The Republican journal., 1914-07-23
SAFETY AT SEA AND THE HUMAN
EQUATION.
Latter More Important Than any Mechan-
ical Devices.

Latter More Important Than any Mechan-
ical Devices.
There are some experts in marine
affairs who believe that in spite of the
great advances in naval architecture
safety at sea depends more upon the hui
man equation or competent commanders
than upon any mechanical appliances
or further improvements in construction.
Among these is Captain George L.
Norton, editor of the MARINE Journal,
and well known as an experienc navl-
gator for years before he entered the
sea Of journalism. Captain Norton,
when asked by The Journal of Commerce
for his views upon safety at sea, made
this reply:
ut is bold Statement to make, but
none the less true, that the three notable
collisions in fog at sea within the year
1914, that of the Nantucket and Monroe,
Empress of Ireland and Storsdad. New
York and Pretoria, each were avoidable,
and the blame for each lies with one or
the other or both of those in command
at the time. In each case wind, sea,
or fog, did not prevent whistles being
exchanged and heard, locating to de-
gree the proximity of an approaching
vessel. Consequently, there was no
reason for not stopping their engines,
and cautiously feeling their way past
each other under Roadway sufficiently
slow to enable stopping either ship IN
less than her length, even if not discerni-
BILE through the density of the fog, each
vessel continually blowing her whistle
to determine whether she was nearing
or drawing away'from the other. These
collisions were caused through lack of
careful navigation. The penalty for
such accidents should be heavy and fixed
through international law. Each vessel
had unlimited space to maneuver in and
pass clear of the other if the reports
made by their respective representatives
are true.
Perfect safety at sea at the present
time is the desire uppermost In the
minds of those who cross the ocean,
whether on business or pleasure bent.
The most eminent naval architects of
this country and Europe claim that non
sinkable fire-proof passenger vessels
can be built beyond doubt; but whether
the great cost could be compensated
through returns in earnings is a matter
for the operator to determine. Let that
be as it may, believe that there is no
necessity for such costly experiments.
1t has been proven that with all their
fury, the wind and sea have never been
able to founder the South Shoal Light
ship off Nantucket anchored outside of
land in the broad Atlantic for many
years, which has weathered every gale,
and after each had done its worst with
its mountainous seas, this stanch, steel
hull lay at her moorings as gracefully as
the gray gull that spends lifetime on
it's surface True, this Lightship has
parted her mornings several times, but
after the gale abated has been returned
to her station uninjured. This is salts
factory proof that the modern ocean
steamship, constructed with even greater
strength in comparison, will float for
any length of time if give sea room.
! Gan or nearly all the modern built
oce m going steamships, transatlantic
and coast wise, are able to withstand
the elements; collision and fire now being
the only great and dreaded dangers.
The best proof that ever. these can be
reduced to minimum needs only refer
ence to the record Of the Cunard Line,
which since 1910 has been constructing
and operating TRANSATLANTIC line OF
ships between this port and Great Brl-
tain, providing them with every known
device that would add to their safety,
and during this IA years career they
have lost but one ship, no fires, and the
only loss of life was that OF five persons
being washed overheard by a big sea.
1.-The foregoing record is my reason
[ for stating that there is no necessity for
! building ships with Their passenger and
cargo spaces largely taken up with puk-
heads athwart SHIPS and lateral from
| double bottom to deck. The Aquitania,
Olympic, Imperator, Mauretania, Lusi-
tania, Vaterland and others now built and
building are everything that is needed to
provide the neces airy safety at sea as
far as the ship is concerned, after which
comes in what the Cunard Line has pos
sassed all these years, officers who can
be depended upon to navigate their ships
safely safety, not speed, being their
orders from headquarters, which have
been implicitly obeyed. Iron bound rules
and regulations issued from the Cunard
management to its officers have been the
human element in charge of its ships,
with the best Of tools to work with, max
ing the safest ocean passenger vessels
in the world. see no reason why Ships
of other lines cannot be maze as safe
through the same means.
For baby's Group. Wilies daily cuts and
bruises, mammals sore throat. Grandmas lame
ness-Dr Thomas Eclectic OiI-the household