New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-10

out how this calamity might have oeeh
avoided. showing whore and OH WHOM
blame should rest.
One fact stands out clearly and neon
testahlv. Reform IL needed TO MAKE
repetition Of the Titanic affair as hed''S
impossible as human ingenuity auu 'a''
can make it, While the Importance VI 3"
sufficient number of boats to carry '"o
whole of the mother ships complement 10 Z"
primary need, II is of little use 10 pie Wy
lifeboats and RATS In positions Which Ien
der It difficult to launch them. IL "ouiu
however. appear an easy matter for the
modern levlathan to carry fifty-t"o H'e.
boats, which In moderate weather, shoulu
accommodate a total of three THOUSAND
persons.
Each side of the larger Atlantic liners
can accommodate thirteen pairs of davis
owing to the great height of the boat DECK
Il is possible in any weather to carry tne
boats swung out. This would allow TWEEN
ty-six boats to be in n position that "oui"
admit them to be ready for lowering oy
slipping the lashings. The other twenty
six boats could rest on the chocKs WHICH
have been ordinarily used for all boats On
cept two, termed sea boats, which most
vessels carry ready for lowering. In oroeE
70 swing in boats carried cupboard davis
would have to be heightened TO ehapIe
them TO swing clear Of boats on chocks'
Naturally, this would increase the weight
OF top hamper, but could be counteroai-
anced by increased weight below.
While providing for more boats, however
the fact that they are only the final ana
hazardous bid for safety should not be los'
sight Of Primary efforts should still be 10
make the ship as nearly unsuitable as pos
sble, and the last word in TINS directIoh
has not yet been spoken. Most steamers
have double bottoms fore and att Wnie
some have double sides. extending aooNe
the water line, I'm addition. It is evident
that the latter type must be more dltficu'I
70 sink than the former, and therefore 1t Is
this type that should be favored By the
travelling public.
Searchlights for use in the ice region
have been Il matter Of discussion FOR many
years There are, however. difhculties'
which are not appreciated by the average
landsman. rendering the lndiscrirninate use
Of eearchights by no means unmiNed
blessing. Tho officers of a vessel approach
ing one using a searchlight would be un-
ahIe 70 distinguish the steaming lights Of
the latter. owing to the strength and glare
II the scarchlight. Furthermore IN inc
tino Of greatest danger during fog, any
light, however powerful is practically USE
less.
The lack OF binoculars for the lookout
men on the Titanic has been widely ana
adversely commented upon. rs matter
of fact. they would have been Of little or
no use. II is easier to pick up an OBJECT
with the naked ego than with glasses ana
TO do this Is all that is required or the
lookout men. The object being at once re-
ported. the glasses Of the officers on the
bridge are useful I'm determining It's char
actcr.
Tho Atlantic lanes have already been
moved sufficiently far south to eliminate
danger from ice; it is for public opinion to
insist that they shall not be again chanSed
TO the northwart during the ice season.
Tho question Of speed in fog Is matter
that should be carefully considered ana the
terms half speed" and SLOW given spe-
,iac meanings. according TO the power Oh
the ship, instead OF being the elastic terms
that the government has hitherto allowed
them T. be.
Finally ono qualification for any male
member oI passenger ships crew.
whether he be sailor. fireman or steward
should be tho ability to handle an oar on
the majority OF liners the only men with
any knowledge OF boats are the sailors
who rarely. In the largest steamers eA-
coed NIFTY In number obviously an alto
gctuer inadequate complement for all the
boats. DONAl'D NJ"
Ex-First officer r. NJ ; Maurctania
L.. 1All