692 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



affords exactly what is required to supply a theoretically complete 

 and a most economical dietary, without the aid of any other kind of 

 animal food. The potash salts may be advantageously supplied by a 

 liberal second course of fruit or salad. — Knowledge. 



scie:n^ce and safety at sea. 



By KICHAED A. PEOCTOE. 



IN the autumn of 1879 the steamship Arizona, five thousand tons, 

 at that time the swiftest ocean-going steamship in existence, was 

 urging her way, at the rate of some fifteen knots an hour, on the 

 homeward course from New York, whence she had sailed but a day or 

 two before. It was night, and there was a light haze, but of danger 

 from collision with a passing ship there was little or none. The cap- 

 tain and crew knew of no special reason for watchfulness, and the 

 passengers were altogether free from anxiety. Indeed, it so chanced 

 that at a time when, in reality, the most imminent danger threatened 

 every soul on board, many of the saloon-passengers were engaged in 

 purchasing at auction the numbers for the next day's run — runs below 

 three hundred and fifty knots being sold at a very low rate indeed. 

 Suddenly a crash was heard, the ship's swift progress was stopped, 

 and a few minutes later every one knew that the Arizona had run dead 

 upon an enormous iceberg, the spires and pinnacles of which could be 

 seen hanging almost over the ship, and gleaming threateningly in the 

 rays of her mast-head light. But the risk that threatened her living 

 freight was not that of being crushed by falling ice. The bows of the 

 Arizona were seen to be slowly sinking, and presently there was a 

 well-marked lurch to starboard. The fore compartment and a smaller 

 side compartment were filling. It was an anxious time for all on 

 board. Many an eye was turned toward the boats, and the more ex- 

 perienced thought of the weary miles which separated them from the 

 nearest land, and of the poor chance that a passing steamer might pick 

 up the Arizona's boats at sea. Fortunately, the builders of the Ari- 

 zona had done their work faithfully and well. Like another ship of 

 the same line which had been exposed to the same risk, save that her 

 speed was less, and therefore the danger of the shock diminished, the 

 Arizona, though crippled, was not sunk. She bore up for St. John's, 

 and her passengers were taken on later by another steamer. 



The danger which nearly caused the loss of the Arizona — collision 

 with an iceberg — is one to which steamships, and especially swift 

 steamships, are exposed in exceptional degree. Like this danger, also, 

 it is one which renders the duty of careful watching, especially in the 

 night and in times of haze or fog, a most anxious and important care. 



