They have no fixed rule, like vessels meeting at sea.

The sound of the toll of the second bell may easily be blended with the first, if it be struck hurriedly, which in cases of danger is more than probable; or, the sound of a single toll may find an echo and be mistaken for two tolls.

The collision we met with was caused by this very misunderstanding; at least, so the captains mutually explained it.

The reason given me for this unsettled system was, that, owing to banks and currents, vessels could not always take the same side.

Supposing this to be so, still, a more correct indication of the side intended to be taken might be obtained by lights kept burning for that purpose in a box with a sliding front, removeable at pleasure by a line leading to the wheel-house, in the same way as the lanyard of the bell is at present fitted; and a further palpable advantage would be obtained by obliging vessels meeting in the night to stop the engines and pass at "slow speed." In addition to these precautions, a stout cork fender, extending round the bows some ten feet on each side, and fixed every night at dark, would materially lessen the chances of destruction, even if collision did take place.
There is, however, another cause of accident which the Louisville paper does not allude to, and that is overloading.