Passed, August, 1851.

1. * * * * * * And it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That all Steamboats, whether propelled wholly or in part by steam, while navigating the waters of Upper Canada, shall be provided during the night with lights, to be exhibited and affixed as follows:-

When under weigh - a white light on flag-staff aft, a bright white light on the foremast head a green light on the starboard bow, a red light on the port bow, to be fitted with inboard screens

When at anchor, a common bright light at foremast head, as illustrated and explained in the Schedule A.

That Schooners and other sailing vessels shall be provided during the night with lights, to be exhibited and awed as follows

When sailing before the wind, a pale light,

When sailing on the starboard tack, a red light,

on the Pawl bit, or Knight head.

When sailing on the larboard tack, a green light,

When at anchor, a pale light in the foremast rigging.

Sailing Vessels running before the wind, or with the wind free, and making a Steamer's light dead a-head, shall pass on the starboard side; but if to avoid jibing their mainsail, or for any other good reason, they shall wish to pass on the larboard side, then shall show their green light, indicating that they are on the larboard tack, when the Steamer will pass under the Vessel's stern.

In case of two Sailing Vessels approaching one another on opposite tacks, the vessel on the starboard tack shall keep the wind, and the one on the larboard tack shall keep away, always when tacking ship at night, shifting the light.

A Vessel in distress shall show both red and green lights.

2. And be it enacted, That any such Steamboat, Schooner, or Vessel as aforesaid, shall be provided with a Fog Horn or a Bell, of a weight not less than twenty pounds, which it shall be the duty of the Master, or person commanding such Steamboat, Schooner, or Vessel, under the penalty in the seventh section of the said recited Act contained, to cause to be sounded or rung at regular intervals of not less than five minutes at a time, with an intermission of two minutes during the time that any such steamboat, schooner, or other vessel as aforesaid shall be in a fog.

* * * * *

11. And be it enacted, That if any damage to any person or property shall be sustained in consequence of the non-observance of any of the provisions contained in this Act, the same shall in all Courts of Justice be deemed, in the absence of proof to the contrary, to have been caused by the wilful default of the Master or other person having charge of such Steamboat, Schooner, or other vessel as aforsaid; and the owner thereof in all civil proceedings, and such Master or other person in all proceedings, whether civil or criminal, shall be subject to the legal consequences of such default.

12. And be it enacted, That the penalties imposed by this Act maybe sued for by information or action of debt, in the name of Her Majesty, in any Court of Record of competent jurisdiction, and one-half of such penalty shall be paid to the informer.

SCHEDULE A.

The following Diagrams are intended to illustrate the working of the Plan prescribed by this Act.

FIRST SITUATION.

First Situation

In this situation, the Steamer A will only see the red light of the vessel B, in whichsoever of the three positions the latter may happen to be, because the green light will be hid from view. A will be assured that the larboard side of B is towards him, and that the latter is therefore crossing the bows of A in some direction to port. A will therefore (if so close as to fear collision) port his helm with confidence, and pass clear. On the other hand, the Vessel B, in either of the three positions, will see the red, green, and mast-head lights of A appear in a triangular form, by which the former will know that a Steamer is approaching directly towards him : B will act accordingly.

It is scarcely necessary to remark, that the mast-head light will be always visible in every situation till abaft the beam.

SECOND SITUATION.

Second Situation

Here A will see B's green light only, which will clearly indicate to the former that B is crossing to starboard. Again, A's three lights being visible to B, will apprize the latter that a steamer is steering directly towards him.

THIRD SITUATION.

Third Situation

A and B will see each other's red light; only, the screens preventing the green lights being seen. Both vessels are evidently passing to port.

FOURTH SITUATION.

Fourth Situation

Here a green light only will be visible to each, the screens preventing the red lights being seen. They are therefore passing to starboard.

FIFTH SITUATION.

Fifth Situation

This is a situation requiring caution: the red light in view to A, and green to B, will inform both that they are approaching each other in an oblique direction. A should put his helm to port, according to the standing rule mentioned in the next situation.

SIXTH SITUATION.

First Situation

Here the two coloured lights, visible to each, will indicate their direct approach towards each other. In this situation it ought to be a standing rule that both should put their helms to port.

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