Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-07-12
srrAMaOAT DIsAsrERs.

II we tnink " nlyn tnio tuat the P"oAN
should move in relation TO stea n,boat losses.
Within few months, almost GOO human be-
ings have been acrifced-iuhumanly sacri-
feed, to that American Moloch-RAriD IRA
y.LLlx0. II is time for the people 10 look 10
this matter. and with one voice demand of
their servants M Congress some action upon
the subject. Ccnsors or Inspectors should
be appointed in every State to examine all
STEAMBOATS, and their machinery, not only
when building, but every year. Their boil
ers should be tested when new, and the
maximum height OF steam which should be
raised, then fixed by these ccnsors, and u
heavy penalty inflicted for evory infringe
ment OF this rule.
! The construction of the boats should also
be regulated there should be one style for
/ rivers and one tor sen navigation and no
boat built for the navigation of rivers, should
/ be allowed to go to sea. Nor should any
! boat be run after she had become unseawor-
thy. Humanity would lead us To SUPPOSE that
such would not be the casc,--iiiat, ~ this age
no man would risk the lives of some hundred
/ fellow beings in II boat that could not be
insured; yet we are crcdibiy informed that
such has been the case even within short
time.
The great fault Of American steamboat
building arises we think, from the general
desire that the boats should be constructed
lightly so that they may be fast saIlers.--
Safety is thus sacrificed TO speed. We have
been told that many Of the southern boats are
planked with plank only u to two inches IN
thickness. We venture To say, that the Pu-
laskl's plank were not aver q or 3 Inches
when, Tor steam navigation, they ought not
to have been short vi 4 inches, at least.
/ There is ulso gross negligence III regard
To the small boats l.ook at the boats oi the
Pulaski Of them filling aud sinking at
once. Are proprictors of steamers, for the
sake Of saving few dollars in keeping in
proper repair suitable number Of boats, to
sacrifice, as IN this case, the lives OF human
beings? Ii the voice OF humanity will not
move such men, the strong arm Of the law
should be 'interposcd. Again, we have It on
unquestionable authority, that Oh board some
Of the American boats, two sets OF cages or
rods are kept to mark the number OF inches
OF steam on, knowing that there are many
passengers who have sufficient knowledge Vi
steam engines TO Judge what IS proper
height OF steam for the boat; and HAT when
ever they wish to race, or make quick trp.
they substitute the lase rods for the true,
aud thus keep up II greater height OF steam
than the passengers would allow, IT the true
gage were used.
We should be glad to sec public meetings
called in all our Chief cities To mcmorialize
Congress at once,-and If there is not suili
cicnt time 10 procure proper law, let spe-
cial committee be appointed to set in the re-
cess, to examine boats, machinery, aud build
ers of both, and report Mt the adjourned meet
ing of Congress in December next.
/ IfCongrcss cannot be moved by the heart
rcnding spectacle Of nearly two hundred
human beings hurried at once into eternity
whole families swept ot more suddenly
than by the plagne,--will they not listen to
the cry OF patriotism, which calls them 10 act
on this wnnton waste Of lite /? We are as
the good Lafayette said, the model gopern-
ment OF ircenen,- and in the great contest
which is now going on in Europe, between
the republican tendencies OF The age und the
nonarchical spirit ot past days, The conduct
and actions Of republican America ore held
up by both parties as it makes Tor or az gainsi
their respective causes.
Every disturbance whereby life is lost
every steam boat exploslon-every riots
trunpetcd through the monarcl,ical presses OF
Europe, as 50 many arguments against liber-
ly itself. Unwilling ITO pardon something to
the spirit Of liberty" they would argue from
these occurrcnces, that liberty is but ano.
Tier name for RIGHTEOUSNESS and lawlcss
acts.
/ IL is therefore the duty OF Congress TO show
to the world that life is priced here as else.
whcre,--that they are willing to put all con.
stitutional guards upon this reckless waste Of
property and lfc,--and, to do SO, they must
put steamboats, under rigid lave, TO be cnfor
ced by fines and Imprisonment. We call
upon the press to raise its voice on this sub
ject,- bring up legislation at least to the
standard OF public opinion-behind which it
now lays at infinite distance.