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2. Sound-signals; their character, number, range and position of in

struments-Continued.

(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.

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 vessel.

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

(c) The use of oil and the necessary apparatus for its use.

(d) Uniform inspections as to (b) and (c).

2. Saving of life and property from shipwreck by operations from shore. (a) Organization of, and methods employed by, life-saving institutions.

(b) The employment of drilled and disciplined crews at lifesaving stations.

(c) The maintenance of patrol upon dangerous coasts by night, and during thick weather by day, for warning off vessels standing into danger and for the early discovery of wrecks. (d) Uniform means of transmitting information between stranded vessels and the shore.

(e) Life-boats, life-saving apparatus, and appliances.

3. Official inquiries into causes and circumstances of shipwrecks and other casualties.

GENERAL DIVISION 6.

Necessary qualifications for officers and seamen, including tests for sight and color blindness.

(a) A uniform system of examination for the different grades.

(b) Uniform tests for visual power and color blindness.

(c) General knowledge of methods employed at life saving stations. (d) Uniform certificates of qualification.

GENERAL DIVISION 7.

Lanes for steamers on frequented routes.

(a) With regard to the avoidance of steamer collisions. (b) With regard to the safety of fishermen.

GENERAL DIVISION 8.

Night signals for communicating information at sea.

(a) A code to be used in connection with the International Code Signal book.

(b) Or a supplementary code of limited scope to convey information of special importance to passing vessels.

(c) Distress signals.

GENERAL DIVISION 9.

Warnings of approaching storms.

(a) The transmission of warnings.

(b) The uniformity of signals employed.

GENERAL DIVISION 10.

Reporting, marking, and removing dangerous wrecks or obstructions to navigation.

(a) A uniform method of reporting and marking dangerous wrecks and derelicts.

(b) The division of the labor, cost, and responsibility among the several maritime nations, either by geographical apportionment or otherwise:

Of the removal of dangerous derelicts;

And of searching for doubtful dangers with a view of removing them from the charts.

GENERAL DIVISION 11.

Notice of dangers to navigation.

NOTICE OF CHANGES IN LIGHTS, BUOYS, AND OTHER DAY AND NIGHT

MARKS.

(a) A uniform method of taking bearings, of designating them (whether true or magnetic), and of reporting them.

(b) A uniform method of reporting, indicating, and exchanging information by the several maritime nations-to include the form of notices to mariners.

(c) A uniform method of distributing this information.

GENERAL DIVISION 12.

A uniform system of buoys and beacons.

(a) Uniformity in color of buoys.

(b) Uniformity in numbering of buoys.

GENERAL DIVISION 13.

The establishment of a permanent international maritime commission.

(a) The composition of the commission.

(b) Its powers and authority.

Proposed grouping of subjects for consideration by committees of the international marine conference.

1. Rules of the road and signals-General Divisions 1 and 8.

2. Saving of life and property from shipwreck by operations from shore-General Division 5, Subdivision No. 2.

3. Construction and equipment of vessels, and saving of life and property from shipwreck at sea-General Divisions 2, 3, and 4, and Sub division No. 1 of 5.

4. Qualifications of officers and seamen-General Division 6.

5. Steam lanes-General Division 7.

6. Official inquiries into shipwrecks and other casualties-General Division 5, Subdivision No. 3.

7. Transmission of warnings and information, buoys, etc.-General Divisions 9, 10, 11, and 12.

8. Permanent Maritime Commission-General Division 13. All of which is respectfully submitted.

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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.

Very respectfully,

S. R. FRANKLIN, Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, President of the Board of American Delegates.

Hon. JAMES G. BLAINE,

Secretary of State.

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