The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-12

to drive him from the habitations and walks Of men,
Then q song Of jubilee shall 60 up. and proclama-
ton shall be made that truth and Righteousness aud
peace have triumphed over error. wrong and strife.
ELI SLIFER, President.
sAsUy FL L LspI Secretaries.
Harrisburg, June 7, 1854.
Collisions At Sea. ttt
No. 1874 CHERRY STREET, NEW YORK,
July 9Th. 1854.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HER AID.
Sir--Noticing in your paper this morning an &C
count Of the dreadful collision which took place be-
tween the ships Trade Wind and Olympus, hope
You will excuse the liberty am taking Of offering
few remarks on the prevention Of such accidents
derived from an experience Of more than twenty five
years practice, but without Offering any comment
on the particular case which has just occurred.
The sioNng rules are extracted from the
ton at Sea; but a. some time may elapse before my
work Is publisted, would take this opportunity,
through your kindness, to make them known to my
brother-seamen. Yours respectfully,
VIZ. TuoMs.
RULES 70 PREVENT COLLISION ON SHIPS MEETING
EACH OTHER AT SEA.
Two ships approaching each other on opposite
lacks, close hauled, and it is doubtful which will
must keep her reach, while the other on the
port tack must give way but IL, through
Ignorance or stupidity, the one on the port tack
does not bear up, and 2 collision is unavoidable,
then both vessels should put their helms alec, by
which means they viii be thrown in the stays, and
should collision take place, the shock will be very
much letsened.
Two chips meeting each other right ahead, and
steering opposite courses, both having the wind free,
the rule is for each to port their belms by which
means they will pass each other on the port side.
But If OF them should be close hauled, then IL il
the duty Of the other, which is going Free to pass
But this rule 'ahould not be too hastily adopt< d
in the night time because If vessel or her light il
suddenly seen on the starboard bow, were each to
port their helms, collision would take place. This
rule is therefore only applicable when vessels meet
each other right ahead or little on the port bow.
Steam vessels, which are always supposed to be I'M
der the command of their helms, are deemed to be
vessels going free. The commanders Of these ves-
sells Fay that if sailing vessels would keep their
proper course on the approach Of steamer to-
wards them, the officer in charge OF the deck would
then see exactly the state Of the case, and steer
vent collision and that IL frequently happens
that those on board tho sailing vessels
become alarmed and keep changing their course
without any fixed principle, thereby mutually de-
Ships meeting each other OIL dark, stormy night,
or in foggy weather, the utmost vigilance and pre-.
sence Of mind on the part of the officer Ut the watch
70 prevent collision Many %san
lisions which take place under the above circum-
stances On vessel, or her light being seen in this
case the fst thing that should be done is to
tain In which direction the other vessel Ii steering.
This can be done even in the darkest night by simply
taking the bearing Of her light when first seen,
and again in few minutes afterwards. Then the
difference Of bearing will point out at once the direc.
Gas ID too often the CASEY the may be changed
to 60 clear Of her. But il the light does not seem
TO change in the bearing, the vessel must either be
coming directly towards you, or your vessel l.
right ahead little the port bow, the rule ID
TO port the helm, but when very near on the star
board bow to starboard the helm, and were 9 .ch
vessel 70 obey this general rule oollision would BE-
ehipsIunning in the night time should always,
as . Standing rule, pass astern OF those they may
meet ahead, close hauled.
The cause Of most Of the collisions which take
place Il by altering the ships course previous to
ascersiniDg the direction in which the other vesse
steering, and thereby causing the very thing they
The proper way for each vessel to do after
their respective lights have been seen by
each other, is TO continue their course, and "a
calmly but vigilsntly watch the difference in
the bearing Of the lights; and which will at once
show the direction in which the other is steering
Then the course may be changed If necessary, 70
prevent collision.
And in all cases when practicable that Is when the
movements Of one vessel be seen by the other
the intention of the one should BIZ made manifest n
the other by broad sheer in the direction in which
she means TO psss. This will save great deal o
anxiety Of mind ON the subject when the vessels
are approaching each other.
The wheeling Bridge.
From the Wheeling Intelligenccr, July Al
An injunction, issued by Judge Grier, Of Pitts
burg, one Of the Justices Of the Supreme Court
has just been served on me q an officer Of the
Wheeling Bridge Company, commanding me 10 ab
stain nom placing any wire, timber bridge or thing
whatever across the Ohio river ct less elevation
fhon IL Cd fors IN f4o NJ