SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING THE LOSS BY FIRE ON VESSELS. 195 



outer edge which projects below the deck coaming, so that the hot air and 

 gases after rising above the coaming must come down again around the 

 flange of the umbrella, as shown on Plate 69. 



It is the opinion of the writer that with construction of this kind the 

 hot air and gases come up against the under side of the umbrella, and stay 

 there. In order to provide effective ventilation the lower edge of the flange 

 should be above the upper edge of the coaming, as shown in Sketch B. 



The galley stove is generally in a cramped location, and all the wood- 

 work around it should be especially well protected. These are the two 

 points that require most attention in tug-boats, and the smaller the tug 

 the greater the need of care and caution. 



Freight steamers are also a hazardous class. There is not only all 

 the danger inherent in the vessel itself, but also the danger from fires origi- 

 nating in the cargo. It is impossible to lay down any set of rules for 

 promptly extinguishing a cargo fire, for both the cargoes and the vessels 

 carrying them are so varied, ranging from a deep-draught steel vessel carry- 

 ing iron ore in the hold to a shallow-draught wooden river steamer carrying 

 a deck load of cotton; most numerous, though, are general cargoes. For 

 the safety of ships in the event of an injury, water-tight bulkheads are 

 required in the hold and these act as fire walls tending to confine a fire to 

 the compartment in which it starts. Every compartment should be fitted 

 with a pipe running to the pilot-house and air should be drawn from these 

 pipes continuously. A fire starting in the hold could be promptly detected 

 from the smoke issuing from the pipe, which would also show exactly in which 

 compartment the fire was located. In addition, each compartment should 

 be fitted with a steam fire-extinguisher, so that steam could be turned on 

 immediately when the fire was discovered. The cost of installing steam- 

 pipes is small, and at least one should be fitted to every subdivision of the 

 hold; where the length of these exceed 50 feet two steam-pipes should be 

 fitted. That is the best means of effectually extinguishing a blaze below 

 decks, as the steam can reach every portion of the hold and smother it. 

 To attempt to use a hose would necessitate lifting the hatch covers, thus 

 admitting fresh air. This additional supply of oxygen would cause a 

 smouldering fire to burst out and probably get beyond control. 



Steam extinguishers cannot be used on the main deck as there is no 

 confined space to hold the steam, nor can lines of hose always be depended 

 upon, as the entire space may be filled with package freight and the fire 

 may start somewhere near the middle of it, being absolutely inaccessible. 

 The best means of extinguishing this is a sprinkler system. Many of the 

 newer boats are so equipped, but most are not. Every vessel carrying cargo 



