(9) As a relatively important matter, we would direct the attention of the Conference to the desirability of steam-ships being provided with means of blowing off the surplus steam when the engines are stopped in such a manner as to occasion as little noise as possible.

SPAUN,

Delegate for the Austro-Hungarian Government

AUG. SCHNEIDER,

Delegate for Denmark.

G. S. NARES,

Chairman of Committee, Delegate for Great Britain.

R. SETTEMBRINI,

Delegate for Italy.

T. SALVESON,

Delegate for Norway.

VAN STEYN,

Delegate for The Netherlands.

J. W. SHACKFORD,

Delegate for the United States.

APPENDIX A.

CIRCULAR TO BRANCH HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICES.

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE, NAVY DEPARTMENT,

Washington, D. C., May 3, 1889.

SIR: A copy of the programme of subjects to be considered by the International Marine Conference has been forwarded to you to-day. It is the desire of the chief of the Bureau of Navigation for you to discuss this matter thoroughly with all those who are interested and competent to judge, and to make a report in detail to this office. The object of this is to formulate practical views for the use of our commissioners on all or any of the subjects referred to, or on any others that may have been omitted. This matter must be taken up at once, although sufficient time will be allowed to do the subject that justice which its magnitude and importance demand.

Attention is called to the April number of the North American Review, containing articles bearing on this subject.

Very respectfully,

G. L. DYER,

Hydrographer.

ANSWERS TO CIRCULAR OF U. S. HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE FROM VARIOUS WRITERS.

SUMMARY OF OPINIONS AS TO FOG-SIGNALS, ETC.

Branch Hydrographic Office, New York, August 13.-Doubt as to what quality of whistle is most audible, also as to course-indicating signals; it would seem that, as they are simpler than bugles, sailors could learn former as easily as cavalry horses learn latter. Suggests speed to be limited to 6 knots an hour. Experiments should be made as to penetrating power of signals, and a code of compass-signals made. Incloses codes of maneuvering signals and compass course-signals.

Branch Hydrographic Office, Norfolk, Va.-Fog-signals should not imply how the vessel is heading as regards the wind. All vessels should slow in a fog-speed not to exceed 5 or 6 knots an hour. Helm-signals should be made in clear and foggy weather. Systems adopted should be simple and international and enforced by law.

Branch Hydrographic Office, Boston, Mass., September 19-Fog-signals: No complication whatever should be attempted. Many authorities in favor of course-signals-not more than eight points of compass. Advise Morse system, also, signals for vessels towing, not under command, and anchoring. Helm-signals, especially during foggy weather, are unnec essary complications, at least in open sea; necessary in narrow inland waters. Should be uniform for all nations. Regulation for moderate speed in fog should be amended to slow speed, i. e., not more than half speed.

Merchants' Exchange, San Francisco, September 30.-In favor of soundsignals. Incloses code, depending on number of sounds.

Branch Hydrographic Office, Baltimore, Md., September 26.-Any code of course sound-signals should be of simplest kind, have few elements, and only attempt to indicate four compass points. Helm-signals should be compulsory. Speed in fog should be lowest speed at which vessel readily answers helm.

W. R. Mayo to Secretary Chamber of Commerce.-Has seen various methods proposed for indicating the direction a vessel may be heading in a fog, etc., but believes that all of them are so complicated as to be useless, and they may therefore do harm. The present sound-signals for fog are good, and if steamers approaching each other in a fog would adopt the precaution of slowing down close and feeling their way by each other no trouble would occur. The great requisite, in fog and other thick weather, is not more signaling from steam-whistles, but greater precaution on the part of ship-masters.

R. H. Hughes, master steam-ship Nova Scotian.-Suggests a soundsignal for vessels not under command or laying a telegraph cable. Fishing vessels at anchor to sound an automatic whistle. Present helmsignals should be made compulsory.

Paul Brown, master steam-ship Victor.-Suggests sound-signals for a compass direction. Signals should be sounded by minutes. Helm-signals should be made compulsory. Suggests a sound-signal for vessels not under command.

Opinions of various experienced mariners and other practical men obtained by Sergeant Paul Daniels.-Course-direction signals not practicable. Present rules are generally satisfactory if properly carried out. Present helm-signals should be made compulsory. Fog signals should be sounded every thirty seconds. Sound-signals should be adopted to denote a vessel not under command, a vessel towing, and a vessel laying or taking up a telegraph cable. The speed of vessels approaching the coast in thick weather should be reduced to at least one-half speed, say 6 or 7 knots.

Mr. R. B. Forbes.-Proposes direction-signals for eastward and westward bound vessels. Thinks it undesirable to establish signals for every course steered. Speed need not be reduced in thick weather.

D. A. Nash, personal opinion to Ensign Blow.-Proposes direction-signals for eight points. The signals should be repeated, as one signal is often imperfectly heard.

North German Lloyds' New York agent to Ensign Blow.-No remarks on fog-signals.

H. G. Johnson, master, to officer in charge of Hydrographic Office, New York.-Present regulations are all that is necessary. The rules are very good and such as are in familiar use by navigators.

Steam-ship Pennland to Ensign Blow.-Course-signals for steam-vessels would be advantageous. Present regulations for sailing vessels are all that are necessary. Fog-signals should be sounded at least every minute. Present helm-signals should be made compulsory.

R. H. Hughes, master.-Present helm fog-signals should be made compulsory. Fishing vessels at anchor should sound an automatic whistle.

OPINIONS ON FOG-SIGNALS COLLECTED AT BRANCH HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE IN NEW YORK, FROM CAPTAINS OF STEAM AND SAILING VESSELS AND SHIPPING MEN GENERALLY.

