BOATS FOR PASSENGER SHIPS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Popular attention and imagination will probably be attracted more strongly by the recommendations respecting the full provision of boats than by any of the others, made as the result of the Titanic' inquiry. Seamen and those with a trained knowledge and experience of ships and the limitations to the use of boats, whilst not under-valuing the latter, will, on the other hand, probably attach more import- ance to the recommendations made in regard to bulkheading to form watertight compartments, to improvements in wire- less telegraphy, and to freeing the mind of the captain from anxiety as to having to pay a penalty in some form or other if owing to a wise delay he may have failed to finish the voyage to scheduled time. But boats are very important, and when wanted are wanted badly. Naturally they should be as efficient as possible, and the main factor making for efficiency in a good boat is proper handling. It is astonishing how much a well-handled boat will go through, and how little one badly handled. Stewards and firemen mar be brimful of pluck, but pluck will not make up for lack of that special knowledge of and confidence in a boat only to be acquired by long and familiar use. Steam has discounted a good deal of this particular knowledge, but still, when wanted, like the boat itself, it will be so badly wanted that every effort should be made to encourage its acquiring. Whilst there is no royal nor Government road to this, much might be done if at every regatta around our coasts the maximum encouragement and number of prizes possible were given for the best handling of ordinary ships' boats in sailing, rowing, and sculling. This has been steadily held in view at our regattas here during the last few years, and with very satisfactory results. In places where no regattas are held there are always a number of gentlemen sufficiently interested who could accomplish excellent work by similar means in less formal competitions.—I am, Sir, &c., Llanelly. JOHN REES (Harbour Master).
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