50 



SAFETY OF LIFE FROM FIRE AT SEA. 



indemnity, but that later traveling men took out extra short-term policies while on the road. 

 The insurance companies finally rearranged their policy to provide double indemnity as men- 

 tioned above. As further evidence that the hazard to life is much greater under the condi- 

 tions mentioned, they advise that great care is being taken in issuing new policies during the 

 present year because of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, which will cause a 

 great increase in travel. 



My object in listing vessels destroyed by fire many years ago was to make the table 

 serve as an historical reference, as I found that a number of people with whom I consulted 

 regarding this matter were interested in these earlier fires. I have included a note to this 

 effect in the revised paper. 



The statistics quoted by Mr. Berry from the records of the Steamboat Inspection 

 Service cover only vessels inspected by that bureau, as he has stated, whereas those which I 

 have quoted from the records of the Bureau of Navigation cover all American steamers, and 

 are correct as shown by the following letter : — 



"Department of Commerce^ Bureau of Navigation. 



"Washington, January 28, 1915. 

 "Associated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies, 

 W. O. Teague, Engineer, 



Room 510, 31 Milk Street, 

 Boston, Mass. 

 "Sir: 



"Referring to your request of the 20th instant, this office advises you that the figures 

 given by you as follows are correct: — 



