SAFETY OF LIFE FROM FIRE AT SEA. 43 



PATROL AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS. 



The more promptly a fire is discovered, the better chance there is of extin- 

 guishing it. Acting on this principle, watchmen patrol the unfrequented portions 

 of a vessel, and to check their movements a recording clock is used with key sta- 

 tions at various points throughout the route. 



Avoidance of delay in giving an alarm of fire is likewise important. Elec- 

 trically operated alarm sytems are the most efficient, either automatic, using ther- 

 mostats, or manual, or both should be used. 



SUMMARY. 



I have pointed out serious losses of life from fire at sea, the most frequent 

 causes of fires on passenger steamers, practicable methods of prevention and pres- 

 ent-day practice in fire protection of these vessels, together with suggestions for 

 improvements, the most important of which is the use of non-combustible material 

 and automatic sprinklers. There is little doubt but what shipowners appreciate 

 the advantages of carrying out these improvements, but for commercial reasons 

 they cannot afford to do so. 



Most owners would take every available precaution against loss of life and 

 property from fire if some inducement were given them such as a subsidy, so that 

 they would not be at a disadvantage with vessels not so equipped. In the course 

 of time practically all vessels would be on the same basis, so that the subsidy could 

 be discontinued. 



The fact that some vessels are already protected by sprinklers will gradually 

 come to the notice of the traveling public and it would be entirely proper for the 

 owners to advertise the increased safety of their vessels, with the result that these 

 steamers will be favored with greater patronage, thus making it necessary for the 

 owners of other vessels to do likewise. People now prefer to stay at hotels which 

 are of the fire-resistive construction and have been fitted with modern fire-pro- 

 tective appliances. They also consider the increased safety and comfort of riding 

 in steel parlor cars worth the extra cost. A greater disaster from fire at sea sim- 

 ilar to that of the Titanic from collision with an iceberg, the possibility of which 

 is very much greater than the public realizes, would bring about an immediate de- 

 mand for greater safety and an exclusive patronage for protected steamers on 

 which the possibility of loss of life from fire would be reduced to a minimum. 



The new ocean liners in particular are being equipped with larger engines to 

 obtain greater speed and are also provided with more costly fittings to increase 

 comfort at the demand of the public who are willingly paying larger fares to ob- 

 tain these advantages. Their safety is of even greater importance, and there 

 is no doubt but what this will be appreciated in time and that shipowners will meet 

 their demands as soon as it is practicable to do so. 



