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It was emphasised at the beginning of the meeting that it was the policy of the Port Health
Authority to work in the closest co-operation with the tugowners and that in the past a personal
approach had been made by the Authority to many of the offenders, a method of approach which
had met with a great measure of success and goodwill.
After the general provisions of the Clean Air Bill had been explained, there was a wide discussion
on the various aspects of the problem of reducing to a minimum the emission of smoke
from tugs, the three principal factors involved being (1) the human element, (2) the fuel problem,
(3) suitable equipment, e.g., smoke eliminator doors.
(1) Human element
All parties emphasised the difficulty of obtaining suitable labour for firemen. The tugowners
pointed out that in spite of high wages it was impossible to get the right type of man — the hours
of work were irregular and men were being attracted to cleaner and more regular work in local
industry. The fireman was mainly interested in keeping up steam and smoke was to him of secondary
importance. It was considered that firemen should receive some elementary instruction in
firing.
(2) Fuel problem
There was considerable discussion on the supply of the right type of fuel, the tugowners complaining
repeatedly of not being able to obtain the particular fuel they needed. Complaint was
also made of the varying grades of coal that are supplied to them, sometimes two or three grades
of coal being supplied in one lot of bunkers. The Ministry of Fuel and Power representative
pointed out that the supply of Welsh coal at the present moment was very restricted. During the
Festival of Britain Welsh coal was made available to tugowners but subsequently the demand
had weakened on the grounds that it was more expensive and because Northumberland coal was
better for steam raising. If the tugowners would let the Ministry of Fuel and Power know the
type of coal definitely required, he knew that every effort would be made to meet the demand.
(3) Equipment
Smoke eliminator doors, provided they are correctly fitted, were a valuable contribution to
reducing smoke, but tugowners felt it was secondary to good fuel and stoking; why should they
spend money on equipment because proper coal was not being supplied?
The Association of Master Lightermen and Bargeowners stressed again and again that there
should be set up a consultative body or panel to whom tugowners could go for advice — not a
body who would tell them how to burn a certain type of coal — but a body which would have
official blessing and carry weight with those who supplied fuel or whatever else was required?
Your Medical Officer feels that thisi Conference did much to bring to the minds of the tugowners
the urgent need for dealing with the problem and at the same time it gave them the opportunity
of bringing certain grievances in regard to fuel supply to the notice of the Ministry of Fuel and
Power.
Arising out of the above meeting Dr. A. Parker, C.B.E., Director of the Fuel Research Station
of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, offered to place at the disposal of the
tugowners the resources of his Department and to co-operate with a small committee of the
Association of Master Lightermen and Bargeowners in carrying out experiments on tugs during
normal working operations on the River Thames to obtain information on the quantity of smoke
emitted and to investigate the possibility of reducing smoke.
The Fuel Research Department has now issued a Report on these experiments which show that
the type and quality of the coal burned, together with the method of firing are responsible factors
in the emission of dense and black smoke, but the extreme density and colour can be controlled
by regulating the supply of fresh air under and above the fire grate. The extent of control should
satisfy the provisions of the Clean Air Act and this can be achieved by fitting a furnace door of
approved design which includes air control valves to both the ashpit and the bed of fuel.
Sir Hugh Beaver in his speech at the Dinner of the Chairman of the Public Health Committee held
at the Cutler's Hail on the 19th November, referred appreciatively to the work that had been done
by the Corporation as the Port Health Authority in trying to abate smoke nuisance on the River.
DISPOSAL OF REFUSE FROM SHIPS IN THE DOCKS
The organisation for this purpose within the docks of the Port of London Authority is almost
comparable to that of any other Local Authority except that the actual disposal and equipment
forms the basis of a contract between the Authority and a private undertaking.
Trade refuse includes materials directly associated with the cargo carrying commitments of the
ships, such as dunnage and scrap, most of which is collected and disposed of by road or water
transport of the private contractors. The system normally presents no difficulties to the Port
Health Authority if no putrescible matter becomes involved, but the Bye-laws are always available
to correct any deficiencies in protecting public health.
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