The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-09-18
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The New STEAMBOAT -LAw.-The act
passed by Congress on the Both ult., for the
better security Of the lives Of passengers on
board Of vessels propelled in whole or in part
by steam," is very lengthy and very full and
stringent in its provisions. 1t being subject
which has become of great interest to the pub
lie, we will notice the leading features Of the
act--an act which is. we think, we'll calculated
to effect the object desired, if any thing in the
shape Of Legislative enactments can effect il.
The law provides that there shall be twenty
Eve districts in the United Siates, in each Of
which there shall be Board of Inspectors of
Steamboats,, the "NoStoik district embracing
Virginia.
Itshall be the duty of these inspectors, who
are required TO be men Of good character and
qualifications, hoving practical know
ledge" Of ship building and the use of steam
in Navigation, to carefully inspect once in every
year at least the boilers, the hulls, and appa-
ratus and fixtures Of all boats of a certain
amount 0ftonnage, TO test their suf1iciency and
equipment for the safety of passengers. They
ere to subject the boilers TO test Of hydrostatic
pressure, the limit to which not to exceed los
pounds to the square inch for high pressure,
and three-fourths of that number of pounds to
low pressure boilers. The boiler-plates to be
at least one. fourth OF an inch thick, Of GER
tain diameter, and to be made Of particular
kind of iron. The act also provides that all
heated machinery shall be placed at least eigh-
teen inches from wood or other substances ca>
pabe of ignition; each boat to have a certain
number of double acting forcing pumps, with
hose attached, to be supplied with water by
pipe passing through the side of the vessel, so
low as to be at all times in the water when she
is afoat at least two good and suitable life
boats, one to be of metal, and capable Of con-
tanning so persons, with life lines attached
Vessels of more than 500 tons measurement to
have at least three such boats, except steam
ers navigating rivers only, which are not re-
quired to have as many as three life boats;
life preservers or floats to be on every vessel,
TO be kept in convenient and accessible places
for each and every passenger, and always to be
in readiness for passengers; specified number
of fire buckets and fire axes sufficient and
convenient means to be provide for the ready
escape of passengers to the upper deck no gum
powder, hemp, oil, or other explosive or COM
bustible materials to be on board; the oils, sc.
necessary for the use of the boats to be kept in
metallic vessels; provision made, under heavy
penalties, for securing an ample supply of wa
ter at all times for the boilers, whether the boat
is in motion or not; the boilers not to be sub
jected TO a greater pressure than the amount
allowed By the inspectors, under like penalties.
The inspectors to make out a certificate, to be
verified by their oaths, stating whether or not
the vessel is, in all respects, seaworthy and
comfortable to the requirements of this act,
specifying the number of passengers they have
allowed her to carry; said inspectors, in addition
to the regular annual inspection, to " seasonal
bIy'' examine steamers arriving and departing,
so often as to enable them to detect any neglect
to comply with the requirements OF law, and
also any defects or imperfectons becoming ap-
parent after the regular inspection; the inspec
tors TO have power TO order repairs to be made
necessary for the safety of passengers, and to
order and compel wiine sses TO appear before
them TO testify in reference to the condition of
the boat and its machinery, and whether en-
gineers or pilots are competent, and ordering
the suspension of pilots for incompetency or
neglect of duty, and making it unlawful for
such pilots TO be employed afterwards; whe-
Their there has been any misconduct on the part
OF the owners or agents, whereby the lives Of
passengers have been endangered, and pre-
scribes heavy penalties of fine and imprson.
ment, if said owners or agents are found, gully
of the charges preferred against them, or of any
violations of this law, and moreover, be liable in
damages to the passengers for the loss of their
baggage, &c. All engineers and pilots to under
60 an examination in regard to their character
and qualifications by the Board, and to receive
q certificate thereof; and no engineer or pilot
to be employed without certificate of high
character and capacity and this examination
to be renewed every year, and the certificates
to be revoked upon any evidence of neglect.
or of having become incapactated from any
cause. Made the duty of all engineers and
pilots, masters, &C., under severe penalties, to
report promptly to the Board of Inspectors,
any violation of the steamboat law, and to re
port forthwith all accidents occurring to the
vesselor her equipment; heavy penalties pre-
scribed for captains taking on board a greater
number OF passengers than the certificate of
the Inspectors allows; and like penalties for
obstructing, or others obsuucting, in any way,
the safety valves of boiler. exposing boiler
to greater press ure than allowed, or in other
respects violating or causing to be violated,
the provisions of the law for the safety of pas.
sengers. All plates OF iron to be used for boil.
ers to be stamped after examination by the Tn.
spectors, in such manner as the Secretary Of
the Treasury shall direct. The Board If In.
tn, he G.