Hailing and Steam- Vessels. 267 



sorted to, of temporary duration in sailing vessels, no doubt, 

 chiefly from the want of a motive power, my object in di- 

 recting attention to a thorough system of spontaneous ventila- 

 tion has been to shew that in my opinion it is most likely, if 

 properly achieved, to be permanently useful. * 



In steam-ships, however, there can exist no obstacle to the 

 expelling of noxious air mechanically, or the application of a 

 perfect system of mechanical or artificial ventilation, nor can 

 there be any reason why they should not be properly ven- 

 tilated. Yet I question much if any where an efficient system 

 has been introduced. I have, indeed, observed of late years 

 an attempt to introduce ventilation into the cabins of a few 

 steamers by providing small iron pipes from the ceilings, pass- 

 ing upwards through the deck ; but, unaccompanied as these 

 usually are, with fresh air inlets from above, they cannot prove 

 efficient, and only tend, perhaps, to create annoyance ; however, 

 the introduction of these acknowledges the necessity for ventila- 

 tion being provided. 



In the common arrangement of steam-ships conveying pas- 

 sengers, the sleeping berths enter from the saloon or main 

 cabin ; hence it may be said that eating, drinking, and sleep- 

 ing go on in the same apartment. The atmosphere from such 

 causes soon becomes noxious, which is generally farther in- 

 creased by what Mr Dickens, in his American Notes, so 

 strongly condemns, the red-hot sulphurous stove, the in- 

 convenience of which is increased by passengers crowding 

 round it. No wonder the air in such cabins and saloons 

 is sickening and unpleasant for respiration. During the 

 day, if the weather be fine and hatches open, matters may 

 go on pretty well ; but in bad weather, or during the night, 

 the case is very different. If proper air conduits or pipes 

 were provided to bring down an ample supply oi fresh air 

 from above, distributed at the floors or decks of every cabin 

 and sleeping berth ; and from the ceilings of the respective cabins, 

 or vacant spaces between the beams, branch-pipes conveyed 

 the vitiated air to one large trunk, which might be made 

 with proper precaution to communicate with the chimney 



* See " On conducting air by forced ventilation," &c. by the Marquis of Cha- 

 bannes, London, 1818, and remarks on ditto, by J. Arnot. 



