New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-09-16

OF steam vessels which generally st Is OBJ
servabe 10 the want Of provision against IRE. as ID
the other points referred TO- All steam vessels SHOULD
be provided with independent steam fire and Bulge
pump and al large seagcing steamers should nave
two. with an independent boiler to work them' anu
these pdmps should be set as to DO conveniently
reached and TO efsct this they should always be place
the main deck Of steam vessel whatever her con-
sirnction that it may all times be easy OF access
Fitted to these pumps there should be snheency "i
hose n good order to lead TO any end all pirts or the
decks or holds; added To which there should be too
proper number OF hand fire pumps upon the upper deck
of the vessel with hose sufficient in length 10 reach to
ay part Of the vessel. forward aft and which hose
should be so fitted as to DO capable Of being attached
to the steam pumps.
AS many owners OF vessels will probably think this
suggestion Of even one Independent steam fire and
bge pump. requirement altogether unnecessary, ana
imposing too great burden upon them, they mry no
surprised tO learn that hardly does week pass without
the occurrence Of steam vessel upon the coast or
being saved from burning or sinking solely by
the use of these pumps and under crou too
when the ordinary engine aud ships pumps prove
totally inadequ te to- meet the requirements OF the case
-in fact these pumps next TO The anchors oi vessels
and instruments Of nIyigatons. nave saved greater
number Of lives and larger amount OF property than
any instrument ever introduced as safeguard IN
steam navigation. and no steam vessel, plying even as
ferry Loai upon river is t to incur the risk OF burn
! ing or nav cation. without one OF these pumps
STORE ROOMS.
Fpsinkers S.or,- Rooms should be located away from
the fire room or boilers. All inf ,mmabe and combns
tible matcriils-as turpen,inc paints oil and tsow-
should be kept in metal tanks securely fastened 10 ne
deck and both they and all manner OF wipng stnifS
cotton waste SC. &c, should he stored 10 ar; room
other than a tool room or workshop. the LOCATION oi
which should he snch that il not only could be readily
reached IN the event Of its being on FIRE. but 81 To-
Gated receive sufficient light into 1t to got aside
the use of artificial light except at night ana then ~
should be lighted by fixed light 'ciiOW the room. but
shedding its II it, similar to the manner IN WHOM
the magazines GU board 81 vessels OF war are
LiRhis All engine and fie.rooms should be snihc
cently and fully lighted. not with movable lamps out
with fixed lights OF construction and character that
IN aside the risk of their firing vessel by their
upsettng, sc.
CAPTAINS AND ENGINEERS.
| OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of steam vessels In the supern.
tendcnce of their construction and equipment should
pay that attention to the requirements Of SECURITY and
proyson against ire which # they ut all qualified
for their position, their experience and observation wi"
show them 10 he essentially necessary The interests
Of all owncrs Of vessels require full attention TO
these important poiots their contracts with the public
| ia moral point Of view demand II. =.
Fn9iseer.-As the security against hre on board OF
steam vessels more Immediately under the superyis-
OF the engineer thar that Of any other person ana
as he H. ought to be-. better acquainted with the
risks therefron, strict requirement should he demand
cd from HIN. both bv owners and commanders OF steam
vessels resort bis pirt Ia every practicable
secari against fire. and every available provision 10
meet II. should II occur.
When an engineer enters upon duty on board OF q
steamer should be lis first care to fully advise HIN,
self the security and provision against hre. ana
the means free the vessel from water IN the case OF
her leaking being biged; and II she IL not properly
secured and fitted he should at report this con-
diton Of affairs to the captain or oSners and II they
assume the responsibility Of not noticing tis report
he has discharged his duty, and he must abide events
IT, however IL should happen that life should be ,acti,
feed by inattntiOn 10 his report and the ease should
come ful! and fairly before the public 1t might cause
similar reports Of engineers TO receive more attention
in the future. With both captains and engineers ~
vessels. II would appear that the nonoccurfence OF
fire where the security Is imperfect Is assumed 70 DC
conclusive as the sncency 0t the security from It's
occurrence at any subsequent period and II II has 90
occurred that boat iudorehty or insuiicienty be,
cured and provided against FIRE mas run or period
without ever being fired IL woud be found very DIM
cult TO induce either captain engineer or owners to
adopt any change having In view any Improvement
GENERAL REMARKS.
Finally the disregard Of the owners OF steam ve'sel,
and the neglect Of the trust coDhded u their captains
well engineers IN not directing aud requiring ths
proper procautiOn against fire is vciy universal not
viii standing vessels and lives without number have
been lost in OF this neglect altogether IN
erousebe and without ilsi hoa;ioa upon any one
point OF under any combination Of circutnsiancrs-
Ifthe provisions against FIRE on board ot steam YES
sells both Ia The means OF snbdlihg It, ana the proper
organization OF the oicers snG ere" IN l"e e''n %
fire were snoh give confidence 70 the public there
would not upon lie occurrence exist that want OF re-
lance 10 the absy to arrest which !. 80 a,Ai TO ihe
chance OF subdning It, when The officers of vessel
are aware of their insufficient means 10 arrest IRE.
and the without that observance Of obedience
ana Restraint luc 10 ulbflplbc
officers there be little combination OF Efforts
and when the nhanmal. character OF steam vessel i
considered II viii be admitted that 1t Is no' fro. the
bors Of one OF fsw individuals that success rs 20 be
anticipated. II requires high order OF even pll'
sOry discipline for crew 20 continue at tlDr lis,
with the know ledge that passengers are not onb Ung
of their OF safety by the occupation OF the boats
but terror stricken and frenzed they in all ikeli
hood destroying that very means By their confused ald
III directed abors.
So long as the captain. Of steam vessels do not en
hbt the travelling public that the provisions for per
sona safety and discipline board Of their vessels are
generally adequate 10 the demands upon them. 80 long
will their abOrs and all OF their officers De rendered
futile for the and passengers. Judging for the
present by the OF the past will look for
such safety that which their selfshness VIII direct
and their own resources will effect for them.
Here we lesye this subject. trusting that the above
recital Of the omissions and deficiencies IN the neglect
of properly securing steam vessels from fire. and The
recommendations VI tho remedial measures that should
b. adopted III providing against II, will awake the
attention Of the owners and officers Of vessels 10 the
responsibility Of their positions. and them 10 re-
feet upon the nature Of their duties 10 tie public and
to themselves. And further pray mat the time N
far distant when the owner. captains. engineers
Of steam vesse that shall be burned 20 the great sacr
ice Of live By criminal negligence I'm the security and
tribunal and punished in manner that Will tend Ia
lessen this great ineXcusible neglect.
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Professor Aga.,ix ia Brazil.