The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-03-22
Steamboat Explosions.

the part Of Congress, and in 1889 led to the pas
sage of a law, by the observance of which it was
hoped that the evil might be mitigaed if not en-
treIy done away with But whether owing to
| defective legislation laxity in enforcing the
| law the part of those entrusted with its execu-
ton, no remarkable improvement has been observed
since the Act of 1893, To provide for the secury
! of lives of passengers &c, was adopted. The
subject has again forced itself upon the attention
| of Congress-and the Committee on Commerce.
through MIR. Thbodaux, have presented report
and bill which is before the House of Repre-
senaves relative to this subject. This report is
as folloWS
The question OF the best ehod of preventing the bursting
OF steamboat boilers, by which valuable lives and
so much property are lost. has for long time, agI9'ed the
gres in the year S58 Would afford the best remedy against
the evil which the nature of the admitted and the best
years experience must be confessed that the evil has
been much Ind Ds s from this cause a., sn are stu OF
mands an investigation OF the old the adoption OF new
remedy against evil Taugh with fearful conse
aGe"ce Various opinions have been entertained by scien
tic and practical to the which lead to the
have been proposed for tie same The most prominent
plan suggested the appointment Of board of competent
and, without such license hall be allowed to act in
ensne psse", employed The , com@s
Oh OPINION that the accidents IN question not traceabe to
poon regimes extraordinary scientific knowledge in the
engIneers nsmuc as the most killed among them know
III what condition boilers should he kept prevent explo
"m ,n rather e want Of the Isl moral qusSea5
tothe OF attention prudence on the part Of the
engineer whose duty keep boilers proper
The amaze s q i" e be rather matter of obe
.a1oh and Sancs OF sound judgement and 9nceasing
ITS complicated machinery in good order and to know how
fore with moderate desfee OF skill Tie grand requisites
n good engineers and greater knowledge of the sciences
Theoretically TO account for these disasters would Of
greater practical utility to them than the knowledge of the
muskel.
The frequent explosion boilers used the naviga-
place our manufacturing establishments where steam
consequence of the OF the fue boilers rendered douby
and seaIe eyel and the high pleasure to Which they
are subjected IN order to obtain speed Boilers placed
this the whole difficulty consists. The committee informed
that on many of the sugar plantations Of the South heen
professional engineers engaged by the planters, less
ss 'an s ut s
engine and mill IN case of accident thereby avoiding the
is alleged that the boilers and hulls of steamers have
been Inspected and had received the certificates.
absh tbs fact But as no Steamboat can Be used without
certificate OF nseetio9 regularly obtained according to
evident that fact they often in of recent
inspection The inference pobabe that the inspec
cent. This may have resulted from ignorance, caeessness
& Sn @ P5 81 al lG e G ea ' bs
presented by directing the officers to appoint
avortm, the committee would suggest remedy by direct
the inspection to be conducted in the presence of two
possible that man, however competent. might be negl
fsp or + S cdmDs 20 ps that ufa w "
presence of two witnesses whose continuation OF his report
With regard to pilots the safety of the boats or vessel.
under her charge depends s almost entirely upon Their
which 1t is their duty to guide them From the nature
sn ny ssG % 81 5 be p wb aS
&c M guidance are ehageab to their negligence
board for the examination and licensing Of individuals be-
fore they should be permitted to art pu
But the subdivision by law of wokmen different grades
as ter ya n% gyng d pv I, Ss
other for employment, is system which now has but few
IRE tendng to Establish it. BESIDES the Committee ' are Of
opinion that additional security would be gained by its
known to be careful in the selection Of pilots and law re-
curing higher qualifications than nov possess would
lions Nor should they be held to strict acdountsbiy for
s or neSea See e the 70
nor the skill and knowledge the pilot can at all times in pre-
whose dt logs and ererchanging cannels are constantly
creating new and undiscovered penk The captains and
titled credit for their skill and prudence considering
tence which caacteses the travelling community of the
baby a only means BY Which the humber Of this class Of
accidents may be diminished or prevented.
Another branch of this important subject that has been
brought to The consideration OF the committee the frequent
by When we look at the combu.tble materials that
enter INTO e' construction as well as the eombustible
the lights required IN various places the committee after
s s S ." TIE are mot peDaed to bsy
those on land iakg into consideration the pens that ne
Just alluded Nor the committee recommend penal
enactment, against the officers of the boat when the impru
dence and indisceton OF any individual on board often
constitute the primary OF the disasters which end in de-
strmcton of property and life.
The committee have been careful all the safe
guards calculated to preserve life IN of accidents as will
be found by reference to the supplementary act which
companies this report and which respectfully submitted
Accompanying the report is the subjoined bill
which, as it will probably become law, we pub
fish for the information of numerous readers
interested in, or connected with the navigation of
the Western waters
teen hnoed a" ih light s enfied An act to provide
for the better security of the lives of passengers board
" OF vessels propelled in whole in part by steam
Be II eaGeted dg the Senate and House Of Representa-
h Fl 5 1d sae P aereG Ho"g e d ssdf bs
the provide for the better security Of the lives OF pas
steam approved July seventh eighteen bundled thirty
eight shall hereafter be made IL presence OF two good and
tor Of the port wherein such inspection shall be made in
his BY The district qdge Or n By some ed 0hsr
shall certify in their certificates that SAID inspection was
n,,e shall append their certificate thereto showing when
and where said Inspection wa; made the name an. Of the
manner said inspection for which services so performed
of said boat vessel the sum of one dollar and the said
wtnese shall be competent to give testimony in all cases
s. ind be Il further enacted That when one Or more
m @ have been Killed by o s Of any Of e,"host %
vessel popeed whos or IN part by steam the owner or
dollars nor more five thousand dollars. And the cap
and the engineer person having charge Of said boilers
prsoned fo period not exceeding SIX months either or