5 MAY 1923, Page 3

The main object, therefore, as the Committee in effect points

out, is in the altered circumstances to avoid cumbering the decks with an enormous number of boats and to have, in addition to a moderate number of life- boats, light rafts which could be easily detached, and which, though not perfect in themselves, could be counted on to support persons sufficiently till help came. An important thing is to provide some means of support as quickly as possible; for even the largest vessels cannot be depended upon to stay s afloat for more than a quarter of an hour.