Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-09-04
Tbe Steamboat Bill a law.

III ~s,,
for the better protection of human me-, on BOARD
vessels navigated by steam, orlslIaeng III Lne
Senate, but materially amended and improves py
tbe House of Representatives. AT one time there
,ere reat causes to fear it would fail, by reason
of The combined influence of opposing interests,
and the confusion and hurry incident TO the close
Of the session. But the recent terrible sacrifice
of human life, on the hudson rlVer and Lake
Erie, was monition which members of Congress
never could have shut their ears TO- without incur
ring the condemnation of their constituents. Pub
lie sentiment in this particular case, has had It's
legitimate effect, now let the law do its work.
The tilltis very Misunderstanding 81 pages;
but we have endearoted to give as ineligible ai
idea of its provisions as the following condensa-
ton could admit:
The first section provides that no license shall
begranted by any collector, to steamboat uhtt
he has sufficient evidence that the provisions OF
this act are complied with; and if it be navlgaleu
without this license, the owners and the Yesse,
itself shall be subject to the penalties contained
in the second section of the act to which TINS Is III
amendment.
SEc. I'd. Enacts that the Inspectors of the bulls
of steamers, and the boilers and engines shai se
that suitable precautions are taken agalns. tle
danger of fire. that no license shall be gran'eu IN
less the provisions of this act are compliea WIN,
or if any material likely to take ire from neateu
iron be placed at less distance imam 10 incs
from the substances likely to cause Ignition unless
column of air or water intervene between ehe
heated surface and the combustible material. but
if the structure of the steamers IS sucn that hese
requirements cannot be complied WIN Wlthout
great inconvenience, then the Inspectors are al
lowed to vary theretrom, II they are Sa.isneu II
can be done with safety.
SEC s. Every steam vessel conveying passen-
gers shall have three forcing pumps, with cham
beers four inches in diamater, one of which to be
placed near the stern, one near the stem and one
amidships each having well fitted hose two
thirds the length of the vessel, each pump having
pipe to connect with it, which shall pass through
the side of the vessel so as always to be able TO
supply it with water when afoat. But in the
steamers not exceeding 200 tons measurement,
two of the pumps may be dispensed with, and
i'll those over two hundred tons, and not exceeding
500 tons, one of the pumps may be dispensed
with.
SEC. 4. Every passenger steam vessel shall have
two boats, one a life boat made OF metal. Every
vessel of more than 500 tons, and less than SUI
tons, shall have three life-boas; every vessel OF
more than 500 and less than 1900 tons, four lie
boats, and every vessel of more than l5oo tons
shall have six life-boats; but steamers navigating
rivers only are exempt from carrying more than ona
life boat, provided they have such other provisions
for the preservation of life satisfies the lnspec'
tors.
SEC s. Every vessel shall have a ife-preseryer
and float for each passenger, and % fire buckets
and . axes. A vessel of 600 tons shall have five
buckets and one axe for each 100 tons, decreasing
as the tonnage increases-so that a vessel of $500
tons may keep but three buckets, for each 100 tons,
and one axe for every five buckets. sufficient
means of eScaps from the lower to the upper deck
shall be always at hand.
SECS. Z and s. No hemp shall be carried unless
the bales compactly pressed, and well covered;
neither shall any explosive burning fluids be car
red as freight without license. The violation of
these provisions incurs penalty OF SlO0 for each
offence. Anybody putting on board explosive ma
terials, without labelling it the outside, shall
nod hv fin nj
10 months Imprisonment.
SEC. 9. Provides that two Inspectors shall be ap-
pointed in district, of whom Shall judge of the
bulls of steamers, and be called the Inspector OF
Hulls and the other the Inspector OF Boilers, both
to be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury
Upon written demand of the master or owners they
shall, once year, inspect the hull and boilers of
each vessel within their district, and see whether
it can be navigated with due regard TO the safety OF
passengers lives. For this purpose they can sub
ject the boilers to moderate hydroStatic pressure
and shall satisfy themselves that the pipes and
tubes are of proper dimensions; that there is suit
able number of safety-valves and gage cocks; a
water guage and steam guage, and that there is al
lowed metal fusible by the heat, in or upon the
flue of each outside high pressure boiler. That
upon the examination of every vesssl, they shall
report to the Commissioner of the district its seawor
tqineSs, and whether proper provisions are made
for extingushing fire should it arise. Amy man
wishing to fill the situation of engineer Shall I'M
if they deem him competent, shall give him GER
tificatc to that effect. They also examine pilots;
anybody feeling aggrieved by their decision, may
appeal to the supervising Inspector within 80 days;
any master employing pilot, and any pilot under
taking the duties of that situation, without first
ceiving the necessary certificate shall forfeit 500
for each such offence. Besides the annual ex-
animation of steamers, an inspector may at any
time examine such steamer as he thinks not sufii-
GENTLY secure against accidents, and prohibit any
~.
are made. His decision, however, to
be revised by the local Board of Inspectors and fl
naly an appeal may be made to the Supervising
Inspector. Inspectors have the power to summon
and may compel their attendance, as is
done by courts of law. Pilots and mates are also
obliged to assist them in making examinations.
SEC. IL, 10, II. If the master of vessel shall,
oy any device, subject the boiler to greater
pressure than is allowed by certificate, it shall be
held misdemeanor and he may be fined 5000 and
imprisoned IS months. If the wafer fall below
hree inches above the flue, through the conni-
vance or otherwise of the master, he, and also the
engineer, shall be liable to fine of 500. All
steam boilers shalt be constructed of stamped
plates, the material of which shall have been
by the inspectors, In order that suitable
metal may be used.
SEC. 90. Provides that the President shall ap-
point nine supervising inspectors, who shall meet
for consultation at least once year; each inspector
10 have $1,000 year for his services, besides
travelling expenses.
SEC. 81 and %. The supervising inspectors
shall see 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
ain himself.
SEC. %. If from darkness, fog, &C., the pilot
or engineer warns the master that further naviga-
ion is dangerous, the latter, by persistng, incurs
he expense of any damage that may arise from
injury to passengers baggage, &c.
SEC. 90. The inspectors shall establish rules
to be observed by vessels passing each other, which
masters are bound to obey under penalty of $50.
SEC. 81. The Collector of Customs for the dis
trict shall receive from the owner OF vessels,
for inspection, for vessel of 1000
tons, s35; for of 500, $50, under 500 $50; and
each plote engineer shall pay for his certificates,
FIRST IS, and afterwards 81 for each.
SEc.34. The inspectors shall be provided with
from the Secretary of the Treasury.
SEC. IS and SO. Every master shall always