Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-23
SIEvEKING.


CHEN NaEN TAO. sIEvEKING.'
has been heretofore taken, and confined
mostly to England and America, is now in
sufficient, and well developed code for the
ships of all nations has become Indispensable
Among the members Of the commission
are: Baron de Spaun, representing Austria;
man well read in international law
and experienced in maritime affairs; Fred
erick ". Verney, representing Siam, is at
tached to the Siamese legation at London
Lieut. Cottman, Of the United States navy,
is secretary of the United States delegation !;
Capt f. s. Malmberg, of Sweden, is chief Of
the nautical meteorological bureau of Nor
way; Capt. p. T. Salveson, Norwegian, is
a member Of the Swedish navy; Capt. A NJ
Bisbee. delegate from China, is an Ameri-
can who has been in the service Of the Chi
nese government for many years. The other
members Of the delegation are Cinnamon
one of whom is Commander Chen Ngen Tao
of the Chinese navy. Then there is Dr. F.
Sieveking, of Germany. and Theodore Yer
brugghe, of Belgium, both prominent mem
bers of the commission.
The older and simpler maritime code re-
ferred, Of course, especially to sailers 1t has
always been essential, where two ships meet
at sea. that there should be some rule to
guide them to prevent collisions. These rules
naturally took cognizance of the wind. and
the drso6Sn Of tn ship, meeting Steamers
hste'a snfversAIa<A d fhssio TIE strkRrj
When two steamers are about to cross each
others track, the one having the other on her
starboard must give way. When one ship is
following another, she must keep away from
the ship she follows There is an old fashioned
rule which works badly. 1t is that all steam
ers must give way to all sailing vessels. Such
rule requires all payment to be made by the
steamer In case OF accident, and instances
msy arise where it would be to the interest
Of a sailer TO be wrecked by steamer
On the other hand, the steamer in fog has
great advantage over q sailer, since she is
nearly always longer and heavier. 1t is well
known that some of the captains of the ocean
greyhounds prefer TO run 81 full speed in a
fog, 50 that in case of collision the chances of
damage shall be IN her favor and against the
sailer. Doubtless the commission will at
tempt to make these advantages more equal,
and it is probable that the exclusive right OF
way will be taken from Saiiers and the spse6
of steamers in fog will be limited
Lights and fog horns must necessarily be
taken UP and disposed of. The liSh, question
is very important, and the penalty fixed for
any vessel not carrying lights at night should
be very severe. There has been good deal
Of inatteution in this respect bv sailors who
either neglect to put lights out, or 10 keep
them burning, thus endangsrins their hives
and the lives I others. Fog horns are said
10 be inefficient. Those used on saslers can
not be heard for more than half mile. and
on steamers the sound OF MACHINERY and
other causes seriously interfere with that of
their fog horns The Chinese use q SonS.
which is considered more efficient, having
three times the range OF the fish horn and
ten times its life 1t is not improbable that the
commission may adopt gongs for the world.
Then attention Is required as 10 the position
of the lights Of vessels lying In ha.bor OK ct
sea. 1t is essential that lights Be carried ut
the highest possible points Tsose at present
In use will doubtless be continued without
change, the only insovSssons being from ad-
dltional lights. White lights can be seen
further than csaacSsEeAsa .sd thew Sasuas