Captain Burn, of steam-ship El Dorado, believes that the present rules of the road are sufficient. Thinks steamers should be fitted with very powerful whistles. Recommends steam siren with parabolic reflector. In fog, both vessels should stop on hearing signals, and feel their way past each other.

Captain Mason (steam-ship Chalmette), Captain Higgins (steam ship Excelsior), and Captain Burdick (superintendent of American pier). All agree in the following opinion: That the present rules are sufficient if enforced. The simpler they are, the better.

Captain Murray of (steam-ship Alaska). Is satisfied with the present rules. Not in favor of any code of course-signals. Present helm signals should be compulsory.

Mr. Reiley (chief officer steam-ship Lampasas). Is satisfied with present rules.

Mr. Dennett (steam-ship State of Texas). Is satisfied with present rules.

Captain Rogers (bark Siddarthe). Satisfied with present fog-signals. Captain Stevens (steam-ship Manhattan). Is against any complicated code.

Mr. Russell (chief officer steam-ship City of Atlanta). Rules of the road good enough as they are.

Captain Risk (steam-ship Comal). Advocates uniform size, power, and position of whistles.

Captain Fearon (steam-ship Dawpool). Advocates uniformity in instruments to be worked by compressed air.

Aaron Vanderbilt (J. E. Ward & Co.) Advocates single and efficient code of signals (1 to 4 blasts); compass-course signals, uniform pattern of whistles; increased power and range.

Captain Wilkinson (steam-ship Denholm). Fog-horns on sailing vessels useless. Steam-whistle should be placed as high as possible, so that sound can pass over smoke-stack, etc.

Mr. Jones (chief officer Basil). Thinks present rules sufficient if properly observed.

Captain Bolger (steam-ship Nueces) and Captain William (schooner Stella H. Kenyon). Satisfied with rules if enforced.

Captain Stevenson (steam-ship Seneca) and Captain Lewis (steamship Rio Grande). Agree with above.

Captain Hansen (steam-ship City of Atlanta). Satisfied with rules; thinks that there should be a signal whistle to designate a vessel stopped at sea-not necessarily disabled, but drifting and not making headway.

Mr. Millard (chief officer Truro City). Satisfied with rules if enforced.

Captain Homer (steam-ship Lucy C. Miller). Agrees with above. Pilot Joseph Nelson (pilot-boat Stafford). Does not believe in any possible code of signals to determine course in fog.

Mr. T. S. Negus (chairman New York Board of Pilots) says that he has seen numbers of sound-signals suggested. They are inadmissible; too complicated.

Capt. Ambrose Snow (president N. Y. Board of Pilot Commissioners). The best rule for preventing collisions in fog would be to require ves sels to move slowly or anchor, if possible, and to come to a full stop on hearing signal.

Captain Grant (steam-ship Pennland). Fog-horns used by sailing vessels useless. All vessels should have whistles of greater power. In fog, vessels should stop at once on hearing signal.

Captain Gioccoechia (steam-ship Gaditano) thinks four compass courses should be signaled. Does not think any code depending on

number of blasts advisable; recommends tones; whistles should be placed both forward on forecastle and aft, and should be blown simultaneously.

Mr. John R. Hughes (inventor of code of fog signals) believes that some system of compass courses is essential. Thinks helm-siguals should be retained only in case two vessels are in sight. No system depending directly on number or length of blasts practicable. Each vessel should carry in fog, as high up as possible, a large metal spherical cage or bell, which could be easily seen above fog in day-time. Captain Kennedy (formerly steam-ship Germanic). Fog-horns on sailing vessels no use. For steamers, believes code of signals could be used, giving eight compass courses. Code to be simple; short and long blasts; deep and shrill whistles.

Captain J. McCarthy (pilot-boat J. F. Loabat) thinks some code for compass signals should be obligatory; it should be simple; two whistles of distinct tone; one to be blown until whistle of another vessel is heard and located. Slowing down in a fog "a mere farce."

Lieutenant Smythe (revenue steam-ship Washington). Code of compass course-signals recommended; eight points.

Captain Clampett (Delaware River pilot). Shrill whistle can be heard twice as far as deep whistles.

Captain Moody (steam-ship State of Georgia). Hoarse whistle can be distinguished better than shrill.

W. C. Almy, steamer Old Point Comfort, to branch Hydrographic Office, Va.-Advocates four compass course-signals in fog; long and short blasts.

W. Whittle, steamer Georgia.—Advocates helm-signals in fog, which should be compulsory. Speed in fog. No vessel should go at a speed greater than that at which she can hear the signal of another at a distance sufficient to stop; vessel in doubt should stop at once.

Branch Hydrographic Office, Philadelphia, Pa.-Steamers should carry two whistles. Is in favor of a code of compass course-signals; not more than 3 notes in any one compass-signal. Eight compass courses. Helm-signals, in all weather, should be compulsory.

Branch Hydrographic Office, Portland, Oreg.-In favor of a code of compass course-signals, four points. Helm-signals should be compulsory.

W. R. Mayo, U. S. customs, to chamber of commerce, Va.-Compass course-signals in fog inadmissible. Helm signals good, if steamers approaching adopt precaution of slowing down and feeling their way past each other.

Opinions collected by branch Hydrographic Office, N. Y.-Against coursesignals. Helm-signals should be compulsory. Advises a number of successive whistles to call attention of vessel or steamer ahead to that overtaking it. Sailing vessel running with free wind must conform to signals of steamers. Speed in foggy weather can not be accurately determined in miles; sailing vessels should be obliged to obey rule.