SINKING SHIPS Even as the next tragedy makes headlines, Parliament continues to let Plimsoll run aground. In Bridlington Bay, dozens of coal freighters are caught in an onshore storm after a lull. The crews fail to put the completely overloaded, floating coffins onto a sandbank. Rescuers do their best, but for more than 50 sailors any help comes too late, six of the rescuers also die. Plimsoll still does not find a hearing in parliament. Then he does something revolutionary: he turns directly to the public and to the trade unions. At his own expense, he has 600,000 copies of his book »Our Seamen« about the fate of the seamen printed and distributed. A report by the Chamber of Commerce documents the horror figures. In 1870 alone, 856 ships were lost in moderate conditions – not five miles from the coast. 149 sank in storms that should do nothing to a good ship. For the period from 1861 to 1870, 5,826 accidents are counted that led to sinking. With these facts, Plimsoll wins new supporters. The audience in the packed Exeter Hall is on his side, applause erupts, colleagues from the House of Commons change fronts, even some Lords and even representatives of the Church support him. Queen Victoria presses for a commission to be set up. The result: the Chamber of Commerce is finally allowed to inspect ships. And so it does. Of 440 inspected ships, only 16 are allowed to sail immediately. The majority have to undergo repairs or are laid up. This drives the shipowners to the barricades, followed by months of hearings and negotiations with the Commission. The Commission backs down: the responsibility for the cargo remains with the shipowners, making a freeboard marking superfluous. read more 89 Fotos: Stock Adobe/ZVG
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