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


enjoyed in days gone by is 'eaty in contrast with
its character at the present day. In an article pub
nshed few days since In the HERALD the condition
Of our passenger carrying steamships plying between
this and other ports, made from personal Inspection
WAS given for the benefit OF the reading public, and
II u sad acknowledgment to be compelled to admit
that out OF list OF twenty vessels there were not
three which could be pronounced In every respect
regarding the provisions made to guard against
danger or for the safety OF the passen-
gers In case Of accident, first class. When
We take into consideration the vast num-
bers who daily leave and arrive at this
port the contemplation Of such state OF things 10
painful in the extreme. The lessons taught by fire.
quent disasters resulting in the loss OF life and the
destruction OF property should have been sufficient
by this time to suggest the most thorough compe-
tent and effective to preclude the possibility
OF a recurrence Of such dreadful calamities. But,
unfortunately, it would seem that with the exception
OF temporary vigilance, suggested oftentmes by
selfish considerations relapse to previous careless
ness and neglect is too frequently the rule.
FIRE BUCKETS.
In case of the breaking out Of fire how many
time might not the application OF bucket of water
have extinguished the trining spark which subse-
quenty resulted in disastrous confagration destruc
tive OF life and property carrying grief into happy
households and reducing to penury many who were
prosperous until the calamity arising from neglect,
careessness or incompetency brought them to per-
haps pinching want Were the proper precautionary
measures adopted in nine cases out Of ten none Of
those dreadful occurrences which but too often
fighten the community from its propriety would
ind q record in the daily histories of life. Fire
buckets placed in easy ana accessible places and
6red with water can be made most effective IN the
early stage Of fire. 1t may require little time
to prepare or rig the pumps with hose, and their
presence in such hour would be invaluable Mo-
ments at such time are more valuable than gold.
Neglect in the fire buckets being hand and filed
with water the pumps can be got to
work may seal the fate Of lives. the destruc-
ton Of priceless property. The mere possession of
buckets Is not sufficient. For all practical purposes,
In case they required they might well be used
a. spttoons in the chambers Of the boards of Alder
men or Councilmen If they are placed in situations
where gymnastic skill would be necessary accom-
plishment in order to come within their reach, or
when crowded away In Offices apartments or store
rooms accessible only to the initiated, they CON-
parativey useless. Unfortunately, this has been OBJ
served in many instances.
HOSE PIPES.
Similar comments may be made in relation to
water hose If stored away under the impression Of
false security that it will not be required owing to the
precautions otherwise adopted to guard against &C
cident the moment may arise, and at time least
pected when, panicstrcken with fear, the confidence
thus repOsed results in miserable and hollow delu-
sion In most cases, so far as observed, however,
praiseworthy vigilance has been observed in this
regard. But there should be no exception to this
rule 1t should be the exception which proves the
rule One life, nay-even the manning Of lmb-istoo
Dear price for oversight, careessness neglect,
no matter what may be the plea in its extenuaton.
BOATS.
In the possession Of the number Of boats by the
several vessels visited the provisions of the law in
regard to the number have been carried out literally
Judicious provision however, was also made in the
Law that such boats should be furnished with and
other necessary apparatus which is meant to include
thole pins, rudder, &c. Although the boats are
1mmovabe on board, still their equipment is often
neglected. 1t may seem trifing and easily remedied
70 place In the boat the necessary and thoe pins
when required and no doubt would be SO under cir
cumstances less urgent than at times when they are
required in emergencies OF the nature referred to.
Minutes at such time are precious and can be more
probably employed than In searching ship for oars
or procuring something to act as substitutes for
th01e pins Neither should boats be slowed in posi-
tions-as has been observed in more than one In
stance-where time would necessarily be consumed
In moving them in order to get them ready for
launching and under no circumstances should
they be hampered with rubbish Of any kind.
OF WOODWORK.
Until very recently 1t has been very rare to ind the
sounds covered With feting Which IS designed for
the double purpose OF protecting the Woodwork
around them from fire aud for the economy OF fuel
This very effective precaution against fire few years
since was rarely known among the class OF steamers
referred to, and is now used to limited extent only
Its use among well fitted sea-going vessels Is univer
sa the utility of it being recognized In restricting the
radiation Of heat from the boilers to the engine room
saloons and state rooms OF vessel Although its
val 10 has
engineers and inspectors OF the Board OF Under
writer's Of this city, together with others nteres ed
in the mercantile marine Of the country there are at
this time many owners Of steamboats, and steam
ships who pertinacously refuse to resort to this
sengers and crews, and OF reducing the risks OF
IRE, merely becase II involves an immediate
expenditure OF money and because tneir
majority OF their calling seem to enjoy the opposi
tion Of any means calculated to save life, protect
property and Is economical in the use OF fuel They
ecout al the idea themselves as needless endeay2r to
raise arguments TO convince weaE-minded people OF
the uselessness OF such provision, and many own
ers OF steam vessels are governed by their views
being ignorant Of the great ploprety and the great
necessity OF this great precautionary measure.
The neglect of the essential point OF projecting the
wood work contiguous to a boiler in fitting steam
vessel at one time almost universal the occur
renee OF re oiie,nat9 around pone e Is 80 no, re-
that IL seems rather inconprehens1ole to account
for the neglect OF proper precautions upon tlis
point. The cases In which the wood work about a
boiler Is exposed to being fired are given by Charles
ii. Haswell inspector OF steamships, connected with
the underwriters OF this city. They are
1. When the water In boiler has been allowed to
fall below the nues, the shell and steam drum, or
chimney, as the case may be, become sufficiently
heated by radiation from the superheated stea m
within to enect ignition Of the wood work immedi-
ately exposed TO IL.
z When water is allowed TO fall below the fues,
"a Just referred to- and the Is discovered
Il Is customary Immediately to haul' the ires from
che furnaces into the fire room, and when the wood
work over and around the lire room Is not properly
protected fire Is likely TO communicate to t. such
accidents very disastrous In their nature, having
frequently occurred.
.. When blowers are used the fire or sparks that
may be blown out through assures In the furnace
doors, ash pits, ash doors, Tue holes, chimney con-
uocti0us, &C., will readily ignite wood already at
high temperature and charred from having been be-
fore exposed to great heat.
IL Is known that In single decked steamers, when
the boiler is placed below and the steam chimney
above the deck, when the boiler is the deck
upon the guards, II Is customary In many cases 10y
6Ou a allnxVa a W. IN inn M