Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-06-05
BAD PILOT LAWS,
Popular Sentiment Against Them--The
Flaws Picked Out.

Flaws Picked Out.
A delegation of pilots called at this Office,
Yesterday, and requested the insertion of
the following communication, which has
appeared in several leading papers They
say they will raise such popular cry that
rules and Al will soon be changed. Fol-
lowing is the communication
Through the medium of your valuable
paper | wish to call the attention of pilots
and steamboatmen, as well as all concerned
in the interest of good and safe navigation
to and II, lately devised by the Super
vising Board of Steam Navigation, aud
now in force. A violation of said rules will
subject the boat to heavy fine, and the
pilot to suspension or Imprisonment. Rule
No. requires him, when running his boat
in fog. to give three blasts of the steam
whistle every minute. Now those not
familiar with plotting may think this good
'aw, but TO practical pilots it is simply
ridiculous. To comply with the law would
require an extra man i'll the pilot house
10 stand with a time piece in his hand and
blow the whistle $50 blasts per hour /;
nut (sav the In Spcctors) you mus
use your augment, and blow as often as pos
siblc.' What is the rise of n law if its re-
ouircments cannot be met, and place the
boat aud pilot liable to a fine i'll case of an
accident; this law destroys a rule adopted
by pilots themselves, which is good one
Ii the ascending boat is the closest to the
starboard shorein fog the pilot would give
one blast as often as necessary, and If, on
the other hand, the boat was near the lar
board shore he would give two blasts. These
were the regular signals for boats passing
each other, and BY this plan there would
be no confusion Of whistles The descend
Ing pilot would blow one long and distinct
whistle. from one to three minutes; when
hearing the ascending boat blow, he would
understand which shore the boat was near
! est to and would be guide to the shape OF
the river as well as the proper side to pass
on, and would answer and steer his boat &C
cordingiy. This rule should have been
adopted by the supervising inspectors, rs 1t
gave satisfaction.
Now, as to the rule debarring any pas
| sengers, our wives or steerSmen from the
| pilot house. 1t is not only the heighth OF
! nonsense, but an aggravated Impeachment
| of our characters, placing us before the
| public as a rattle-brained set of men.
Pilots are not only careful but proud Oftheir
reputation and try to do their work as well
and skillfully when strangers are
present in the pilOt-houso. !
| DEFY any person to point to n
single disaster caused BY passengers i'll the
he pilot house confusing the pilot; know
there is one case that the board would like
| to cOnstrue to this cause, but all pilots know
that it WAS caused BY the changing of our
whistles. and the pilot Kellar is now breath
ing his last within the walls Of the peniten-
tiary Now hope that there will be con
vcntion called at the earliest time possible,
and that every one interested in navigation
will not only attend but use influence for
the purpose of placing practical Western
SteGmboatman on the Supervising Board,
one who understand our wants, or else place
the SupervisorShip nnder the control Of the
Navy Department. We must stop this con-
fusion of rules and absurd legislation by
some means Not long since We were com
PEELED to go to Washington City at consider,
able expense to untangle the laws so as to
protect our lives and property, and it is not
only repeated, but we have received one Of
the most degrading insults, and it is printed
| and placed on record. Every family who
respects his honor and has family looking
to him for guidance and protection should
demand the repeal of this rule.