The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-09-23
New Steamboat Law.


We publish below an abstract of the new law in
relation to steamhoa's navigating 1t will
perhaps, be as acceptable readers and as use
fu, as the whole law, which is very long:
SEC. l. Provides that no license, register OF en-
rolment, shall be issued by the Collector Of any port
to any boat carrying passengers, which show
q full compilance with the terms of the Act.
SEC. 2. Regulates and defines the duties of in.
spectors with regard 10 safety fIoin fire.
SEC. b Provides for engines and apparatus fJr
extnrushing fires.
SEC. 4. Provides for metallic lfehoats, with life
lines attached, capable of holding fly persons, the
number to be regulated by the size Of The boat.
SEC. ). Provides for a hfe-preserver, and float
for each passenger, TO be kept in constant readiness
aIsl, for fire buckets, axes, SC.
SEC. &. Provides for means of csc aping from the
lower to the upper deck or decks.
SEC T. Fo'bids the transportation Of certain haz-
ardous articles and commodities.
SIC. :. Provides penalties for the shipment OF
such articles, except they obviously and conspicu-
onsl, marked.
SEC. 8. Makes it the duty of the supervising in
spector, the collector OF such District, and the udge
oi the L. ;. District Cout 10 designate to the Sec
retary OF the Interior, shilf aud competent in
spector Of boilers aud machinery, who shall be a
practical machinist:
This section also provides for the stated and
thorough inspection of boats, machinery and boilers
and furnishes minute details Of the manner IN which
these duties are 10 be performeG fixing a maximum
pressure 70 the square inch both cor high and low
pressure engines. This section also provides in full
for the various particulars with regard f. hul> boil
crs, machinery pressure 10 the inch, boats, iiepre
servers, aoat~, and ali Of which rcquled to be
certified To, under oath. The inspectors are to IL
and classify all engineers and pilots; and no
boat may employ an unlicensed engineer pilot.
The board of inspectors have full power to inspect
ard examine boats and machinery all times, and
armed with the power OF compelling the attend
ance OF witnesses IN the same manner legal ribu
naiS. No boat can continue TO gate, after hay ing
been forbidden ~ the board, under penalty. H.
granted hy the board of inspectors, mav be
yOhed or annulled at any time for All disobe
dience the orders Of the board of Inspectors the
pat Of bolt-ow is To be reported to the Collector
of Customs. Any boat.owner who shall attempt 70
carry larger number OF passengers thaa has certi-
cate designatc~, liable be fined 10 for each pas
sengcr carried, u be paid the inlogmer. OH
Gers OF boats required to assist the board Of Ia
spcctors III theiT examinations, and 10 point all
defects, &c.
SEC. TO- Makes it miscmeoor punishable With
Imprisonment Tor any person 70 tie down ol>tuct
safety valve to defange the machinery which IN
dica,cs the pressure of stcau whether acriag une,
orders on not.
SEC. IL. Makes IT an oiienrc punishable bv fine
O allow the water in any boiler 10 fan below three
inches above the hue and IN any case of collapse Nv
SEC. r. Provides that boilers shall be con-
sucted except from plates stamped according to the
prov isions Of the act.
SEC. l3 Declares ii to be the duty of inspectors
to ascertain the quality Of boierron, well the
manufacture of boilers and TO approve none made Of
unsuitable material. or Of which the manufacture is
imperfect loss than one-iourh Of an inch 10 thick
ness for high-pressure boiler, Of ~ inches, and in
thai portion.
SEC. II. Provides for stamping all boiler plates
conspicuousy under rules TO be prescribed by the Sec
retarv Of the Treasury Of the United States with the
name of the manufacturer, the quality of the iron,
whether OF not hammered, and the place
factmod
SIC. -. Provides that none bit stamped iron is
to be used.
SEC. 10. Provides penalty for forging Or alter
inr such stamps.
SEC. IT, Provides for the appointment by the
President, with the con~en, of the Scnate, of nine
snpery soy inspectors, to he selected for Their know
edg, skil and experience IN the Of steam nasga-
ton, and who are competent Judges OF huls and ma
chinerv, who shall meet in each year at least,
for oint consultations to establish regulations iof the
various toard. OF Inspectors within their districts, to
receive : 800 with their travelling expenses.
SEC. Is. Makes it the duty of supervisory in
spectors to watch the proceedings Of the local
boards and to all licensed vessels from time
TO time.
Src. 10. Makes it the duty Of supervisory in
spcctors t. report to the Secretary Of the Treasury
all neglect or violation Of rules and orders the par,
Of officers or Of boats, and likewise
their prosecution at law.
SEC. 90 Provides that it shall be the duty Of
such supervising inspectors to that the said
al boats within their respective collection districts
execute their duties faithfully promptly and, far
as possble, uniformly, in all places, by following out
the provisions of this according to the true intent
and meaning thereof and they shall, far prsc
,icable, by their established rules. harmonic differ
ences Of opinion when they exist in difercnt boards
SEC 2i. Provides that no inspector may act IN
any case when ne is persoua. Interested or is con-
nected in bus mess with any person so interested.
Src % Makes IL the dus, Of Collectors Of Dis
,rc,s to report the names of all persons licensed
pilots, OF engineers all other collection districts
oept San Francisco also the Of rejected appl-
cants.
SEC %. Provides that it shall be the duty Of the