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Show When Fast or Slow. When a ship is approaching lAnd, and sounding constantly, a low rate of speed is, no doubt, best, since, should you be in error, it might prevent you from becoming a total wreck. Again, when a ship isin tho vicinity of Ico floes and bergs, a low rate of speed is advisable, as it also ia when a thick gals or beam wind is blowing, preventing your whistle from being heard any distance ahead. But In an ordinary fog, I argue that full speed is the safest, and my reasons ore these: If you slow down Lho moment fo comes on tho steam roars out of tbo escape pipes with such a noiso that for some tlmo you aro in absolute danger, not oemg amo to see or near anything; if you rcduco the-fftenni gradually you take power off your ship and pressure off your whistle, ami if you suddenly hear some sound ahead you can only turn to tho right or left slowly or atop altogether, lotting tho other ship toko her chances of clearing you. Again, you cannot reverse full speed, as your fttvnm is too low to move the engines quickly. Now, going full speed, all Is as still and quiet an tho grave. Ears aud good lookouts aro ready for the least sound. Tho moment you hear a sound, up hchn and bring tho born or whistlo abaft your beam, which is comparatively a placo of safety, and blow ouco or twice to the other steamer, Indicating Indi-cating to him whether you bavo directed your own ship to tho port or starboard. Capt Land, City of Berlin, lu Nvrth American Ameri-can Review. |
