ed with navigation, will readily accede to the
CORE ctness ofthe arguments of the writer Of
the foregoing article; and, it is to be hoped.
that the subject, will arrest the attention Of
the national councils, and occupy those mo-
ments, which they have marked out for useless,
and ~virulent debate. We understand that
Captain Mather, Of the Steam Boat Long
Branch, and several gentleman Of New-York,
and New-London, have memorialized Congress
on the subject, praying that all vessels who
pass through Long Island sound, shall be COM
PEELED TO carry lights at their mast head. We
uODC tlut Nv iCNiotiut ~ w SAN w.
and the prayer of the petitioners be granted.
As illustrative Of the danger, 10 which vessels
are liable, by neglecting to carry lights in dark
weather, we will relate a calamity which
was run down and foundered. She was a
schooner, and sailed from this port, in the au-
tumn of 1918, bound for Savannah, in Georgia.
She left the chops Of the West channel, about
sunset, and at IL midnight was hull down with
Block Island. Tho weather was pleasant, but
dark, and standing off with a leading breeze,
her commander and crew, dreamt not of the
danger that ncarod them, when a large brig run
down upon them, and striking the schooner
abaft the fore chains, went over her, and sunk
her in the depths Of ths ocean. The brig i'm
mediately backed her main-topsail, luffed up
and hastencd to rescue the sufferers. But it
was too late. They had sunk to rise no more,
and all that was heard Of them, was their last
cries for help and mercy. Tho schooner, was
literally destroyed, and nothing but her papers,
which Hoatod on tho surface Of tho ocean, told
her sad tale, and conveyed to dcsponding
friendship and affection, the hard fate of the
wrctched lost ones. On board Of her, was a
friend of our youth, who thus early foil a VIC
tim to a watery grave. Had the schooner or
the brig, wore lights. the dreadful calamity, in
all probability, would not have occurred. The
subject ofIighting ships a, sea, is certainly ono
of great interest, aud should claim the az
%tcntion Of all who are concerned in nsyiga-
lion.