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 bonor to inform you that, in conformity with the in. structions 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 consid. eration 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. Very respectfully,

S. R. FRANKLIN,

Rear-Admiral, U. 8. Navy,

President of the Board of American Delegates. Hon. JAMES G. BLAINE,

Secretary of State.

V

DETAILED PROGRAMME OF SUBJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE

INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE.

[Framed by the American Delegates in accordance with instructions from the Depart

ment 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 TRICK 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.
(9) 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.
(6) 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.
(6) Steamers meeting, crossing, overtaking, or being over-

taken by each other.
(c) Sailing vessels meeting, crossing, overtaking, or being

overtaken by steamers.
(d) Steamers meeting, crossing, overtaking, or being over-

taken by sailing vessels.
(e) Special rules for channels and tide-ways, where no local

rules exist.
(f) Conflict of international and local roles.
(9) 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.
(6) 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 REGULATIONS REGARDING THE DESIGNATING AND MARKING OF VESSELS.

(a) Position of name on vessels.
(6) 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.
(1) Apparatus for life-saving to be carried on board ship.

(Life-boats, life-preservers, life-rafts, pumps, and fire.
extinguishing apparatus.)