It seems almost too simple to be true, but I assure you that the
statement is as true as anything can be. We shall see whether the lesson
will be taken to heart. We shall see. There is a Commission of learned
men sitting to consider the subject of saving life at sea. They are
discussing bulkheads, boats, davits, manning, navigation, but I am
willing to bet that not one of them has thought of the humble "pudding."
They can make what rules they like. We shall see if, with that disaster
calling aloud to them, they will make the rule that every steamship
should carry a permanent fender across her stern, from two to four feet
in diameter in its thickest part in proportion to the size of the ship.
But perhaps they may think the thing too rough and unsightly for this
scientific and aesthetic age. It certainly won't look very pretty but I
make bold to say it will save more lives at sea than any amount of the
Marconi installations which are being forced on the shipowners on that
very ground--the safety of lives at sea.
We shall see!
* * * * *
To the Editor of the _Daily Express_.
SIR,
As I fully expected, this morning's post brought me not a few letters on
the subject of that article of mine in the _Illustrated London News_.
Pages:
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368