32 



SAFETY OF LIFE FROM FIRE AT SEA. 



LOSS OF LIFE. 



Statistics regarding loss of life from fires at sea are fragmentary.* Records 

 of the United States Bureau of Navigation, Department of Commerce and Labor, 

 show the following losses of life on American steamers : — 



It should be noted that the loss of life given above is only that which oc- 

 curred on vessels totally destroyed, whereas the probable loss of life on vessels only 

 partially destroyed is equally large. Figures are not available previous to 1906, 

 but, if we include the 957 lives lost on the General Slocum in 1904, it would bring 

 the average number of lives lost by fire on American steam merchant vessels alone, 

 for the seven years noted, up to 200 per year. 



These statistics also show that the average number of American steamers to- 

 tally destroyed by fire each year is over 60, while in addition there are about 140 

 vessels of miscellaneous type destroyed, making the total average 200 per year. 



The number of vessels completely destroyed by fire may not seem large when 

 it is considered that throughout the world there are probably 50,000 vessels continu- 

 ally in service. At the same time the possible loss of life and probable destruction of 

 property consequent on fire should encourage serious consideration of all possible 

 methods of preventing outbreaks and arresting fire in the early stages. 



The following is a list of passenger vessels destroyed by fire resulting in serious 

 loss of life at sea, not including fires following shipwrecks ; two disasters which oc- 

 curred before the eighteenth century being included so that the table may serve as a 

 historical reference : — 



*From "Some Suggestions for Reducing the Loss by Fire on Vessels," by Samuel D. McComb, Volume 18. 



