New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-13
orr SEA.GolyG STEAMERS.

To "A. Efslor ef Tae " y Tsibus1
srR: The public mind being Low aroused 20 hieh
MITCH Of excitement from tie laundering 81 seq oi ile
,one-s Daniel Webster and Evening star Only eqlaed
nv hat sed b. the sinking Of the Central America -
,ssz IN 4h,3n ,s!sra hundred persons pershed, il il
nr 70 use this feeling that the canses Of these Dis
a,,s-. nav be investigated ard remedy applied for the
tpre or no one vii venture his person OF ~ American
steamer.
L. the case Of the Central Amenca Committee vas ap
pointed TO examine into and report upon the causes OF
laundering. The Committee did examine but nd l''
make the testimony public the facts reflected 20 much
disgrace on the American character that was thought
erpedien not to pr1t This had from two Of the mem
bers Of tie Committee. hope that Committee may be
appointed to examine and report upon the losses Of the
steamers above named 50 that some legislation may he
caused 70 prevent such criminal disasters hereafter
nisa general belief among those who are familiar with
our sea.rong steamers that the most Of them are not
equal 20 great emergencies poorly manned aud eqlled
defective in the means Of navigation, the complsse'
rarely corrected for belonging 70 seamers-they
are merely collins As Of our most experienced ana
Trustworthy Of shipmasters said, MI -, large
owner in steamers would send TO sea in nobn II be
could get pay oI IT. and is too true as these disasters
show.
England has ersated ard her steam as well as ailnG
vessels are the head Of the vessels OF the Wordi
she has her Board Of Trade, with powers to examine no
The character aud equipment Of vessels the characters ana
Qualifications Of masters and officers with the power to
license or refuse 70 Investigate all losses al sea- ana
the causes with The power Of reyong or suspeEding l.
cense If deemed proper The number OF licenses granted Il
over q OOO Without these licenses person cannot gel
emrlovrept as an officer We have association here
similar in character chartered by this State. Although us
power is limited it is doing much good Its number Of
licenses is now about 1890.
As 70 our shipmasters long experience with them
allows me to say that the article in The Ner-Yor% Tunes
few days since very unjust to their characters Inc ar
tce in The Journal Of Commerce this day IS only just 70
| them.
1t is not material to my general purpose TO state the
character Of the Evening Star Suffice it, however, to
say that the Evening star struck on the Pickle Reef
Florida May 81 and made three voyages afterTard with
on, being repaired When her bottom was examined u
was found that part Of the false keel athwart ships
bee damaged and near 60 feet Of the keel had to be taken
ont which Of course weakened her, Besides there was
hole stopped by piece Of coral rock
Now as TO the means Of saving life IN case Of disaster
no steamers are properly provided Boats are as ruie
useless and steamers should be obliged TO carry rats,
which can be slowed in a small space and cannot be
swamped or upset. and can general rule, carry all the
| persons board.
As 10 the manning Of our steamers deck hands Is TIE!
are called are those 10 be relied upon for steering
making and taking in sail in the steam-power is
damaged The statement below shows the number OF deck
| hands of several steamers in port.
| Steamer Of 100 tuns "A deck hands. half big rs
| Steamer Of coo tGns, "A deck hands brig rig
Steamer Of Q 100 tuns IA deck hands brlg rig
| Steamer Of 900 tuns, 10 deck hands Drg Tlg.
| Steamer Of 800 tuns, deck hands 49,
Steamer Of 80 tuns, deck hands half bng nc
| Steamer Of 60 tuns, deck hands, schooner rs
twill be seen that there not enough to man the
boats in case of distress The fair rule Of manning 10 sail
ing vessels s for vessel of COO tuns men to the hund
red tuns giving IS to this class of vessels If lOV
tuns q men, giving % to this class l,ooO tuns,
q men, giving 81 men 10 this last class.
Now for the remedy Let bill be drawn at once, on
the same principles the Merchant Shipping act Of Great
Britain and ask Of Congress that il be passed into law
the next session and all is done that the Government can
do to diminish what may be called unnecessary disaster
| The Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and the New
York and Have Steamship Company, are not considered
az coming under the above written, as Their
steamers are well equipped, manned and managed
| Ne,o. York Oct 70 1866