New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-18
WIRES NOT INSPECTED.
Put in litter Fire Unde'rcriters
Viezced Boat.

OF all the passenger carrying vessels plying in
NewYOrk Harbor, only three escaped the rein
spection ordered by Secretary Cortelyou Of the
Department of Commerce and Labor following
the Slocum disaster and It's revelations of sov-
emily inspection. OF these three was the
Glen Island, burned yesterday. All belonged to
the Starin Line. When the list OF the Starin
fleet boats turned in TO the inspectors, the
Glen Island, the Sam Sloan and another were
"out OF commission"
This reinspection, under the direction Of Super
vising Inspector Rode. since removed in con-
nection with the Slocum affair, was begun on
July (. In the first week or two after that date
replies from most of the steamship companies
were received, asking for dates on which their
vessels might be reinspected Some owners of
fsteam vessels, however. objected to renspec-
ton, declaring that they held the governments
certificate vouching for the good condition OF
their vessels for one year.
During July and August. according to two
employees Of the Starin company the Glen ISL
and was run for excursions on SUNDAYS and
holidays her large size making her too expen-
slve TO use regularly unless there was great
number Of passengers In the latter part OF
August or September she laid up and not
used again until the middle of November. when
she put into the New-Haven run in place
u tIlC JOLIiI II. oldIlIl Inc relnSDeCtlOn OF
steam vessels was ended about October /. when
Inspector General UhIer called the out of town
men who had been doing the work to their home
districts.
TO DISCUSS NEW RULES.
The Slocum disaster and several details of
this accident have emphasized the need of new
regulations governing the inspection Of steam
vessels. On January 10 meeting of the
board Of supervising inspectors will be held at
which will be discussed new, stringent rules.
If possible it will be made compulsory that in
future steam vessels shall he built of fireproof
construction Many of the supervising inspec-
tors are in favor of this. which. while it would
make the initial cost Of a vessel greater, would
insure an increase of patronage enough to off
set the cost because of the added safety. Every
thing above the waterlire should be of iron or
steel construction. they believe.
Captain Ira Harris, the supervising inspector
Of this district intends also TO recommend that
there be at each district an expert electrician
who shall inspect dynamos and wiring. At
present there is provision in the federal
rules for electrical inspection. Such inspection.
he thinks, should be made at least once
month.
The Glen Island inspected May - of
this year. according TO the records in the local
steamship bureau She was of ga tons gross.
327 net. and was 1888 feet long. 35.S broad 1872
deep. Her schedule named crew of twenty
men.
She carried 1923 life preservers three metal
lfeboats, three wooden lifeboats and three life
RATS. She had only two fire pumps and only
100 feet each of 21z and 11a inch hose. She had
thirty-1ve fire buckets. six water barrels and
three water tanks. as wen as eight axes. Tanks
and water barrels are considered antiquated.
The certificate for the years license was
signed by former Inspectors Dumont and Bar
rett who We're removed charges of negli-
gence after the Slocum disaster The boat was
inspected by c. II. Smith and J. II. Gum as
sistant inspectors.
The Glen Island was insured in seven compa-
MES, through Benedict < Benedict of No 81
Nassau-st.. the insurance brokers who placed
the risk for the Starn Line. These companies
are the Liverpool and London and Globe. the
Hamilton, Nassau, Scottish Union and National,
the North River, the Royal Insurance Company
Of England and the Hamburg Bremen COMPANY.
The total amount was SOB I5O strictly fire in
surance.
These companies did not make any lhspec-
ton ON their own account, but looked to the
New-Yort Board OF Fire Underwriters Ac-
cording 10 chief Inspector Forsyth, of the cleo
trical department Of the New-York Board OF
Fire Underwriters. the last Inspection OF the
Glen Island, far as its risk as TO IRE lnsur-
ance was concerned was made on February 10.
1884, more than ten years ago.
CHANGES SINCE INSPECTION.
Since 1894 the Glen Island had been made
over into almost entirely boat She had
been reunodel!ed and electric lighting appa-
Continued ON second page.