THE CUBA REVIEW 



13 



ALL AROUND CUBA 



NEW STEAMER READY 



Some further interesting details of the 

 car ferry service from Key West to Havana 

 is supplied b}^ the Engineering News of New 

 York. It says: "It resembles the car-ferry 

 steamers operating on Lake Michigan, having 

 the bow and sides carried up to a deck over 

 the track deck, so as to give a high freeboard 

 in rough weather, while the stern is open for 

 the passage of cars. The stern end of the 

 track deck is shaped to fit the recessed end 

 of the landing pier, so as to adjust the boat 

 and shore tracks in proper line. The boat 

 was designed originally to be 410 ft. long, 

 carrying 36 cars, but as built it is 350 ft. 

 long and has capacitj^ for 30 cars. It is 

 57 ft. wide and 22 ft. deep, and has a speed 

 of 12 knots with 2,300 tons cargo load. There 

 are four tracks, and when the cars are in 

 place their bodies are supported by jacks, 

 so that they cannot swing on the truck 

 springs when he vessel is rolling. The double 

 bottom has tanks for feed water and for 

 water ballast when the vessel is light. There 

 are also two tanks for carrying molasses, 

 with pump equipment for handUng this 

 cargo. 



"The machinery consists of two triple- 

 expansion engines, developing 300 hp. at 

 100 r.p.m., and steam is supplied by Scotch 

 marine boilers. Special arrangements are 

 made for fitting guns to adapt the boat to 

 naval or transport service. The officers' 

 and crew's quarters are in superstructure 

 on the upper deck. The boat is nearly 

 ready for launching and will be named the 

 "Henry M. Flagler," after the late president 

 of the railway, who oi'iginated the idea of 

 the Key West extension (with its ocean 

 viaduct) and the Cuba car ferry." 



Every appliance known has been used to 

 make her safe and efficient. William Cramp 

 and Sons Ship and Engine Building Co., 

 Philadelphia, constructed the boat. 



NEW HEALTH REGULATIONS 



The Board of Health, in connection with 

 the Secretary of the National Department of 

 Sanitation, has issued rulings regarding new 

 cemeteries which may be constructed. 



They must be no less than 1,000 meters 

 from a dwelling, taking into consideration the 

 probable growth of the cemetery. No well 

 or drinking fountain can be nearer than 200 

 meters. The extension of the cemetery must 

 be approximate to the number of inhabitants 

 in the town, and their mortality, and the 

 renewing of the sepulchres must be not more 

 than every ten years. 



Vaults must be built of some lasting and 

 enduring material. Tombs must be con- 

 structed so that they will be proof against 

 flies and mosquitoes. 



The National Department of Sanitation is 

 now also enforcing precautions taken every 

 six years to have all persons vaccinated 

 against smallpox. 



It was in 1908 that the physicians attached 

 to the national health service and municipal 

 surgeons preceeded to make a general vacci- 

 nation of residents, with the result that thou- 

 sands were vaccinated. 



The order is now that all persons, especially 

 children and students attending schools and 

 colleges should be vaccinated. Vaccination 

 will be done free by health officials. 



New Sanitary ordinances wdll also affect 

 the churches. The local health office in 

 Havana has ordered that a convenient num- 

 ber of spittoons be placed in all places of wor- 

 ship, that in the Catholic churches the screens 

 of confession stands shall be of metallic mesh 

 so that they may be washed out and that the 

 holy water should be changed every day, 

 disinfecting the deposits. 



Free public baths with shower baths and 

 swimming pools are urged by Dr. Lopez for 

 the wards in Havana. Also free sea baths 

 for the citv's children. 



The new car-ferry steamer for the service from Key West to Havana, See description on this page. 



