New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-18
WIRES NOT INSPECTED.
Continued from first page.

ratus and wires had replaced the old Lighting
system. Yet Inspector Forsyth says that none
Of the companies which took her a risk have
ever asked for inspection to be made of her.
The board Of underwriters. he asserts. is not
quired TO make inspections of vessels unless
company asks il to do so. 1t does not make
regular inspections of the electric wiring of any
craft. 1t does of similar apparatus in the
buildings in New-York City over which it ex-
ercises surveillance.
Captain Harris, speaking In regard to the non
inspection of electrical equipment. said:
The local boards of inspectors in the steam
boat service do not inspect electrical equipment
on any vessels. There has been no occasion to
do so. and the government has had no cleo
trcians in the boards capable of doing it. We
do not even make a record as to whether boat
is wired for inCandescent electric lights, wheth-
it has dynamo whether there is a motor
aboard The electrical plant of a ship is en-
tiTely ignored by the government.
Such condition is dangerous inasmuch
nearly every steamer NOWADAYS is lighted by
electric lights-in fact. practically all Of them
are. The owner of a vessel can put in any kind
of plant he wants-a good one or a dangerous
ore.
If it is true that the fire on the Glen Island
started at the dynamos. the government should
take cognizance of it at once and appoint an
electrical inspector TO every local board, whose
duty will be to inspect the electrical equipment
Of every vessel in his district This, 1 contend,
should be done more than once a year is
the inspection of hulls and boilers of vessels II
should be done. if possible. every month-every
three months at the outside. 1t is a we'll known
fact that the insulation wires often deterio-
rates quickly, and the constant changing of
lights also Injuries the wiring apparatus.
believe that some such system as cities use
in making inspections and granting permits be-
fore any work or changes whatever are done
should be made the law l don't believe that
the investigation of this accident will come I'M
der my jurisdiction. but il will probably be in
vestgated by the local board at New Haven I
have taken the preCaution however, to send a
telegram to Inspector General Uher at WASH
ington, and ask him if there are any special in
structtOns for me regarding IT,
may possibly he sent to investigate the dis
aster personally but of that l am not vet sure
The Glen Island a sdewheeler built in
Philadelphia In 1880, since which time she has
had three and somewhat checkered
career including another fire, in which she was
burned to the waters edge She was first the
City of Richmond, running TO Hartford. Fiji
teen years ago she caught fire while at her
pier in the East River, and the hull above
water burned. After that John H Starin
bought her, and took her to his yards on Staten
Island. where she rebuilt entirely and
named the William c. Eggerton. 1t was said
yesterday that only the engines of the City of
Richmond kept in the Eggerton Sever
or eight years ago the vessel was altered and
repaired again. and the was changed
when she put into the Glen Island ex-
pnrG