INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. xxxv 



persistent effort to arouse interest in this change, and as a consequence we have a large num- 

 ber of new members. 



As a consequence of the terrible Titanic disaster, an international conference has been 

 held in London of the world's foremost naval architects, in order to bring about a world- 

 wide effort to minimize, as far as mortal man is able, the dangers of vessels at sea. 



I am proud to say that the membership of this Society has taken a distinguished part in 

 that conference, the delegates who were memliers being Admiral W. L. Capps, Commis- 

 sioner E. T. Chamberlain, General George Uhler, Mr. H. L. Ferguson and Mr. A. G. Smith. 



Furthermore, the proceedings of this Society have 'been drawn upon for consideration of 

 this question, and a large number of papers were despatched some time ago to the Board of 

 Trade for use in its consideration of the subject. 



It was decided at the last meeting that this Society should participate in the International 

 Congress to be held at the time of the Panama- Pacific Exposition in 1915, and I wish to com- 

 mend this matter to your attention. You have received circulars in regard to the matter, and 

 as this Congress will be a notable one you would do well to take part. 



You have also received circulars in regard to the memorial to be erected to Sir William 

 White, in London. It is certain that no man ranked higher than he in the profession of naval 

 architecture and marine engineering. One of his most valued awards of merit was his hon- 

 orary membership in this society, and I am sure that those of you who were so fortunate as 

 to meet him never met a more perfect gentleman. We could in no more fitting way show our 

 great admiration for Sir William White and our sincere regret at his death than by making 

 a substantial response to the invitation of the British society to join in securing an appropriate 

 memorial to his memory. 



Turning now to some matters of technical interest during the past year, we may note 

 that, as might have been anticipated, the loss of the Titanic has had a considerable effect. The 

 sister ship, Olympic, was withdrawn from service for a number of months while an inner 

 skin was fitted. It was, I think, the general opinion that, if the Titanic had had such a 

 double hull, she would not have been lost. 



The circumstances attending the Titanic disaster (where, owing to the ice-fields, the 

 water was quite smooth, and probably all of the people on board could have been saved if 

 there had been enough boats) led to a general demand that sea-going ships should be fitted 

 with ample provision of lifeboats for everybody on board. This in its turn has caused 

 marked attention to be given to improved forms of cranes, to insure the rapid and safe low- 

 ering of the boats. 



This audience, well posted on such matters, needs only to 'be reminded that the circum- 

 stances of the Titanic's loss were very unusual, and that the calm sea which prevailed on 

 that occasion could not ordinarily be expected. In consequence, designers and seafaring men 

 generally have been of the opinion that it is more important to make the ship herself as 

 nearly as possible reliable and unsinkable, rather than to place dependence on the boats. This 

 view of the problem had a striking confirmation recently in the loss of the steamer Voltumo 

 by fire. It will be remembered that through the beneficent agency of wireless telegraphy the 

 doomed vessel was, in a comparatively short time, surrounded by a fleet of other vessels, all 

 anxious to render assistance ; but the sea was so rough that it was practically impossible for 

 boats, even manned by expert seamen, to do any effective work. The opportune arrival of 

 an oil tank steamer, and the subsequent reduction of the force of the sea by the application of 

 oil enabled the boats to be employed. 



