The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-30

neighborhood OF the boiler built Of wood ii
would be better Ia have II constructed of
iron. Then underneath the battery
OF boilers and extending on all
sides OF II to- hight OF about
two feet would construct an iron basin
in order to prevent any possible escape OF
ashes, cinders and sparks from the fur
naces. Above that | would build frame
work OF corrugated iron on all four sides
OF the boilers TO sufficient hight TO pre-
vent any danger from that direction. SO
much for construction. AS TO liie-saving
| should recommend, ii IL were possible
the organization and maintenance OF an
efficient fire corps, composed of trained
deck hands, instructed us 20 how TO pro-
coed in ease Of fire, and what is more inn
| portant TO act in concert, every man ut
! his given post. admit that il would be
exceedingly difficult, ii not impossible, to
carry this plan into successful operation
because OF the unrcliability of colorcd Ia
Dor, aud the tendency OF deck hands to
| quit work rs soon rs they have accumu-
| lated $40, and then lay of for a week.
But perhaps 1t might be done. | should
also recommend the dsuse OF iio-
boats and the substitution in their
stead of life RATS. Steamboatmen are prac-
ticalIy unanimous in the opinion that in
case of fire, where haste is the prime de-
sideratum, the liicboat is next to useless.
II takes from four to six men TO lower
them, and II is impossible to get that many
men to act intelligcntly together in cases
similar TO the Adams fire, where the crew
are frantic with lear, and utterly beyond
control.
"The life raft can easily be handled by
az .,.0.. A. -. ..,.s
where you want IT, II is better adapted 10 |
lilc-saving purposes than boat, because |
you cant overturn IL, aud twenty pr more |
people can cling to it, or get on top OF it. |
II is constructed Of two cylindrical shaped |
side pieces. each thirteen inches in diane |
ter and eight feet long and Joined together |
at distance Of four and half feet by in. I
tersecting pieces Of stout wood. The cylin-
drical side pieces are filed with cork. coy
cred with canvas aud absolutely unsink-
able. My idea would be TO substitute two
life RATS for each lileboat, thus Offering
sale aud easy vehicles of escape for 100 10
100 persons in the cabin, by life RATS
alone, in addition TO The life.prescryers,
provided in every state-room.
OK TmE SrEERAGE DICK.
81 would abandon the use Of floats and
w AiNAA liiN7f IlnNlNt UutNht VI illfNlal |
shape and about two feet In diameter,
with ample room in the middle to admit
the body. They can bc adjusted ia an in.
slant under the arms, as easy as a horse
collar, and will keep man ailoat for
houn. The floats now required by law
for use of deck passengers are stout boards
ten inches wide, about four feet long aud
two inches thick. They arc unwiedy and
dangerous, because II YOU throw one 10
drowning man, You dare not throw near
enough 10 bo OF use 10 him, for fear OF
striking him on the head and killing him,
or rendering him unconscious. Cases have
been known where floats have been cast
too near with fatal results The Kate |
Adams had sxiy-ninc OF these floats, vet
! doubt II any were used. She also had
~ cork life prosrvcrs. am convinced ,
that with lie RATS many of those drowned
could have been saved. Neither vi the ,
liieboals was lowered. There was neither
time nor force enough 10 do II. am sat.
isiicd every practical sicamboaiman will
unite with me IN recommending the sub.
Of the raft for the liicboat."
THE ArrEAL, anxious 20 see measures !
adopted that will reduce steamboat fires
10 minimum and make death by drown.
ing rarity, would bc glad 10 hear from
other stcainboaimen on this point.
GREAT PART on ruE CARGO sAvTp.
The loss TO the underwriters will not be
ns heavy NJ was NJ first supposed, and
Memphis insurance companies will not
suffer M severely ~ was Indicated by
earlier reports Much OF the cotton has !
been saved by people living on both sides !
n tho river In The neighbofhood Of Com. :
nerce. aud II Is believed that 800 bales !
will bo recovered, somo scorchcd, others :
Jnly damaged by water. A towboat and !.
barge arc on the spot picking up tho cot. I
on and arc making good progress The q
x. A. Speed was expected down last night
with wrccking apparatus 20 raise the .
nnkon hull and get at the contents OF the :
aie.