Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1876
(M. 8292.)
Messrs. Ismay,
Imrie & Co. to Board of
Trade
.
Sir: In compliance with your circular, M. 2626, we requested the captains and two senior officers of our Atlantic steamers to express their views, in writing, on the question of sound-signals.
They are all men who have had considerable and varied experience, and as their own words will convey the best estimate of their opinion, we have the pleasure to hand you herewith verbatim copies of their replies, which we hope will prove both interesting and useful to the rule of the road commission, which is about to consider the important question of sound-signals.
We remain, &c.,
The Assistant Secretary
Marine Department, Board of Trade.
reports of captains and officers of white star line on sound-signals proposed by board of trade.
Fog-signals.
Dear Sirs: Referring to above as per your inclosure, I would say the first few clauses, including A, B, and C, being compulsory, are not open for discussion, although with the speed attained at present age the intervals between blasts are entirely too long.
The four signals suggested seem very good, and to have been carefully studied, but I think as it is necessary, once the signal is made, to follow it or act in accordance, it should also be imperative that the ship first making the signal should have the right of way.
I would also suggest that in clear weather, more particularly in rivers and approaches, where it is often found necessary to cross over from your recognized side of the river to the other with heavy-draught ships on a flowing tide or a following tide, Nos. 1 and 2 signals should be used; No. 3 to mean, “I am keeping my course;” no occasion for No. 4; the vessel first making this signal to have right of way. This has been found to work well in America.
If not out of place, I should strongly recommend all vessels which are being approached by others in such a manner that their regulation lights cannot be seen, (whether at anchor, coming to anchor, weighing, or under way,) should show a [Page 198] bright light at stern, as for instance, overtaking a vessel at sea, meeting a vessel in stays, a vessel in the act of rounding-to to anchor, or coming on a vessel at anchor, where her three masts are in one, hiding the light on forestay.
I am, &c.,
Commander Steamship Britannic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co., Liverpool.
Gentlemen: Referring to your favor of the 18th instant, regarding fog-signals, I am of opinion that three minutes is too long an interval; two minutes is quite long enough between the blasts. The signals proposed for port and starboard work very well in American waters, and I would suggest a continuous blast of the whistle to mean, “Danger,” “Take care,” “I am stopped,” &c., until the danger is past; three short blasts to mean “Full speed astern.” I think more than three blasts objectionable, as mistakes may occur in counting.
I am, &c.,
Commander Steamship Adriatic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In reply to your letter of the 18th March, asking for my opinion of the additional fog-signals proposed by the board of trade for the use of steamers, I beg to say, that I consider the first and second signals, viz, one short blast of the steam-whistle, “I am porting,” and two short blasts, “I am starboarding,” to be very good, and would be very useful if used by all steamers.
The third and fourth signals I consider unnecessary.
The port and starboard signals have long been in use in America.
My chief and second officers are of the same opinion as myself.
I remain, &c.,
Commander Steamship Baltic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In reply to your note of the 1st instant, inclosing copy of signals proposed by board of trade to be used by steamers and sailing-vessels during fog, the signals A, B, and C, I understand are compulsory, and I do not think can be improved upon.
With regard to the additional signals, one short blast, “I am porting,” and two short blasts, “I am starboarding,” are the signals already in use in American waters, both in fog and clear weather; and, I am of opinion, are all that are necessary; the other signals as to caution, &c., would, perhaps, cause confusion, as each vessel should at all times be taking care.
I would suggest in particular, in narrow waters, that all sailing-vessels when running should be obliged to carry a light of some kind over the stern, as I have on several occasions nearly collided with them when going the same way, in consequence of no lights being visible.
I am, &c.,
Commander Steamship Republic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: 1. Steamships, when under way during a fog, should blow the whistle twice in quick succession every three minutes; the first blast to call attention, and the second to define position.
The short blasts, to show the position of the helm of meeting or passing steamers, are absolutely necessary, but the one which takes the initiative should have the right of way.
The remainder of the steam-signals will lead to mischief, as sailors will differ in what makes a long or short note.
[Page 199]2. Sailing-vessels should be compelled to use a bellows fog-horn when under way, as its notes can in quiet weather be heard at a distance of two miles.
The tin mouth-trumpet is almost useless, and in cold weather blisters the mouth.
I remain, &c.,
Commander Steamship Celtic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In reply to yours of the 19th ult., with regard to fog-signals, I have the honor to inclose the opinions of my senior officers, and to give you my own.
- 1.
- One short blast of whistle or horn, “I am porting,”
- 2.
- Two short blasts of whistle or horn, “I am starboarding,” are very good, and should be made compulsory.
- 3.
- Three short blasts, “Take care,” “I am taking care,” is superfluous. More care and vigilance is usually exercised by all officers in a fog.
- 4.
- Four short blasts, “Going full speed astern,” or “In stays,” might be made by the third, did time admit; it must be remembered that the velocity of sound is much retarded by fog, and when a whistle or horn is heard, the distance between two ships is not enough to allow of a number of signals being made and interpreted. To avoid collision, action must be prompt. The first signal, one blast, indicates the position of a ship and her action; so does the second; they are simple, and I believe, under the usual circumstances in a fog, sufficient for safety; the two last would be perplexing among a fleet of ships.
I am of opinion that the interval of three minutes between the blasts is too long, and should not be more than two.
