Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-09-16
The Steamboat Bill.

lowing condensation Of its provisions. The
whole bill covers 81 pages
The first section provided that no license
shall be granted by any collector to a steam
boat until he has sufficient evidence that the
provisions Of this act are complied with;
and, if it be navigated without this license.
the owners and the vessel itself shall be sub
,ject to the penalties contained III the second
section Of the act TO which this is an amend
ment.
Sec. 2d enacts that the Inspectors of the
shall see that suitable precautions are talk
en- against the danger Of fire, that no license
shall be granted unless the provisions of
this act are complied with, or if any mate
rial likely to take fire from heated iron be
placed at a less distance than Is inches
from the substance likely to cause ignition,
unless column of air or water intervene
between the heated surface and the combus-
tlble material. But if the structure OF the
steamers is such that those requirements
cannot be complied with without great in
convenience, then the Inspectors are allow
ed to vary therefrom, if they are satisfied it
can be done with safety.
Sec 3. Every steam vessel conveying
passengers shall have three forcing pumps,
with chambers four inches in diameter, one
OF which to be placed near the stern, one
near the stem, and one amidship, each hav-
ing well-fittcd hose two-thirds the length
of the boat, each pumphavinga pipe to con-
meet with it, which passes through the side of
the vessel so as always to be able to supply
it with water when afloat. But in steamers
not exceeding 200 tons measurement two
of the pumps may be dispensed with, and in
those over 200 tons, and not exceeding 500
tons, one Of the pumps may be dispensed
with.
Sec. i. Every passenger steam vessel
shall have two boats, one lifc-boat, made
ofmctal. Every vessel Of more than 800
tons. and less than 500 tons, shall have three
ite-boatS; and every vessel CT more than
SOC, and less than 1900 tons. four ll;c-boats:
and every vessel Of more than 1900 tons
shall have six liiie-boatS; but steamers navi-
eating rivers only are exempt from carry
/ ing more than one life-boat, provided thew
have such other provisions for the preserva-
ton of life as satisfies the inspectors.
Sec. 5. Every vessel shall have life
pre>erver and float for each passengers.
and % fire buckets and 5 axes. \ 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
A sufficient means Of escape from the lower
10 the upper deck shall be always at hand.
Secs. and :. No hemp shall be carried
unless the bales are compactly pressed and
well covered; neither shall any explosive
burning fluids be carried as freight without
license. The violation Of these provisions
incurs penalty Of $500 for each offence
Anybody putting on board explosive mate
riels, without labelling it on the outside.
shall be punished byG fine not exceeding
81 600, or by eighteen months imprison-
ment.
Sec. 9. Provides that two inspectors
shall be appointed in district, one OF whom
shall Judge OF the hnlls Of steamers and be
called the Inspector o! HuIls, the other the
Inspector OF Boilers. both to be approved
by the Secretary Of the Treasury. Upon
written demand oithe master or owner they
ers of each vessel within their district, and
see whether it can be nayigated with due
regard TO the safety Of passengers livcs.-
For this purpose they can subject the boil
ers TO a moderate hydrostattlc pressure
and shall satisfy themselves that all the
pipes and tubes are Of proper dimensions:
that there is a suitable number OF safety
valves and gauge-cock>; water guaCe and
steam guage; and that there is allowed metal
fusblc by the heat in or upon the ilue Of
each outside high pressure boiler. Thai
upon the examination OF every vessel they
shall report to the Commissioner Of the dis
trict its sea-worthiness. and whether proper
provisions are made for cXtinguishing fire
should it arise. Any man wishing to fill
the situation of engineer shall undergo ar
examination before these Inspectors, who
: il they deem him competent, shall give hin
a certificate to that effect. They Shall ais,
examine pilots; ANYBODY feeling agrievcC