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81
Of the four canal boats registered during the year, three were used for the
carriage of offensive cargoes, namely, oil, tar, or gas liquor.
One of the boats was constructed with an iron bulkhead which completely
cut off the hold from the cabin. The cargo was carried in iron tanks, the
after one being about ten inches from the cabin bulkhead.
The other two boats were constructed of wood, and the cargoes of gas
liquor were stored in wooden tanks.
The bulkhead separating the cabin from the hold of each barge was found
to be defective, allowing the gases of ammonia and sulphuretted hydrogen to
pass freely into the cabin, blackening the paintwork, and rendering the cabin
practically unfit for habitation.
Before these two boats were registered, the following alterations were
carried out by the owners:—
(a) The cabins were thoroughly cleaned and painted, and the cabin
bulkheads made perfectly tight so as to prevent gases entering
the cabins through the bulkheads.
(b) Existing skylights removed, and larger ones, glazed and made to
open, fitted.
(c) Coal lockers and cupboards in which to store food to be provided.
(d) Broken stoves and funnels removed and replaced by new ones.
(e) The bilge courses closed so as to prevent liquor passing under the
cabin floor, and gratings fitted over the space between the after
end of the tanks and the cabin bulkheads.
(f) Suitable vessels provided for the storage of not less than three
gallons of drinking water.
Certificates of registration were not produced in 24 cases. In some
instances this was due to carelessness, the certificates having either been left
behind, or having got old and destroyed.
In three cases the certificates of registration did not identify the owner
with the boat.
Eighteen boats were not properly lettered, marked, or numbered.
Overcrowding was found to exist in the undermentioned eight cases :—
The "Linslade," registered Port of London, No. 371, was inspected on the
7th March, 1907. The after cabin, which is registered for three adults, was
occupied by two adults and three children, namely, the master, his wife, and
three children, being one child in excess of the number for which it is
registered.