LESSENING A RISK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 99, 17 August 1914, Page 4

LESSENING A RISK.

In connection with the recent disasters to passenger steamers by collision, the London ''Times" suggests that builders should revert to the old clipper-bowed style of ship-building, such as has almost .entirely vanished from the world's steam fleets. The Irst part of a curved-bow steamer that would strike another would be the iverhang, and whatever damage would be done would be chiefly above the water-line. "As it is," writes the "Times" correspondent, "the blow falls below the water-line as well as •ibove it. The vessel struck is in fact rammed." There is a great deal if solid sense in this proposal, -which ivill appeal forcibly to sailors. Those vho have seen sailing vessels after i collision, their head-gear crumpled up by a bow-on blow, but their hulls practically intact, can appreciate the value of such a suggestion. The Lytcelton "Times" recalls that years ago i frozen-meat carrier, the ship "Wellington, bound to London from New Zealand, ran into an iceberg and, 'hough crippled, managed to reach a South American port in safety. She vas a wreck forward, but her long clipper bow and her jibboom and bow;n:it saved her from destruction. Had she been a straight-stemmed vessel, -be would inevitably !:a.o .•.••m<? M thu bucrvn.