The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-19

coast VIII you have the kindness inform what
the kind and character of the life boats life preser
or floats with which the vessel equipped
whether there than kind of each of these
ticles and if So which the efficient and reliable
the best adapted to the for which they intended
viz: preservation of life2
The object have in view ia making these inquiries
ascertain far possible which Of the kinds
Of these apparatus is the most reliable to be used in the
equipment of steam vessels
Very respectfully, your ohedient servant
BENZ. CRAWFORD,
Supervising Inspector,
Captain Roosevelt R. FR1snEr
PlTTsRuRG December 81, 1854
DEAR Your letter of yesterday has been received
also Of similar import from Mr. Andrew Watson local
inspector of this port Therefore, you will allow this
reply to him. also AS regards the kinds quality and num-
Der of life boats floats and lite preseryers used board
the steamship Yankee Blade at the time she wrecked
the Pacific coast last October will briefly
and correctly possible. At the time the vessel struck
10y o'clock in tho atternoon,) ! saw five good-ooking
boats viz three fine wooden boats and the other two
Francss patent metallic life boats When il known
that the vessel sinking the boats all lowered and
filed with passengers; but in landing, about half mile
distant rocky shore the wooden boats all bro
ken in holes and swamped by the surf beating them the
rocks The and children, and all who could not
make their way out were drowned The wooden boats
thus rendered useless, and did to the
vessel again wheihe two Francis life boats continued
their trips conveying passengers safely ashore during the
next day until the steamer Goah providentally
to relief some hours before vessel down
When the Goliah discovered condition she came 10
anchor half mile distant and sent her wooden boats
and her two Francis life boats; these with the two Fran
els life boats from the Yankee Blade conveyed the re-
mander of the passengers from the wreck aud those on
shore Tin all about thousand sous) to the Goliath
would here observe that Francss metallic life boats were
preferred to the wooden boats in open
Of their great buoyancy from the air chambers which
greatly sustain the boat when filled with water.
After what had witnessed of the relative safety Of the
two kinds Of boats careful to get into Francis life
boat in order to reach the Goahn and found many
others of the opinion. Before this much
doubted the superior excellence claimed for and certified
by mnlttudes for the Francis patent metallic life boats
Now fully satisfied of their great value and superior
ity for all business of boating either river
navigationparcularly as they constructed by
Mr.. VIM. B. Scaife, of Pittsburg whose build of the
Francis patent boats have recently examined aud found
them to be- with the improvements he has made well adapt
ed for yawsshallow water and rough usage-as well as
life boats
would further remark that corrugaton of the sides
aud bottom Of the Francis boats is of very great import
auee il secures ghness with great uniform strength
without the necessity OF ribs or timbers Furthermore
they made from large pieces Sheets but few
are required and these have double Of iyes; this
nsures gtnos and prevents the rvets from tearing
in OF dnging. As TO floats never saw or heard of
any such thing being board had there been think
would have known it, rs among the last TO leave the
wreck, In regard 10 life preservers, say how
many there board but think there to
each room. They made Of rubber cloth and
made TO be inflated filled with air and wrap around
the body, with strings for tying in front The which
had leaked badly, il would not remain inflated one
minute while attempting tie, the strings broke loose
thus rendering ii utterly useless As far could learn
large majority of them in the condition
considered them of account believe the only persons
lost those who ondeavored land in the wooden
boats Yours respectfully,
BENZ, CEAvroRp Esq, Supervising Inspector of Seventh
District Pitisburg