The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-21
PUBLIC SAFETY AFL0AT.
Our System of Inspection OF Steam.
boats and Boilers.
INSPECTOR General Nimmo's Whit to New York
and It's 0bjects-The Inspection Districts
expert" Evidenoe-How the
STOKES Trial Resembled the
WestHeld Investigation.

Tnero are comparatively few cities In the world
where greater proportion OF the population is CON-
pelled to make of means Of water travel In the
pursuit of their ordinary avocatons than in the city
sf New York. This Is chiefly due, Of course to the
geographical confguraton and location OF the island
peninsula which the city is built, and which has
necessitated the spread OF population the ad.
accent shores, thereby giving existence to such
cities as Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken and
the dozen small towns which skirt the bay
and river mouths. 1t is estimated that not less
taan 100000 passengers daily cross the various
ferry routes leading to this city, 1t being under
stood, of course that these figures represent the
actual number OF fares taken by the receivers at
the ferry gates, and not the actual number Of diff
ferent persons who cross the ferries. Many per-
sons Of course, cross the ferry four or five times
daily, and at least 100 600 persons the ferry
twice-Once in reaching the city in the
morning, and second time In returning
10 their homes at night Then again,
the local steam commerce Of the port is something
enormous, millions OF dollars being invested and
thousands OF persons engaged in the running and
navigation Of steamers OF various classes other
than ferryboats
Under these circumstances then, II is a matter
Of no small concern to the entire public that the
system OF local steam navigation should be con-
merely speed comfort and economy but all possible
security for life and property and the advent to New
York Of Supervising Inspector General Joseph
Nimmo, Jr., OF the Bureau OF Inspection for Steam
Vessels, at Washington, Is looked upon with a de-
gree OF interest py all classes. New York had
such a terrible experience In the Westhed disaster
ON that fatal July Sunday Of last year. that her
people will never forget the awful chastsement,
and will heartily endorse and second any measures
calculated to render u recurrence of
so DREAD CATASTROPHE
IN impOssbility.
The bureau over which Inspector General Nimmo
preeides Ia branch OF the Treasury Department,
and his jurisdiction extends over the huls and
steam apparatus OF all vessels navigating the coast
and the more important inland waters.
The Bureau comprises ten supervising districts,
each district being presided over by q supervising
Inspector. These districts again divided into
local or sub-dlsricts placed ip charge OF inspec-
tors and assistant inspectors, the whole being
under the general control OF General Nunmo.
THE DISTRICTS
embrace the following areas OF territory
First Dlstrict-Au waters and rivers OF the United
States west OF the Rocky Mountains
Second District-The waters OF the Atlantic coast,
rivers and tributaries between the bay OF Passama-
quOddy and Cape Charles.
Third Distr1ct-The waters OF the Atlantic coast,
Cape Sable.
Fourth District-The Mississippi River and tribu-
taries IRON the mouth OF the Ohio River up to and
Fifth District|lhe Upper Mississippi River and
It's tributaries from Quincy, ILL.,, to and including
the Red River OF the North
sixth District-The Ohio River and tributaries be-
now and including Carrollton, KY, and the Mis-
down to and including the Arkansas River
Seventh DistrtctnThe Ohio River and tributaries
Eighth District-All the waters Of the lakes north
and west of Lake Erie. with their tributaries
Ninth District-Al the waters Of Lakes Erie, On
tari0 Champlan Memphremagog and George, with
the River st. Lawrence and their tributaries, and
the inland lakes of New York.
Tenth District-Tne coast and tributary waters OF
no nf Ga md ha
mouth OF the Rio Grande, and the Mississippi River
and tributaries to the mouth of the Arkansas River
New York Is embraced In the Second district,
and the Supervising Inspectors are assigned fol-
lows over the whole jurisdietlon:-
First District-Samuel Guthrie, San Francisco
second Decentralization Low, New York city.
Third District--John Meusnaw, Baltimore Md.
Fourth Dist1ct-Frank Burnett, St. Louis, NO.
Filth District-Chares L. Stephenson, Galena, ILL.,
Sixth Distrct-samuel Houston, Louisville, Ky.
Seventh District-John S. Devenny Pittsburg, Pa.
Eighth District-Peter J. Ralph, Detroit, Mich.
Ninth District-Asaph S. Bemis. Buffalo, n. Y.
Tenth District-Willam Rogers, New Orleans, La.
General Nimmo arrived In this city Oh his present
OFFICIAL TOUR
on Friday. and will leave New York tomorrow, so
ms to be In Boston on Tuesday and in Portland on
Wednesday. lie will return to this city route
20 Washington about the end Of next week, and in
the course OF fortnight VIII again set out from the
capital on tour of inspection through the Third
district which embraces the Southern Atlantic
seaboard Of the United States as far the Florida
capes
A HERALD reporter yesterday called upon Gene
ra NimmO at the offices OF the local bureau Of in
spection for steam vessels No. % Pine street, AMI
was received in prompt, courteous manner, that
wOnld seem TO indicate good business qualifications
on the part OF that gentleman. Mr. Nimmo was sit
ting at desk in his shirt sleeves hard at work in
consultation with the officials OF the New York
Ofiice. and, soon as the reporter introduced him
self and stated that his desire was 10 learn the obi
cial object OF his visit,
TnE GENERAL STATED THE FACTS
rapidly and cOncisely.
The General said that he had been appointed to
his present position on the 10th of June, one month
ago yesterday, aud that his present purpose in
ing TO New York was TO famiharze himself with the
organization, personnel, regulations and business
methods of the local bureaus of inspection IL was
no part Of his intention, at present, to make any
personal inspection OF the condition Of steam ves-
sels in the port OF New York, but to see that the
local inspectors and their establishments
IN prompt and efficient working condition. The
inspection Of steam vessels under the regulations
OF the Bureau Is divided into two branches, the in
specion Of hulls and the inspection OF boilers The
first division had jurisdiction oi the hulls OF ves
sells, their lfe-preservlng apparatus, beat equip
ment fog whistles. guards, &c, AMI the second, OF
the boilers and all parts OF the steam connections
In New York Inspector Matthews has charge Of the
latter branch and Inspector Boole controls the
former. These gentlemen. with their necessary
assistants, are empowered TO examine all matters
pertaining to their respective departments and to
grant licenses and certificates OF condition and
efficiency.
General Nimmo expressed the opinion that
within a few months at furthest the general condi
ton OF ali vessels In and about the harbor of New
YORK would he as good as ordinary foresight and
experience, combined with great vigilance, could
secure. This state or affairs naturally brought up
the question as to the difficulty In cases OF eXpO-
sion OF determining, first, whether there was any
cupability, and second, where that cupabiity lay.
now EXPERTS WILL SWEAR.
SAID the Genefal:-I was greatly interested
FOR time in the testimony taken at
the investigation into the causes OF the West
field disaster. 1t expected by reason
OF the terrible nature OF that calamity,
that the investigation would shed some light on
the subject OF steam explosion; but after while IL
became such mass of nat contradiction, under
oath by experts, that l concluded that they knew
nothing definite on the subject either side. The
fact IL, steam Is not yet thoroughly understood,
and 10 may be put down az u science only partially
developed, and In which there is yet great room
for research and experiment. The scientific test-
mOny In the Wesifeld case greatly resembied the
medical testimony In the stokes case, In which the
witnesses on each side swore in pont.bank oppo.
stIon. and the Judge lett IL To the jury to make
sense out OF IL If they could"