Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-23
THE MARINE CONFERENCE.

be Observed by Vessels for the Pre-.
 vension of Collisions at Sea-The
 Work Covered by the Conference
 Curing It's Sessions of the Past Two
 Months.
 aiWAsHINeToN, Dec. 22.-The most impor- tant feature of the work of the International Marine conference, which has heen in session in this city for the past two months, has been the consideration of the subject of reguls- tions for preventing collisions at sea. The points involved occupied fully seven-eighths of the time of the conference, but were finished at the last session. The number of articles have been increased from 27 to 31, the scope of many have been broadened and the language made clear.
 Throughout the whole regulations the word "ship" in the old rules is changed to "vessel" in the new. "Steam vessel" is made to include any vessel propelled by ma- chinery, and "vessel under way" is, within the meaning of the regulations, when she is not at anchor or made fast to the shore, or aground. The word "visible" in the regula- tions, when applied to lights, is made to mean visible on 8 dark night with clear at-' mosphere.
 LIGHTS AND THEIR POSITIONS.
 The first change made ia in regard to the light to be carried in front of the foremast. The amendment provides that this light. re- gardless of the breadth of the vessel, shall not be required to be carried over forty feet above the hull. The next change provides that steam vessel when under way may carry an additional white light similar in construction to the light to be carried in front of the foremast. These 1H-ll r. line with the keel that one shall bs at least fifteen feet higher than the other, and in such . position with reference to each other that the lower light shall be forward of the upper one. The vertical distance between l these lights shall be less than the horizontal distance. The new regulations in regard to | lights for towing steamers are as follows: A shall, in addition to her sidelights, carry two bright white lights in 6 vertical line, one over the other, not less than six feet apart, and, when towing more than one vessel shall carry an additional bright white light six feet above or below such lights, if the length of the tow measur- ing from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the last vessel lowed exceed 600 feet. Each of the lights shall be of the construction and character | and shall be carried in the same position es tho white foremast light, excepting the addi- tional light, which may be carried at . height of not less than fourteen feet above the hull. Such steam vessel may carry @ small white | light absft the funnel or foremost for the ves- sel lowed to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam.
 VESSELS NOT UNDER COMMAND. | The conference materially changed the regulations in regard to "vessels not under command" The now one reads: When . vessel is net under command she shall carry st the same height as the white foremast light, where they can best be seen, and if . steam vessel in lieu of that light two red lights in vertical line, one over the other, not less than six feet apart and of such . character as to be visible all around the hori- zon at 6 distance of at least two miles, and shall by day carry in . vertical line one over the other not less than six feet apart where they can best be seen, two black balls or shapes, each two feet in diameter.
 RULES FOR SHALL VESSELS.
 An entirely new rule provides that steam vessels of less than forty and vessels under oars or sails of less than twenty tons gross respectively, when under way, shall not be obliged to carry foremast, starboard and port lights required of large vessels, but if they do not carry them they shall be provided with the following lights:
 Steam vessels of less than forty tons shall carry: In the fore part of the vessel, or on or in front of the funnel where it can be seen and at a height above the eunwals of not less than nine feet bright white light to be visible at least two miles, Green and red side-lights constructed andFfxsd as side-lights of large vessels, to be visible at least one mile, or a combine Ian
 tern showing green light and a red light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respective aides, to be carried not less than three feet below the white | lioht