The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-02
IMPORTANT MOVEMENT BY THE AMERICAN SHIP

lHPoRTANT MOVEMENT BY THE AMERICAN SHIP
nAsTIRs-FREs AND LIGHTS ON THE LIVERPOOL
DECISIVE understand that very important
movement has been recently commenced by the
shipmasers, underwriters, owners, and navigators
of American sailing vessel in this and other ports
of the United States, in reference the stringent
prohibitions in regard 10 the use of fire and lights
on hoard OF vessels lying in the Liverpool docks.
In consequence of the regulations respecting the
use Of those articles, the captain. officers and
sailors, are unable TO live on board, they would
| do If fires and lights were allowed; and the con-
sequence IL, that they. Obliged 10 stay shore
at hotels and boarding houses, al extra expense
10 themselves, and 10 the serious detrment of the
morals Of the sailors and boys composing the
The movement TO which we refer, is a combined
one on the part ofour merchants, captains and I'M
Gerwiters, and will it is TO be hoped, be carried
out as soon as possible. Steps are already taken
10 ascertain if American ships find accommo-
dalton in the Brkenhead docks on the other side
of the Mersey from Liverpool, where no such
foolish and unnecessary restrictions in regard to
fires and lights exist as those which have been
framed by act of Parliament for the regulation of
the Liverpool docks. This will of Course nhct a
serious injury on Liverpool and detract conside-
raby from its commercial wealth and prosperity.
That, however, is IA matter which concerns the
PEOPLE Of Liverpool, and not us. If they are so
foolish as TO tolerate a system of regulations
which compels our American ships to seek doc K
accommodations elsewhere, the fault is their own,
and our merchants and shipmasters not TO be
blamed for consulting their own comfort and con-
venience, and seeking in other places what is de-
MED to them in Liverpool.
Several pamphlets have recently been published,
showing most concusively the evil effects attend
ant upon the prohibition of fires and lights in the
docks at Liverpool, not only TO the interests OF
commerce, but to the morals, present happiness,
and future prospects Of the snilor A vast deal Of
testimony has been taken on the subject, of most
fightlul and startling character; and were the
humane and philanthropic of this land TO trace the
dreadful misery, crime, drunkenness, and debau-
cherry among sailors, which may be traced direct
ly to the regulations TO which we have referred,
prohibiting the use of fires and lights in those
decks, they would not only be amazed that our
captains and merchants have not long since sought
and procured dock accommodations elsewhere,
but would rise up and demand that the Congress
Of the United States should take the subject in
hand, and devise a remedy in some form or other.
Of Congress, for our ne rchants and captains are
determined TO apply remedy, by adopting the
method which we have pointed out 1t is usual
with British vessels to discharge their crews on
reaching Liverpool; but American ships cannot do
so, without subecling the owners TO damages and
10 heavy fines, under act of Congress Fires and
lights not being allowed in the docks, the sailors
are sent 10 boarding houses on shore, where they
como in contact with the basest of characters, OF
both sexes, and where, in nine cases out Of ten,
they spend all their money, and frequently lose
even their clothing. The purest mind will, in
course of time be debased and corrupted by such
depraved associations.
We have much TO say on this subject, and will
recur 10 il when We have more room than We have
day. We hope ih. movement will go on, and
that our merchants and shipmasters will carry out
their intentions IN regard to Birkenhead, il the
Dock Committee in Liverpool persist in continuing
those stringent regulations which compel our
sailors TO seek warmth and comfort in places of
dissipation and prostitution, instead of furnishing
them with the means of comfort board of the
vessels TO which they are attached.