The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-20


TIE ; nr.-The usual ceremonies attendant
uporA steamboat disasters have been concluded
II. the case Of the Empire temporary excite
ment, q hearing, and censure. compose the
drama, and then the curtain drops and shuts
the affair from the world forever. Mangled bo-
dies and scattered limbs are hurried to the
tomb, where the formula is ended, and the wall
ings Of the bereaved are hushed by the din and
hustle of the world. The last act has been per-
formed in regard to the late disaster upon the
Hudson river. and the verdict of the Coroner's
jury will be found ia another column.
The verdict throws the greatest blame
upon the captain OF the sloop. but at the
same time it censures the officers of the
Empire. Our opinion is that steamer
having more power and control over her move
ments than sloop. might reasonably be ex-
pected to accomplish the most in avoiding
collision. This is matter, however. OF but
little Importance, as mere censure amounts to
less than the ink and paper necessary to record
it. Unless the Grand Jury are recommended
to act in the matter it is to be considered that
nobody is to blame"
On Monday last we published an article upon
steamboat disasters, in which the steamboat
commissioners were eensured for apparent neg
lect Of their dpaes. In consequence Of that
article we bsve been called upon by Mr.. Henry
B. Reuwick, one of the commissioners, from
wbou we obtained the following facts, which
We willingly give in our columns
The steamboat laws, as passed originally, went
into full force on the first day of January 1858,
at the West and in this place on the first day
of March. 1t was then postponed, by special
resolution permitting Inspectors to grant boats
permits to run although not fitted until June l.,
1853. provided the Inspectors were satisfied
that the owners Of these boats were diligently
fitting them in compliance with the law
The Inspectors for this district entered on
their duties in January. They have granted
provisional permits, as above, to some seventy
or eie hty vessels; have directed personally, to
greater or less extent, as to the fittings of all
passenger vessels registered or licensed at this
port. and have since, or not long prior to June
l. boarded and examined seventy odd vessels
in order to see. as far as could be done
without thorough test, whether they were
provided with pumps. life preservers, gauges,
provisions against fire, &C. To all these YES
sells, when, after series of visits they were
found to be fully equipped, they granted pro-
visional permits emitting them to run until
such time as the Inspectors could, in turn,
thoroughly inspect them Two weeks or there
abouts after the first of June were spent in
such visits, and in warning vessels untitled not
to run OF they would be reported for prosecution.
When the instruments were in proper order.
and these warnings had been given and preli-
minary examinations made. the Inspectors be-
gan to inspect thoroughly. They have been
detained by breakage of instruments. &c, but
everything is now in proper order, and they
hope to complete the inspection Of all boats in
the course of four to five months, being at the
same time determined to go thoroughly through
with each vessel even if some should, from
want of time, not be inspected at all.
They have made thorough inspection of
twelve vessels, and in the course Of their dsty
have discove cred defects in boilers, have condemn
ed lie preservers in large numbers as unreliable
and have ordered additional floating power to
be applied to lfeboats besides requiring altera-
tions in the fittings of vessels and their equip
ments. Repairs, additions, or substitution ofper
feet for imperfect articles have generally been
made with promptness by steamboat owners
The Inspectors have, also during the last four
and half months, licensed 143 pilots and 337
engineers
The recommendations of these officers are
volumnous, and on file in the Inspectors Office
The examination Of the engineers was matter
demanding much time; SO was their classification
into the various grades prescribed by the law.
The Inspectors have repeatedly requested aid
in order that their duties could be performed
more promptly and more completely. This has
been refused, and perhaps with good reason,
on the ground that the law did not provide for
it, The law in their opinion, has already done
great good. but its effects cannot be judged of
until it has worked for some time