New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-04

STEAMBOAT INSPECTORS.


Report ef the DsarA Of sstervising II
sDecters Of eteambeaes- -sisnal Light
o. Steao and Sailing Vessels.
iFfom the New York Herald.1
WASHINGTON, October 3O.-Tbe Board O
Supervising Inspectors Of Steamboats, ha
written long report to tho Secretary O
the Treasury upon the subject of the alleges
violations Of the international rules sn(
regulations by the provisions Of certain
| rules OF the board to establish uniformity O
vessels, brought to their consideration bv Z
communication Of the English board to tht
State Department. The letter was fully
considered BY the board, and referred t.
the Solicitor Of the Treasury, who held thai
NO International law or treaty had been VIC
lated BY the board.
The board say that, Notwithstanding the
law Of June 8, 1864, to prevent collisions
upon the water, the mercantile steam ma
rine OF the United States had for q long
ZINE prior to that law been required under
the rules and regulations of the board to
carry the bright light at the foremast head
and the colored lights a. now required BY
law. and in addition thereto q bright light
at the stern Of the vessel, which latter was
deemed indispensably necessary for steam
ers navigating rivers and channels where
range lights and beacOns were used on
shore. The act referred to brought nothing
new to service Of the steam mercantile
marine of this country, as, by the rules of
our supei vising inspectors, our steamers
were already operating under . more COM
prehensive system than the new law pro-
vided, nor did that act prescribe any penalty
for violation Of it's provisions.
After practical application of the law
to steam vessels for while, Congress re.
stored the stern light to steamers, and per-
mitted the bright light to be carried ahead
or on the stern where the steamer was not
equipped with foremast. Aside from this
is identical with that of the mercantile
shipping act, the system being observed
alike and in common by all steamers in our
waters, whether American or foreign, and
no cases have come to the knowledge of the
board of departure from the merchant ship
ping act system by steamers of the United
States whose voyages extend to countries
across the ocean. The board say the lam
guage Of the merchant chipping act con-
cerning fog signals has been improved upon
by their rules requiring steamers running
in fog tn sound their steam Whistles st in.
tervals of not more than one minute, instead
Of every five minutes, and at all times where
steamers are meeting head ON or nearly 20,
one blast of the whistle is the signal to pass
on the right, and two blasts to pass on the
left, which Improvement can hardly be con-
sider d as adding danger to the system.
In the system Of signals for sailing YES
sells the fog horn, as required to be used,
will indicate the position of one vessel to
and two for port tack, and three blasts
when going. att; the wind also requiring
that signals be sounded at intervals of NOT
over two minutes, instead of eyery five
minutes.
Concerning the provisions of the act of
February q, 1871, requiring sail vessels to
exhibit lighted torch upon that side of
vessel presented to an approaching steamer,
The board say this signal is desirable for q
steamer to enable her pilot to discover the
position OF the sail vessel, and should not
be regarded as an additional light carried
my more than the rocket of distress or y
'Olored flash light often used at sea to iudi- |
ate distress or what ship or particular line
# ships is represented by it.
The board say that while foreign vessels |
re not amenable to the inspection laws of |
his country, they can not see what danger |
Ould be done from an observance of the |
anne when in waters Of the United States |
r elsewhere.
Regarding notifications. all vessels carrv-
ng hay or other cOmbustible materials on
eek, the board concur in the Secretary's
rider tor the substitution of the globe lamp
Dr. the tOrchlight upon vessels so laden. and
0 recommend q rule to that effect.
The board refer to the frequent complaints
,ade by masters of American steamers and
ailing vessels in the Northern and North
'estern lakes. and the negligent and care
'ss manner in which Canadian and other
.reign sailing vessels observe any system
signal lights, and suggest the importance
I correcting such condition of things by
ne English board, or such other tribunal
. may have power. to require a more faith
il observance of the merchant shipping
'gulations in those waters. Beyond this
le board think no further action necessary.