The New York herald., 1871-10-31
IN, ,'MBOAT SUPERVISING INSPECTORS.

R.ocvt n tho Board Of Supereising In
spccr0v, os stounsl,oats- Signal Lights On
steam una .yai,' ing Vessels.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 60 1871.
TIE Board OF supery tsing' Inspectors Of Steam
boats have written long rp0rS TO the Secretary ef
the Treasury upon the subject OF Che alleged viola
tions,of the international rules and regulations by
the provisions OF certain rules OF the oard to estab
lish uniformity OF fog signals and signal
lights upon American vessels, brought TO their
consideration BY o communication OF the English
Board to tine State Department The lettev was
fully considered by the Board, and referred 10 the
Solicitor OF the Treasury, who held that no nte,na
tonal law o, treaty had been violated by the Board
The Board say that. Notwithstanding the law OF
June 8, 1854 TO prevent collisions upon the water
the mercantile steam marine Of the United States
had for long time prIsr 70 ihas lay been geauile ed
carry carry the bright n iignt Is the foremass nesd and
the colored lights as now required by law. and In
addition there thereto Drht light At he stern Of the
necessary for steamers navigating rivers and chan
nes where range lights anGfbeacons were used on
the service OF the steam mercantile marine
or this country as BY the rules our
already operating under a more COIN
prehensvc system that tho new law provided, nor
dld that act prescribe any penalty for violation OF
its provisions. After q practical application OF the
law TO steam vessels for while. Congress restored
the stern light to steamers and permitted the bright
light TO be carried ahead or On the stern
where the steamer was not equipped with |
with that of the Mercantile Shipping act the system
being observed alike and III common by all steamers
in our waters. whether American or foreign, anu !
no cases have come TO the knowledge OF the Board !
or departure from the Merchant Shipping act |
system by steamers OF the United States whose
VOYAGES extend to countries across the ocean, The
Board say the language OF the Merchant shipping act
concerning log SIC mails has improved upon by
their rules recurring steamers running IN
log TO sound their steam whistles at intervals OF not
than minute, instead oil every nVe uln- |
utes, and at all times where steamers are meeting
on Or pas on the 60 9 and u two Sa to
on the left which improvement can hardly be
considered as adding danger to the system. In
fog horn, as required to be used. will IN.
dlcate the position o, OF one vessel to another AM
tack and three blasts when gong ait; the wind also
requiring that signals be sounded at Intervals OF
Concerning the provisions OF the act OF February
g. 1871, recurring sail vessels TO exhibit a lighted
an approaching steamer, the Board say this
signal is desirable for a steamer TO enable
her pilot TO discover the position Of the sail vessel
and should not De regarded as an additional light
carried any more than the rocket Of Of distress or G
trcss or what ship or particular line OF ships Is
The board say that while foreign vessels are not
amenable to the inspection laws OF THIS country
they cannot see what danger could be done from
observance of the same when In the waters OF the
United States or elsewhere.
Regarding notifications oil vessels carrying nay
or other combustib.e materials OH deck, the Board
III the Sccretarys order for the substitute on
OF the globe lamp forthe torcnligut upon vessels 50
laden aud so recommend rule TO that effect.
The Board refer to the frequent complaints made
by masters ofAmercan steamers and sailing vessels
negligent and careless manner IN whicn Canadian
and other foreign sailing vessels observe system
rscr so Of ng inc
Board, such other tribunal as may have power 20
require more faithful observance OF the mere hant
shipping regulations In those waters. Reyona this
the Board think no further action necessary.