Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-18

Mr.. Burnett, supervising inspector
general of steamboats,, in mis- recent an
nual report to the secretary Of the treas
ury, gives the following objective points:
The record for five calendar months,
ending with 1873, shows that the num-
Der Of steam vessels annually inspected
is steadily increasing, the whole number
in 1869 being 294S; and in 1858, 3743;
the annual addition being, in 1870, 154
vessels; in 1871, 1876; in 1872, 147; and
in 1873, 299. The record of loss of life
for 1873 shows marked improvement,
the total number of lives lost from all
causes being ODD, while the average for
the four years Immediately preceding is
$50. The lives lost by explosions are
only 10, which is by far the smallest
number ever recorded in one year, the
total for the five years being 4l7, and
the average for the four preceding
years being about 102. The lives
lost by fire in 1878 were ll9, be-
ing greater than from all other causes
combined. For 1872 the lives lost by
fire bear even a larger proportion to the
aggregate loss from other causes. The
same is true of 1869. This is a matter
demanding the most serious attention
and inquiry on the part of the in
spectors and owners of steam vessels,
and there cannot be doubt but that a
thorough and earnest investigation into
the causes which produce such disasters
will be attended with the best results.
Surely, in every ease either the con-
struction, arrangement, equipment, or
management is faulty in some partieu-
lar, which a searching investigation
must disclose. is believed that more
thorough scrutiny on the part of inspec-
tors in making their examination, and a
ike watchful care in the management
of steamers by their officers, is only re-
quired, and the loss OF life by fire would
be an extremely rare occurrence, if it
did not cease to have a place in
our records. The lives lost by col
lisions in 1873 are seven. At one
time collisions were a fruitful source
of loss of life, but by the adOp-
ton of more perfect regulations and the
experience gained in their use, the loss
from this cause seems to be almost uni
fOrmly reduced to about the number here
stated. The lives lost by snag, wreck and
sinking are eighty-siE, which is about
ten per cent. less than the average for the
four preceding years. The lives lost in
1869, from all causes, were 577; in 1870,
$50; in 1871, 36l; in 1872, 306; in 1873,
DID. These details show the year 1873 to
have been a successful one in obtaining
in high degree the aims OF the laws for
the protection OF life en- steam vessels;
but there is reason to believe that through
the improved administration and better
regulation Of the service the results will
be far surpassed in the future. My re-
cent return to the service has not af-
forded sufficient time to enable me in
diligently to present for your considera-
ton any features of the present law,
which may appear to require amend
ment. l may suggest, however, that
the present demand on the time
of inspectors for the performance
OF yearly clerical duties, is a very seri-
Gus hindrance 10 the highest success OF
the service, and would seem to require a
remedy. I firmly believe that with
proper encouragement TO the officers
engaged in this professional service, by
securing to them, in view of the judicial
character Of their duties, immunity
from liability of removal on other
ground than inefiicieney, degree of
safety to life on steam vessels may be
reached far superior to the most can
guine present antieipations.n