ible" in these rules, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere.

RULE 3. Except in the cases hereinafter expressly provided for, a steam-vessel when under way shall carry:

(a) On or in front of the foremast, or, if a vessel without a foremast, then in the forepart of the vessel, at a height above the hull of not less than twenty feet, and, if the beam of the vessel exceeds twenty feet, then at a height above the hull not less than such beam, so, however, that such height need not exceed forty feet, a bright white light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the vessel, namely, from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side, and of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least five miles.

(b) On the starboard side, a green light, so constructed as to throw an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten 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 at a distance of at least two miles.

(e) On the port side, a red light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten 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 at a distance of at least two miles.

(d) The said green and red 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.

(e) A steamer of over one hundred and fifty feet register length shall also carry when under way an additional bright light similar in construction to that mentioned in subdivision (a), so fixed as to throw the light all around the horizon and of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least three miles. Such additional light shall be placed in line with the keel at least fifteen feet higher from the deck and more than seventy-five feet abaft the light mentioned in subdivision (a).

LIGHTS FOR VESSELS TOWING.

RULE 4. A steam-vessel having a tow other than a raft shall in addition to the forward bright light mentioned in subdivision (a) of Rule 3 carry in a vertical line not less than six feet above or below that light a second bright light of the same construction and character and fixed and carried in the same manner as the forward bright light mentioned in said subdivision (a) of Rule 3. Such steamer shall also carry a small bright light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the tow to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam.

RULE 5. A steam-vessel having a raft in tow shall, instead of the forward lights mentioned in Rule 4, carry on or in front of the foremast,

or, if a vessel without a foremast, then in the forepart of the vessel, at a height above the hull of not less than twenty feet, and, if the beam of the vessel exceeds twenty feet, then at a height above the hull not less than such beam, so, however, that such height need not exceed forty feet, two bright lights in a horizontal line athwartships and not less than eight feet apart, each so fixed as to throw the light all around the horizon and of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least five miles. Such steamer shall also carry the small bright steering light aft, of the character and fixed as required in Rule 4.

LIGHTS FOR VESSELS TOWED.

RULE 6. A sailing-vessel under way and any vessel being towed shall carry the side-lights mentioned in Rule 3.

A vessel in tow shall also carry a small bright light aft, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam.

LIGHTS FOR TUGS TOWING AND FOR FERRY-BOATS, RAFTS, CANAL-BOATS AND BOATS ON THE ST. LAWRENCE.

RULE 7. The lights for tugs under thirty tons register whose principal business is harbor towing, and for boats navigating only on the River Saint Lawrence, also ferry-boats, rafts and canal-boats, shall be regulated by rules which have been or may hereafter be prescribed by the board of supervising inspectors of steam-vessels.

LIGHTS FOR SMALL VESSELS.

RULE 8. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels under way during bad weather, the green and red side-lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept at hand lighted and ready for use, and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side, nor, if practicable, more than two points abaft the beam on their respective sides. To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, they shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with suitable screens.

LIGHTS FOR VESSELS AT ANCHOR.

RULE 9. A vessel under one hundred and fifty feet register length, when at anchor, shall carry forward, where it can best be seen, but at a height not exceeding twenty feet above the hull, a white light in a lantern constructed so as to show a clear, uniform and unbroken light, visible all around the horizon, at a distance of at least one mile.

A vessel of one hundred and fifty feet or upward in register length, when at anchor, shall carry in the forward part of the vessel, at a

height of not less than twenty and not exceeding forty feet above the hull, one such light, and at or near the stern of the vessel, and at such a height that it shall not be less than fifteen feet lower than the forward light, another such light.

LIGHTS FOR PRODUCE-BOATS AND CRAFT ON BAYS, HARBORS AND RIVERS.

RULE 10. Produce-boats, canal-boats, fishing-boats, rafts, or other water-craft navigating any bay, harbor or river, by hand-power, horsepower, sail, or by the current of the river, or which shall be anchored or moored in or near the channel or fair-way of any bay, harbor or river, and not otherwise provided for in these rules, shall carry one or more good white lights, which shall be placed in such manner as shall be prescribed by the board of supervising inspectors of steam-vessels.

LIGHTS FOR OPEN BOATS.

RULE 11. Open boats shall not be obliged to carry the side-lights required for other vessels, but shall, if they do not carry such lights, carry a lantern having a green slide on one side and a red slide on the other side; and on the approach of or to other vessels, such lantern shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision, and in such a manner that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side. Open boats, when at anchor or stationary, shall exhibit a bright white light. They shall not, however, be prevented from using flare-up in addition if considered expedient.

a

LIGHTED TORCH.

