The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-13

slh No. ~ SoUrH Srxns, NV YoRH, Del. II, 1864.
wAasD =. Josn, bq, Prest Of Beard Of Undsrvrtsrs-
pnAA en-In compliance with your request, have ex-
ARMED the chart and the accompanying explanatory
lesse, which you were kind enough to submit to my in
spsssa, relative to the route across the Atlantic
n plan Of compelling steamers which ply between
Iivsspee Southampton and Havrs the one side, and
Fhiladsphia, New York, Boston and Portland including
The parts In the Britiah provinces the other to
shsps thsr course - in passing Cape Race, to leave
~ peat some hundred and eighty miles to the
nehward, has, in certain aspects much to recommend
III and were there eountervang objections, it would
certainly b. desirable, BY giving that cape wide berth
the danger Of approaching IL in oss but there
appears to my mind reasons which-whether valid or
net--vm b. . bar to the adoption Of that course.
rst-In this fast age, time 10 the very essence Of
loccneton and IT is very questionable whether masters
svntr or passengers would consent to such deviation
would add days running distance to the voyage
ssessdly- shipmasters, particularly steamers cap
tsins And the alteration Of the compass from local
and other causes, such prolific Of and
uncertainty. whilst they are running at . high
speed, Sometimes many days without observation,
and subject 70 variable drifts and currents that after
sailing, say 100 miles the 600 miles the
opposite voyage they very DESTROYS to sight the land
having done which they-as many must have Observed
he anxiety which every man having just appreciation
q an responsibility under the above circumstances,
Bssving As do that the present route BY the great
circle sailing Is and must continue to be the favorite
one, for sailing well steaming vessels, think the
project which had the honor to lay before the Board Of
Underwriters and the Chamber OF Commerce their
last regular meeting, and TO which both those DO ties
have with great pIomp;ness given their sancii1n-viz
the erection OF first class lighthouse Cape Race aud
Arrangements for firing fog gunsis decidedly the aid
and rmedy most feasible.
Icannot but at the time reitcrate what have be-
fx
that until light be placed Cape Race vessels bound
the western passage do well to steer direct for Cape
Spear or st. Johns light which only four miles apart
and ut the latter place fog regularly fred and
having made either Of those, and knowing their position
and distance to fraction, they could run down the
only single hindrance, and that the Rencws rocx
above water,) to Cape Race
And here allow me to remark that hay ~ resided at
both places have found thai Newfoundland itself Is
very little more subject to ogs than Long Island and
that even when dense ogs prevail on the neighboring
there is frequently clear atmosphere extending
from half to mile from the shore.
II is with difidcnce that disagree with such high
thority the gentleman who deservedly stands fore
NEST in matters concerning the science of navigation
Still, must be allowed to question whether steamer
finding herself during fog in the midst Of the great
marine highway and experimenting collision Is to have
quickly possible The smile Of crossing crowded
Broadway Is scarcely complete In London fog think
he would hardly recommend to rush across the
Strand Hoborn amongst tle throng of vehicles
pedestrians. The idea that under great speed steamer
is likely TO have the best of it II collision occur
should not be the controlling consideration. Fishing
vessels at anchor the Banks others laying to-
der short sail, and perchance, unexpected proximity
TO shore should be taken into the account.
should, therefore, rather recommend that when
ovcraken by fog the speed should be moderated great
caution exercised that the engineers be on the alert to
ftop back the steamer and the frequent Of the
steam whistle other device for giving notice Of APP
preach.
There should be better method adopted for low
ering boats that both stem and would reach the
water simultaneously and safely for by the present
mode whilst one end Ii lowered hands0mely as the
sailors term it, the other is let 90 by whereby
the occupants precpated into the sea- the boat
is capszcd and lost Any ingenious rgger could make
the dc sired Improvement. very respectfully, dear
sir, your ob't kerv't, CHANDLER WHITE.