GENERAL RULE FOR STEAMSHIPS MEETING, AND PARTICULAR RULE FOR STEAMSHIPS CROSSING. 47. The general rule of the road for steamers is precisely the same as the general rule of the pavement for foot passengers in London, and in all our large towns, viz., that in all ordinary cases two steamships, like two pedestrians, meeting face to face, or "end on, or nearly end on," so as to involve risk of collision shall port, that is to say, shall keep to the right, so that each may pass on the port (left) side of the other. Nothing can be more simple than this; but the man who will persist in crossing right over the pavement if, when proceeding along the left-hand side, he see another man coming along to his own right on the other side, cannot justify his proceeding by the rule. He will obviously get in the way of the other. 48. The particular rule of the road for steamers is, that if they are crossing, then the steamer E, that has another steamer F, G, H, or I, on her own right-hand side, shall get out of the way of F, G, H, or I. E is to get out of the way of F, G, H, or I. This, one would think, is plain. It would not do to say E is always to go one way, for E would often actually get into the way of F, G, H, and I, by going always to the left, or always to the right. The Diagram 4 shows, as has already been explained, that E can sometimes only get out of the way by going to the right, sometimes only by going to the left, sometimes by going straight on, and sometimes only by stopping and reversing. 49. This, as has already been shown, the present rule provides for, by saying that E shall get out of the way of F, G, H, and I, leaving it to E to do it in the easiest and best way she can under the special circumstances of each case. What more is possible where a positive rule, although it might possibly prevent collisions between vessels crossing in certain positions, would inevitably cause collisions in other positions? CONCLUSION. 50. The very great majority of collisions happen through bad lookout, and neglect to show lights. No rule of the road can meet these cases. 51. Many collisions are caused through the fixed belief of some sailors that it is right, under the present rule of the road, to port under all circumstances. This is, as has been shown above, an entire misapprehension of the rule. The rule is not to blame for these collisions. 52. Many collisions are caused through neglect, misapplication, and utter ignorance of the rule of the road. No rules, however perfect, can meet these cases. 53. The rules are good, but some seamen have failed to make themselves acquainted with them, or have not acted on them when they ought, or as they ought. The legislature cannot make careless people careful, nervous people strong, ignorant people wise, dull people bright, or sleeply people wakeful. Let them enact rules forever, collisions will continue to happen through ignorance, bad lookout, and carelessness, just in the same way that ships will continue to be wrecked and stranded from the same causes, and from neglect of the lead, and other omissions. 54. The legislature have done their part. They have made plain, simple, effective rules. The seaman must now do his part in carrying these rules into practice, in the manner and in the spirit intended by the framers; and the advocate and jurist must do his part by investigating and understanding them. It is wise to leave the rules as they are, and to explain the meaning of the framers of the rules by suitable and proper diagrams if necessary, rather than on the one hand, to add to them, and make them so refined as even to puzzle those who do understand them now; or, on the other hand, to aim at uniformity by requiring ships to port or starboard, without any necessity, under all circumstances, and at all risks. APPENDIX I. Tables 15 and 16 of the Wreck Register for 1865 give the following results as regards the causes of collisions for seven years. Number of collisions from the following preventible causes: Number of collisions from accident: Parting cables, &c., missing stays, anchoring in foul berth, Number of collisions from causes unknown. Total collisions in seven years.. 1,566 702 76 2,344 Table 18 of the Wreck Register for 1865 gives the following result for seven years, showing the state of the weather when collisions happened. With an atmosphere more or less thick or unfavorable, viz: With a good atmosphere, viz: 665 (1) clear and fine (936,) (2) dark and clear, (3) cloudy (284) 1,220 Unknown or squally. ... Total collisions in seven years... 459 2,344 APPENDIX II. INTERNATIONAL STEERING AND SAILING RULES. Reprinted from the Order in Council of the 9th January, 1863. REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, ETC. PRELIMINARY. ARTICLE 1. In the following rules, every steamship which is under sail, and not under steam, is to be considered a sailing ship; and every steamship which is under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a ship under steam. RULES CONCERNING LIGHTS. ART. 2. The lights mentioned in the following articles, numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and no others, shall be carried in all weathers, from sunset to sunrise. LIGHTS FOR STEAMSHIPS. ART. 3. Sea-going steamships when under weigh shall carry— (a.) At the Foremast Head, a bright white light, so fixed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the ship, viz., from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side; and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least five miles. (b.) On the Starboard Side, a green light, so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side; and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles. (c.) On the Port Side, a red light, so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side; and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles. (d.) The said green and red side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens, projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow. LIGHTS FOR STEAM TUGS. ART. 4. Steamships, when towing other ships, shall carry two bright white masthead lights vertically, in addition to their side lights, so as to distinguish them from other steamships. Each of these masthead lights shall be of the same construction and character as the masthead lights which other steamships are required to carry. LIGHTS FOR SAILING SHIPS. ART. 5. Sailing ships under weigh or being towed, shall carry the same lights as steamships under weigh, with the exception of the white masthead lights, which they shall never carry. EXCEPTIONAL LIGHTS FOR SMALL SAILING VESSELS. ART. 6. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels during bad weather, the green and red lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept on |