The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-03-29
Urcch,S for THiIfy-ScUeH
Years.

We have before us Il record showing the
number of lives lost IN crossing the Atlantic
during the last thirty-seven years. In tins
period hfty-SiX fine steamers have been
wrecked, aud in tweuty-uiue instances more
or less lives were lost. Nine vessels were
never heard from after leaving port. These
the President in 1871, the City of Glas-
gov in 1851. the Pacific in 1886, the Tempest
in 1857, the United Kingdom in 1868, the
City OF Boston in 1870 the Scauderia in 1872,
the Isrnailia in 1873, and the COlumbO in
1871. The number Of lives which were thus
blOtted ont aggregates ,SST. CT the remain
ing vessels, four were burned, five sunk 10y
collision, two 10y collidiug with icebergs, two
touudered at sea. and thiTty-tOUr were
wrecked on various coasts. This Is a Sug
geStive showing, for it at once calls into con
trast the relative peril incurred 10y depend
ence upon human Judgment and human
haudiwork. OF the entire total of ste iIners
lOS;, i'll two CaSeS can the disaster he attrIbu-
table to a breakdown OF the machinery !;
namely, the Anchcr line steamer HIbeTuia,
which fOuude ed through hcU propeller shaft
having been withdraw from its place after
the propeller had been lost aud the other
the Ismailia, of the same line, which was
once spoken under sail, her machinery being
disabled, and was never beard of atterward.
Neither has any boiler explosion occurred Oh
an Atlantic steamer during the period mem
toned. So TAR as the record before us is
authority, the Inference therefore il that the
greatest loss of life is due not to lack of safe
incompetence of those who handle them.
Thirty-four steamers, As above stated
have been wrecked, and an inspection of the
localities where the wrecks occurred shows
that several have happened ia about the
same vicinity. For example, the City of
New York in 1861 and the Chicago in 1868
were both wrecked on Dauuts Rock, near
Queenstown. No less than twelve have
been destroyed on the coasts of Nova Scotia
aul Newfoundland. 1t may he asked if
vessels cannot be built rung enough 10
| Withstand driving upon the rocks as in the
/ cases of the Atlantic aud the Schiller, at
| least for sufficient time TO enable the
/ passengers and crew to obtain assistance or
/ make their escape hut here thr, question Oi
cost OJtTUdes itself, aud the answer OF those
! who have considered the subject Is that
| vessels cannot be 50 constructed and yet
! profitahy used. Taking This into account
! with the aggregate numbcr OF lives lost, in
! all 1 $50, and il will be evident that Tn.
! problem OF reducing the dangers of the sea
/ becomes a. have frequently urged, one
/ depending on the efficacy of life saving in
| VeutiUuS. Devices which Will keep large
numbers OF people atioat tor considerable
/ periods. devices that viii keep indi vidual,
above water tha. can he rapidly adjusted [,
the person with 10 possibility uf mistake
devices for taking lines from wrecked yes
se.s TO the Shore devices for Indicating til,
relative positions of ships to each other, new
signals for fog and night, and contrivance
of that nature, all are subjects for the in
| ventor's skill in devising better modification
aud ovements.-Scieptifc AHerjcaH.