One blast to mean, "I am directing my course to starboard." Two blasts to mean, "I am directing my course to port." But the giving or answering signals by a vessel required to keep her course shall not vary the duties and obligations of the respective vessels. RULE 24. That in all narrow channels where there is a current, and in the rivers Saint Mary, Saint Clair, Detroit, Niagara, and Saint Lawrence, when two steamers are meeting, the descending steamer shall have the right of way, and shall, before the vessels shall have arrived within the distance of one-half mile of each other, give the signal necessary to indicate which side she elects to take." RULE 25. In all channels less than five hundred feet in width, no steam vessel shall pass another going in the same direction unless the steam vessel ahead be disabled or signify her willingness that the steam vessel astern shall pass, when the steam vessel astern may pass, subject, however, to the other rules applicable to such a situation. And when steam vessels proceeding in opposite directions are about to meet in such channels, both such vessels shall be slowed down to a moderate speed, according to the circumstances. RULE 26. If the pilot of a steam vessel to which a passing signal is sounded deems it unsafe to accept and assent to said signal, he shall not sound a cross signal; but in that case, and in every case where the pilot of one steamer fails to understand the course or intention of an approaching steamer, whether from signals being given or answered erroneously, or from other causes, the pilot of such steamer so receiving the first passing signal, or the pilot so in doubt, shall sound several short and rapid blasts of the whistle; and if the vessels shall have approached within half a mile of each other both shall reduce their speed to bare steerageway, and, if necessary, stop and reverse. RULE 27. In obeying and construing these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. RULE 28. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any vessel, 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 a neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special-circumstances of the case. A fine, not exceeding two hundred dollars, may be Sec. 2. imposed for the violation of any of the provisions of this Act. The vessel shall be liable for the said penalty, and may be seized and proceeded against, by way of libel, in the district court of the United States for any district within which such vessel may be found. The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States shall Sec. 3. have authority to establish all necessary regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, required to carry the same into effect. Sec. 4. Sec. 5. R. S., 4487. The Board of Supervising Inspectors of the United States shall have authority to establish such regulations to be observed by all steam vessels in passing each other, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as they shall from time to time deem necessary; and all regulations adopted by the said Board of Supervising Inspectors under the authority of this Act, when approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, shall have the force of law. Two printed copies of any such regulations for passing, signed by them, shall be furnished to each steam vessel, and shall at all times be kept posted up in conspicuous places on board. All laws or parts of laws, so far as applicable to the navigation of the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as Montreal, inconsistent with the foregoing rules are hereby repealed." This Act shall take effect on and after March first, eighteen hundred and ninety-five. 312. River navigation. On any steamers navigating rivers only, when, fror darkness, fog, or other cause, the pilot or watch shall be o opinion that the navigation is unsafe, or, from accident to or derangement of the machinery of the boat, the chief engineer shall be of the opinion that the further navigation of the vessel is unsafe, the vessel shall be brought to anchor, or moored as soon as it can prudently be done: Provided, That if the person in command shall, after being so admonished by either of such officers, elect to pursue such voyage, he may do the same; but in such case both he and the owners of such steamer shall be answerable for all damages which shall arise to the person of any passen ger, or his baggage, from such causes in so pursuing the voyage, and no degree of care or diligence shall in such case be held to justify or excuse the person in command, or the owners. dangerous wrecks, derelicts, and other menaces to naviga tion in the North Atlantic Ocean outside the coast waters of the respective countries bordering thereon 76. 677. 678. Insert at page 304. 311. Rules for the St. Marys River. The Secretary of the Treasury hereby is authorized and directed to adopt and prescribe suitable rules and regulations governing the movements and anchorage of vessels and rafts in Saint Marys River, from Point Iroquois, on Lake Supe rior, to Point Detour, on Lake Huron, and for the purpose of enforcing the observance of such regulations the said Secretary is hereby authorized to detail one or more revenue cutters for duty on said river. All officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service who are directed to enforce the regulations prescribed by the above rules are hereby empowered and directed, in case of necessity, or when a proper notice has been disregarded, to use the force at their command to remove from channels or stop any vessel found violating the prescribed rules. In the event of the violation of any such regulations or rules of the Secretary of the Treasury by the owners, master, or person in charge of such vessel, such owners, master, or person in charge shall be liable to a penalty of two hundred dollars, and the vessel, its tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo, at any time used or employed in violation of such regulations, shall be forfeited to the United States: Provided, That the Secretary of the Treasury may remit said fine or release said vessel on such terms as he may prescribe: Provided also, That nothing in this Act shall be construed to amend or repeal the Act entitled "An Act to regulate navigation on the Great Lakes and connecting tributary waters as far east as Montreal." March 6, 1896. Sec. 2. Sec. 3. voyage, ana no degree I care or amigence sail in sucn case be held to justify or excuse the person in command, or the owners. Insert at page 314. 312. Special rules for regattas. In order to provide for the safety of passengers on excursion steamers, yachts, oarsmen and all craft, whether as observers or participants, taking part in regattas, amateur or professional, that may hereafter be held on navigable waters, the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered in his discretion to detail revenue cutters to enforce such rules and regulations as may be adopted to insure the safety of passengers on said excursion steamers, yachts, oarsmen and all craft, whether as observers or participants, taking part in such regattas. May 19, 1896. PART XXXII.-AIDS TO NAVIGATION. 313. Assistance by United States vessels. 314. Removal of derelicts. 315. Lights and buoys. 316. Nautical Almanac. 317. Charts and manuals. 313. Assistance by United States vessels. The revenue-cutters on the northern and northwestern R. S., 2759. lakes, when put in commission, shall be specially charged with aiding vessels in distress on the lakes. The President may, when the necessities of the service R. S., 1536. permit it, cause any suitable number of public vessels adapted to the purpose to cruise upon the coast in the season of severe weather and to afford such aid to distressed navigators as their circumstances may require; and such public vessels shall go to sea fully prepared to render such assistance. 314. Removal of derelicts. The President of the United States is hereby authorized Oct. 31, 1893. to make with the several governments interested in the navigation of the North Atlantic Ocean an international agreement providing for the reporting, marking, and removal of dangerous wrecks, derelicts, and other menaces to navigation in the North Atlantic Ocean outside the coast waters of the respective countries bordering thereon. 315. Lights and buoys. The Light-House Board may, when they deem it neces- R. S., 4676. sary, place a light-vessel, or other suitable warning of danger, on or over any wreck on temporary obstruction to the entrance of any harbor, or in the channel or fairway of any bay or sound. The Light-House Board shall properly mark all pier- R. S., 4677. heads belonging to the United States situated on the northern and northwestern lakes, whenever the board is duly notified by the department charged with the construction or repair of pier-heads that the construction or repair of any such pier-heads has been completed. All buoys along the coast, or in bays, harbors, sounds, R. S., 4678. or channels, shall be colored and numbered, so that passing up the coast or sound, or entering the bay, harbor, or |