New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-02
LAWS GOVERNING STEAMBOATS,.

APPOINTMENT OF LOCAL INsPECTORS-IHEIR Du-
TIEs-sTATUTEs TOUCHING THE CREWS AND
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONCERNING PAssEN-
GERS.
In view of the recent disasters the pro-
visions OF tie laws governing the steamboat service OF
this country Of special interest. They declare t1at
every vessel propelled In whole or IN part by steaih
shalt he a steam vessel within the meaning Of the stat
ute. II is provided that Supervising InspeciorGenera
and ten supervising inspectors shall be appointed and
each inspector has certain territory assigned to him.
All masters engineers, mates and pilots are
made amenable to the inspectors The APP
pointment OF local inspectors is also provided
for The local inspectors are required once IN every
year. at least, upon application writing of the master
owner, carefully to inspect the hull of each steam
vessel within their respective districts and g. satisfy
themselves that every vessel submitted TO their in
specon is OF structure suitable for the service In
which she is to be employed has suitable a1commoda-
Ous for passengers ana the crew. and i III condition
warrant the belief that she may be used in NAVIGATION
as a steamer with safety to life and that all the require
mens Of law regard to fires boats pumps, hose, He
preservcrs floats anchors cables and other things are
faithfully complied with. They also required to In
spec the boilers of all steam vessels before they shall be
used. and at least in year thereafter 1hey
ust subject AN boilers to the hydrostatic pressure, and
satisfy themselves by thorough examination that the
boilers well made Of good and suitable material ana
that fhc steam appurteuances are properly arranged.
The local inspectors license and classify the masters,
chief mates engineers aud pilots OF all steam vessels.
ana IT is an offence against the law to employ an uni
officer These inspectors also have authority TO
investigate all acts indicating incompetency or nscon-
duet the OF any officer, and II ne is FOUND guilty
msbchsvior. negligence or unskllunesS his license
may be suspended or revoked In addition 10 the an
nua the local Inspectors are Obliged 10 tA-
anime, proper times s'caWCrS arriving ana departing
and their respective ports 80 ocn as 10 enable
them to detect any gCct to comply with the require
menis OF law.
transportation OF passengers and merchandise IL
carefully looked after. The law provides Tor "a ul com
plcment licensed officers and for every vessel
leaving pOt and limits the number OF passengers 10 ne
carried. Excursion steamers secure spcCia per
carry additional passengers on certain condl-
ons II also provided that The muster Of every pas
scBgcr steamer shall keep list of his passengers. cX-
ccpt on routes exceeding 100 miles, when record
Of the number Of passengers carried Is considered sum
ccnt. Provision is made against The carrying OF dan
geTOus freight on pa sengeT vessels.
one section OF the Revised Statutes provides that
every captain, engineer pilot other person employed
on any steamboat vessel, by whose mscouduci, neg
iccncc or Ingttent0n his Gues On sIch vessel tie
life OF any person destroyed, and every owner In
spector or other public officer, through whose fraud.
conuivanrc misconduct, violation o. law, the life OF
any person is dc st1oycd shall be deemed gy OF man
slaughter, and upon conviction thereof before any CIR
cuit the United states, shall be sentenced 10
confinement at hard labor for period OF not more than