RULE 12. Sailing-vessels shall at all times, on the approach of any steamer during the night-time, show a lighted torch upon that point quarter to which such steamer shall be approaching.

or

LIGHTS ON VESSELS OF WAR, ETC.

RULE 13. The exhibition of any light on board of a vessel of war or revenue cutter of the United States may be suspended whenever, in the opinion of the secretary of the navy, the commander-in-chief of a squad

ron,

or the commander of a vessel acting singly, the special character

of the service may require it.

FOG SIGNALS.

RULE 14. A steam-vessel shall be provided with an efficient whistle, Sounded by steam or by some substitute for steam, placed before the funnel not less than eight feet from the deck, or in such other place as the local inspectors of steam-vessels shall determine, and of such char

acter as to be heard in ordinary weather at a distance of at least two miles, and with an efficient bell; and it is hereby made the duty of the United States local inspectors of steam-vessels, when inspecting the same, to require each steamer to be furnished with such whistle and bell. A sailing-vessel shall be provided with an efficient fog-horn and with an efficient bell.

Whenever there is thick weather by reason of fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rain-storms, or other causes, whether by day or by night, fog signals shall be used as follows:

(a) A steam-vessel under way, excepting only a steam-vessel with raft in tow, shall sound at intervals of not more than one minute three distinct blasts of her whistle.

(b) Every vessel in tow of another vessel shall, at intervals of one minute, sound four bells on a good and efficient and properly placed bell, as follows: By striking the bell twice in quick succession, followed by a little longer interval, and then again striking twice in quick succession (in the manner in which four bells is struck in indicating time). (c) A steamer with a raft in tow shall sound at intervals of not more than one minute a screeching or Modoc whistle for from three to five seconds.

(d) A sailing-vessel under way and not in tow shall sound at intervals of not more than one minute: If on the starboard tack with wind forward of abeam, one blast of her fog-horn. If on the port tack with wind forward of the beam, two blasts of her fog-horn. If she has the wind abaft the beam on either side, three blasts of her fog-horn.

(e) Any vessel at anchor and any vessel aground in or near a channel or fair-way shall at intervals of not more than two minutes ring the bell rapidly for three to five seconds.

(f) Vessels of less than ten tons registered tonnage, not being steamvessels, shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals, but if they do not they shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than one minute.

(g) Produce-boats, fishing-boats, rafts or other water-craft navigating by hand-power or by the current of the river, or anchored or moored in or near the channel or fair-way and not in any port, and not otherwise provided for in these rules, shall sound a fog-horn, or equivalent signal, at intervals of not more than one minute.

MODERATE SPEED IN THICK WEATHER.

RULE 15. Every vessel shall, in thick weather, by reason of fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rain-storms, or other causes, go at moderate speed. A steam-vessel hearing, apparently not more than four points from right ahead, the fog signal of another vessel, shall at once reduce her speed to bare steerageway, and navigate with caution until the vessels shall have passed each other.

STEERING AND SAILING RULES.

SAILING-VESSELS.

RULE 16. When two sailing-vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other, as follows, namely:

(a) A vessel which is running free shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled.

(b) A vessel which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of way of a vessel which is close-hauled on the starboard tack.

the

(c) When both are running free, with the wind on different sides, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.

(d) When they are running free, with the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward.

STEAM-VESSELS.

RULE 17. When two steam-vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard, so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.

RULE 18. When two steam-vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

RULE 19. When a steam-vessel and a sailing-vessel are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steam-vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing-vessel.

RULE 20. Where, by any of the rules herein prescribed, one of two vessels shall keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and

speed.

RULE 21. Every steam-vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on approaching her, if necessary, slacken her speed or stop or reverse.

RULE 22. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, every vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken

Vessel

RULE 23. In all weathers every steam-vessel under way in taking any course authorized or required by these rules shall indicate that urse by the following signals on her whistle, to be accompanied, whenever required, by corresponding alteration of her helm; and every steam-vessel receiving a signal from another shall promptly respond with the same signal, or as provided in Rule 26.

One blast to mean, "I am directing my course to starboard." Two blasts to mean, "I am directing my course to port." But the

giving

or answering signals by a vessel required to keep her course

shall not vary the duties and obligations of the respective vessels.