I have, &c.,
Commander Steamship Gaelic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: I am in receipt of your note, inclosing a copy of fog-signals proposed by the board of trade, and herewith beg to hand you my report on the same.
The signals A, B, C are very good, with the exception of the interval given, which, in my opinion, should not be longer than two minutes at the most.
The four following signals would, I think, be of great use in channels or rivers, as giving a system to the signals, with the exception of the last, which I think would be apt to lead to error, or be confusing. I do not think these signals would be of much service on the high seas.
If I might be allowed to suggest, I think it ought to be compulsory to have more uniformity in the size of bell, horn, and whistle for fog purposes, as these instruments may often be seen totally unfit for these purposes.
Yours, &c.,
Commander Steamship Belgic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In accordance with your request, I herewith give my opinion on the fog-signals proposed to be used on board of steamers.
I think that steamers under way should make one prolonged blast of the whistle, but that three minutes is too long an interval. Two minutes would be about one blast for every half-mile, when going full speed; and if there was much wind, that is quite as far as the whistle would be heard.
With reference to the steering-signals, I would propose that in the event of two ships meeting, if one should make a steering-signal, it should be repeated by the other, to show that she understood it and would act upon it.
I would further propose that the signal, “take care,” be dispensed with, and substitute for it, “keep your course; I will keep my course.”
This signal would be useful between sailing-ships and steamers.
I think the steering-signals will be of great use when navigating a ship in narrow waters.
I am, &c.,
Chief Officer Steamship Republic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: Having been shown a proposed code of signals for fog to be used by steam and sailing vessels, when under way and at anchor, I am of opinion that the more simple the better, and less likely to lead to mistakes; and would suggest that one long blast, say blown at least every three minutes, one short blast to mean, “I am porting;” two, “I am starboarding,” and three, “for danger,” “I am stopped,” or “reversing full speed.”
I am, &c.,
Chief Officer Steamship Ardiatic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In compliance with your request, I forward you what my opinion is with respect to the additional fog-signals proposed by the board of trade. My opinion is, that the additional ones proposed are as necessary as the red and green lights. I also think that all sailing-ships should be provided with more efficient fog-horns than have hitherto been used, and that they should be sounded every two minutes instead of every three minutes, as proposed in the list I received.
I am, &c.,
Chief Officer Steamship Celtic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: I have carefully read, with great pleasure, the letter containing new suggestions upon the matter of fog-signals.
As regards the signals for indicating the steamer’s helm is going to port, or that it is being put to starboard, I fully agree with; but the one for giving information that it is steady, and likewise you are acting with caution, are liable to be misconstrued and cause great danger.
I should humbly suggest that a second whistle, of different tone, should be used for giving those signals.
I am, &c.,
Chief Officer Steamship Gaelic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: Having carefully read and examined the articles respecting fog-signals, compulsory, as well as those desired to be made by every vessel, steam or sail, and strictly attended to in vicinity of land, or in channels or rivers, allow me, as desired, to state that I found already, during my frequent trips on the river Thames, and in the English Channel, that those signals, if strictly attended to by everybody in charge, are of very important value.
I am, &c.,
Chief Officer Steamship Belgic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In compliance with your instructions, I have examined the fog-signals submitted to me for perusal, and think that the new signals will answer the purpose they are intended for very well, and that the interval in fog-signals marked (a) and (b) is too long, as at the speed steamers now go they might strike a sailing-ship without ever hearing their horn, which can only be heard for a short distance.
And remain, &c.,
Second Officer Steamship Britannic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In reply to your letter on fog-signals, &c., I am of opinion that the [Page 201] interval between, each signal, ought only to be two instead of three minutes. The steering rules I have found practically to be very useful in American waters, where they seem to be well understood.
I am, &c.,
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In compliance with the wish expressed in your letter of the 23d instant, I beg to give the following as my opinion of the code of fog-signals proposed by the board of trade.
With regard to the compulsory part, I think steamers and sailing-vessels ought to blow a blast every one minute instead of every three minutes, as at present; also, that sailing-vessels be supplied with efficient fog-horns, as we are frequently dangerously close to them before we hear their horns.
In reference to the non-compulsory signals, one, two, and four are good, but the three short blasts (“take care”) are likely to confuse the officer in charge, as in all cases a prudent officer, when he heard another vessel’s fog-horn, would ease his ship, and as her head would still be in the same direction, I think it would be better for three blasts to denote “I am keeping my course.”
In any case, if the signals are to be used, (and I think they would tend to lessen the risk of collision,) they ought to be compulsory.
I am, &c.,
Second Officer Steamship Celtic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: In reference to the signals proposed by the board of trade in foggy misty, or snowy weather, I understand the signals A, B, and C are compulsory, but in my opinion the interval between each prolonged blast is too long; I think it ought to be made at least once every two minutes, or even every minute.
With regard to the additional signals, I think one short blast, “I am porting;” two short blasts, “I am starboarding;” and three short blasts, “I am going astern,” are quite sufficient; I do not see the use of the signal, “I am taking care,” as each vessel should at all times be doing so.
I am, &c.,
Second Officer Steamship Republic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.
Gentlemen: I have carefully perused your memorandum as to the new regulations suggested by the board of trade regarding fog-signals, and I must humbly beg to agree with them, having seen them working very well on board the river steamers in New York. There has long been a want of system, and in my humble opinion the proposed rules will be of great service.
I am, &c.,
Second Officer Steamship Gaelic.
Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co.