FIRES AT SEA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4311, 14 January 1875, Page 2

FIRES AT SEA.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sin,—Can nothing bo done to lessen the risks of such calamities as the ono wo have just had talegraphed to us—tho burning ot the Cospatrick, with the loss of tho poor souls who were desirous and on their way to share a homo with us in New Zealand ? Can no scientilie men come to tho front, and distinguish themselves by some modern invention to save the lives of our fellow-creatures f It is a well-known fact that in time of lire on board ship very fow of the hose aro worth a farthing. I have seen them fixed to tho pumps and they would not carry a drop of water ; and had it not been for availablo buckets (not ships'), but passengers', wo should most certainly have perished. Again, I remember seeing the Matilda Watenback coming into tho heads at Auckland, when a lifeboat was lowerod to get somo lettors from us, and when it camo alongside it was up to tho thwarts with water, and had to bo hold up with ropes until thoy got tholr lettors. How they got back to tho vessel wo don't know, as we steamed on and left them. Theso arc a fow instances .under personal observation—alas for what we havo not seen, but havo heard. If modern lifeboats cannot sink, but become as it were (using a Bhip's phrase) waterlogged, could not our vessels be so constructed that in time of Are they could bo scuttled? and if tho cargo was lost, the precious lives would be saved. A plug or valvo could be fixed by tho keelson with a rod attached, coming on to tho upper deck, so that in an instant any person in charge could drive it down, whon water sulllclcnt to douso tho lire or scuttle tho ship could bo obtained. Again, I believe it oufc'ht to ho the duty of all commanders of vessels to drill tho mon at both boats and pumps at certain times, which would onablo them to seo any' defection existing in cithor of thoso usoful institu-; tions, and it ought to bo a pleasure rather thana source of annoyance to tho mon to have to do it, knowing that at any moment thoy might bo called; upon to exercise their skill in reality. Hod grant that something may bo, done for such a cause.—l am, &e. ■\YALTON. ; January 11.