The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-15
nm. HAMLIN. Cerlainly.


Bur this act requires iha, they shall have two. one OF
which, al least shall be boat, made oi meai Tue
dimensions OF which are given now did hol uhnei-
take TO describe the dimensions oi The oine poai o lns
reason- is boat for the ordinary use OF The vessel
and those navigate that vessel are the best Judges OF
The size, DIMENSIONS and character OF The boat which
tney wish 10 employ In their daily service ieave tha
their Judgment, for the obvious reason that they
the best Judges OF what suits their own convenience
Now as large boat the senator now intends 10 pro-
vide Tor competent 10 carry nifty persons wh ile.nes
attached TO the gunwal, would be very nconyenient
boat Tor the ordinary service OF steamers aud there
fore is that portion OF the bill should not be changed
but that The and masters OF the vessels should De
allowed select for themselves boat OF such dimensions
they wish for the ordinary service of the vessel The
senator also leaves out OF sight the fact that for every
additional fifty persons we require an additional NE ooa
except upon vets which Gun carry al least nifty per.
sons We therefore require one metallic life boat eav-
ing the option OF those who furnish these boats to
take metallic boat iur the next one, or wooden one
any other kind they please, that be that they take
capable Of holding my persons inside and out
necessarily have somen the water 10 take hold OF these
e-nes IL is not understood that the inside Of the boat
is sufficient accommodation fort fifty persons, but IS
supposed that the weakhe females and the children
who not able to take hold OF the se-lineswIll be
a ed THE boat, while the stronger take the ie-lnes.
That is the arrangement
The only cases where there is dispensing with the
eboat for every fifty persons Is upon rivers, where the
inspectors shall be satisfied that the other provisions
made by the owners Of the vessels are adequate and am
pie for the PRESERVATION OF human lie The reason
every fifty persons upon steam vessels on TIE rivers Is
this il said that Ii would be an encumbrance 10 yes.
sells Of large size am aware that such is the case and
preerred to leave This matter 10 the judgment OF The
inspectors who ae upon the spot and can see what are
the provisions lie Tor the preservation OF hfc and can
see when they ample; and il they are satisfied that
act then they will let the vessel 60 without obligng
them 10 take other means for the preservation oil the
lives Of their pas sengers
do think that the Senate should make ample pro-
vision for this matter. The loss OF life has been enor-
NOUS and il Quite time that provision should be
made for The better preservation OF H. hope that the
Senate before they strike out this provision IN regard 10
the metallic boat, will consider the advantages OF that
kind OF boat and not be tatred away with the idea that
is subectng the owners OF the vessel 10 the necessity
of purchasing patented article. do not so understand
this provision at all do understand in that way
did should ask TO have this very provision strck
out But the gentleman from New Hampshire Mr..
HALEl says that this provision will act IN this way be-
cause he is told so out of doors And what evidence
dbes he bring here that such is the case He says this
boat provided for in This provision s of the very dimen-
sions OF tina, in the Patent Office. Well, sir, sup
pose il is so, does any man undertake TO get out
patent for the size OF his boat No. sir no man ever
undertakes to patent such thing as that lie cannot
do itit is OF his reach This is more convenient
size for this particular purpose and Tor that alone is
gveni and should have objection TO having The d.
mensions varied, provided il be done without i'm
pairing The Efficacy Of the boat Experience has shown
that boat of this size is about the right kind of boat
for this very seryceo be employed in services OF this
description; and have the assurance OF Mr. Francis
u
provision does touch his boat al all lie very
respectable man. and has been very anxious that should
embrace his patent in this provision. have refused TO
do H. He says does mol reach il al all That is his stale
nent He has patent for a boat made Of corrugated
iron--mxde IN particular manner. de considers tbe
iron is gteay strengthened by corugang ~ as he terms
IT, and his patent consists OF that alonc lie has SAID TO
me- again and again, that the privilege OF making life
boats Of iron is open all the world. provided i is no,
made in the manner which he makes his; and under
stood il so without his telling There is nothing
here reaching the patent rights OF any body meant to
steer clear OF all ihst think | have done so IN pro-
vIding for metallic lfe-boai merely; and hope this
provision will be retained.
Mr. HAMtIN. The honorable senator frsm Massa-
chusetis MIR. DAvisl has stated some OF the reasons
which wall induce me 10 vote with hun 10 retain this
provision is and aganst the amendment OF the
a,or from New Hampshire, [Mr HALEl But there are
other TO which that senator has not alluded
and would ask the attention oi the Senate TO them
for a few moments This bill has been prepared with
very great attention, and very much OF gratitude is due
10 the senator from Massachusetts Tor the perfection
which the bill now possesses. In my Judgment, there IS
not one single provision 10 the bill OF importance to
lie aud The security OF life than that which provides for
tire proof life.boat II that is TO be stricken out
know ol no other provision IN the bill, however much u
may be desired for the object for which the bill is in
tended, that might not well be stricken out The
honorable senator from New Hampshire 4 Mr.. HALEl
tells US that he designs 10 leave this open question,
open 10 conpetlion-eave IL 10 the oil the vessel
TO get the best boat TO be found in the market Now,
that Argument, " it proves anything at ALL proves too
much for ii II cofrec you should place no restriction
tne owner OF DOat, out uiH hts
gne make his boiler, the hull, and everything ese ac
cordng to the most approved models in the market, ac-
cordng 10 his judgment Now, ii is obyiae that very
objection that the provisions OF penalties which have
been incorporated IN this bill have been recommended
II is Tor the purpose OF compelling these owners-a
those who construct and those who own steamboas-to
have them pass under the inspection OF competent and
dsnere,ted persons, for the purpose OF having them
made sale for the public.
n the senator from New Hampshire Mr. HALrl had
looked into The statistics OF this matter, he would have
Iound that in very nearly bali OF the instances where
boats have been lost by fire the greater part OF the loss OF
life has been IN consequences OF the want OF metallic he
boats proof life boats AT the very time when this
matter was open to that competition for which the sena
sDlctous, metallic hreprool lite boat was TO
be found might not be IN accordance with the inter
OF those who owned ssed the vessel TO have such
boat in readiness repeat again. that this rs one OF the
most important provisions IN this bill II does moi apply
with as much force TO your rivers, know, as 10 the
and the lakes Bat let those who have sailed upon
your lakes and there had evidence oil the awful loss oil
life which has there taken place-lei them answer and
say il this provision should not be retained In this bill
Why, to them the striking this ou would sound as hor'
rid the cry breakers upon the lee bow TO the sailor
IN storm
But the senator from New Hampshire lMr. HALrl
would have this stricken out He would not have life.
boat provided for that patented Tie would not com.
pei those who own vessels 10 purchase only those lie
boats that are paiested Nor would l. sir But VIII the
senator answer me frankly, when ask him II by his
amendment he does not design toinclude certain boat
denominaed sSanton's boat T do not affirm that
this is So But Judge so Judge that the friends oil
that boat have had his in this matter. Now, why
did mol the friends Of that boat me TO The Committee
on Commerce. and lay this matter before that committee
"A MI IakU tha.., lawa nvesft0