PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHXIC ASSOCIATION. 491 



masts ought to carry a light on each masthead to indicate her 

 size. He also thought that neglect of duty should be punished 

 in this country as in England — if that was done, we would have 

 less accidents occurring. 



Mr. Bartlett admitted that 'there was very great negligence in 

 the look-out. Ships should be illuminated so as to be seen at a 

 farther distance than a close proximity. If the schooner Augusta 

 had a light at her masthead the accident might have been avoided. 



The chairman said that no place exceeded the Hudson river 

 for carelessness. He had seen sixty of these vessels in a lump, 

 and saw one pushed ashore the other evening, with a cargo of 

 coals on board, in endeavoring to dodge another, manned by a 

 set of men so ignorant that instead of getting assistance to get 

 her off, they set to work and shovelled off seventy-five tons to 

 lighten her. His men afterwards collected twenty-flve tons of it 

 and sold it to the neighbors. 



Mr. Garbanati said that nearly every vessel which left the 

 port left without her full complement of men. A vessel requiring 

 a crew of twenty-four men, would have twenty, and so on in 

 proportion. 



Mr. Fisher suggested that the American Institute might take 

 into consideration whether large ships might be built with ad- 

 vantage. He should recommend that this subject should -be 

 looked into. 



Dr. Dibben. — It is conceded by all engineers that a large ship 

 could be built to carry a large number of persons cheaper than 

 a small one. The Great Eastern has good engines and good 

 machinery. In her engines they cut off at one-third. The ag- 

 gregate horse power is 7,106. Coal burned during day, 272 tons. 

 On the side wheel was a strap by which one wheel could be 

 disconnected from the other. Onother peculiarity she has is a 

 peculiar lubricator in both engine rooms. The application of 

 power by the " Great Eastern " was worthy of notice — at the 

 stern by the screw, and at the side by the wheel. 



Mr. Mason inquired of Mr. Dibben if he did not think that the 

 wheels were put a little too much forward. 



Mr. Dibben. — I think they are. 



Mr. Mason wished to know if there was any fixed law by which 

 the highest amount of speed could be obtained. Capt. Anderson, 

 of the Thomas Powell, stated that he would enter into a contract 

 with any ship-builder to build him a steamer, for which he would 



