62 THIRTY—SECOND CONGRESS. Sess. I. Ch. 106. 1852. fires are not complied with, or if any combustible material liable to take tire from heated iron, or any other heat generated on board of such vessels in and about the boilers, pipes, or machinery, shall be placed at less than eighteen inches distant from such heated metal or other substance likely to cause ignition, unless a column of air or water intervenes between such heated surface and any wood or other combustible material so exposed, sufficient at all times, and under all circumstances, to prevent ignition; and further, when wood is so exposed to ignition, as an additional preventive, it shall be shielded by some mcombustible material in such manner as to leave the air to circulate freely between such _ material and the wood. Provided however, That when the structure of mmyxffoxmigf such steamers is such, or the arrangement of the boilers or machinery prdgticeble. is such that the requirements aforesaid cannot, without serious inconvenience or sacrifice, be complied with, inspectors may vary therefrom, if in their judgment it can be done with safety. Provisionasbo Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That every vessel so propelled P““‘P“· by steam, and carrying passengers, shall have not less than three double-acting forcing pumps, with chamber at least four inches in diameter, two to be worked by hand and one by steam, if steam can be employed, otherwise by hand ; one whereof shall be placed near the stern, one near the stem, and one amidship ; each having a suitable, well-fitted Hess. hose, of at least two thirds the length of the vessel, kept at all times in perfect order and ready for immediate use; each of which pumps shall also be supplied with water by a pipe connected therewith, and passing through the side of the vessel, so low as to be at all times in the water when she is aiioat: Provided, That, in steamers not exceeding two hunwffgmcf (E? dred tons measurement, two of said pumps may be dispensed with; and ,,,m,p,_ in steamers of over two hundred tons, and not exceeding ive hundred tons measurement, one of said pumps may be dispensed with. Provision as Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That every such vessel, carrying t° ’°°***’· passengers, shall have at least two good and suitable boats, supplied with oars, in good condition at all times for service, one of which boats shall be a life-boat made of metal, fire-proof, and in all respects a good, substantial, safe sea boat, capable of sustaining, inside and outside, fifty persons, with life-lines attached to the gunwale, at suitable distances. And every such vessel of more than five hundred tons, and not exceeding eight hundred tons measurement, shall have three life-boats; and every such vessel of more than eight hundred tons, and not exceeding fifteen hundred tons measurement, shall have four life-boats; and every such vessel of more than fifteen hundred tons measurement, shall have six lifeboats—-all of which boats shall be well furnished with oars and other neces- Provisc ns to sary apparatus: Provided, however, The inspectors are hereby authorized
- Q§;";f;;r’;“;”¤§’;,f to exempt steamers navigating rivers only, from the obligation to carry,
of the life—boats herein provided for, more than one, the same being of suitable dimensions, made of metal and furnished with all necessary apparatus for use and safety-such steamers having other suitable provisons for the preservation of life in case of fire or other disaster. _ Provision for Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That every such vessel, carrying }l£‘;g“”;§;';:“» passengers, shall also be provided with a. good life-preserver, made bucking,of suitable material, or float well adapted to the purpose, for each and every passenger, which life-preservers and floats shall always be kept in convenient and accessible places in such vessel, and in readiness for the use of the passengers ; and every such vessel shall also keep twenty firebuckets and live axes} and there shall be kept on board every such vessel exceeding five hundred tons measurement, buckets and axes after the rate of their tonnage, as follows: on every vessel of six hundred tons measurement, five buckets and one axe for each one hundred tons measurement, decreasing this proportion as the tonnage of the vessel increases, so that any such vessel of thirty-five hundred tons, and all such
