5th, page 81-"Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the engineers of all passenger steamers to keep their fire pumps, hose, attachments, and appurtenances in perfect condition for immediate use, and the local boards are hereby directed, in all cases, to see and know that said pumps are so kept by the engineers."

Your committee would recommend, as a further protection against fire, that the local inspectors be instructed to require the fire rooms of steamers that carry their boilers in the hold to be well and thoroughly lined with sheet iron or other metal, and, whenever practicable, in such manner as to leave a stratum of air to circulate between the wood work and the lining; and that they shall also require all wood work that is in any degree exposed to ignition from the heat of the boilers, smokepipes, or chimneys, of all steamers, to be well protected by sheet iron or other metal, in such manner as shall assure them that there will be no danger from fire from such a source.

We have evidence sufficient to warrant the belief that some of the most disastrous fires have occurred from the combustion of some chemical or other dangerous articles which have been secreted in packages, and shipped in a clandestine manner; in such cases, and in any other where fire originates in the hold of vessels, experience has shown that no means are so effectual in extinguishing it as blowing steam from the boilers into the hold, and we cannot too strongly urge the necessity of requiring, in all cases wherever practicable, pipes from the boilers to convey steam into the hold in case of fire.

Should all these precautions against fire be rigidly adhered to, and the law properly enforced, your committee would feel warranted in saying that very few of these appalling disasters would be heard of. We feel justified in saying this from the fact that several instances have come to our knowledge of fires having been prevented or extinguished by the fire apparatus required by law being in good condition and promptly resorted to at the first alarm.

Your committee would beg leave to report the following resolution: Resolved, The local inspectors, before they give certificates of inspection, shall require, in all cases where boilers are carried in the hold of steamers, that the fire-rooms shall be thoroughly lined with sheet iron or other metal, and, wherever practicable, in such manner as to leave a stratum of air to circulate between the wood work and the lining. They shall also require all wood work that is in any degree exposed to ignition from the heat of the boilers, smokepipes, or chimneys, or any other heated surface, to be well protected by sheet iron or other metal, in such manner as will satisfy them that there will be no danger from such source. They shall also require, in all cases, that means be provided to convey steam from the boilers into the hold for the purpose of extinguishing fires when practicable.

When read, was on motion adopted; after which, on motion, the board adjourned to 4 p. m.

THURSDAY, October 16th-4 p. m.

The board met according to adjournment-present, all the members in attendance.

The committee on the matter of Thompson's graduating life-preserving seat, made the following report, which, on motion, was adopted:

Your committee, to whom was referred the matter of Thompson's life-preserving seat, have thoroughly examined the specimen seat exhibited to the board, and have ample evidence that its sustaining powers are equal to that required by our regulations, and this sustaining power continues unimpaired by use or exposure; it is not liable to injury either by neglect or careless usage. It is with facility attached to the person even when in the water, and, when attached, leaves the limbs entirely unincumbered, and free to be used for the act of swimming, or to give assistance to others.

We conceive that this life-preserving seat combines, in an eminent degree, all the requirements of a good and reliable life preserver with a useful piece of furniture, and that it complies fully with the requirements of the law.

The committee on the general report submitted the following, which was read and adopted:

BOARD OF SUPERVISING INSPECTORS OF STEAMBOATS,
Boston, October 16, 1856.

SIR: The board of supervising inspectors, now in session in this city, conformably with their action at former annual meetings, and believing that there is special propriety in its continuance, beg leave respectfully to lay before you the following general report of the action and proceedings of the several boards, both supervising and local, for the year ending September 30, 1856.

The steamboat law has now been in operation for nearly four years a length of time in which it should reasonably be expected that some substantial benefits arising from its operation should become fully apparent; and we are happy to be able to state here, that the reports furnished to this board by the several local boards, as also our own observation and personal knowledge of the facts, show conclusively that safety to life on board steam vessels has been already secured to an extent beyond our most sanguine anticipation.

We are also convinced that the full advantages of this wise and humane law are not by any means as yet fully secured, but will only be gained when all comply cheerfully with its requirements. It is true that opposition to the law is daily decreasing, although something of this hostile feeling still exists with a certain class of persons, who are careless as to informing themselves of results, and either be lieve, or pretend to believe, that no safety to life can arise from a compliance. On the other hand, the inspectors are becoming, by constant practice, daily more familiar with their duties, while differences of opinion have been harmonized, by the action of this board, with marked beneficial effect.

We here insert a tabular statement, embracing the various matters and occurrences relating to steamers navigated under the act of Congress approved August 30, 1852, which have been acted upon, or have come to the notice of the several boards of local inspectors, for the year ending September 30, 1856.