Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-08
THE MARINE CONFERENCE.

CONFEDERATION of Rules of the Road
Resumed-Several Amendments Rel
alive to Lights Adopted.
WASHINGTON, Nov.7.-At the International
Maritime conference this morning considera-
ton of the rules of the road was resumed.
Captain Shackford of the United States
withdrew his amendment to article 8, lights
for steamers, and in place of it offered an
amendment reciting that steamers in the
North Atlantic trade be allowed to carry
bright white light on the after mast to Inc
dictate the direction in which they are NOV
ing. Postponed till Monday. Consideration
of amendments to article five was postponed
until Monday This article relates to lights on
vessels aground.
The conference took up amendments to
article 8, lights for vessels at anchor. The
first was that offered by the delegates from
Great Britain dividing vessels into classes,
less than $50 feet in length. The former
shall carry two white globular lights, one
forward and one at the stern, and the latter,
one such light located forward. This was
adopted. Amendments to articles and 10,
lights for pilot, open and fishing vessels, were
postponed for consideration after receiving
the additional report of the committee on
lights. To article ii, lights for vessels being
overtaken, the delegates from the Neither
lands proposed an amendment requiring all
| vessels over 20 tons to carry an irregular os-
cutting white light screened, so as to be visi-
BILE only over an arc of IL points, six points
| from right abaft on each side of the ship
and for distance of one mile. Action was
postponed on the resolution in order to per-
NIT the delegates to examine an exhibition
of an occulting light. A resolution of Mr..
on colloeation of the rules was adopted
recess.
After recess the amendment proposed by
the delegates from the Netherlands to article
II was taken up. There was some opposition
to the amendment, one of the delegates argu-
ing that the displaying of this light should be
optional and not compulsory. Delegate Good
rich of the United States made strong ar
gument in favor of compelling the carrying
of the white light as proposed. Delegate Hall
| of Great Britain moved as q substitute for
the amendment one providing that the white
light may bs Axed. Tho substitute WINS finally
adopted by decisive vote.
Mr.. Hall then proposed an additional clause
providing that suoh stern light shall DO visi.
Bic ON a dark night with clear atmosphere
| at . distance of two miles, but at the sugges.
l
was reduced to one mile and in this way 1t
was accepted. An entirely new article was
proposed by the British delegate authorizing
vessel at any time, in addition to the light
which she is by the regulations required to
carry, to show fare-up light or use de-
tonsting signal to attract attention. Mr.. Hall
said the idea of the British delegates was to
choose a signal which would not be mis-
taken for a signal OF distress, and they
| had salected the alternating fara.up lioht as
the best, beside the decorating signal Mr..
Hall suggested that the conference vote on
the principle laid down in the amendment
of permitting vessels to use the extra sigma
to attract attention, the exact nature of it te
be determined later. he was willing to have
the rule changed SO as to require the vessels
commander to show the use of the signal no
necessary. The conference agreed to thu
principle without. division.