The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-11

ton OCCURS Il requires but an instant for Il 70 oe
in for
suppression of IRE. These and many additional
requirements, which are Just and necessary were
that portion Of the United States law OF 1852 relative
to the security and provisions against nre essential
TO be recognized by. all persons connected with
steam vessels Whether the inspectors appointed at
large salaries to carry into execution this and other
precaution against the occurrence OF fire on board
Steam vessels, do their whole duty without fear or
bend the prolific sources Of this terrible element may
be better and more clearly understood by the public
before the final sitting which the HERALD means to
give this subject is made.
VESSELS VISITED.
The following vessels have been visited and their
precautionary measures against accident are thus
detailed as the result of personal observation
The Peter G.. Comm, 440 tons measurement plies
between this port and Nyack She has, according to
the statement OF the Inspectors certificate 265 feet
Of hose, twenty fire buckets, five axes $50 life pre-
servers, one metal and one wooden boat One the
boats was located up on the hurricane deck, and
from its situation 1t would require much trouble,
considerable time and no small degree OF ingenuity
10 get it in the water. The boiler OF this vessel was
built in 1865, has water bottom and Is only felted
in part. When visited, old shirts, umbrellas, &C.,
were hanging against IL, exhibiting great degree OF
thOughtessness the part OF the fireman. The
wood work surrounding the boiler Is too near for
wash only. The independent steam fire and bilge
pump is in the hold, which is very objectionable
gauges, water and steam, as required are visible.
She has 400 feet of hose, fortyseven buckets two
metal life boats and one OF wood, and 232 life pre-
servers each passengers sleeping compartment
being provided with one The boats were compare
lively small, and one OF them was lying amldsnips,
were built in 1853 and are partly ielted they are
situated the guards, and blowers are used TO aid
the fires Those who recollect the remarks made In
the HERALD regarding the danger Of blowers will
form just conclusions relative to this and similarly
fitted boats. The steam chimney is not felted; the
wood work along the sides and chmneys OF the DOLL
ers is too near and without sufficient protection.
The Chicopee sails between this city anu soatn
AmbOy and intermediate points. She mas Two DOatS
in which there were no oars, and neither of which
was in position to be speedily Launched. only
The inspectors certificate, although searched Ior,
was not visible. The boiler OF TINS vessel Is partly
felted. The woodwork around IT. Is not projected
sides and top being particularly noticeable IN this
deficiency. A blower Is used here to aid draft,
&c, Gauges gauge cocks, &c, are in position.
The Narragansett measures 1853 TONS She is sup
piled with 500 feet Of hose, ITO buckets, fourteen
axes, six boats, two Of which are forward of the
paddle boxes; S75 life preservers, bestowed In the
passengers sleeping rooms: she has also life
fire are quite good. The boilers are felted and the
spaces about them sufficient. Pumps, gauges, &C,
are found as required The independent steam fire
and blge pumps on the main deck.
The Chrystenah Is 5l1 tons measurement and travels
between this port and Peekskill. She is provided
life boat OF metal and one of wood. She has also
about 800 life preservers Her certificate expired
one The boat was slowed away on the hurricane
deck, dashed firmly. There were no oars or thoe pins
in her and she was much encumbered by ropes ana
other materials Boiler built In 1865 no water bot
tom. The steam chimney Is too near surrounding
wood work but measurably well protected The
gauges &c, are In position.
The Thomas Powell measures 6:5 tons; trades be-
tween this city and Catsklll. Her certificate states
she has $50 feet of hose, twenty-five buckets five
axes two metallic boats and one wooden one. She
has life preservers in the passengers sleeping rooms,
besides number Of cork life preservers extra. The
boats not in such way that they could be easily
placed In the water Her boilers were built in 1857
and repaired in 1863. They are not felted, and the
woodwork about them is first, too close for safety,
and secondly it Is protected in any way. They
have water bottoms and their backs, in the mat
| ter OF nearness to wood work and ASH doors not
| properly secured, is very Objectionable
The Wyoming sails between here and New Ham
| burg Only carries a few passengers The captain
explained he had received his certificate from the
inspectors Office, although 1t had been down there
| nearly two weeks. There were two boats ON the
The old certificate credited the vessel with ninety
feet Of hose, twenty fire buckets, five axes, one wood
and one metallic boat and thirty life preservers. Her
| boiler was built in 1861, has no water bottom and
uses blower. Is deficient In an independent steam
re ana bge pump no 10 as
security against fire Is bad; neglect Of essential pro-
| visions everywhere observable.
The John l.. Hasbrouck, measuring All TONS runs be-
tween this city and Poughkeepsie She has 400 feet OF
hose twenty fire buckets, one metal and one wooden
boat and 100 life preservers One OF the boats, the
| larger one was placed on the hurricane deck in an
| incOnvenient place for getting overheard, and the
much account in an emergency Boiler built in 1884
and partly felted; no water bottom; uses blowerto
furnaces. The deck beams 100 near tne DOller
| and the independent steam pump Is deficient in
size. The casing TO the steam chimney is not pro-
tected and load Of freight, combustble In its char
fire the presence Of this freight would be an obsruc
ton TO the means necessary to be resorted to TO ex-
tinguish It,
The Herman Livingston is on the route between
this port and Savannah. This vessel Is 043 tons
measurement She Is provided with 500 feet of hose
four life boats all Of metal; 400 life preservers which
placed in the passengers state rooms; nityeght
buckets and twelve axes she Is well provided lor,
md fho INIT IN "a
against accident are excellent. Her boilers were
built in 1861, have water bottoms but are not felted
There space at the sides Of the boilers sufficient for
all purposes, yet the woodwork Is not covered with
any protection. In gaugecocks, gauges, water,
steam. and an independent steam fire and biige pump
the engine and boiler rooms are very well provided.
The Bienville, oil l,AS6 tons. trades between this
city aud Havana She is provided with 500 feet of
hose, siSty-two fire buckets twelve axes SIX lie
boats aid i40 life preservers scattered through the
| passengers berths. -Four streams OF water can be
brought into requisiton to operate upon any part
of the vessel within three minutes time. AS on
| board the Herman Livingston the crew are regu-
larry drilled for fire duty and put through their
exercises many times during the trip between the
two ports. Boilers built in 1857: not feted; they
are removed from The woodwork, which Is sheatned
| with zinc properly put on. Her independent steam
fire and bnpe pump is Of large size and quite aces
| sbie although below.
The Emelne is lying up. Mechanics are on board
| and she Is undergoing general Overhaung.
The Catharlne Whiting is not running and lies
The Miami is also idle and has not been running
| for the last six weeks.
The Utica is on the route between here and Cox
sackie. Carries freight aud passengers She has
two boats, OF which is on the upper deck, with
no appliances for getting 1t overheard; the other
was slung on dayits on the lower deck. About thirty
| buckets were noticed on the upper deck.
| There was a good quantity OF hose observ-
able. The. manner IL which loose nay
| wis scattered ai;, thfoWn about the deck and
especially near the boiler, did not exhibit mucn
| fuiness. The inspectors certificate could not be
seen Her boiler, partly on deck is not felted. The
nearness OF he woodwork TO the sides, 'front.' top and
back It, and that without the least precsution Of
sheathng or any protection whatever, Is dangerous
Loose wood was scattered about near the boiler, and
| Its combustion seemed to be Invited.
The Uelen boat OF ike character 10 that OF the
Utica, was not running she Is In the hands Of me-
chanics.
| The Ariel is laid up for repairs
The Northern Light Is also OH her usual route and
| Is lying ut the pier.
| The South America, trades between here and
Rio Jaaeiro, is also lying idle, submitting herself to