Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-01-21

nv the convention of adequate back
ing power and auxiliary steering ap7
paratus.
Concluding the summary of these
provisions. Lord Mersey said 1t was
important to point out that even AT
"a. the most careful attention had been
given to all practicable details anu
designs for the increase of the satety
of a ship there still remained the pos
sibility of a serious and even lotaiy
destructive accident. 1t was therefore
imperative that captains should never
relax their vigilance on the suppose
tion that any vessel was unsinKapie'
On the contrary, captains should strive
To add to the safety provided by the
vessel itself that very great increases
in safety which results from pruden'
and skilful mana cement and naviga-
ton. III
Tbe convention provides that all
merchant vessels when engaged IN III
tarnational or colonial voyages must
no adiinned with wireless teiegraphSi
~ tfev have on board SO persons or
more except where the number Is IN
80 ,aa owing to causes beyond the
:, s+er,s control. The contracting
states, however, have the discretion
to make suitable exemptions IN cei
tain cases, the most important VI
which is in connection with vessels
which in the course Of their voyage
do not 60 more than $50 miles Iroip
the nearest land.
continuance watch for wireless
nurnoses must be kept on all vessels
cited with wireless telegraph.
~ +ba meantime the following vesseis
.oru,rad IN maintain a continuous
a. addition to all vessels placed
an the first category contemplated py tue
convention, when m
o,rdes ALI fast passenger steamers YES
colo If more than Is knots speed WHICH
carry 200 passengers and make eosaees
~ more than 500 miles between TWO CON
.ooutive ports, other passenger Vessels
arrinp the time they are more tnan oVV
,,,,es from land and still other vesseis
a,,,oyed in the transatlantic, trade or
u,bosa VOYAGES take them more than wv
miles from land.
vessels in the second category never
.na,ees are required to keep watch for
at least seven hours a day eesloes d
watch OF ID minutes eaeh ii"'
Wireless apparatus must have rahse
of at least 100 miles and an emergency
annaratus placed in the safest place I'M
,ass the main installation is in the Nigh
est part of the ship in conditions Oh tue
greatest safety.
The convention lays down that there
must be accommodation in hfeooa1s ior
all persons aboard a ship.
Every vessel must be equipped with
minimum number OF davlts OF eaui."
lent appliances which varies according
m the length of the ship. Each aaVit
must have a lifeboat of the first class at
+acbed to II and thereafter addiuonai
heats must be provided until provision
has been made to accommodate 10 per
cant of the persons on board. If further
accommodations be required 1t may De
nrovided in the shape Of lifeboats or ap-
proved life RATS. The convention pro-
,,;aes that as large per centage as pos
chile of the boats and RATS must be cap
able of being launched from either sue
of the ships so as few as possible neeu
ha launched from the weather side. Spe-
c,a, life Jackets for children also must
no nroyided 1t provides there must De
a minimum number of members OF the
crew who are competent to handle boats
and RATS.
For detecting fire an organized sys-
ION, Of patrols is called for and the regu-
,ation Is REQUIRE that adequate provision
for extinguishing fires, for the oreahi@a-
ton of crew for fire and boat drills