Yo the Editor of the "Nourt-Cutsa Datuy News."
Sin,—The recent accident to the river steamer Tungting below Yochou on the Middle Yanutzo again calls attention curious persistency with which inevitable requirements are ignored and steamers of wusw'table build and dimensions for trade between Hankow and Ichany continue to he introduced. As should now be well known, the navigation of this section of the during the water seas Yetoher April—is' difficult for vessels drawing more than six fect, apd set few of the steamers engaged in this trade ex carry a full cargo ona less draught than seven, and in some ewes about eight, fect; more: over in the winter season the channels are frequently so circuitous and so near the tank and the bends in places so sharp long steamers are exceedingly difficult handle. Most of the steamers on this ran, however, are over tivo hundred an! fifty fect in length, with the natural result that many" accidents occur and much lime and money are lost. The type of boat dest suited would be a twin-screw steamer, not longer than fect, capable of steaming about ten knots and of carrying full cargo on a six-foot draught. Such a vessel could run with regularity and success tall seasons and her speed would be ample to cope with the summer current. Tam, ete., 20th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.