Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-03
The New Steamboat Law.

As it has been compiled from the bill itself The
bill is very long, covering SO pages, and no doubt
contains number of holes throug which the guilty
will be able to crawl through:
The first section provides that no license shall be
granted by any collector to steamboat until he has
sufficient evidence that the provisions of this act are
complied with and if it be navgated without this IL
the owners and the vessel itself shall be sub
iect to the penalties contained in the second section
Of the act to which this is amendment.
Sec. I'd enacts that the inspectors of the hulls of
steamers, and of boilers and engines, shall that
suitable precautions take against the danger of
fire; that no license shall be granted unless the
provisions of this act are complied WITH or if any
material likely to take FIRE from heated iron be pla
ced at a less distance than Is inches from the sub
stance likely to cause ignition, unless a column of
air or water intervene between the heated surface
and the combustible material. But if the structure
cf steamers is such that those requirements cannot
be complied with without great Inconvenience, then
The inspectors allowed to vary thererom if they
are satisfied it can be done with safety.
Sec. 3. Every steam vessel conveying passengers
shall have three forcing pumps with chambers 4
inches in diameter, one of which to be placed near
the stern the stem and one amidship, each
having we'll fitted hose two thirds the Iengt of
the vessel each pump having pipe to connect with
It, which shall pass through the side of the vessel so
always to be able to supply it with water when
afoat But in steamers not exceeding 200 tons
measurement two Of the pumps may be dispensed
with, and IN those over 800 tons, and not exceeding
500 tors enc OF the pumps may be dispensed with
Sec. 4. Every passenger steam vessel shall have
F~o boats, one a life boat made of metal Every
vessel Of than 500 TONS and less than 800 tons
shall have three life boats; every vessel of more
than 800 tons, and less than 1900 tons four life
boats, and every vessel of more than 1900 TONS sha
have six life boats but steamers navigating rivers
only are exempt from carrying more than one life
boat, provided they have such other provisions for
the preservation of life satisfies the Inspectors
Sac hall ho,,
and aoat for each passenger, and Is buckets and
axes. vessel of 600 tons shall have five buckets
and one axe ter each 100 TONS decreasing the ton
mage ncreases-so that vessel of $500 tons may
keep but three buckets for each 100 TONS and one
axe for every FIVE buckets. sufficient means of es-
cape from the lower to the upper deck shall he al
ways at hand.
Secs, and 8. No hemp shall be carried unless
the bales are compactly pressed and we'll covered;
neither shall any explosive burning fluids be carried
as freight without license. The violation Of these
provisions ncurs penalty of 800 for each offence
Anybody putting on board explosive materials, with
out labelling it on the outside shall be punished by
4 fine not exceeding $1,000 or by Is months impris-
onment.
Sec. Q provides that two inspectors shall be ap-
pointed in district one of whom shall Judge of the
bulls of steamers, and be called the Inspector of
4ulls the other the Inspector of Boilers both 10 be
approved of by the Secretary os the Treasury. Up
on written demand of the master owner they SHALL
once year, inspect the hull and boiler of each
Sci Wlttln tnelr QIerlcE ana see whether 1t can be
gated with due regard to the safety of passen-
gers lives. For this purpose they can subject the
boilers to moderate hydrostatc pressure, and shall
satisfy themselves that all the pipes and tubes are
of proper dimensions that there is suitable num-
Der of safety valves and guage-cocks water-guage
and steam guage, and that there is allowed metal
fusibe by the heat in upon the fue of each out
side high pressure boiler. That, upon the examina-
ton of every vessel they shall report to the commits
soner of the district its seaworthiness and whether
proper provisions made for extnguishing fire
should it arise. Any wishing to fill the situa-
ton Of eng ineer shall undergo examination before
these inspectors who, if they deem him competent.
shall give him certificate to that effect. They
shall also examine pilots any body feeling aggrev
ed by their decision may appeal to the supervising
Inspector within 80 days; any master employing a
pilot and any pilot undertaking the duties of that
situation, without first receiving the necessary
ti6catc shall forfeit 500 for each such offence Be-
sides the annual examination of steamers an inspec-
tor may at any time examine such steamer as he
thinks not sufficiently secured against accident, and
prohibit any further navigation with, until the re-
pairs he recommends are made His decision how
to he revised by the local Board of Inspectors
and finally an appeal may be made to the Superv
sing Inspector. Inspectors have the power to sum-
mon witnesses, end may compel their attendance, as
is done by courts of law Pilots and mates are also
obliged to assist them in making examinations.
Sec. - l3. and IA. If the master Of a vessel
shall by any device subject the boiler to a greater
pressure than is allowed by certfnate it shall be
prisoned eighteen months. IF the water fall below
three inches above the due through the connivance
or otherwise of the master, he and also the engi-
neer, hall be liable to fine of 500. All steam
boilers shall be constructed of stamped plates, the
material of which shall have been examined by the
inspectors in order that suitable metal may be used
Sec. 20 provides that the President shall appoint
hine Supervising Inspectors who shall meet for con-
suaon at least once year, each inspector to have
$500 year for his services besides travelling ex-
penses.
Sec 81 and %. The Supervising Inspectors shall
whether the local boards perform their duty and
if not, report them to the Secretary of the Treasury
Sec 25. Every master shall have two copies of
his certificate, one to be hung up in conspicuous
place. for the passengers to see it, the other to
tain himself.
Sec %. If from darkness fog, &c. the pilot or
engineer warns the master that further navigation
is dangerous, the latter by perssting ncurs the
pense Of any damage that may arise from conse-
quent injury to passengers baggage, &c.
Sec. %. The Inspectors shall establish rules to be
observed by vessels passing each other, which mas.
tiers are bound to obey, under penalty of $50.
Sec. 81. The Collector of Customs for the district
shall receive from the of vessels. as compen-
sation for inspection, for vessel of 1000 TOMS $35
for one of 500 tons $50; under 500, $40; and each
pilot Engineer shall pay for his certificate, first
SIS, and afterwards, 81 for each.
Sec. "a The Inspectors shall be provided with in
sstruments by the Secretary of the Treasury
Sec. IS and Sc. Every master shall always have
for inspection list of his passengers and shall al
so have two copies Of this act, which passenger
may demand to see at any time.
Sec. SO. Engineers and Pilots before entering or
all haFo 10