Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-12
VESSELS IN A FOG.
Their Proper Rate of Speed Discussed
by the Marine Conference.

When the international marine conference
resumed its session this morning the first bust
ness considered was the amendment offered by
Capt. Shackford of the United States to strike
out from the rules Of the road article Is, which
provides that every ship. sailing or steam,
shall in a fog, mist, or falling snow, go at a
moderate rate of speed. There had been
number of amendments offered to this article
and the question to their dis
position in case of the abolishing of the erti-
Gle precipitated general discussion on the
principle involved IN the article. This discus
sion participated in by delegates Hall of
Great Britain, Goodrich of the United States,
Capt. Richard OF France, DIR. Sieve-King Of
Germany and others, and the importance OF en-
forcing moderate speed i'll case of fog or heavy
weather was thoroughly discussed.
SPEED OF VESSELS IN A FOG.
DIR. Sieve-King was of the opinion that the
conclusions Of the highest British and Amerl-
can courts should be the law governing the
subject these conclusions being that in a fog
the speed of vessel must be so moderate as
the circumstances Of the case require.
Delegate Flood of Norway followed Dr.
Sieve-King, and said he would illustrate his
opinion in regard to the importance of this
question by practical life on the broad ocean
up by prominent men who have formed intel
iigent ideas on the subject. He spoke of the
practice of the trans Atlantic steamers in their
attempts to cross the ocean quickly, and said
the aim of some of them seemed to be
HEAVEN, HELL OR NEW YORK IN SEVEN DAYS"
Delegate Goodrich of the United States said
there seemed to be a consensus of opinion
about the conference board as to the necessity
of precaution to be taken by vessels in a fog as
Is indicated by the present regulations In arti-
Gle 13 of the rules of the road. He
said he would not discuss the i'm
portance of the rule. The only
difference existing among the members seemed
to be whether the present rule efficiently,
properly and plainly indicated to the sailor
upon the deck of the vessel and not to the
court sitting here what that vessel must do in a
fog. Mr.. Goodrich spoke of the difficulty of
fixing and determining minimum and maxi
mum speed to be maintained by vessels in a
fog. and he insisted that moderate speed
must depend upon the circumstances and these
circumstances constantly differ. He held that in
the hexlbllty OF the present rule was its safety.
In closing he warned the conference to leave
well enough alone and leave the rule as every
sailor now understood it; better bear the ills
we now have, said he, than impose additional
ones upon us.
ACTION ON AMENDMENTS.
In the conference yesterday after The STARS
report closed Mr.. Goodrich's amendment to
the rules Of the road proposing auxiliary lights
for vessels was rejected. An amendment to
article 3, providing that all steamers when
| under way at night may carry on one of the
| aftormasts a white hight visible all around the
horizon, but said light must be at height of
| not less than 20 feet above the forward bright
white light, was adopted.
Several other amendments of minor i'm
portance were also adopted by the conference.
DELEGATES TO THE PAN-AMERIcAN Con-
aREss.-Minister Preston today introduced to
Secretary Blaine Arthur Laforastrie, the
delegate from Hayti, to the International
| American congress. Later he was
presented to President Harrison
by the Secretary. Paraguay has notified the
Secretary of State that Senor Don Jose 5.
| Decond will represent that government in the
| international American congress.