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Study Freeboard Rules For Lakes Committee Has Prepared Data on Bulkhead Subdivision of Lake Vessels--Requests Assistance from All Familiar with Accidents in Great Lakes subcommittee on bulkheads and freeboard is making favorable progress in its investigation of conditions affect- ing lake shipping, particularly those having any bearing upon the free- board or bulkhead subdivision of lake vessels. At New York, on Oct. 27, a meeting of the United States government com- mittee on bulkheads and freeboard was held, presided over by Rear Ad- miral D. W. Tay'lor, chairman. This was attended by the members of the subcommittees for 'the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts and the Great Lakes. At this meeting, an interim report was presented by each of these subcommittees, showing the work that has been accomplished to date. The first part. of the lake report dealt principally with the strength of lake vessels and their reserve buoyancy, as compared with seagoing ships. The second section presented a list of ves- sels lost on the lakes, from all causes, during the past 15 years, and statistics showing the percentage of the fleet lost, for comparison with the losses in seagoing vessels, over a_ similar period. The committee is continuing its investigation along these lines, to cover a period of 20 years, and the complete data will be published in the final report of the committee. In connection with the data on the Strength of lake ships, it is of great importance that observations on the length and height of storm waves be taken by the masters of vessels, as the opportunity occurs, in compliance with the request presented in the Oc- tober issue of the Marine RevIEw. Since that time there has been little bad weather, but the committee has received a few communications from masters, with wave data that are both valuable and interesting.. Iit is hoped that, before the end of the season, sufficient information of this chiarac- 'er will. be received to enable the com- Mittee tc arrive at proper strength factors for lake vessels. At the meeting of the general com- mittee, it was decided that each sub- Committee should present a further Feport at the next meeting, to be held in New York, Jan. 14 and 15, 1921. The Great Lakes subcommittee is Preparing to analyze the losses among lake vessels, insofar as particulars of disasters are available. This inquiry Will cover all features relating to the loading and structural strength of the vessels, and which would have any influence upon the final decision re- garding the load line. The committee is endeavoring to secure the facts re- lating to vessels that have foundered, from those in a position to know and has issued to vessel masters and own- ers, a letter and questionnaire request- ing such information. - In order to give this matter the widest publicity, the committee has asked that a copy of the letter, which follows, be published in Marine Review, Steel Lake Vessels Lost By Foundering Lake where Name of vessel foundered Year Str. John Owen (comp.)...... Superior 1919 Str. 8. R. Kirby (comp.).... Superior 1916 Str. James B. Colgate........ Erie 1916 Str Menay sar eee oy eee Erie 1916 Stz. Onokw Giron). 24:2 eee Superior 1915 -- Str TFtenjamin Noble ........ Superior 1914 Stre Wsaae eM Scotter sr Huron 1913 Str? Wexlord: 3.605 0s ee Huron 1913 Str Retin a2 oes 2 os eee uron 1913 Stte: ATSUS soa 2 oe cise we cree Huron 1913 Str shy dtusi226 6% 0) os e's ws ce ron 1913 Str. James Carruthers Huron 1913 Sty. John A. MeGean Huron 1913 Stre: Mealleld 2 ae a5 ces Suverior 1913 Str.' Charles 8. Price. ..2..<.. Huron 1913 StrccH,. Bie Smithie4<. ones Superior 1913 C. F. Pere Marquette 18.... Michigan 1910 Str: Aurania: 420 ns vee superior 1909 Str. Ottawa = 26 oc5 sO. cae is Superior 1909 Str. W. C. Richardson....... Erie 1909 Cc. EF. Marquette & Besse- ' mer: NO< 9G ake no oe oe Erie 1909 Str. D. M. Clemson..,...... Superior 1908 Stre Cyprus 6. ise Superior 1507 Str: Trav oO ven. oon es Superior 1995 Str. Bannockburn ....--.+e- Superior 1902 Str. Hudson 2.) 3 sce sce oe «Superior 1901 together with a list of steel vessels that have foundered in storms. In- formation concerning these disasters will be of the greatest value, and it is hoped that all who are able to assist in supplying the necessary details will do so. The address of the Great Lakes subcommittee is 870 Kirby building, Cleveland. The letter follows: As you are probably aware, the Great Lakes subcommittee has been appointed to advise the government, before the next ses- sion of congress, as to the neces- sity of applying loadline regula- tions to lake vessels. A full in- vestigation of this subject is be- ing proceeded with, as rapidly as possible, so that the proper free- board for lake vessels of the vari- ous types may be determined without delay. In conducting this investiga- tion, the committee is desirous of securing from masters and crews, Owners and operators, practical information on all matters having any bearing upon the subject of freeboard, and such as will enable the committee to draw correct conclusions as to the effect of each detail or circumstance on the general safety of the ship. We are addressing you with the request that you assist us in the matter by forwarding any data - of this character that you may wish to submit. Information is particularly de- sired as to the condition of ves- sels that have foundered through stress of weather, that is, as re- gards their trim, stability, nature and stowage of cargo, structural strength of the hull and deck houses, condition of hatches and shifting boards, etc., at the time of tthe disaster, so that the rela- tive influence of these features. upon the loss of the vessel may be determined. The immediate cause of the loss should be stated, in all cases where it is known. . These particulars are requested, from survivors or eye-witnesses, concerning all such disasters that have occurred on the lakes, at least since 1900, and general ob- servations on all conditions affect- ing safety of lake vessels, will be appreciated. Accompanying is a list of steel vessels lost on the lakes through foundering, during the years 1900 to 1919, and you are requested to advise us on any of the casualties of which you may have knowledge. The same particulars are required for wooden vessels similarly lost. If you are able to supply the names -- and addresses of others who can give any further details, kindly do so. It is very necessary to the suc- cess of this investigation that first-hand information of this character be recorded, to supple- ment the technical and statistical data which is now being com- piled, and, as the time for com- pleting the work is limited, the committee urgently requests com- munications from all those inter- ested, at the earliest possible date.