New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-18
REGULAR FIRE DRILL FOR STEAMERS
Life PreseIvers, Hose and Rats Valueless
Without knowledge of How TO Use Them.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir We have read in the las year % regiments
of children marching safely out OF burning school
buildings. because they had been trained by the
IRE drills. So accustomed are they 10 rapid dis
uissdis thai at times they reached The street with
out knowing of their danger. Now IS not the law
requiring these drills every month a benedcent
one and not TO give its euSorce-l.-r the
credit for these safe deverances IN times OF dan
SER
Why would FIRE drills on steamers be con-
ducive 70 public safety? IS there not a public de-
mGnt for these drills. and would not steamship
companies De wise 10 introduce them?
The f-ightful losses in harbor and at sea illus
trated IN the Slocur and Norge disasters should
bear fruit in practices and legislation prevent
their recurrence. When Samuel PIirrlsoII became
convinced tina, many sailors were lost through the
heavy insurtng of unseaworJhy vessels he did not
rest TIL he obtained the legislation which put the
Plimsou mark on the side of British vessels where
sailors and passengers could when the law
was dehet- VIII not The Tribune take UP the cause
90 women and children on our excursion steamers
and Till II shall be impossible years
elapse without a drill any excursion steamer?
Less than fortnight ago 7 left New-York on
the finest steamer Of one OF the steamship com
pauies As We passed over the course OF the i'll
fated General Slocum. several of US timed yhe
vessel and found 1t took i've minutes 70 reach The
place where that vessel ashore. With
those thoughts fresh in mind. I asked one OF the
surprise. ne tod me ne mad never had one on he
took me 20 his cabin. and l adjusted one 70 him
and then il front. seemed TO me more rea-
sonable, because in that could put fJ on
himself I'm lSSt / had one myself when
wrecked IN the Indian Ocean with the loss OF all
boats the vessel that saved But even with
this experience l could not remember 5his detail
We discussed the strength OF the straps and how
they could be shortened so At small women
IL was courteous. but when later / read the
directions I'm my staterOOm l found that I
right and the straps should be tied In front Til
he told me and he did not know. I set HIM 10
thinking and | ask The Tribune SET a good many
more 10 thinking this subject.
I have been interested in your account OF the in
spectiou of the Albany Day Line boats. Iu IS all
very well 10 have life preSerVerS and boats and
RATS but do not only the officers but all mem
berS OF the crew know how 10 use thems Do they
have stations assigned 70 them at tle or danger
and signals agreed and praCtiSed regularly
provide for just such an emergency Is there any
provision for the inspection OF fire drills we'll
OF fire apparatus
ject insists that il is practicable 10 demand IRE
drill in the presence OF passengers and for their
benefit soon after departure OF steamer
trained pass TO stations. prepare boats for
launching and paSSeng gers put hfe preservers
utes' time. Ny feeling il that ii would take
much longer II would be most useful. though.
run out the hose, open the valves loosen the ropes
and reveal a general readiness for any emergency.
We all know that panic is the OF many
deaths in these disasters Would not FIRE drills
regularly DraCtised in the presence Of passengers
tend greatly d decrease the danger OF paniCP To
famfliarize public with the procedure in
sells than in school buildings and theatres. and 1
ask these questions and throw out these sugSeS
tons tn the hope that the subject may be discussed
this time, before II has been found 1mprac1tcable
70 FIX criminal liability upon those most respon-
sble and before some other shocking accident
sweeDs away IN our own harbor more precious lives