After a very satisfactory session, the Conference was finally concluded December 31, 1889. I now transmit herewith the proceedings of the Conference, together with its final act, as communicated to me by Rear-Admiral S. R. Franklin, the President of the Conference, in order that the same may be laid before Congress for the information of that body. Respectfully submitted. JAMES G. BLAINE. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 12, 1890. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE, Washington, February 8, 1890. (Received February 8.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that in response to the invitation extended by the President of the United States to all the maritime Governments, delegates to the International Marine Conference assembled in the city of Washington on Wednesday, October 16, 1889, and proceeded to the consideration of the programme as prepared by the United States delegates, the following powers being represented: Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Chili, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Siam, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and United States. The deliberations of the Conference having terminated on December 31, 1889, I have the honor to transmit the protocol of the proceedings, including the final act, the latter setting forth the conclusions reached by the Conference. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. JAMES G. BLAINE, S. R. FRANKLIN, Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, President. Secretary of State, Department of State. PROGRAMME OF SUBJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE INTERNA· TIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE. October, 1889. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE, Washington, April 3, 1889. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that, in conformity with the instructions of the State Department of February 27, 1889, the Delegates on the part of the United States to the International Marine Conference met on Monday, 25th ultimo, organized, and proceeded to the consideration of a detailed programme of the subjects to be considered by the International Conference for transmission to the several powers. This programme was completed on the 30th ultimo, and is herewith inclosed. The correspondence between the State Department and the British Government on this subject was examined, and, in conformity with the intentions of our Government therein expressed, a consideration of the "International Code of Flag Signals" was excluded from the programme and a consideration of the "load line" was included. With this exception and this addition, the entire subject-matter of the act of Congress of July 9, 1888, was arranged in general divisions, following as nearly as possible the precise language of the act. These general divisions were then carefully considered, and each was arranged under subdivisions and subheads. It is believed that this arrangement in detail is sufficiently broad to include all matters bearing directly upon the principal topics, and care has been taken at the same time to avoid extending the field of deliberations of the Conference beyond the limits indicated in the act of Congress and its interpretation by the State Department. DETAILED PROGRAMME OF SUBJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE. [Framed by the American Delegates in accordance with instructions from the Department of State, March, 1889.] GENERAL DIVISION 1. MARINE SIGNALS OR OTHER MEANS OF PLAINLY INDICATING THE DIRECTION IN WHICH VESSELS ARE MOVING IN FOG, MIST, FALLING SNOW, AND THICK WEATHER, AND AT NIGHT.-RULES FOR THE PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS AND RULES OF THE ROAD. 1. Visibility, number, and position of lights to be carried by vessels. (a) Steamers under way. (b) Steamers towing. (c) Vessels under way, but not under command, including steamers laying cable. (d) Sailing vessels under way. (e) Sailing vessels towing. (f) Vessels at anchor. (g) Pilot vessels. (h) Fishing vessels. 2. Sound signals; their character, number, range, and position of instruments. (a) For use in fog, mist, falling snow, and thick weather, as position signals. For steamers under way. For steamers towing. For sailing vessels under way. For sailing vessels towing. (These signals to show the approximate course steered if possible.) For vessels at anchor. For vessels under way, but not under command, including steamers laying cable. (b) For use in all weathers as helm signals only. For steamers meeting or crossing. For steamers overtaking. For steamers backing. (c) Whether helm signals shall be made compulsory or remain optional. GENERAL DIVISION 1-Continued. 3. Steering and sailing rules. (a) Sailing vessels meeting, crossing, overtaking, or being overtaken by each other. (b) Steamers meeting, crossing, overtaking, or being overtaken by each other. (c) Sailing vessels meeting, crossing, overtaking, or being overtaken by steamers. (d) Steamers meeting, crossing, overtaking, or being overtaken by sailing vessels. (e) Special rules for channels and tide-ways, where no local rules exist. (f) Conflict of international and local rules. (g) Uniform system of commands to the helm. (h) Speed of vessels in thick weather. GENERAL DIVISION 2. REGULATIONS TO DETERMINE THE SEA-WORTHINESS OF VESSELS. (a) Construction of vessels. (b) Equipment of vessels. (c) Discipline of crew. (d) Sufficiency of crew. (e) Inspection of vessels. (f) Uniform certificates of inspection. GENERAL DIVISION 3. DRAFT TO WHICH VESSELS SHOULD BE RESTRICTED WHEN LOADED. Uniform maximum load mark. GENERAL DIVISION 4. UNIFORM REGULATIONS REGARDING THE DESIGNATING AND MARKING OF VESSELS. (a) Position of name on vessels. (b) Position of name of port of registry on vessels. (c) Size of lettering. (d) Uniform system of draft marks. GENERAL DIVISION 5. SAVING LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM SHIPWRECK. 1. Saving of life and property from shipwreck at sea. (a) Duties of vessels after collision. (b) Apparatus for life saving to be carried on board ship. (Life-boats, life-preservers, life-rafts, pumps, and fireextinguishing apparatus.) |