New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-11
woRK OF THE MARINE CONFERENCE.

YORK OF THE MARINE CONFERENCE
The deliberations of the International Marine
Conference at Washington possess vital inter-
est for every traveller by sea. The functions
of this body. as we have before pointed out
are purely advisory. But it's recommendations
to the maritime powers represented by It's
members will carry the greatest weight and
ratification of it's cautious and conservative
decisions will evidently mean distinct adj
vance in the science of navigation, and a
decided diminution in the perils of ocean travel
On the veXed question of the rules of the
road and sound-sgnals in foggy weather, the
conference has shown a commendable dis
position to act slowly. The weight Of opinion
so far revealed warrants the conclusion that an
immediate and radical change would invite
disaster greater than any it might avert one
hundred-and- nineteen shipmaSterS and ten snip
owners are on record before the conference
as radically opposed to any compulsory system
of sound-signals. Forty-eight shipmasters and
two owners advocate it, and twenty-eight
masters and one seaman's society favor the
adoption of a more complete system" these
figures although instructive, represent obviously
a limited expression of the views OF pracuca
experts. Yet there can be no doubt that the
objections urged 10 such a system, viz, the
r.sk of confusion in crowded waters, the dit
fculty of locating sounds in fogs, the false
confidence these would inspire, and the care
and skill necessary for their correct interpre-
tation, are shown by experience to be valid
and important At the same time, the delegates
to the conference realize that the regulations
now in force are inadequate to appriSe APP
preaching vessels of each others whereabou
in foggy weather in time to prevent collision.
1t is, therefore, satisfactory to note that a
code of blasts or whistles, such as The TRIBUNE
has frequently advocated, simple enough to
BIO easily learned and clear enough to be easily
understood, will probably be one of the princi-
pal results of the Conference.
The safety of high speed has formed the
subject of interesting discussion in the Con-
ference Marine experts are as widely at variancel
on this point as electrical experts with respect to
the safety of high tension currents. Stated
broadly, the question is one of personal preju-
dice. Commanders of ocean record-breakers,
whose profits depend upon their quick passages
are naturally averse to any interference. Those
in charge of slower craft are as naturally anxious
of these swift deStroyers; and the argument
Of such an experienced navigator as Captain
Brooks, of the Arizona, has been often adduced
to prove the unfairDess of a discrimination in
favor of the vessels whose powerful engines
diminish the interval during which their signals
may be seen or heard. The Conference is not
likely to be finally guided by the opposite con-
tention that a vessel in danger of collision can
alter her course more rapidly under high speed
than when travelling slowly; and if, out of
the innumerabe contrivances submitted fol
inspection, the delegates can select improved
signalling Devices as well as improved means
of arranging them, they will come as near a
solution of the problem as anybody has right
TO expect.
The question of uniform load mark has, as
yet, only been touched upon. Whatever may
be the result of the investigation with regard
to other countries, it is to be hoped that some
more certain means than the refusal of the
underwriters to take risks on overloaded vessels
may be devised for the protection of American
seamen. "PlimsolPs marl' is VIGOROUSLY dis
regarded by the British tramp steamers, which
visit our ports yet it is humiliatng reflection
that American ships should lack even that safe
guard against what was years ago pronounced
"homcidal system" That a reform in this
respect would be loudly condemned by those
financially interested is probable. But if the
delegates from the United States deem it their
duty to recommend measure of such practical
benefit, they can afford to stand some criticism