INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA. 303 



other case of a German steamer 3,595 were on board, of whom 75 per cent is 2,692. The 

 convention table prescribes Hfeboats on a ship of the length in question (599 feet) for 2,190. 

 Under the convention in this case the number of passengers would have to be reduced by 

 506 or additional lifeboats provided. As the possible number of sets of davits is limited 

 by the length of the ship, and the possible number of lifeboats by deck area, and as the con- 

 vention rules provide for so many davits and boats that any appreciable increase in either 

 will be disadvantageous in other respects, the normal effect of the convention rule on the 

 part of the 359 voyages mentioned will be to reduce the number of passengers carried, 

 especially from Mediterranean ports, below the number permissible and actually carried dur- 

 ing 1913. 



In unusual cases where the vessel has accommodations for and desires to carry more 

 persons than can be carried in the lifeboats under the rule for davits, already mentioned, 

 based on the length of the ship, the convention allows the use of improved pontoon life 

 rafts for not to exceed 25 per cent of the persons on board. (Art. XLII.) As indicated, 

 the convention requires lifeboats for all in the case of practically every voyage from the 

 United States, and the American delegation, as a whole, favored the general application of 

 this rule to other trades. In the conference the sentiment in favor of the limited use of im- 

 proved life rafts was fortified by the experience in October of the steamship Volturno, 

 when the heavy sea running prevented for a time the successful use of lifeboats, and Capt. 

 Inch set to work to build life rafts on board. The Committee on Life-saving Appliances, after 

 thorough discussion, decided in favor of the limited optional use of life rafts by a vote of 

 11 to 2 (United States and Norway), the majority including experienced seamen Hke Capt. 

 Charles, of the steamship Lusitania; Capt. Young, Capts. Polls and Schmalz, of Germany; 

 Capt. Fragiacomo, of Austria-Hungary; Capt. Bultinck, of Belgium; and Capt. Veroggio, 

 of Italy. 



Arrangements must be such that as large a number as possible of boats and rafts may 

 be launched on either side of the vessel. (Art. 48.) 



Each boat must be strong enough to be lowered safely into the water with its full com- 

 plement of persons and equipments. (Art. 42.) In determining the freeboard of pontoon 

 boats each person is to be reckoned at 165 pounds (including life jacket) instead of 140 

 pounds, as at present. (Art. XXXVI.) 



When rafts are carried, rope ladders must always be available for use (Art. 44.) 



A limited number of motor boats may be used as lifeboats. (Art. XXVII.) 



All boats and rafts must be so stowed that they can be launched in the shortest time 

 even under unfavorable conditions of list and trim, so that it may be possible to embark the 

 largest number of persons possible. (Art. 48.) 



Davits shall be strong enough to lower fully loaded boats when the ship has a list of 15°. 

 (Art. 49.) 



Pontoon boats must be arranged so that 2 tons of water may be cleared within 60 sec- 

 onds or less. (Art. XXXI.) 



Wooden pontoon lifeboats must have the bottom and deck in two thicknesses of wood 

 with textile material between. (Art. XXXII.) 



Pontoon rafts must be such that they can be handled without mechanical appliances 

 and, if necessary, be thrown from the vessel's deck; they must be reversible, with bulwarks 

 on both sides, and provided with at least 3 cubic feet of air cases or equivalent buoyancy for 

 each person. (Art. XXXIII.) 



