Office of the Historian

(M. 3292.)
Mr. Henry A. Gadsden to Board of Trade.

The South Wales Atlantic Steamship Company, (limited,)
1 Dock Chambers, Cardiff, February 23, 1875.

Sir: In reply to your letter of the 19th instant, I beg to say that I laid your communication before the commanders of our steamers, and their replies to your various questions I have the pleasure to inclose.

I am, &c.,

HENRY A. GADSDEN, Manager.

The Assistant Secretary
Marine Department, Board of Trade.

[Page 191]
[Inclosure.]
South Wales Atlantic Steamship Company, (Limited,)
Cardiff, February 23, 1875.

Sir: In reply to your communication of the 19th instant, addressed to the secretary of this company, we, the undersigned commanders of the steamships Glamorgan and Pembroke, taking your questions in the order you present them, beg to state we are acquainted with the sound-signals used on shipboard in the United States, and consider they greatly conduce to safety.

1.
The draft-rule in your letter of the 19th instant virtually embodies the system in use in the United States, and we believe its adoption would be a great benefit to the royal navy and mercantile marine.
2.
The application and interpretation could not be more easy or simple.
3.
Most decidedly, and the more intricate the navigation the more advantageous it would be.
4.
Quite sufficient.
5.
No.
6.
We cannot see any reason why it should be restricted to foggy weather; to do so would lessen its advantages. We have now occasionally to vary from the usual custom of porting according to article 19, and it certainly would greatly relieve anxiety and conduce to safety if we could be assured by sound that an approaching ship appreciated our position and intentions. Sounds should indicate intended movements as well in clear as in foggy weather, and particularly in narrow waters.

In conclusion, we respectfully suggest that the vessel first signalizing by sounds should have the right of way. This is the custom in the United States.

We are, &c.,

  • JOSEPH LAYBOURNE,
    Commander Steamship Glamorgan.
  • H. C. WILLIAMS,
    Commander Steamship Pembroke.

The Assistant Secretary
Board of Trade, Marine Department.