SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING THE LOSS BY FIRE ON VESSELS. 201 



mining factor. All this test has demonstrated is that 64 square feet of 

 burning gasoline is too large an area for an extinguisher to handle. Another 

 test will be held this winter with a V-shaped tank, and, beginning with a 

 very small area, more and more water will be put in until the exact limit 

 of each type of extinguisher is determined. 



It is gratifying to be able to announce that several large concerns are 

 working in their laboratories at the present time to devise a new type of 

 extinguisher to meet this condition. - 



According to the latest report of the Commissioner of Navigation, there 

 are over 100,000 motor boats in the United States, so that the successful 

 manufacturer will no doubt be amply repaid. 



BOATS WITHOUT POWBR. 



. The hazard due to means of heating and lighting require the same atten- 

 tion on this class as on other classes of boats, but the two principal dangers 

 are fires originating in the cargo and exposure fires. When there is a donkey 

 boiler, steam fire pumps should be fitted, and a hand-pump connected to 

 hose on each end of the boat should always be installed. There should be 

 a liberal supply of buckets with draw lines attached, so that they can be 

 dropped overboard and refilled. Boats of this class are used largely as 

 lighters or transfers; they are moored alongside docks, warehouses or large 

 steamers being loaded or unloaded, and often so surrounded by similar 

 craft that they cannot be moved until the others have first been taken out 

 of the way. They are exposed to any fire that may start around them, 

 and are helpless. A number of disastrous fires of this kind have occurred. 

 The men in charge of all docks should use care in maintaining an arrange- 

 ment which will permit all the boats to be moved promptly. Plate 6 shows 

 a pier fire which occurred in New York this summer, the loss amounting 

 to a quarter of a million dollars. 



Another important point in connection with all types of vessels which 

 should receive more consideration from owners is the care of vessels when 

 laid up out of commission. Too many, especially those which have not 

 been profitable, are simply moored at an out-of-the-way dock and left until 

 wanted again. 



All vessels or groups of vessels should be under charge of watchmen 

 day and night to keep oft' thieves and tramps who have caused so many 

 -fires. Whenever possible, boats should be laid up under city fire protec- 

 tion at a place where fire-engines can readily reach them, and the man in 

 charge should know the location of the nearest alarm box. Where a number 

 of boats are laid up together suiKcient space should be kept between them, 



