The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-15
The Working Of the New Steamboat Law at
the West

the West.
WASHINGTON CITY, July 2, 1853.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Having read with much interest, in your paper Of
this morning your remarks on the recent disaster to
the steamer New World Gn induced to send You
copy of report Of the doings Of some of the Western
Inspo ctors, as published in Cincinnati paper. It
will be seen that there has been great change for
the better the Western waters at least since the
new law went into effect. In conversation with
one Of the Western inspectors, who is now here on
business connected with his official duties under
stand that they have not permitted boat to be navi
gated since the first of June, without having her
boilers tested by the hydrostatc pump and also bav
ing all other fixtures according to law. By the
person am told that the application of the hydros-
tatic pump has detected quite number Of bad boil
ers, one Of which had fue collapsed by the pres
sure Of the pump but few days ago. 1t was small
steamer called the Summit, loading for Cincinnati,
and bound to Arkansas The fiue was thirteen and
bali inches in diameter, and made of iron threesix
ieenihs Of an inch in thickness. 1t gave out one
hun dred and seventy pounds pressure The Inspector
says that an accident would have been unavoidable
in this case had the pump not been applied.
Should the new steamboat law continue to work in
this way the Western waters, a monument one
hundred feet high should be erected 10 the memory
of honest John Davis Of Massachusetts, to whom the
public is mainly indebted for the law.
ONE OF THE MILLION WHO
READS THE HERALD.
from the Cincinnati Commercial
sEMrAFNuAL REPORT OF THE LOCAL INsPECTos OF
STEAMBOATS, AT THE PORTS OF PiTTsBURG, WHEEL
ING, AND CINCINNATI.
The following statement of the doinga of the several
Biards OF Steamboat Inspectors in this supervision
sistrict-embracing the ports If Cincinnati Wheel.
ing, and Pittsburg, is taken fr~m their first seminar
nual reports rendered the LIST day Of May, as re-
qured by the act
a.. ri.
signated on the ed Of November, 1852, but did not
receive their commissions until the 9TH day Of Janu-
airy, 1868, when they Immediately organized and en-
tered upon the duties of their office end commenced
licensing engineers and pilots.
Nun Der Of sppistera licensed the LIST Of Nay. 1876
Number OF pilots licensed ................-. 2l7
Amount OF money received st this office for epgi.
nesrs ap pilots hcense to this da ....... $2Ol6
Amount paid 70 Surveyor OF Customs March a.. $50
balance in the hands Of Inspectors. ....... $3.50
Number II applicants for eDgneers' license refused
on the ground o. incompefenoy .............. 8
Number Of applicants fer piiots' license refused
A number Of engineers and pilots have been re
fused license on the ground Of intemperanoe some of
whom have had granted them permits on trial for
reformation and upon their giving ample proof OF
reform many Of them have been licensed, and their
DsRles now appear among the licensed engineers aud
pk&s. There are otherseof this class who will, no
dou, yet do the same thing, therefore it il thought
best that rome OF their napes appear in this report
There have been eight reyOcations and suspensions
Of Ec4s,ses One engineer, for sleeping when in
charge Of the engine--aDd seven pilots some for in
Temperance and neglect of duty, Others for neglect
Of duty by which collisions occurred
Crest good has resulted from this system of IL
censing engineers aud pilots particularly in reform
ing their habits, and retaining them from the evils
Of intern ,eraase. Very many who were strongly ad-
dicted to disapated lite. have been wholly reclaim
ed, whilst others have heen warned and benefited
IL has also had the effect VI checking 10 great ex-
tent reck@ssness on the part of many officers, and
daily we have evidence OF many who were opposed
to the law, now Speaking in its highest praise.
ASA body the engineers haze given VI very little
trouble 10 fact they have, to a man, shown a dis
position to comply aith the law and are generally
soher&nd trustworthy. The same may be said OF q
large majority Of the pilots but it il to be regretted
that some OF them have shown different disposition,
and have tried bard TO r.pudiste the law aud bring
IL into dispespect.
Fortyoue boats have received certificates of hull
and boiler inspection. One hundred and six bosts
have received permits authorized Ivy resolution
OF Congress OF March 8, 1853, they having given [
Satisfactory evidence that they were unable 10 meet
the requirements Of Uie law, and required further
tine. Wehave given thu permits ~ ran fora short
time, with the view Of bringing the boats fully |
Under tie l1w as seen as possible. Hence II j., !