New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-04

that there are no davits from which TO launch these
called life boats the only way OF getting them into the
water being either TO lower them by means OF
ropes, or to throw them bodily overheard.
To recaptuate: On the Roosevetst Ferry is the Com
Perry, built in 1882 and rebuilt in 1867 she has one
boiler, put I'm in 1867 and set within foot OF the
koelson directly amdhp in relation to the vessels sde
but nearer to one end than the other. 1t has been
patched on the wlcrbottom This tho engineer says,
is a common thing In boilers ordinarily lasting
more than year in this spot account OF the moisture
which constantly collects in the bge OF the boat The
upper part OF the boiler is covered with a shcathng Of
felt and canvas which, while prevents the escape OF
the heat precudes close inspection Of its condition.
The pressure allowed by the Government stated at 80
pounds, but the lookup valve attached by tho
Government blows of at % pounds pressure. Tho
amount OF pressure, however, is not ordinarily over
fifteen or twenty according to the engineers statement
The boiler IL supplied with fresh water from an iron
tank, which kept constantly full, and into which the
spare steam Is occasionally thrown, fact which posi-
bly, increases the danger to passengers She ia aso pro-
vded with circular gas-tank, having rubber top OF
the kind described below, which will hold about 300
glssufcient, II gnited, to tear the boat
10 spinters On the hurricane deck the frebuokets
and feprescrvers The other boats are the Commodore
Barney built in 1859 and rebuilt in 1867 at which time
she received a new engine and boiler; tho
Warren, built in 1859; tho superior, built in
built in 1864. and the Nevada, built I'm 1870
On the Grand-st. ferry the Cayuga bnilt
in 1912; the Oneida bult In 139; tho Can
ada built in 1851, and the Minnesota built in 1854
The three first were furnished with new boiler each
in 1854 and tho last 1852 On the Brdgost ferry arc
the George Law built In 1885, and the George Washing
ton built in 1886 Both Of these vessels were provided
with new boiler in 1862 Tho Nebraka furnished
with new boiler in 1870. The boilers on al these
boats have been patched in about the same place. on
the water-bOttOm
PERIL OF USING COAL GAS on FERRY-BOATS.
When the muttudinous dangers to which the ferry
passenger is exposed from WORKOUT or overcharged
boilers from negligence the part of the employees,
from fire. and from collisions have all been fairly estE
mated the catalogue Of risks is far FROM being complete
and the moral courage required to depend upon ferry
for access to and from place OF business in this city is
lightly estimated The builders Of the modern ferry
boats having abandoned the odtine kerosene lamps.
from the danger which they entailed, az well
as from the meager light which they afforded.
have. in the adoption OF ordinary coal gas ilumln
aor concealed in the hold Of each boat most deadly
enemy to human life The general effect upon the
of sight Is peasng-no one dispung the advantages,
as regards Illuminating power Of gas over cOalo, but
this surface appearance OF neatness Ill compensates for
the additional danger incurred. Few who crowd to tho
outer ends OF the boats on tho Union Ferry Companys
line they leave their docks in the evening for tho
Brooklyn shore, know that they stand over VOLCANO
which the least spark from the enginerOom, or neglect
of cOal-bearer below deck to observe the printed pa-
card restricting the of lights, would serve TO put IN
active state. 1t safe in comparison to carry
ghtlyhoaded hogshead OF powder for 1t would neither
work out upon the floor iii the with 5uphurous
and iu6ammable vapOr.
In INC end of the boat at which the engineer is sta
toned, occupying the extreme portion Of the bow is
small dark room, separated from the machinery by
thin partition, assigned for the gas receiver.
On the boats Wnona, Nassau Hamilton. Manhassat
and Somerset OF the Union Ferry Companys lines. tho
,g5ometer in each consists OF iron tank about
feet in diameter and feet hight which is surmounted
by hemspherical rubber top. Upon this flexible por~
ton Of the reservoir a weight applied which forces
the gas through the pipes the burners tho cabins
Tho following cut will convey the loa at onco: