[Inclosure 1 in report.]

Draft of regulations for preventing collisions at sea, with amendments proposed by the committee appointed by the admiralty, board of trade, and Trinity House, July,

1875.

PRELIMINARY.

Art. 1. In the following rules every steamship which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing ship; and every steamship which is under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a ship under steam.

RULES CONCERNING LIGHTS.

Art. 2. The lights mentioned in the following articles, numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and no others, shall be carried in all weathers, from sunset to sunrise.

Art. 3. A seagoing steamship when under way shall carry:

(a.) At, or in front of, but not lower than, the foremast head, a bright white light, so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the ship, viz, from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beain on either side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least five miles.

(b.) On the starboard side, a green light so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(c.) On the port side, a red light, so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(d.) The said green and red side-lights shall be fitted with inboard screens, projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

Art. 4. A steamship, when towing another ship, shall, in addition to her side-lights, carry two bright white mast-head lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than three feet apart, so as to distinguish her from other steamships. Each of these mast-head lights shall be of the same construction and character as the mast-head lights which other steamships are required to carry.

Art. 5. The following ships, viz:

A steamship laying or picking up a telegraph cable;

A steamship which, in consequence of accident to her machinery or steering-gear, or for any other reason, is not under command;

shall by day carry in a vertical line one over the other, not less than three feet apart, in front of but not lower than her foremast-head, three black balls or shapes, each two feet in diameter; and shall at night carry in place of her mast-head light three red lights in globular lanterns, each not less than ten inches in diameter, in a vertical line one over the other, not less than three feet apart.

These shapes and lights are to be taken by approaching ships as signals that the ship using them is not under command, and cannot therefore get out of the way.

The above ships, when not making any way through the water, shall not carry the side-lights, but when making way shall carry them.

Art. 6. A sailing-ship under way, or being towed, shall carry the same lights as are provided by article 3 for a steamship under way, with the exception of the white masthead light, which she shall never carry.

Art. 7. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels during bad weather, the green and red lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept on deck, on their respective sides of the vessel, ready for use; and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side.

To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with proper screens.

Art. 8. A ship, whether a steamship or a sailing-ship, when at anchor shall carry, where it can best be seen, but at a height not exceeding twenty feet above the hull, a white light, in a globular lantern of not less than eight inches in diameter, and so constructed as to show a clear uniform and unbroken light visible all round the horizon, and at a distance of at least one mile.

Art. 9. A sailing pilot-vessel, when engaged in supplying or waiting for pilots, shall not carry the lights required for other sailing-vessels, but shall carry a white light at the mast-head, visible all round the horizon; and shall also exhibit a flare-up light at short intervals, which shall never exceed fifteen minutes.

A sailing pilot-vessel, when not engaged in supplying or waiting for pilots, shall carry colored side-lights similar to those of other sailing-ships under way.

Art. 10. (a.) Open fishing-boats and other open boats shall not be required to carry the side-lights required for other vessels; but every such boat shall in lieu thereof have ready at hand a lantern with a green slide on the one side and a red slide on the other side; and on the approach of or to other vessels, such lantern shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision, so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side.

(b.) A.fishing-vessel and open boat, when at anchor, shall exhibit a bright white light.

(c.) A fishing-vessel, when employed in drift-net fishing, shall carry on one of her masts two red lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than three feet apart.

(d.) A trawler at work, shall carry on one of her masts two lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than three feet apart, the upper light red, and the lower green, and shall also either carry the side-lights required for other vessels, or if the side-lights cannot be carried, have ready at hand the colored lights as provided in article 7, or a lantern with a red and a green slide as described in paragraph (a) of this article.

(e.) Fishing-vessels and open boats shall not be prevented from using a flare-up in addition, if they desire to do so.

(f.) The lights mentioned in this article are substituted for those mentioned in the 12th, 13th, and 14th articles of the convention scheduled to the sea-fisheries act, 1868. Art. 11. Nothing in the above articles shall prevent a ship which is being overtaken by another from waving a light astern to such last-mentioned ship, in order to prevent collision.

Rules concerning fog, &c., signals.

Art. 12. A steamship shall be provided with a steam-whistle so placed that the sound may not be intercepted by any obstructions, and with an efficient fog-born to be sounded by a bellows or other mechanical means, and also with an efficient bell. A sailingship shall be provided with a similar fog-horn and bell.

In fog, mist, or falling snow, whether by day or night, the signals described in this article shall be used as follows: that is to say,

(a.) A steamship under way shall make with her steam-whistle, at intervals of not more than two minutes, a prolonged blast.

(b.) A sailing-ship under way shall make with her fog-horn, at intervals of not more than two minutes, when on the starboard tack one blast, when on the port tack two blasts, and when with the wind abaft the beam three blasts.

(c.) A steamship and a sailing-ship when not under way shall, at intervals of not more than two minutes, ring the bell.

Art. 13. Every ship, whether a sailing-ship or steamship, shall, in fog, mist, or falling snow, go at a moderate speed.

Steering and sailing rules.

Art. 14. When two sailing-ships are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other, as follows, viz:

(a.) A ship which is running free shall keep out of the way of a ship which is closehauled.

(b.) A ship which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a ship which is close-bauled on the starboard tack.

(c.) When both are running free with the wind on different sides, the ship which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.

(d.) When both are running free with the wind on the same sides, the ship which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the ship which is to leeward.

(e.) A ship which has the wind aft shall keep out of the way of the other ship. Art. 15. If two ships under steam are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall put her helm to port; or in other words, shall alter her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other.

This article only applies to cases where ships are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in such a manner as to involve risk of collision, and does not apply to two ships which must, if both keep on their respective courses, pass clear of each other.

The only cases to which it does apply are, when each of the two ships is end on, or nearly end on, to the other; in other words, to cases in which, by day, each ship seas the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line, with her own; and by night, to cases in which each ship is in such a position as to see both the side-lights of the other.

It does not apply by day, to cases in which a ship sees another ahead crossing her own course; or by night, to cases where the red light of oue ship is opposed to the red light of the other; or where the green light of one ship is opposed to the green light of the other; or where a red light without a green light, or a green light without a red light, is seen ahead; or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere but ahead. Art. 16. If two ships under steam are crossing, so as to involve risk of collision, the ship which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

Art. 17. If two ships, one of which is a sailing-ship, and the other a steamship, are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steamship shall keep out of the way of the sailing-ship.

Art. 18. Every steamship, when approaching another ship, so as to involve risk of collision, shall slacken her speed, or, if necessary, stop and reverse."

Art. 19. A steamship under way may indicate to another ship the direction she proposes to take by the following signals on her steam-whistle, viz:

One short blast to mean "I am about to port my helmn;" in other words, "I am about to alter my course to starboard."

Two short blasts to mean "I am about to starboard my helm;" in other words, "I am about to alter my course to port."

Three short blasts to mean "I am going full speed astern."

The use of these signals is optional; but if they are used, the course of the ship must be in accordance with the sigual made.

They are not to be used in fog, mist, or falling snow, when the other ship is not visible.

This article does not authorize any departure from the steering and sailing rules contained in these regulations.

Art. 20. Every vessel overtaking any other vessel shall keep out of the way of the last-mentioned vessel.

Art. 21. In narrow channels every steamship shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies on the starboard side of such ship.

Art. 22. Where by the above rules one of two ships is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course.

Art. 23. In obeying and construing these rules, due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation; and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.

Art. 24. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any ship, or the owner, or master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper lookout, or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the

case.

Art. 25. Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of a special rule, duly made by lawful authority, relative to the navigation of any harbor, river or inland navigation.

[Inclosure 2, in report.]

INTERNATIONAL STEERING AND SAILING RULES.

(Reprinted from the order in council of the 9th January, 1863.)

REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, &C.

Preliminary.

Art. 1. In the following rules every steamship which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing-ship; and every steamship which is under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a ship under steam.

Rules concerning lights.

Art. 2. The lights mentioned in the following articles, numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and no others, shall be carried in all weathers, from sunset to sunrise.

Lights for steamships.

Art. 3. Sea-going steamships when under way shall carry :

(a.) At the foremast-head, a bright white light, so fixed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the ship, viz, from right ahead to 2 points

abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least five miles.

(b.) On the starboard side, a green light, so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(c.) On the port side, a red light, so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(d.) The said green and red side-lights shall be fitted with inboard screens, projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

Lights for steam-tugs.

Art. 4. Steamships, when towing other ships, shall carry two bright white mast-head lights vertically, in addition to their side-lights, so as to distinguish them from other steamships. Each of these mast-head lights shall be of the same construction and character as the mast-head lights which other steamships are required to carry.

Lights for sailing-ships.

Art. 5. Sailing-ships under way, or being towed, shall carry the same lights as steamships under way, with the exception of the white mast-head lights, which they shall never carry.

Exceptional lights for small sailing-vessels.

Art. 6. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels during bad weather, the green and red lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept on deck, on their respective sides of the vessel, ready for instant exhibition; and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side.

To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with suitable screens.

Lights for ships at anchor.

Art. 7. Ships, whether steamships or sailing-ships, when at anchor in roadsteads or fairways, shall exhibit, where it can best be seen, but at a height not exceeding 20 feet above the hull, a white light, in a gobular lantern of eight inches in diameter, and so constructed as to show a clear uniform and unbroken light visible all around the horizon, and at a distance of at least one mile.

Lights for pilot-vessels.

ART. 8. Sailing pilot-vessels shall not carry the lights required for other sailingvessels, but shall carry a white light at the mast-head, visible all round the horizon, and shall also exhibit a flare-up light every 15 minutes.

Lights for fishing vessels and boats.

ART. 9. Open fishing-boats and other open boats shall not be required to carry the side-lights required for other vessels; but shall, if they do not carry such lights, carry a lantern having a green slide on the one side and a red slide on the other side; and, on the approach of or to other vessels, such lantern shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision, so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side.

Fishing-vessels and open boats when at anchor, or attached to their nets and stationary, shall exhibit a bright white light.

Fishing-vessels and open boats shall, however, not be prevented from using a flareup, in addition, if considered expedient.

Rules concerning fog-signals.

ART. 10. Whenever there is fog, whether by day or night, the fog-signals described below shall be carried and used. and shall be sounded at least every five minutes, viz: (a.) Steamships under way shall use a steam-whistle placed before the funnel, not less than eight feet from the deck;

(b.) Sailing-ships under way shall use a fog-horn;

(c.) Steamships and sailing-ships when not under way shall use a bell.

Two sailing-ships meeting.

ART. 11. If two sailing-ships are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, the helms of both shall be put to port, so that each may pass on the port side of the other.

Two sailing-ships crossing.

ART. 12. When two sailing-ships are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, then, if they have the wind on different sides, the ship with the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the ship with the wind on the starboard side; except in the case in which the ship with the wind on the port side is close hauled and the other ship free, in which case the latter ship shall keep out of the way; but if they have the wind on the same side, or if one of them has the wind aft, the ship which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the ship which is to leeward.

Two ships under steam meeting.

ART. 13. If two ships under steam are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, the helms of both shall be put to port, so that each may pass on the port side of the other.

Two ships under steam crossing.

ART. 14. If two ships under steam are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the ship which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

Sailing-ship and ship under steam.

ART. 15. If two ships, one of which is a sailing ship, and the other a steamship, are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steamship shall keep out of the way of the sailing-ship.

Ships under steam to slacken speed.

ART. 16. Every steamship, when approaching another ship so as to involve risk of collision, shall slacken her speed, or, if necessary, stop and reverse; and every steamship shall, when in a fog, go at a moderate speed.

Vessels overtaking other vessels.

ART. 17. Every vessel overtaking any other vessel shall keep out of the way of the said last-mentioned vessel.

Construction of articles 12, 14, 15, and 17.

ART. 18. Where by the above rules one of two ships is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course, subject to the qualifications contained in the following article.

Proviso to save special cases.

ART. 19. In obeying and construing these rules, due regard must be had to all dangers of navigation; and due regard must also be had to any special circumstances which may exist in any particular case rendering a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.

No ship, under any circumstances, to neglect proper precautions.

ART. 20. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any ship, or the owner or master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper lookout, or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the

case.