68 Capt. M^Konochie on the most effective use of 



other cargo, — their tugs remaining outside, and taking up what- 

 ever position may suit the occasion. 



9- On ferries, where either time is not attended to, or where, 

 from the state of the weather, delay is occasionally experienced 

 in effecting the passage, it must frequently be of importance to 

 detain the steam-power as short a time as possible alongside the 

 piers, after it does arrive. Large steam-boats, however, as usu- 

 ally employed, have first to discharge one cargo, and then to 

 embark another, before they can possibly depart ; and the delay 

 thus occasioned must be directly proportionate to their other 

 good qualities — their size and capacity. Where an establish- 

 ment of passage-vessels, however, is kept, one might be loading, 

 while another was crossing ; and, with a little arrangement and 

 address, the tug need hardly lose a minute in effecting the ex- 

 change. 



10. Passengers would be greatly safer and more comfortable 

 in a vessel by themselves, than they can possibly be when em« 

 barked with a steam-engine. However constructed, a steam- 

 boat can never be altogether safe or comfortable as a conveyance. 

 A small neglect of the machinery may at any time cause a great 

 calamity ; the chances of such neglect are greatly multiplied 

 by the presence of passengers on board, and by their occasional 

 curiosity ; in the event of collision with any external object, 

 the weight of the engine aggravates the shock ; and if a hole is 

 made in the boat, she goes down like a stone. On the other 

 hand, the very nature of the engine makes a steam-boat roll ; if 

 she carries a cargo on deck, this effect is increased — her funnel 

 is all additional top-weight ; and the heat, smell, smoke, dirt, 

 and jarring, caused by the engine, are all evils in their way, 

 and at least aggravate in no small degree the pains of sea- 

 sickness. Not any one of these circumstances, however, would 

 operate in passage- vessels. With the means on board of anchor- 

 ing, passengers would be safe in them, whatever happened; 

 and where every corner is given up to accommodation, a thousand 

 conveniences might be introduced, which are at present un- 

 thought of. 



11. The convenient transport and safety of a great many 

 bulky articles which there is frequent occasion to convey across 

 a ferry, would thus, also, be much more consulted than at pre- 



