12 SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA. APPLICATION OF SUBDIVISION 



As regards "new" United States vessels in the foreign trade it may be stated 

 in general that the Convention requires that the spacing of watertight bulkheads in 

 "mixed cargo and passenger" vessels of 571 feet in length and above, and in "pas- 

 senger" vessels of 489 feet in length and above, will be such that any two adjoin- 

 ing main transverse compartments may be flooded without resultant foundering of 

 the vessel. There are special requirements in the larger vessels for closer spacing 

 of watertight bulkheads at the forward end. Vessels of less length than the 

 above will be able to float with any one compartment flooded without resultant 

 foundering. 



It therefore does not seem to be of much interest for us to study examples of 

 the application of the Convention rules to actual designs as these rules only apply 

 to United States vessels in the foreign trade. In a general way the preceding para- 

 graph describes the basis on which the subdivision of these vessels would be made. 



It seems, however, an opportune time to consider the conditions of vessels in 

 the coastwise trade with special regard to increased safety at sea. 



As the Convention applies only to United States vessels engaged in the foreign 

 trade, and as many routes in the coastwise trade are as dangerous as those in the 

 oversea trade owing to rough weather, fogs and possible collisions, it would appear 

 consistent to legislate for increased safety in vessels engaged in the coastwise trade. 



The Preliminary Committee in the circular issued by the Secretary of Com- 

 merce in June, 1913, evidently had this in mind when it said, page i, line 23: — 



"It will be noted, however, that some of the questions relate to vessels whose 

 service is such as to place them beyond the scope of the proposed international con- 

 ference. While the authority for suitable structural subdivision of these vessels 

 to insure safety in operation is already contained in general terms in the provisions 

 of statute law, the Department desires to embrace this opportunity to obtain the 

 opinions of those highly qualified to render assistance in such matters, with a view 

 to improving the present conditions." 



This is also borne out by reference to the questions relating to Classes lb, lib, 

 and III&. 



In Convention Article 3 — 



"There are excepted from this Convention, save in the cases where the Con- 

 vention otherwise provides, vessels making voyages specified in a schedule to be 

 communicated by each High Contracting Party * * *." 



"No schedule may include voyages in the course of which the vessels go more 

 than 200 sea miles from the nearest coast." 



This may mean that vessels in certain coastwise trade routes may be affected 

 by the Convention. 



