The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-23
SPARK ARREsTER LAW IN DOUBT
SOME Question as to Its Construction
and Endorsements.

Ihere Is a possibility Of friction in the
enforcement of the spark arrester ordi-
nance, which became law al The City
Councils last mes ting. Some claim the
law applies to steamers in which wood is
burned, but as nothing whatever is sad
about wood, the intention is apparently to
include all boilers This is the view the
fire commissioners take of it,
Mr.. Jacob Paulsen president of the Pro
peller Towboat Company, said yesterday
that it is his impression the ordinance does
not apply to boats on which coal is used.
He does not believe the law is intended 10
embrace all craft In the port, for the rea-
son there is no need for spark arresters
where coal is used.
1T is altogether different with wood,
however, said Mr.. Paulsen. Huge sparks
are often blown out of fire boxes, and
unless the steamer is some distance from
buildings that might be in danger. they
are carried ashore. 1t is not an uncom-
mon thing to see live embers blown from
the stacks But The case is altogether
different where coal is used. No sparks
are produced, or, at least, our company
has never had any complaint from persons
who feared fire being communicated TO
their property Nothing more than finely
pulverized cinders are thrown out from
our boats, and feel sure the ordinance
was not intended to them.
THE tow boat company would not like
such an ordinance at all" continued Mr.
Paulsen. An obstruction such as an ar
roster would interfere with the draft on
boats, and for that reason getting up
steam would be made more difficult. If
the law applies to us, il WILL of course,
also apply to the ocean steamships en-
tering the port. A provision to have spark
arresters on them, however, will be unnec-
essary, 1t would seem, for the reason they
do not run fast enough to produce a very
strong draft in their stacks, and would not.
therefore. emit sparks or cinders."
Alderman Davis, who fathered" the or
dinance said il had been handed to him.
and that the only thing he knew about It
was its language. 1t had become a law
though, he said, and will be enforced.
Fire Commissioner Hull is of opinion
that the law applies to all river craft, as
well as stationary engines along the river
front. His opinion is based on the first
section, which says that hereafter it shall
be the duty of every owner, agent, master
or captain of any vessel, boat, tug or craft.
propelled in whole or in part by steam, or
Oli WHICH ally steam SAASltiS VI oNNolAi iJO4A-
err is used, Immediately on the arrival Of
such vessel al any wharf, dock, or pier
within the port of Savannah, to cover all
tunnels and smokestacks securely with a
first class spark arrester or arresters."
1t goes on further to provide for arrest
ers on locomotives. Mr.. Hull has no doubt
that all river craft and engines will be re
quired to comply with the law at once. The
enforcement of the ordinance viii probably
be by the harbor master, assisted by Fire
Chief Mcguire.
The arrester consists of a wire netting
of small mesh, which covers the top of the
stack, thereby preventing sparks from get
ting out. None have been attached since
the ordinance passed, but it Is thought
the owners of vessels will take the matter
up soon.