SOUND-SIGNALS FOR VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER.

ART. 28. The words "short blasts" used in this article shall mean a blast of about one second's duration.

When vessels are in sight of one another, a steamvessel under way, in taking any course authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that course by the following signals on her whistle or siven, namely:

One short blast to mean, "I am directing my course to starboard."

Two short blasts to mean, "I am directing my course to port."

Three short blasts to mean, "My engines are going at full speed astern."

PASSING SIGNALS IN ALL WEATHERS.

RULE 23. In all weathers every steam vessel under way in taking any course authorized or required by these rules shall indicate that course by the following signals on her whistle, to be accompanied whenever required by corresponding alteration of her helm; and every steam ves sel receiving a signal from another shall promptly respond with the same signal or, as provided in Rule Twenty-six:

One blast to mean, "I am directing my course to starboard."

Two blasts to mean, "I am directing my course to port." But the giving or answering signals by a vessel required to keep her course shall not vary the duties and obligations of the respective

vessels.

RULE 24. That in all narrow channels where there is a current, and in the rivers Saint Mary, Saint Clair, Detroit, Niagara, and Saint Law rence, when two steamers are meeting, the descending steamer shall have the right of way, and shall, before the vessels shall have arrived within the distance of one-half mile of each other, give the signal necessary to indicate which side she elects to take.

RULE 25. In all channels less than five hundred feet in width, no steam vessel shall pass another going in the same direction unless the steam vessel ahead be disabled or signify her willingness that the steam vessel astern shall pass, when the steam vessel astern may pass, subject, however, to the other rules applicable to such a situation. And when steam vessels proceeding in opposite directions are about to meet in such channels, both such vessels shall be slowed down to a mod. erate speed, according to the circumstances.

RULE 26. If the pilot of a steam vessel to which a passing signal is sounded deems it unsafe to accept and assent to said signal, he shall not sound a cross signal; but in that case, and in every case where the pilot of one steamer fails to understand the course or intention of an ap proaching steamer, whether from signals being given or answered erroneously, or from other causes, the pilot of such steamer so receiving the first passing signal, or the pilot so in doubt, shall sound several short and rapid blasts of the whistle; and if the vessels shall have approached within half a mile of each other both shall reduce their speed to bare steerageway, and, if neces sary, stop and reverse.

ART. 20. Notwithstanding anything contained in any preceding article, every ship, whether a sailing ship or a steamship, overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken ship.

inland waters.

RULE TWENTY-TWO. Every vessel overtaking any other vessel shall keep out of the way of the last-mentioned vessel.

Proposed international rules of 1890.

ART. 24. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules every vessel, overtaking any other, shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. Every vessel coming up with another vessel from any direction more than two points abaft her beam, that is, in such a position, with reference to the vessel which she is overtaking that at night she would be unable to see either of that vessel's side-lights, shall be deemed to be an overtaking vessel; and no subsequent alteration of the bear ing between the two vessels shall make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these rules, or relieve her of the duty of keep ing clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear.

As by day the overtaken vessel can not always know with certainty whether she is forward of or abatt this direction from the other vessel she should, if in doubt, assume that she is an overtaking vessel and keep out of the way.

Rules for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

RULE 22. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules every vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken ves sel.

ART. 25. In narrow channels every steam vessel shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fair-way or mid channel which lies on the starboard side of such vessel.

ART. 21. Where, by any of these rules, one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed.

NOTE.-When, in consequence of thick weather or other causes, such vessel finds herself so close that collision can not be avoided by the action of the giving-way vessel alone, she also shall take such action as will best aid to avert collision. (See articles twenty-seven and twenty nine, Act of May 28, 1894.)

ART. 22. Every vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other.

ART. 26. Sailing vessels under way shall keep out of the way of sailing vessels or boats fishing with nets, or lines, or trawls. This rule shall not give to any vessel or boat engaged in fishing the right of obstructing a fair way used by vessels other than fishing vessels or boats.

RULE 20. Where, by any of the rules herein prescribed, one of two vessels shall keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.

ART. 13. Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Government of any nation with respect to additional station and signal lights for two or more ships of war or for vessels sailing under convoy, or with the exhibition of recognition signals adopted by ship-owners, which have been authorized by their respective Governments and duly registered and published.

RULE 13. The exhibition of any light on board of a vessel of war or revenue cutter of the United States may be suspended whenever, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Navy, the commander in chief of a squadron, or the commander of a vessel acting singly, the special character of the service may require it.

ART. 23. In obeying and construing these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation, and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.

inland waters.

RULE TWENTY-FOUR. In construing and obeying these rules, due regard must be had to all dangers of navigation, and to any special circumstances which may exist in any particular case rendering a departure from them necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.