Robert Leitch to William Inman, March 2, 1875

Sir: I beg to offer the following as my answers and opinions on the questions continued in the letter from the secretary of the board of trade, dated 19th February last, and the draft-rules accompanying it.

• I have had experience of the system of sound-signals used in the United States, but such experience is confined to signaling in narrow waters and clear weather. According to the rule in force in the States, one whistle signifies that the vessel is porting, and two that she is starboarding. In narrow waters and clear weather I consider such signaling conduces to safety.
• The rule is very easy of application and interpretation.
• It might be with advantage adopted in British waters.
• The system propounded in the draft-rules would, I think, be sufficient, but I beg to offer the following suggestions thereon:
  • The steam-whistle should be sounded more than once in every three minutes when the vessel is underway. In these days of fast steamers two vessels meeting each other will pass over a mile and a half or more in the time named. I think the whistle should be sounded at least once in every minute. If the code of signals recommended by the rules is adopted, some regulation should be made as to the length of the blast under this rule to distinguish it from the other. At present two blasts are given immediately one after the other; and this is, I think, better than one prolonged blast.
  • There would be some difficulty in giving a prolonged blast on a sailing-ship with a fog-horn.
  • On steamers and sailing-ships at anchor the fog-bell should be sounded at least once in every half minute, especially in roadsteads or rivers, where ferry-boats are in the habit of plying.
• I think the adoption of the remaining signals should be left to the discretion of the officer in charge.
• I have no more simple or efficient system to suggest.
• I consider the system of signaling by sound should not be extended to narrow channels in foggy and thick weather, as it is impossible to judge at all accurately from sound the position of the vessel sounding; but I think that its use in clear weather would conduce to safety.

Yours, &c.,