Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-17
M UST CARRY LIGHTS.
Inspector General Dumont Oorrects Some
Common Errors.
Small Boats Not Exempted From Car
rying Lnnterns-ResulatfO ON
the Subject to He Enforced.

Supervising Inspector General Dumont
said this morning, referring to the recent
discussion in the newspapers. relating to
the rules of the road on navigabie waters
of the United States. and particularly of
their application to the navigation Of the
Potomac river, that he should judge from
some Of the interviews reported that it is
evident that it is high time that something
authoritative should be said on the subject.
to enlighten some at least of the parties
supposed to be governed by such laws, who
seem to be very much in the dark upon the
subject For instance, he referred to
statement in last nights Evening Star as
follows: ''rhe steamboat captains know
that there is no positive law compelling
unregistered craft to carry lights at night"
To enlghten the person quoted and others
the supervising inspector general desires to
call their attention 70 the following law in
regard to lights on small vessels:
Exceptional Lights for Small Sailing
Vessels.
Rule 8. Whenever, as In case of small
vessels, during bad Weather. the green and
red lights cannot be fixed, these lights
shall be kept on deck, on their respective
sides of the vessel, ready for instant ex-
hibition. and shall on the approach OF or
to other vessels, be exhibited on their re-
spective sides in sufficient time to prevent
collision. in such manner to make them
most visible, and so that the green light
shall not be seen on the port side, nor the
red light on the starboard side To make
the use of these portable lights more GER
tain and easy, they shall each be painted
respectively contain and shall be provided
with suitable screens.
Lights ON Open Boats.
Rule ID. Open boats shall not be required
to carry the side lights required for other
vessels. but shall. If they do not carry
such lights. carry a lantern having a green
slide on one side and red slide on the
other side; and. on the approach Of or to
other vessels, such lantern shall be ex-
hibited In sufficient time to prevent COL
ltsion. and In such manner that the green
light shall not be seen on the port side
nor the red light on the starboard side
Open boats. when at anchor or stationary
shall exhibit bright white light. They
a fiare-up, in addition, II considered expe-
dent.
Row Boats.
The same party quoted also says that ION
a dark night a steamboat pilot cannot see
small rowboat very far ahead. If il
carried a small light the danger would be
reduced to a minimum
This statement is understood to convey
the inference, said Gen. Dumont. that
rowboats do not carry lights because there
another mistake. There is a law on the
subject. and very plain one and one that
Will be enforced If steamboat pilots will file
complaints against the owners of such
boats when violating the law, which reads
as follows:
Lights on Small Craft.
Rule supplemental to rule Il. and by
virtue thereof:
''An coalboats. trading boats. produce
boats. canal boats. oyster boats, fishing
boats and other water craft navigating any
bay. harhor or river. propelled by hand
power. horsepower, sail or by the current
Of the river, or which shall be moored In
or near the channel or fairway of any bay
harbor or river shall carry one bright white
the rail or deck.
Rats of one crib. and not more than two
In length, shall carry one bright white light
on pole not less than twelve feet high;
three or more cribs in length shall carry
one white light at each end of the raft at
the same height.
Rats of more than one crib abreast
shall carry one white light on each outside
corner of the raft. making four lights in all
Boom RATS. with cross binders. towed
Ohio rivers and other waters flowing into
the Gulf of Mexico and on the Red River of
the North. shall carry a white light twelve
Feet high at the forward end of the raft
tween the forward and after end.
Rafts OF more than one crib abreast
shall carry one white light on each outside
corner Of the raft, making four lights in
all Bag or boom RATS navigating or an
chored in the fairway of any bay, harbor or
river shall carry a white light at least
twelve feet high at each end of the raft
andOne OF such lights on each side midway
between the forward and after end.
"Rowboats shall carry one white light
two feet above the STEM
The penalty for violation of either Of the
rules quoted is $780,"