New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-10
STEAMBOAT COLLISIONS.


To ne Editor Of The ~ T. TrbVno;
SIR: In your paper of to-day is announced the third
steamboat disaster within week, each OF which has
resulted in an immense loss Of property, and in some
loss of life The New Worlds engine broke down
in an attempt stop the boat suddenly in order TO
avoid collision and the Traveller and Champion both
were injured by a collision which they could not avoid
To these NAV be added the case of the Vanderbilt
which recently TO avoid collision ran on the rocks
and was bilged Why are these accidents frequent
And il there no remedy II but one boat were running
there could be collision but as the number IN
creases so does the danger. Now, our waters swarm
with steamers and the risk il serious one TO owners
and insurers. Vigilance cannot be increased, and
therefore something must be supplied to give greater
control over the position Of the vessel than the present
steering apparatus In that consists the remedy, OF
which a moments reflection will satisfy any person.
A large steamer is now driven with immense power,
bv steam engine-a vessel OF one-hfth the size used
TO be large vessel and driven by the wind; yet
although have increased immensely the SIZE OF the
vessel he .nvAd e"d the pronellng power. we steer
with the one man p01ceT. When man power
rows boat turn il in double its length, be-
cause the proportion between the steering and pro-
pelling power is maintained at high point IN favor
of the steering. If the same proportion were main
tanned between the steering and propeng power Oh
steamer that exists III boat, the vessel could De
turned in distance which bears the proportion
10 her length that the distance in which row boat can
be turned bears to its length But when you drive a
boat with tnOustnu horse power w
il with one man for ten mem power, you must allow
an immense time comparatively for turning the vessel
out of its course. The Arcttc saw the Iestd for
half mile before the collision; and yet, because OF
the insufceney of the steering power, that dreadful
calamity happened. Every must have been struck
by the dminuve size of the rudders of ships AZ COM
pared with smaller boats; but they must be made small
AZ long man steers. Make them twice az large
and apply power sufficient to move them, and the
vessel could be moved in less than half the time.
On our steamers, however about which began 70
write the rudders generally large enough ornearly
80 TO control the boats if the rudders themselves could
be controlled but when the emergency arises, the
pilot cannot yet the helm at all without assist
anee nor with ii, in any time short enough TO AVOID
an imminent danger. See, the large Sound steamers
six or eight men tugging AT the steerng-wheel, when
the boat il required make small departure
from her course in passing HeilCate and when the
rudder is moved but small part of ts sweep and you
can form an idea of the difficulty of steering.
The remedy is obvious, and consists IN applying
steam power to work the rudder We drive our boats
by steam--we hoist in our cargo by seam-we blow
the fires by pump the water into the boilers
by seam--and we steer by hand.
The apparatus for steering by steam is perfectly
simple The wheels remain as they now are, and may
be used by hand if desired just now. The pilot
handles one of these Wheels as is usual, but finds that
il requires no power to move it. He has, IN effect
steam IN has arms. When he danger he can run
the wheel hard a-starboard aport Instantly, with
the power in of his fingers and he boat swings oG
of her like sail-boat, whatever may be her
order 10 take oil sone of the resistance to moving
the rudder, but keeps ON rs usual, and lends
its power % change the boats course. The
pilot freed from the necessity OF tngging at the
wheel has the use of his intellect unembar-
rassed and has a slave 10 do the mere brute force
for him which il obedient hs will, and which never
.luubers nor tires. You then have what you want
and pay for the judgment aud knowledge of the pilot
TO take care of your boat and the lives OF lis passen
gers and YOU pay "A nominal price for the labor Of
moving the rudder, in "A much effective and Ger
tain manner than il be moved by ell The inan-
power which can be brought to bear mon t..
A boat ia this harbor the Augusial is fitted with
this machine and after one witnesses It's operation,
nothing seem, more ridiculous, except hre-engne
worked by hand. than 10 see party Of men tagging
AT a wheel in the vain endeavor 10 steer a boat driven
bv Steam.
When il j. said that can now steer certain
boats the question j. what meant by steerfRgl Aboat
snow commonly said To steer well, when one man ci
hold Il - course. IN fair weather, which Is sort
of negative power. i say a boat steers well when one
Gitr rs at pleasure 20 any degree con
sistent with IT. length and can swing m the same
proportion is length that smaller vessels be
swung in. When that IL done there will be no col
lisions because boats always b. far enough
10 make sure ofavOidng them, with such control
over the movement o. Your vessels; and the mil
lions of dollars OF rual loss incurred by these
cidents will b. saved 20 owners and insurance COM
NAMES and the courts will be relieved from the hnn-
areds of collision which now incurnber their
doekets. ARCTIC.