OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 469 



accidents from collision, attended by fearful loss of life, not to speak of 

 wide destruction of property. 



When the Cunard Company took the lead in this course of enter- 

 prise, it sent forth four steamers, which made two passages each way in 

 every month. At tliat time the hazard from collision was so slight as 

 scarcely to merit consideration. But at this time, when nine steamers 

 often depart in a single day of the week from each side, and more or 

 less in number do so on five other days of the same week, it is obvi- 

 ous that the danger of unexpectedly meeting has become quite serious 

 enough to call for. attention, and the consideration of some practical 

 means of guarding against it. 



Yet, if it be assumed that so remarkable a development of this nav- 

 igation has taken place within so sliort a period of time, the fact 

 implies a probability of an indefinite expansion of it for the future. 

 The relations between the two continents may be said to be even now 

 but in their infancy. Even the modes of conducting them vary from 

 year to year in harmony with the multiplication of the numbers of 

 human beings who make the passage. Sharp competition stimulates 

 the production of larger vessels and of increased power to move them. 

 The aim is also to resort to new means of shortening the period of 

 transit. All these motives combine to increase indefinitely the chances 

 of accident by collision amcmg vessels directed in the shortest course. 

 Each commander is naturally ambitious to be distinguished for the 

 celerity with which he passes from port to port. Each organized 

 company naturally desires to be identified in the public mind with the 

 notion of speed in their vessels quite as much as with that of safety. 

 This in the long run will be sure to produce a rivalry that must inev- 

 itably draw all vessels more and more to the shortest line between 

 the ports of destination. Hence must happen a degree of proximity 

 more or less dangerous, especially in doubtful or thick weather and at 

 night. 



In making this statement, it is not intended to imply any want of 

 the requisite vigilance to guard against present danger in those who 

 now control this course of navigation. On the contrary, it is believed 

 that all possible care is taken within the narrow compass of authority 

 exercised by each organization. But it is not so much with the 

 present that the danger lies as it is with the future. To secure more 

 safety, greater precaution should be used in advance of the fearful 

 lessons that experience draws from the neglect of it. It would seem 

 that one measure at least might be adopted immediately. There 

 should be some common agreement entered into by all the parties 



