No. S. 317.
512
NOTICES TO MARINERS.
LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS, No. 492.
CHINA SEA.
Ichang and Chungking Districts-Yangtze River.
THE difficulties and dangers attending steam navigation of the Upper Yangtze between Ichang and Chungking have been given much attention during recent years by the Marine Department and the Upper River Inspector, and the experience gained both from successful and unsuccessful navigation has enabled certain data concerning the construction and fitting of Upper Yangtze River steamers to be collected and recorded. Under instructions from the Inspector General of Customs this information is now pub- lished in the form of Recommendations concerning the construction and fitting of Upper Yangtze steamers, in the hope that they may be of assistance to those engaged or about to engage in the trade and that, by following them, risk to the travelling public may be reduced to a minimum. The Recommendations should not be departed from in the case of projected new vessels without consultation with the Coast Inspector or the Upper Yangtze River Inspector.
Recommendations Concerning the Construction and Filling of Upper Yangtze Steamers.
1. Limit of Size. The dimensions of a steamer for running at all stages of the river, when steam navigation is possible, should not exceed :—
Length Breadth Depth
210 feet 0.A.
35 moulded.
32
93,,
2. Speed. The speed of steamers should not be less than as follows :-
Steamers under 80 feet in length
10 knots.
Steamers of lengths 80 to 130 feet
Steamers of lengths 130 to 210 feet
11
"
12
11
These are the minimum speeds for safe navigation through races, whirlpools, and minor rapids, but are insufficient to push up over the main rapids without having recourse to warping.
Vessels intended to proceed over the main rapids under their own steam must have considerably more power than that provided for in these Recommendations.
3. Hull Model.-The hull should be of the light-draught, flat-bottom type, with spoon bow or well cut-away forefoot and clean or long run aft to ensure good steering.
4. Watertight Compartments.-The hull should be divided into watertight compart- ments of such numbers and dimensions that the vessel will keep afloat with two com- partments flooded. The engine and boiler rooms should be in separate watertight compartments.
5. Boilers.-Vessels over 130 feet in length should have two boilers.
6. Engines.-All vessels should be of the twin-screw type.
7. Steering Gear.-Vessels having a beam of more than 22 feet should be fitted with three rudders, others with at least two, and they should be so ruddered that they will, at full speed, turn in a circle having a diameter of not more than twice the length of the vessel.
8. Steam Steering Gear.-Vessels of more than 130 feet in length should be fitted
The hand with steam steering gear in addition to an effective hand gear. so fitted as to be immediately available.
gear
should be
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