The New York herald., 1868-05-04

A Visit to Oar Passenger-Carryins Stsamers-
Precautions Against Fire-Condition 0f Ma
chinery-Means Of Escape for Passengers In
Case Of Accident-Iife Boats and Their Ap-
plianccs for Launching-Life Preservers and
Where Piaced-vesseIs aud How Rated.
The laws enacted by Congress at various times
since the year 1888 relating to the thorough nspec.
ton Of the huls and machinery of passenger vessels
plying upon the seas, lakes rivers and sounds sur
rounding and within the territory of the United States
measurably sufficient in their various provisions
for the great end in view-the protection OF life
and the security OF property But since the passage
OF the Steamboat act Of 1852, wherein there are
embodied wise and just requirements in regard to
the exceency OF materials required TO be used in the
construction OF hulls, the sufflcency and adequate
character OF machinery the precautionary measures
to prevent fire. and the necessary provision for life
preservers &C., each and all have so repeatedly been
violated ana non-comped with that frequent disas-
tiers, the direct consequence of such action, have
made the nation shudder with horror and clothed
sections OF the land in mourning Since the first In
PRODUCTION of steam navigation in this country the
long, sad list of vessels that have met with acci
dents at sea-upon rivers bays and along
the shores or s0unds-can be referred TO
by the sores Many of these accidents at first were
trivial in their nature yet they have been attended with
appalling examinations simply because the enacted
awst to avert such caamities not compiled with,
and this record has caused blot upon the cOuntrys
fame. Owing to the existence OF this stain, and
as the proportional loss OF life from disasters to steam
vessels Is greater with than with any other nation,
1t is not amiss, as measure of apology, to inquire
upon whom the responsibility rests that by ignorance
criminal colluson have and are continuing to
contribute their share to the disasters OF the and
its tributaries the loss OF lives and horrors incident
to which are universally conceded to be the worst OF
all terrOrs.
Inspectors appointed under this act ostensibly 'or
their knowledge, skill and experience In the uses OF
steam for navigation and who are competent judges
not only of the character of vessels but of all parts of
the machinery employed in steaming," arc widely
distributed throughout the United States at large
annual salaries. BY the provisions OF the enacted
law by which they hold Office they delegated with
the fullest power to put into effect such remedial
measures, wherever required, that the lives of pas
sengers may not 80 often be subjected to jeopardy
Do such inspectors cOnscientOusy perform these
dutiesr Do they fully execute the laws tending to
the required condition Of steam vessels not alone in
making hasty annual Inspections Of such as are In
their respective departments, but in ''seasonaby
examining steamers arriving and departing, so often
as to enable them to detect any neglect to comply
merit and skill they may possess, and though many
steamships are fully and religiously equipped and
provided for as demanded by the authorities and the
public and with whom the thousands of miles OF
ocean travel amid the anger OF the elements have
been free from accident, yet others do exist both OF
ocean and inland design, that are, in their
many details, In such lagrant opposition to
the requirements Of the act referred to and In their
owners adoption OF remedial measures for the
ends in view that we present the following recital Of
some OF the principal causes of disasters at sea,
Win observations regarding the proper measures
which should be resorted to to arrest remove
them. To this end and as examples, few OF the
steam vessels IN our harbor yesterday were visited
and their condition noted respecting the compliance
with the law. Should it direct the attention of owners
and officers Of steam vessels generally to the great
responsibilities of their position, causing them to
reflect upon the nature of their duties both to the
public and to themselves, some good may be affected
thereby.
NEGLECT OF SECURITY AGAINST FIRE.
Section two Of the law of 1852 says "that it shall
he the duty OF the inspectors Of boilers and engines
to examine and see that suitable and safe provisions
made to guard against loss or danger from fire.
This includes first, the construction Of boilers ant
the arrangement OF their appurtenances These
with internal furnaces like the ordinary marine
boilers, should nave water bottoms to prevent frt
from DeIng communicated to theirsbeds through
openings caused by imperfect fittings of the legs to
the BEDS or by neglect in the workmanship When a
natural draft IL USED for combustion, the exhaustion
within the furnaces, tubes &C., is such to cause
current of air 10 lead into and through any aper-
lures opening to them and hence fire and sparks are
prevented from being emitted through any ordinary
openings joints about boiler. Where blower is
used these conditions radically different. The
pressure then within the furnaces, fues &C. Is such
that fire sparks and occasionally small pieces OF
igned coal will be forced through any opening that
may exist, and a. 1t IL impractcabe to construct q
boiler without number Of Insecure openings such
these Of the furnaces, ash pits and ue doors &c.
fire is liable TO be constantly forced out through
| them, and great number OF steamers have
been destroyed through this cause alone. The
momentary firing Of vessels from this cause Is
so probable and OF such frequent occurrence that II
| the travelling public were fully aware OF the risk Of
| life they incurred IN steamers where blowers are
| used the abandonment OF them would be universal
| and their owners would be compelled to remove the
Objectionable feature forthwith, their interests In
this inducing their attention thereto enectuay
| than any law that might be enacted TO reach them.
| The use OF blowers IL so opposed to all proprety
| and their abandonment so essential to the re-
qurements OF personal safety that inspectors should
snd that up weh tey w aqe
should be proclaimed, on river, lake, sound or
ocean, unseawOrthy.
| boilers with felt should never be lost sight OF by
| those executing Its provisions. The proprety and
necessity Of this apparant that all competent
engineers I'm every character OF steam vessels de-
mand It's use, its utility being recognized In restrict
ing radiation OF heat and as security against fire
being communicated by Over-heated boiler II IL OF
the rst Importance for the reason that Immediately
upon It's being burned the peculiar odor OF Its com
busiion Is readily recognized, and the attention o
/ the engineer and fremen on duty IL Immediately a.
rected 10 the circumstance and remedial measures
| resOrted to.
| The act also imperativey demands that the wood
WORK around boilers, their steam chmneys or drums
shall be placed from II as far as may be practicable
consistent with the capacity Of vessel This should
be very particularly and religiousy attended to by
| inspectors In Its many requirements Thus when q
boiler Ia In the hold OF single decked vessel IL moi
practicable TO AFFORD much space between It's top and
| ihe under side Of the deck beams above 1t without
| making break I'm the deck-a means not always
| consistent or desirable. Neither Is II desirable
| when the boilers are upon the guards OF q
sufficient height to secure Il frosn being fired