New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-15
GOVERNMENT INSPECTION OF STEAMBOATS,.
INSPECTORS AND THEIR woRK-NEEpED RE-
FORMS.

INSPEClORS AND AiI-ii' WYNN - 49,
FORMS.
The steamboat inspection service is a branch
OF the Bureau of Navigation Of the Treasury Department
There are 10 Inspection Districts to each of which
Supervising Inspector is appointed, as follows
ceatl POr San fTnH:eo a. NsE ieI5 ~ B1t"0Tt
Detroit 9Th, Buffalo 10th, New Orleans
In the several ports within these districts are Inspect
ors OF Hus and Inspectors Of Boilers VINO constitute
what are called Local Boards of Inspection Wherever
necessary Assistant Inspectors are also appointed lie
office a Inspector-G General has recently been ere
ated and under the new rules and regu-
lations for the service, which went into effect
about, the LIST OF July, this officer Is chief OF the
corps The appointments eagerly sought especially
by engneers who wish to retire from active service
There were upward OF 40 applications for the last ap
pointment made in the NewYork district The lnspec-
tors are appointed upon the joint recommendation of the
Inspector the Collector of the Port and the
Judge OF the United States District Court. The men
selected are as rule those who by long service as pac
teal or as foremen OF shpyards, presumed
% have heeome competent There has been no formal
examination OF candidates and no requirements with
reference 10 scentife knowledge How cosey the sys-
TEN of has been managed may appear from
uch as that In one OF the western districts
where the Supervising until last year an
temperate expfot who could scarcely write hisown
and wbo was VIGOROUSLY ignorant Of his duties. In
Go r.os,t case n man was made Inspector who had
49, dis,n.sed from the Government Transport Service
o. ,,o., ant dishonesty and incompetence. That these
io have successfully competed for by
ppsI, ineomugtent persons is further shown BY the
snrance xTih which retired steamboat captain Is
;n bis claims for the office OF Supervising Inspector
~ wastern District; while, in undergoing a public
.a,,,naton under oatn, he admitted that he knows
80, ~ steam engineering, and failed To answer the
is, reference to the strength OF boilers.
M, o ~ rec. yed the Endorsement OF numerous emf
, ,iiie men who. II personal and political influence
@ lent would doubt secure the office him.
m, general II Joseph Belknap The engines
81 car 10 sbps In different parts OF the world bear his
vi % dssiger and builder He entered upon his new
,1s In the inspection service only few weeks ago,
% -, after found occasion To devote his time entirely
an a Wsttield investigation. This work concluded the
~ his efforts will he 10 study the application OF
h a, rues and regulations and see that they put
a. ,r,r operation In every part OF the country. His
,,i state that finds many evidences that the tone
~, ha ssrvfce is relaxed, that Inspectors perform
hi tes negligenty. An instance Of this Is shown In
w ,t that very of the certificates OF inspection
VI. nv steamers IN the Sev-iOrk. and perhaps In
ahr districts are valid papers, because they
otlei moi nrurerly authenticated. The Inspectors
hnpe have for long time neglected To
ssn ~ taken the oath required by law In each In
,rt who fills out the body Of the paper from the
notes This abuse IL "a be once abolished
& n ~ h0pcd that similar reforms will be made IN
IN irccfops There about 100 boiler explosions
~ he ited states last year, causing great lOss of life
nbef viii lie les this year. except IN the event that