The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-07
Reform in the Merchant Marine-Pr Protection
to Human Life MT Sen.

Reform in the Merchant Martinez Protection
to Human Life mt Son.
The American people are of such go-ahead
and progressive disposition that, 80 far as per-
sonal safety is concerned, they will travel over
the same line of railroad or in the same line of
steamships upon which disaster of the most
frghtful character has just occurred without
giving the casualty hardly . moments passing
consideration. Suppose . railroad smash up
occurs, attended with the loss Of hundred
lives-the only question asked by the Ameri-
can traveller is whether the trains will be
interrupted or whether the next train will
start on time. An ocean steamer founders
with hundreds of precious lives, the boilers Of
Western steamer explode and scores of human
beings are sent into eternity, an emigrant sail
ing ship loaded down with mass of human
ity is stranded and all on board perish-yet
the impulsive American and many commercial
travellers of other nations pay no heed to these
calamities, and heedlessly and recklessly take
passage upon q class Of vessels not bit more
secure from danger than either Of those whose
sad fate he perhaps has seen chronicled in the
morning paper he reads at the breakfast table.
II Is no wonder that foreign life insurance COM
panies demand extra premiums upon the lives
Of those who intend to travel upon our West
ern waters.
1t is time, therefore, that the government
should initiate some reforms in our merchant
marine calculated to protect those who take so
little pains to protect themselves, as well as to
guard the lives Of those, by far the greater
class, who are compelled to trust themselves
on shipboard, upon ocean, lake or river steam,
ers, as well as upon emigrant sailing ships, and
upon longer or shorter voyages With this
view bill was introduced, among the closing
days Of the last Congress, to meet and remedy
these evils by instituting some radical reforms
in relation to the merchant marine Of the
United States. The bill provides for the estab-
lishment Of q coast marine board, Of three men,
bers in each collection district on the Atlantic
seaboard and on American portions Of the
Pacific. Also marine boards at each OF the
collection districts on the interior rivers and
lakes. The members OF these boards shall be
competent men, of good character, and shall
Of shipping and navigation, one Of whom, and
two of the board established at the city of New
York, shall be selected for knowledge, skill and
experience in the use Of steam navigation,
and shall be competent to judge not
only of the character Of steamers but of
all parts of the machinery employed in navi-
eating by steam. Among the important duties
OF these boards is the examination Of persons
who intend to become masters, first or second
mates of vessels, first, second, third and fourth
engineers, first and second pilots OF steamers,
and il found competent to furnish them with
certificates accordingly. Penalties are pre-.
scribed for any steamer leaving any port in the
United States unless supplied with her compile
ment Of engineers and pilots or for any one to
20 as master, &C., without certificate. In
spectors are to be appointed to see that suita-
BILE provisions are made 10 guard agains. fire,
that there is the requisite supply Of double act
ing pumps, freproof steering apparatus, life
boats, life preservers, fire buckets, &c. The
bill requires masters to select crews for each
lifeboat or raft, and each passenger assigned
by due notice TO a lifeboat or raft at desig-
mated part Of the steamer in which he shall seek
safety in case Of emergency. Boilers must he
made Of steel or iron stamped by the manufac-
turcrs, with severe penalties for false stamping.
The penalties for noncompliance with the pro-
visions Of the bill in case of loss Of
life include the trial Of the master
or owner or owners for manslaughter. The
regulations about emigrant sailing ships are
stringent and explicit regarding space, cleanli-
ness, medical attendance, provisions, &c. Par
ticular attention is paid to the prevention Of
collisions by day and night the rights Of sea-
men are particularly considered, and the bill
altogether enters into thorough and much
needed reformation Of the merchant marine Of