First Decision Under the New Steamboat Law

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


The inspectors of steamboats at Cincinnati, appointed under the new steamboat law pass ed by Congress, have made a thorough in vestigation into all the facts touching the re cent collision on the Ohio between the steam ers Falls City and Pittsburg. The testimo ny elicited established the following facts:— The night was a foggy one when the collision occurred, aud the " rules and regulations " re quiring the "ringing of the bells and blowing the whistle at intervals of two minutes when running in a fog," were not complied with. Had they been complied with, the collision would not have taken place. As it was, i laudable efforts were made by both boats particularly the Falls City, to prevent it.— The signal bell of the Falls City was tapped twice, signifying her wish to go to the lar board, and that of the Pittsburg tapped once, expressing a desire to go to the starboard, but unfortunately, the signal of one was not un derstood by the other. It was also proven that the collision would have been rendered less harmless had both boats instantly stop ped on discovering each other. This was done by the Falls City, but not so promptly by the Pittsburg. In view ot all the facts, they acquit the two engineers who were on duty at the time, and suspend for twenty days the license of John White, the pilot of the Pittsburg, and the license of Jeremiah Mason, the pilot of the Falls River for ten days, for not observing the rules and regulations. The inspectors state that the penalty in this case is made light from the fact that the rules are new, and as yet imperfectly understood ; but that in all future cases they shall exact the most rigorous penalties ot the law.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 28This article was published with the title “First Decision Under the New Steamboat Law” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 28 (), p. 222
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican03261853-222

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe