The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-10-23
How TO Save Lives At Sea in Case Of Fire or


Probably the best organization for the
security of the lives of passengers In case
of fire or collision, existed on board the
Pacific Mail Company's ship "John l..
Stephens" Captain R. Il. Pierson, run
ming between Panama and San Francisco.
As soon as the ship was fairly clear OF the
port. a notice was posted on the Bulletin
board, requesting the passengers to meet
on the quarter deck, when it was an
nounced to them by the Captain, that for
the better security of life and property,
| it was his custom to form, with the aid Of
the passengers, what was termed the "hre
brigade" and he invited them to join the
ships company in the organization, which
it it is needless to say was heartily ap-
proved by all. The Captains system was
as follows
First, boat guard of twenty-one men
was enrolled, and, as far as possible, they
were chosen from among the most relia-
BILE of the cabin passengers, who were al
lowed to elect one of their own number
as captain of the guard. They were then
armed with cutlasses, and two of them
stationed at each boat, and instructed as
to their duties, and with orders to cut
down any one who attempted to launch
boat in case of alarm, without orders
The boats were numbered, and each man
kept the station appointed to him during
the trip. ..-.......,
Thirty-two seamen were then selected,
four for each boat. Many seamen were
found among the passengers, and the bal
ance made up from the ships crew. Each
set of davits had captain, who had
charge of two boats on board ship; if no
experienced or competent person could be
found among the passengers, some of the
officers or quartermasters of the ship were
assigned to that duty. .-.
Twelve carpenters were selected, or
persons well acquainted with the use of
the axe, and each one furnished with an
axe kept in excellent order; they were
under the charge of the ships" car
penter, and, in case Of an alarm, were
mustered on the forward deck to await
orders.
Twelve men were enrolled for the for
ward force pump, and twelve for the after
one, and six for the mid-ship pump; they
were selected from those best acquainted
with fire engines, each squad being sub
ject to a quartermaster, who had charge
of the magazine, with orders to food it
if necessary. 1t was the duty of the
stewards to see all ports shut, to prevent
draft; and a number of walters mustered
amidships with buckets, in case of need.
It was the duty of the storekeeper to call
the roll in each department, and report to
the Captain of the ship if any were de-
linquent.
The chief officer and chief engineer
were at hand to carry out such orders ai
the captain might think proper to give
After all the different departments were
made to understand the duties assigned
them, they were called to quarters by the
ringing of the large bell, which could bt
distinctly heard in all parts of the ship
The hose was attached to the differen
pumps, and four heavy streams of waite
were thrown into the air, to the deligh
of all the passengers. All the boats
crews were then mustered together, anC
the third officer, with picked boats crew
instructed them how to expeditiously tax,
boat from the chocks, hook the davi
tackles, and swing the boat out ready 70
lowering. The brigade numbered abou
112 men, and were exercised daily, o
until they were familiar with their severa
duties. 1t was gratifying to note the ra
pidity with which they went through tn
exercises. They were often called II
quarters, the roll called, and all reported
ready for duty inside of three minutes
1t was deemed almost impossible for
fire to occur that could not be put out il
few minutes. This organization wa
not only useful in case Of fire or collision
but in case of springing leak, pani
would be prevented, the boats taken car
of, and the lives of the passengers ant
crew secured.
At the time the "Central America
was lost, the "John L. Stephens" wa
probably the only ship that carried eigh
boats-four of them life boats, full,
equipped, with cask of water lashet
into each. The ship had also her com
: plement of life-preservers, made Of cork
, kept in good order and at hand, and wa
supplied with 1900 feet of the best quail
ty of hose, and abundant pump gear il
good order.
The above facts are stated that tn
public may know that such fearful acci
dents as too frequently occur on boar
steamships, can be avoided, if prope
steps are taken to insure good discipline
Frequently, during the voyage, the fire
bell was rung at late hour of the nigh
, without any previous intimation, whe
all the passengers were in their berth
= asleep, and, although ignorant of the oil
= lject, and whether the ship was really o
= fire or not, the alacrity and perfect COZ
idence with which every man repaired
his post, proved most satisfactorily th
success of the organization, and so popl
lar did Captain Persons system becom
: that many waited for his ship to take pa
II sage on board a vessel where they fe
n that there was always security to life
:, case of accident. Let Captain Pierson
{? system be followed by sea-going ship
b and we shall have fewer such heart-rent
h ing calamities as the fate of the eau
N II