New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-16
.XiRLNE -lFFdIRS.
THE LOSS OF THE CENTRAL AMERICA.

The Committee appointed by tie New-York Board
" Of Underwriters TO investigate The of loss of
" the United States Mail steamer Central America,
reported in pant on the I'D Of November last; Their
investigation, although conducted with me sole de-
sire 10 elci. truth and 70: cr.m.rae any one.
demonstrated
that the Genital America was 10: found and
equipped as she ought 10 have been; that her crew
was not sufficiently numerous; that she was without
q carpenter or suitable carpenters tools and, what
seems 10 the Committee most serious detcct-beirc
con noD il is feared, in many Of passenger steam
ers-there was want OF proper organization in re-
gard TO the relative authority and duties of the officers
and crew Of the vessel; each department appearing
TO be independent of the other instead Of al being
strictly subordinate and responsible 10 the captain as
the legitimate and superior chief and this ildepend-
ence of action the more observable in the depart
mept OF the engineer"
In conformity with the promise made in their frst
report the Committee have just published the second
part of their report in which they discuss the
sity and means of Improvement in the construction,
equipment and internal organization of ocean steam
ers.' In introducing their report, the Committee
say they well aware that all attempts at reform or
change will be stoutly opposed but nevertheless the
improvements which they proRoseare entirely feasible
and absolutely necessary to insure greater safety in
ocean navigation. The various topics treated
der separate heads, as follows:
-COnstructioA Of HuH.-lt seems now to be
generally admitted that in view of greater safety
against accidents caused by leak, collision, or the
strandng OF vessel, all ocean steamers should be
constructed with water-tight cross bulkheads, and
with such distribution OF pumps rs 70 make each d.
vision or compartment OF the hold in times of leak IN
dependent Of the others; though OF course in each
bukhead valves should be inserted, 10 allow, when
required, flow OF water fore and az. The opening
and shutting apparatus of these valves being fitted
and placed as to be always accessible and at COM
mand.
Although objections may be made TO these cross
bukheads for reason of the additional cost of their
construction, their interference with stowage and
free communication throughout the hold, yet these
objections should be Overuled in consideration OF the
advantages 10 be derived from the increased strength
they would give to the ship and the greater facilities
of saving her from loss in times Of serious disaster.
II s therefore recommended that not less than tr0
and in larger vessels tour cross bukheads be perma
nenty constructed in the hold OF each ocean steamer
And for the convenience OF passing coal from for
ward or ait TO the frerooms, water,ight valves or
sliding doors might be made in each bukhead amid
ships be opened or shut at pleasure, and sufficiently
large to allow of the passage of coal car railway
being constructed for the purpose.
To render the vessel more safe from the effects OF
the sea which may be shipped in heavy gales, it Is
desirable that the matches communicating with the
lower decks should have high combings. and the
openings so arranged a. TO be easily closed care being
taken to secure sufficient ventilation.
1t is, moreover desirable that the airports in the
sides and the headlights ait, be 80 fitted as TO be
closed without difficulty. and at moments notice.
.Sccoaa-OC NackiRery and ADDliaRces.-Of what
ever description construction the engines may be,
it is important that the pipes connected Herewith
should be sufficiently strong and with their cocks
placed much as it may be practicable, IN view OF
The engineers and remen, and that the lower ends OF
the receiving pipes of the bge and injection pumps
be also in positions of convenien Mt access, that
man may reach them without obstruction or trouble.
very apt to become Clicked by Inc in:dTapeht Of the
floating matter always to be found in the tmbers and
other parts of the bottom OF the hold OF steamers,
whether carrying cargo or not.
The pipes communicating with the openings in the
sides and bottom Of the vessels, and the cocks and
wrenches apperainng thereto, shoeld likewise be con-
venently accessible.
elusive Of the pumps ediately connected with the
main engines, and the usual deck pumps OF which
there should be two in each compartment every
ocean steamer should have one, and if Of large
tulnage at least trO, detached donkey pumps, with
their engines and boilers cOmpactly Connected aud
OF small proportions. These should be located on
tile main deck forward and aft the engine-room, and
to be- with all their appliances, entirely independent
of the main engines aud of the deck pumps.
If these donkey pumps, with engines and boilers
attached, could be SO fitted to be movable from
part Of the vessel to the other, ian improvement
thought to be practicable) 30 much the better.
Ali the deck pumps and STATIONARY pipes connected
with the donkey pumps, should be inclosed in pump
wells sufficiently large to admit the passage up and
IL
lower openings from being seriously fouled.
Fourfh-Equipnent Of Vcssel-The Inspectors APP
pointed by law should be strictly required so see that
each ocean steamer, before sailing, should be in all
respects well found and equipped and especially well
provided with good ground tackle, hawsers tow-ines
and other cordage also with all necessary tools stores
&c. That her boats and boat equipments, her deck
and independent pumps, with sufficient number OF
buckets be kept in reserve for use only IN cases OF
fire or eok), should be in complete order and readi
ness for immediate use.
She should have good fore and aft storm sails, and
one or spare spars; indeed every article that
might possibly be wanted in any and every contln-
gency that in of accident to the engines the ves
sci may he kept in command by the sails, or safely
brought to anchor, if on anchoring ground.
F.fh-Bodts and Rats, Number and Description
ot.-It cannot be expected that passenger steamer,
whether upon the ocean or inland waters furnish
room for boats of sufficient aggregate capacity TO car
~ the unreasonable number of persons that are some
times crowded on board, and whose safety ought 10
be cared for in cases of disaster. But in respect 70
ste amers trayersing the ocean, they should, certainly
be required by law 10 have boats enough 20 aecon?-
date, with the requisite provisions and water I'D souls
for every 100 tuns Of lawful tunnage measurement.
This estimate would secure reasonable room for as
inahy as are generally found On board the steamers
plying to Europe.
These boats should be Of the form and construction
of the most approved lfeboats, as better calcuatea
for the uses for which they would be mostly wah.eu.
They should be named numbered, ana eaca " nae
must, ydIu, anu COuipaec;
double bank oars boat hooks, two small buckets for
boiling, painter, and tow.line also, light boom
cover Of lndiarubber cloth.
Two painted canvas. Or 1ndiarubber, bags, and Two
breakers, small casks proportonate in size to ne
number of boats are respectively estimated
to chry. The bags TO contain biscuit, and the oieah
fresh water. II,
Each boat should also be provided with smai
canvas bag containing Ratchet, gimet, na!s, s9.e-
leather. or thin sheet.lead,- spun.ysrn, &C.. Thus
equipped and supplied good e-bOat skllfally man
aged wond be comparatively safe even ID very oau
weather and the persons board sustained ioi MANY