The New York herald., 1868-05-04

discipline and reliance In their officers, there can
mable character OF steam vessels IL considered it
must he admitted that IL Ii not from the lab0rs OF
one OF even lew ,nat success II ann
compulsory discipline for crew to continue at their
posts with the knowledge that passengers are not
only cutting of their means OF safety by occupation
OF the boats but, terror-striken and frenzed they
may be destroying that only means by their cosl-
fused and i-drected labOrs.
LLFE-sAvING ARRANGEMENTS.
On board the vessels visited the laws Of Congress
in relation to the preservation OF life or the means of
escape from danger by passengers and crew have
been fairly carried ont. The requisite number OF
life boats and life preservers called for according to
the measurement OF each vessel and the number OF
passengers carried by such vessel and which IL spec
hed on the government inspectors certificate have
in nearly every instance, been complied WIN. In
regard, however, to the present
BOAT DIsENGAGING APPARATUS.
masters OF steamboats, entertain contrary opinohs
The law requires that the life boat be provided WIN
suitable boat dsengaging apparatus, so arranged as
to allow them to be safely launched with
their compliment of passengers while the YES
sells under fun speed or otherwise ana so that
they may be disengaged by person releasing both
ends OF the boats at once. Now, while the present
arrangement for such an accomplishment ana one
OF almost general adoption has Its advocates among
seaiaring men, there are many who believe that the
pan Is far from being perfect. In cases where IL II
ure from vessel in case OF disaster aud where ex-
citenent Is the rule and cOoness the exception two
seconds difference even less time, in the working OF
the apparatus might be attended with the most dis
astrous consequences to all on board the boat. All
depends upon the presence OF mind OF the man
paced ON the boat FOR the purpose OF freeing her. so
that at the proper me when the boat is close to the
water, he may work the bolt that frees and disen-
cages her from the ship.
The opinion of one captain In relation the matter
was, that to work 1t properly and effectively was
necessary TO have some person who had practical
experience combined with GOODNESS to attend To ts
management, In cases where emergency required
its use He had tried 1t at sea and found 1t to work all
right, but on all occasions Of the trial the expert
ment was made by the second officer If the danger
then, In launching Is so great by the present app
ance as that alluded to, especially In the hands Of
inexperienced men in the hustle, confusion and ex-
citement incident upon calamity occurring to q
ship at sea- Is the superiority 1t Is claimed It pos
raj adOptiOnp and II 1t Is should not number OF the
men be regularly exercised in its working whose
business 1t would be- should an emergency arise, to
be at their posts and have sole management Of the
dsengagng of the boatss
though highly spoken Of a. are . not much adopted.
The merit they possess is that they can be hove over
board with ease, will right themselves ~ soon as
from thirty to fifty people can find room and safety.
They are ut all times ready for use, are devoid Of
usefulness, and many of them be propelled with
oars. The steamship Fulton which runs between
here and Aspnwall is furnished with one capable OF
holding fifty people, and the Richard Stockton,
plying between this port and South Amboy, has
another, different, however, In construction.
LIFE PRESERvERS.
Apart from the means Of escape afforded by the
boats and RATS to those who have the misfortune to
be on board vessel at a time when abandonment IS
resolved life preservers or cork Jackets placed In
the berths or in convenient and accessible places was
wisely decided by the laws for the government OF
steamships. In almost all sea-gOing steamers these
are placed In every state room under the Mattress
so that passengers have them all ready should their
tice s adopted In relation to the means Of putting
out dres should such a calamity occur on board, u
number Of
FIRE BUCKETS,
should be on hand ready for use In case circum-
stances should require them to be brought into
qusition In most instances the buckets are placed
promenade
can lend hand in the extlnguishng Of the flames
In their early progress. This mode OF putting out
fire. however, Is independent Of the more effective
means by the use of pumps worked by steam, with
hose attached or the application of steam itself
when the fire occurs between decks On some OF the
Sound steamboats, metallic buckets are placed In the
sleeping rooms OF the passengers, underneath the
waslstand so that they may at all times be easy at
hand for use. This Is an excellent plan ana one
worthy of emulation. The
HOSE PIPE,
ready to be attached, have been found In boxes
located In close proximity TO the pumps to be used
in cases OF fire. AS general thing, In those vessels
which have been visited, the hose has been found in
excellent condition and the full quantity required by
law so far as could be ascerancd. In regard 10 the
location OF the
and the number called for, these instruments no!
as easily accessible a. they might be. In numerous
instances they are slowed away In officers rooms
and pilot houses, where no person Ii permitted to gc
unless by permission; yet while many OF the boais
have them in such places they may readily be dis
| tingushed, In prominent places In cabins and on
DECK still there are others which, II they have them
in situations where they cannot readily be got at
STEAMBOATS, VISITED
Below VIII be found list OF the boats visited, to-
gether with the observations made from personal In
spcclion regarding their condition and appoint
ments:-
The Richard Stockton runs between here and
South Amboy, touching ut intermediate points. This
boat Is Y12 tons measurement. The Inspectors GER
tidcae says that she mas $40 feet OF hose forty
three buckets, nine axes, four boats two Of which
are of metal and $50 life preservers. The boats were
on the upper deck, aft the paddlebox; two OF the
h,nf hnIv, toni In and 1u
ships life raft capable Of holding forty persons
was ready for use In case OF necessity In regard to
Visions s Of the certificate were apparently complied
with. The boilers were built in 1852 but after four
teen years. Of service repaired They are not felted
and their sides, tops and backs are too near the wood
work, which IL not properly protected for safety The
requirements OF gauges, water and steam are sum
cient but the required number OF hand pumps could
not be found In their appropriate places. The boat
Is deficient In an independent steam 1re and bilge
pump.
The ]. Belknap travelling over the same route, Il
495 tons measurement. The certificate announces
$50 feet Of hose twenty fire buckets five axes three
servers. In general appearance the Belknap has moi
much to recommend her. Her sanitary condition
ton and the appliances at hand, were. not In con
ditOn to be effectively launched There ere only
about fifty Of the life preservers seen, and the mo
rity Of these were thrown together on the upp ei
deck, where 1t would be next to an impOssblity fol-
female TO get Mt them II occasion required their
use. The boilers were built In 1861 with sg ht
pairs in 1see The inspectors assert that there
four gauge cocks on each. two water gauges,
two steam gauges, two fire pumps, &c.
The facts are tina: there are but three gauge
cocks to each boiler, one steam, one vacuum,
and water gauge, the steam gauge in the boiler
rooms being seemingly worthless, and the water
gauge on the starbOard boiler broken. The boilers
are not felted and the nsuficiency OF protection
| about the woodwork Of the fire rOOm-neither zinc
nor whitewash being appareni-seems to invite ign
ton. The forcing pumps called FOR could not be
seen.
The James Adger boat Of 1,os5 tons measure
ment. The arrangements OF this boat In the follow
ing respects, regarding life preserving In case OF
accidents Is apparently all right. Has 430 feet OF
hose forty-seven nre buckets, mine axes, two fe-
boats of metal and three OF wood and $50 life pre-
servers Those applied TO board In relation to the
compliance Of the vessel with the requirements OF
law seemed TO imagine that the investigation made
| with their own views In this respect The boilers
were not elted but the space along the sides IL sum
cient to allow a current OF air. The feed pumps,
| water steam aud vacuum gauges are In accordance