The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-05

The following proposition tOsesiabllsh a set of StexALs, is suggested by an old and experienced steamboat Master, and first ap- peared in the St. Louis Republican. IL is so simple in it's detail, as, if followed out, to prevent entirely the recurrence of collisions, by which so many lives, and such an amount of property Is every year sacrificed. We hope to see it adopted throughout the valley of the Mississippi:-LoS, Democrat.
 PROPOSED SIGNALS.
 SIGNAL l--Let either boat the most pru- dent will ring first,) when she discovers the other, and is sufficiently near to be heard. ring her bell, say nine taps. Let the other immediately answer this by a similar signal of nine taps This is the alarm signal. When this alarm signal Is exchanged, 1t is known that each Is steamboat, and obsefT- ed by the other.
 If this signal IS not answered, let II be re- peased, until it is answered, ot until the d,s- covery is made that the light which is seen is not on a steambot as was supposed--- When the alarm signal is answered, then let the boat which first made signal, if sucI, de- sires to pass to the right, give,
 SIGNAL 2.-Which is a single toll of the bell, lone iap,l in a loud tone; which means, Il wear off to my right you do the same, or wear off to your right" and let this be an- swered by the sane signal, (one tap Of the bell from the other boat, showing that tine signal is heard and understood. If this sig nal is not answered, or if it is answered im- properly, or by any other signal, then the first boat should immediately stop the en- zines, and repeat the first, or alarm signal; hearing which the second boat should answer. the alarm signal at once, and stop her engines also. Then let the first boat repeat her se- cond signal. and as soon as answered prop erly, both boats can go ahead with entire safety.
 Again. If itis the desire pf the boat which first made signal to pass 10 the left, she will give
 SIGNAL 3.--Whjch IS two tolls or single strokes oI the bell, which means, q wear of to the Jeff, you do the same--that is wear of to your ielt;n which belng answered prop ery by ,1he other boat, by two single taps of the beil, both boats pass on with safety; for if sach boat ''wears to the left'' tor 10 the right, as the case may bel they cannot come in contact. If not answered, or answered improperly, pursue the same course as ih re- laton to signal No.2.
 The two latter signals are now used on all boats for heaving the lead, to wit. signal No. 2. of one tap, is for the starboard lead, and signal No. 3, of two taps is for the Iarboard lead; and as il is almost always desired that the soundings be taken in meeting boats, let the signals call for the lead on each beat. as heretofore; and as soon as the boat has pass ed, and there IS no longer a necessity for the lead, t c&1 be taken in.
 believe if this regulation IS adopted, that collisions cannot possibly happen; and fl so, will not the Masters and Pilots of all steam- boats who hear the plan suggested, adopt il at oneeI And if it comes into general use, and then collision should take place from the fact that boat refuses to adopt it, should not the owners and officers both be held res- ponsible for all loss and damage sustained by a collision, which the least degree of care and prudence would have prevented? How many valuable lives, and how much property have been lost on the Congress, the Maria, and the other ill-lated vessels that have gone suddenly to the bottom of the deep waters during the last few years And can ia future, be prevented by an arrangement so simple, and without the cost of dime, or mo- ment's trouble or loss time?
 ], for one, shall adopt the regulation and if each of the editors on the waters will give space enough To lay the plan before the community, and call attention to il, think that within thirty days it will be in use on board of every boat ahoat
 would suggest that Pilots cut out these notices, and put them up in their wheel houses, and call the attention of other Pil- ots to,the regulations
 A STEAMBOAT MASTER.
 St. Louis. March l, lS47.
 FROM MEXICO FtA. HAVANA.