Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-11
STEAMBOATS,.
Abstract Of the Report Of Mr.. N. 3. Deve-
reux, Chief Of the Board Of Steam
boat Inspectors.
Operations Of Steamboat Inspectors during
1853, Including those Ct. the West.

From the Washington Chronicle, 7th.1
In beginning his report to the Sec.
retary of the Treasury, Mr.. Devereux
says:
The Board opened its eighteenth
annual session on the 18th Of January,
and after a day or two of preliminary
business proceeded to consider the bill
as prepared by Benjamin Crawford,
ESQ.
The bill having been carefully ex-
amined, revised, and additional pro-
visions made, has received the unani-
nous approval of the Board, and is
now submitted with reasons and eX-
plantations deemed essential to the
better understanding of its character
and scope.
Before presenting these arguments
and points of explanation, the under
signed considers it proper to exhibit
some facts and statements pertaining
to the steamboat interests, particularly
upon the Western rivers, during the
progress of a few years prior to the
enactment Of the general steamboat
law in 1852 and subsequently,, which
may serve to show the changes
wrought by il, and the important re-
suits growing out OF II.
From a report made by Mr.. COrwin,
the then Secretary of the Treasury, to
the Senate of the United States, jan
uary p, 1852, it was shown that, up
TO the year 1919, there had been built
upOn the Western waters the follow
ing: Steamers Of ell classes, 1856; to-
tai number of steamers lost, 736; ag-
gregate loss, SIS, ,342, 800.
The loss Of life by these disasters is
unknown, but If it could be ascer-
tanned it would doubtless amount to
many thousands.
During the year 1879 the total num-
Der Of steamers lost was "a, out OF 572
which were registered that year. Is
tinlated loss on these steamers, 81 ,6l9,-
600.
Such was the condition of steam
boat navigation on the Western rivers
prior to the passage of the steamboat
act of 1852. The whole number OF
steamers inspected throughout the
United States during the year ending
September 80, 1860, was l2JS.
The following table shows the Ope-
ratiOns of the steamboat inspectors
throughout the United States, includ-
ing Western rivers, during the year
1869, together with the loss of steam
ers and loss of life and property On tie
same from all causes during the year:
Whole number of steam vessels
inspected during the year,. 2,9ll
Total tonnage Of same.......-........ s}4,657
Number of pilots who have re-
ceived lioenses............-.-...,...... 1880
l.s.v- -e-1r. No. Hrarr
received Iicenses........ -. 1867
I've upon n inspection nm. 1e- 293
Number of boilers condemned
from further use..............,...... 81
Number of explosions through
out the United States............- IL
Steamers lost by fire.. ......... 80
Collisions OF q serious character,
Many of these were collisions
with sailing gvessels.................. "a
Steamers lost by wreck and
laundering ...... ......... ............... %
Steamers lost by snags and 9th
er Instructions ns................... ,.... 80
-
Lives lost by eKplosions............ 81
Lives lost by fire..,...... ............... 304
Lives lost by cOllisions..-..--..-... 10l
Lives lost by foundering............ 2O7
LiYes lost by snags and other
ObStrucUlOus..... ......... ............ 3
Total number Oflives lost on
steam vessels, ,.,,..............-. 5S3
Amount Of property lost by eE-
pIosions s66. 200
Amount of property lost by tire, l,s9o, 900 |
Amount of property lost by col
lisions...........,.................... Sos, 900
Amount Of property lost by
foundsring. ........... -. 72l, 800
Amount of property lost by
snags .......,.,....... 393, AGO