Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-22
THE DANGERS OF THE SEA
Risk OF Collision and Other Topics Dis
cussed by the Maritime Conference.

The clocks in the wallsch mansion tinkled
out eleven strokes each this morning when
Admiral Franklin tapped on his table with his
mute gavel and called the international mari
time conference to order for another days de-
liberation. Mr.. Goodrich opened the session
oy presenting a resolution providing for the
appointment by the presldent of the committee
OF nve to be known as the
COMMITTEE on SYSTEMS AND DEVICES.
whose duty IL will be TO examine and report
upon any system or device connected with the
business OF the conference. of which written
descriptions or plans are submitted. aud that
only such matters are favorahly reported by
the committee shall be brought before the con-
ference In explaining his motive Mr. Good
rich said that the food of such documents had
already begun and that some specially ap-
pointed body is not designated a. a receptacle
for such matters the conference will be seri-
ously hindered in its work. This was adopted.
srKKRINe AND SAILING RULES.
That portion Of the rules Of the road known
as steering and sailing rules Was then taken
up for consideration. and Mr.. Hall gave notice
of proposed insertion after the title Of this
subject which should give some more definite
idea of the scope of the phrase, risk of COLI
lision, on which the rules based He did
not hope TO establish q definition, for he
realized that that practically impossible.
He proposed, however, the following prelimi-
nary paragraph:
RISK OF COLLISION
Risk Of collision may. for the purposes Of
these rules be deemed to exist when there is no
absolute certainty that if the ships keep their
respective courses and speeds they will pass
clear OF each other. such risk can best be
oertained by carefully watching the compass
bearing OF an approaching vessel IL the bear
ing does not appreciably change such risks
should be deemed TO exist"
MIR. Goodrich reproposed his amendment to
define the terms ''starboard the helm" and
port the helm" which he moved Yesterday.
He wished TO make the former mean TO put the
wheel, the bow and the rudder to starboard
and vice versa. MIR. Hall thought that the
varied understanding of the terms among
inherent nations would cause much difficulty
and suggested that the following rule be
adopted: 4 hat when the order was put the
helm to starboard' the ships head should be
turned to starboard, &c.
Capt. Shackford moved that article Is. bear
ing ON the action OF steam vessels when meet
ing. should stand at present. Speaking on Mr..
man proposition for a preliminary paragraph
be asked the English delegates what they
thought of system of range lights. two white
lights In the rigging, one high and one low, in
Inherent parts Oi the ship, so that the bearing
OF the ship could be determined by the angle
formed by them
Mr.. han replied that of course il was proper
Tor any one TO suggest aids to Mariners his
proposition being only for a general provision,
BON Tor night aud day.
PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS.
Mr.. Hall moved to add the words and
speed" at the end of article o. SO that it should
read where one of two ships is to keep out OF
the way the other shall keep her course and
speed"
DIR. Sieveking said he would not oppose the
amendment, but that he should like 10 throw
some hight on the subject. lie thought a dam
ger existed from such a change, but that the
advantage gained overbalanced II.
Mr.. Goodrich thought the amendment good
one, Tor IL gave the vessel burdened with the
duty OF getting out of the way another ele-
ment OF knowledge from which 10 Judge Of the
best course TO follow IN any dangerous situa-
ton. he cited sample law to support
his position.
their supporting words, gave notice Of a future
proposluon TO the effect that when a vessel has
the burden OF avoiding another she shall not
cross the bows of the other. He also moved
the insertion OF
A NEW RULE To THIS EFFECT:
'When. in consequence of thick weather or
other causes, two ships find themselves so
close to each other as to make it doubtful
whether by the action of one ship alone COLI
SION can be avoided, the ship, which by the
above article is directed to keep her course
and speed, shall also take such action as will
best aid to avoid collision"
Capt. Menslng. IN speaking on the subject,
said that everything possible could be done to
thwart the danger arising from the presence ON
the ocean OF certain people who always aim to
make
"a CLOSE SHAVE"
Mr.. Hall proposed the Introduction of the
following rule: In daytime, that is between
sunrise and sunset single ships shall keep out
of the way of three more ships of war in
order; and no ships shall, under such circum-
stances, break the line OF such a squadron. AZ
night single ships should, for mutual safety,
endeavor to avoid passing through a squad
ron"
Mr.. Goodrich moved an amendment to ar
ticle Is, bearing on the course signals of steam
ers which should make the code set forth
mandatory instead of permissive. Capt Malm-
burg of Sweden opposed the change aud Mr.
Nerney, the delegate for siam, joined with hun
In this opinion, ON the ground that il would be
difficult TO enforce the rules when there were
more than two vessels around.
MIR. Hall heartily supported Mr.. Goodrich's
proposition. DE also gave notice. of q pro-
posed new definition fixing a short blast Of
the whistle at one seconds duration.
At o'clock the conference took its recess
AROUND THE COUNCIL BOARD.
afternoon was one by Mr.. Han that an inde-
pendent section be inserted in the article relat-
ing to lights of sailing vessels to the effect that
such vessels show fash light use detonat-
ing signal Mr.. Hall desired a specific defini.
ton of the term ''long and short sounds, in
article L. and suggested that the term pro
longed blast" mean about four seconds durs-
ton.
Mr. Goodrich read letter from Francis W.
Houghton, superintendent Of the Maritime as.
sociation of the port of New York. suggesting
the adoption of system of musical signals
consisting of two or three notes produced by
whistles fog horns. The communication
was referred TO the committee on sound signals
Mr.. Hall presented letters to the marine de-
partment of the English board of trade, in reply
to a request for opinions upon the question Of
sound signals. To this replies were received
from 1l9 masters and 10 owners, and societies
who opposed the introduction Of any compul-
sorry system of sound signals; from As masters
and 2 owners who advocated the adoption Of
simple signals, and from Is masters and sea-
mems societies who advocated the adoption Of
q more complete system. DIR. Seive-king Of
Germany, in a speech of some length, advo-
Gated that in fog vessels be instructed to 20 AZ
top speed. Messrs. Goodrich and Hall opposed
this. Prefacing the discussion of article IA on
steering and sailing rules, Mr.. Hall proposed
the following definition: The term steam ves-
sells shall be held to include all vessels pro-
PEELED by machinery.
Mr.. q. de Weekherlin. minister to the United