Year: 1872

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 1872.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD


In reading the account of the loss OF the steamer
Nets the first conclusion arrived at by the reader
is that the great loss of life in this, in similar
is caused by the lack OF boats and other
for saving life.


There is not boat now plying on the Sound with
sufficient provision for saving half the number Of
passengers she usually carries. Steamboat owners,
indeed, generally provide an imposing show of lfe
preservers, and generally have them placed In such
inaccessible positions that in the hurry Of ship
wreck only strong and active men can get them !;
but In any case life-preserver Is only calculated
to support dead weight Of five pounds, and in
case Of prolonged stay the water Is oflitte
to save life.


In disasters like this of the Metls when the boats
are required for use, 1t is in nearly every dis
covered that from lying so long in the chOcks they
have become cemented there, or from long expos
ure to the hot sun they are not water tight; or
again. they are turned bottom up and covered with
canvas and in nine cases out Of ten the time lost
In getting the boats in readiness ls the cause Of
losing many valuable lives


Wooden lifeboats become unseaworthy from ex-
pOsure to the weather, and they are also liable to
be stove In the process OF lowering. My experience
says that no boat should be allowed on board
steamer but metallic ones, which are not liable to
the above objections The law should see that these
DOatS are In the QaVlCS, WIN tackle ready LOT
lowering, before the vessel leaves her wharf, and
this inspection should be made at frequent inter-
vals Another useful device for saving life would
be to compel steamboat owners to carry large
square bales Of cork on their upper decks with life
lines attached.


Another matter in connection with this disaster
is the action of the OF the vessel. Generally
speaking the crews Of steamers are green hands
know nothing Of sailors duties-and in case Of
panic are the first to cause confusion, instead OF
seeing as true sailors would to the safety Of the
women and children first.


pOrtant o matter as the boats; for without cOmpe-
tent, steady men to man them they are useless.
Many OF the steamers now plying on the coast are
entirely unfit for the service they are engaged in,
as is proved by the losses every Winter on this
coast We see In the papers now and then an ac-
count OF fearful gale and loss Of life and shipping
and the matter fades out Of memory, when, II the
truth were known the loss is altogether owing to
the unseawOrthiness OF the vessel to resist storm
that good vessel would ride safely through.


In case Of loss like this of the Metis where 1t is
clearly proved that the captain or any Of the officers
the vessel have been guilty ofneglect incOmpe
tence they should be debarred from holding similar
position ever again, for stated time, according
to the magntude OF their onence; This would S be
discipline on board their ships and cause captains
and officers to be more particular in their choice Of
crews when they knew that their own reputation
to great extent, depended upon the conduct OF
the men under their command.


ANOTHER FACT BEARING UPON THIS SUBJECT.


The proper authorities to enforce this steamboat
law should be the Navy and not the Treasury De-
partment In the former they have competent en-
gineers and seamen, and have mo enemies TO
punish friends to reward" while in the latter
appointments are made from political motives and
when a man Is not liked by the steamboat owners
he is removed and some one else appointed in his
stead. do not intend to cast any reflection upon
the present inspectors; for, so far as KNOW they
are honorable men; but the whole subject requires
ventiating and you never rendered greater ser
vice to the community than you will do by calling
public attention to the Insecurity OF life on steam
vessels. NATHANIEL MCKAY.