e best and
newest steamships is proved by the fact that they carry them even beyond
the law's requirements. But if life-boats for one-third of those on the
ship are necessary, life-boats for all on board are equally necessary.
The law of the United States requires this, but the law and trade
regulations of England do not, and these controlled the Titanic and
caused the death of over sixteen hundred people.

True, a steamship is rarely crowded to her capacity, and ordinarily
accommodations in life-boats for a full list would not be needed. But
that is no argument against maximum safety facilities, for when disaster
comes it comes unexpectedly, and it might come when every berth
was occupied. So there must be life-boats for use in every possible
emergency. Places must be found for them and methods for handling them
promptly.

Suppose a vessel to be thus equipped, would safety be insured? In calm
weather such as the Titanic had, yes, for all that would be needed would
be to keep the small boats afloat until help came. The Titanic could
have saved everyone aboard. In heavy weather, no. As at present
arranged, if a vessel has a list, or, in non-nautical language, has
tipped over on one side, only the boats upon the lower side can be
dropped, for they must be swung clear of the vessel to be lowered from
the davits.

So there is a problem which it is the duty of marine designers to solve.
They have heretofore turned their attention to the invention of some
new contrivance for comfort and luxury. Now let them grasp the far more
important question of taking every soul from a sinking ship. They can
do it, and while they are about it, it would be well to supplement
life-boats with other methods.

We like to think and to say that nothing is impossible in these days
of ceaseless and energetic progress. Certainly it is possible for the
brains of marine designers to find a better way for rescue work.
Lewis Nixon, ship-builder and designer for years, is sure that we can
revolutionize safety appliances. He has had a plan for a long time
for the construction of a considerable section of deck that could be
detached and floated off like an immense raft. He figures that such a
deck-raft could be made to carry the bulk of the passengers.

That may seem a bit chimerical to laymen, but Nixon is no layman. His
ideas are worthy of every consideration. Certain it is that something
radical must be done, and that the maritime nations must get