The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-29
Common Sense
And Motor Boating.


To the Editor Of The washington Times.
The appalling accidents that are al
most daily reported in connection with
the running OF gasoiene motor boats.
would suggest that too often ordinary
precautions are disregarded BY boat
owners. That such sometimes is the
case is evident from the accounts or
some Of the casualties. The overload
ing Of launches obviously is a senseless
proceeding. for which there IS absolute
ly no acceptable excuse. Every experI
enced person understands that an omen
launch in rought weather always is
more or less unseaworthy. and when
overloaded is a veritabls death trap.
The classes OF accidents that arise
from leaky tanks and piping are. OF
course. due TO conditions which only
can be guarded against by regular and
frequent inspection OF these necessary
appurtenances 10 the running Of
launches, but If this were system
atically and carefully done there would
be fewer cases reported of loss OF life
as the result of loose gasolene taking
fire and tank explosions.
Another source Of danger is in the
steering OF motor boats. It was under
stood last season. in this locality. that
Government regulations made it obliga-
tory that each power boat be provided
with a suitable whistle to be used ac-
cording to the prescribed rules OF navf-
CATION Both small and large launches,
1t was said, came within the provisions
Of the regulation referred to. The re-
quirement perhaps was not intended "a
be enforced TO the letter. although such
was the impression at the time the or
der was issued.
The following incident of recent oc-
curence would suggest the necessity for
exercising greater care IN the handling
or power boats, particularly at points
on the river where good seamanship is
needed.
A motor boat coming I'D the river.
steered BY a careful pilot, who has had
many years experience in handling
both sail and power boats. turned inio
the mouth OF the Georgetown channel.
and observing that a power boat. loaded
mostly with women and children was
coming down, he blew his whistle once
10 indicate that he vas directing the
course Of his launch to the right or
starboard side AS there was no cor
responding whistle from the dOwncon-
ing launch, a second whistle was blown.
when the boats were nsasirg each 9th
er. There was no respOn Sc as before
Suspecting that the downcoming
launch was not provided with a
whistle, the SteerSman of tie launch
ed Il e other launch closely, and as she
did not alter her course, concluded that
II was the intention OF her pilot pres
emily 10 90 to the right or star
board side before turning into the main
channel of the river. When the two
boats we're only shert distance apart.
however, the pilot Of the dOwncoTning
boat suddenly altered mis- course with
out any warning and turned sharply
to the left or port side, with the re-
suit that q collision between the two
boats running at high speed was very
narrowly aVeTted.
Undoubtedly there would have been
serious accident in the instance cited,
with possible loss of life, If the pilot
of the launch which was provided with
a whistle had not been experienced in
handling power boats. If il was the in
tentioIi Of the pilot Of the downcoming
boat which apparently had no whistle
TO 90 10 the left, he should have made
q definite turn to left long before the
two launches were only a short distance
apart.
If the law really insists that all pow
er boats be provided with whistles, in
stalled in such a way as to give the
necessary power for practical use. in
the interest Of public safety, certainty
1t should also require that each anna
teur navigator learn the proper use of
his whistle and carefully employ the
same, particularly when running MS
SAFETY.