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38 Victoria. Sessional Papers [No. 5.] A. 1875 The master of the "Cumberland" in his report to me of the accident, states that they were enabled to subdue the fire with these fire extinguishers much quicker than by water, and urges their adoption on all steamers as a protection against fire. The side-wheel passenger steamer "Algoma," on her way from Collingwood to Killarney, broke the crank of the paddle shaft of the Port Engine, she made her way back to Collingwood working the starboard engine, without any other accident. This accident was attributed to the neglect of the Chief Engineer, Thomas Bonner, and his assistant, Duncan Cameron, who were drunk on the -trip. The Certificates of both men have been revoked by the Board in consequence. The screw freight propeller "Mary R. Robertson," on her way down Lake Brie on the 10th of August, broke her air pump cover, and air pump bucket. The Engineer J. Bice, deserved credit for working the vessel into port by using his engine without the air pump, as a high pressure engine. The passenger and freight propeller "Europe" on the 16th November, broke the piston head of the Engine, she was towed back to St. Catherines for repairs without further damage. Kingston Division. The working-beam of the steamer "Chieftain" was found on the 21st August to be giving way, the vessel was towed to Kingston, and thei'e the beam was replaced with one of greater strength. On the 18th July, the working beam of the mail steamer "Magnet" broke at the forward end, carrying away the principal parts of the Engine in its descent. On the 25th June, the driving shaft of the steamer "Alexandra" broke when opposite Morrisburg on the River Ottawa. On the 23rd October the steamer "America" sank alongside of the wharf at Kings-ston, the vessel had been condemned as worn out. Propeller "R. W. Standby" got aground on the 5 th November, on the Gull Shoals near Cobourg, the only damage to the machinery was a broken steam pipe, the vessel was towed to Kingston for repairs. No personal injury is reported from the above. Montreal Division. Steam tug "Forest Queen" burned en the 30th May, while towing on Allumette Lake, cause of fire supposed to be from the lamps in the cook's room, the vessel a total lose, the cook lost her life by this accident. The steam barge "Carleton" loaded with lumber was burned in September when leaving the harbour of Montreal. The vessel drifted down to Boucherville Island where she sank. No lives lost, Freight steamer "York" burned in the Lachine Canal on the 9th August. Cause of fire arose from lying near a steam saw-mill on fire. Steamer "Elgin" burned in the Lachine Canal 1st December. Fire caused by a stove pipe passing through the deck. Steamer "Maggie Bell" ran aground aboat 7 miles below Ottawa in a fog. Steamer "Fawn" while leaving the mouth of the Carrillon Canal on the night of the 7 th of August with a tow of barges, bm-st her boiler. The cause of the explosion was owing to the screw bolts in the bottom of the furnace drawing through the lower plates. Jt is supposed that the ends of the bolts had worn away from leaking. These stay bolt heads could not be seen by the Inspector, whefi inspecting the boiler. The boiler had been tested on the 16th May to a water pressure of 75 pounds to the square inch, and a working pressure of 50 pounds allowed, and the safety valve loaded to that pressure. William Gray, the Engineer of the steamer was slightly scalded by the explosion, and a man was also blown overboard but saved from drowning. No other injury to life or property is reported from this accident. Silvester Sullivan, Engineer of the steamer "John P^gan," of Pembroke, was killed im the 27th May by the paddle shaft crank striking him on the head, causing immediate death ; he was in the discharge of his duty ax toie time of the accident. There are no cases of misconduct or drunkenness to report among Engineers in this district.