Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-22
Marine Conference Takes Def
mite Action Regarding Signals.
Different Opinions IS to What Should b
Required in 4 Pog.
4 System OF Musical Signals Recon-
uysting the Pension Department.


At the International Marine Conference
| today the article relating 10 lights TO be
showa by ossn boats and fishirg vessels wss
taken up The following resolution was
proposed by Mr.. Goodrich Of the United
| States
| Resolved that it is the sense of the con-
ference that there shall be no change in
the mast head and colored lights as al pres
ent used
| The resolution was carried unanimously
| This is the first de finite vote taken by the
conference on an, proposition presented to
| to it.
In the afternoon there was an Interesting
| discussion of article l2, covering sound sig
nails for fog. etc. During the discussion
Goodrich read to the conferer ce long letter
on the objects of the International Marine
Conference from Francis W. H0ughton,
superintendent of the Marine Association of
the port of New York. Houghton set forth
at length the necessity for the adoption of
some code Of signals by which vessels invi,i-
bic to each other in thick weather may indi-
cate the direction in which they are moving
and thus dimish the chances of collision.
The adoption of system of musical sig
nals was suggested, consisting oftwo or three
notes, produced by whistles or foghorns.
Vessels going north indicate it by = rising
scale; vessels going south by a descending
scale vessels going east BY signal note
following by another sounding together;
vessels going west by all notrs sounding to-
getber, followed by a single low note.
Houghton suggests the use by small we'd
sells in addition to the fash light usually car
ried by them, of detonating bomb to be
thrown astern in the air, warning vessels
not to approach too closely. The commgn-
cation was referred to the committee on
sound signals.
Hall presented to the conference a com.
munication on the subject in the shape Of
letters to the Marine Department Of the
English board of trade, reply to the request
for opinions upon the question; SIS it prac
ticable and desirable to introduce some sys-
tenn Of course or route indicating the SOUND
signals to be made by steamships under way
in fog, mist or falling snow when neither
can see the other?" ll9 masters, 10 owners
and societies opposed the introduction of any
compulsory system of sound signals; 48 mas
ters and two owners advocated the adoption
of simple signals; % masters and one sea
r,en's society advocated the adoption of
complete system
The chief reason given to the Introduction
of any stem Of fog signals, are the con-
fusion they would cause in crowded waters,
the difficulty of locating the sounds in fogs,
the false confidence they wouli give officers
in charge of vessels using them. and the con-
siderable degree of skill and experience nee
essary to prevent the possibility of a mistake
in the event of any complex system being
adopted Hubert of the Netherlands, pre-
sented the following proposed changes to
Article l2: Prior to the introduction q
ste amship shall be provided with whistle
or other efficient sound for n signal. sounded
by steam OF compressed air, so placed. etc
change section "A" to read, steamships un-
der steam shall make with the whistle or 9th
er sound a signal at intervals of not more
than one minute, of prolonged blast from
six to eight seconds to sc ction &C" add the
words, leach blast if poss sible six seconds in
duration.
Article ID, requiring all vessels, sal or
steam, to reduce speed to moderate rate 10
fog, mist and falling snow, was taken up.
DR.. Dievking, of Germany, advoc ,ted that
fog vessels be instructed 10 go at top
speed. Goodrich said the safest rule of
all is to go slowly as consistent
with the maintenance of the steerage way.
Capt Mensing insisted that it was .afer to
run fast than slow in fog; in case Of dan
ger from collision. he discovered that he
could get his vessel cut of the way more GER
tanly at high speed than SLOW
Article i3 was passed, AID Admiral Frank
lin called upon the next article. Steering
and Sailing Rules for Sailing Vessels
Hall desired to propose the following
definition The term steam vessels shall
be held to include all vessels propelled by
machinery
Being nearly 4 o'clock the conference sd
journed.