300 Securities against Fire, fyc. 



i 



one steam engine, with one vessel alone to carry it? By means of 

 two engines, each placed in its own vessel, sharp turns in the naviga- 

 tion may be more easily made ; in case of an accident also to one 

 engine, still the other engine is left to do such duty as the case ad- 

 mits ; but what is more important than all is, that when sunken tim- 

 ber lies in the course of navigation, cords stretched out at different 

 depths between the two steam boats, may detect these impediments 

 to the navigation of the principal vessel, and give more or less time- 

 ly notice of the danger. Indeed even a single steam boat may have 

 projecting apparatus at its head, which may of itself furnish an im- 

 portant warning. — When danger is lessened, it will soon lessen insu- 

 rance, and increase the applications for passages and for conveyance 

 of goods in steam boats. 



As to vessels having steam engines on board, and navigating open 

 seas, it is plain, that what is done with respect to them, must be con- 

 fined chiefly to their steam engines ; and to the prevention of fire de- 

 rived from the use of them. 



It is doubtless true, that the theory and practice of steam engines 

 are still so imperfect, that the government can only make partial, and 

 those chiefly negative regulations on the subject of them ; but such 

 regulations it may make, and (we venture to say) it ought to make, as 

 speedily as possible. If wisely framed, they are likely to be copied in 

 several other countries, although not perhaps by legislative enactments. 



I have already asked leave to make two incidental remarks, as 

 the sequel of the present article of my Supplement : and they are 



boats. 



of extending the use of 



1. The Mississippi and Missouri, with their connected waters, may 

 be made equivalent to rail roads by land, if the obstructions to their 

 use be removed, by freeing them from sunken trees ; and by pre- 

 venting new additions to this evil. — I do not know whether jointed 

 and moveable heavy wooden booms have been used for sweeping the 

 bottoms of these streams, but I may enquire whether the cutting down 

 and burning of trees liable to be swept down by floods into these 

 streams, has been thought of; although the time may come when this 

 expedient it will be worth noticing. Steam boats however are now 

 said to be used in removing sunken trees. Here our first incidental 

 remark may be left. 



