deck officers of a merchant vessel will do well if they keep and compare notes on matters such as these. A vast amount of information having to do with the important function of moving the products of the world is going begging for the want of suitable recording. Such knowledge carries with it the possibility for great saving. Merchant mariners, owners, and naval designers take notice. The cargo note book is an important part of the baggage of an officer.

Munitions. Cargoes under the general heading of munitions call for the most careful handling. It is well for the Chief Mate to know just what is being stowed, and where. This knowledge should be of use in exercising increased care in the management and handling of the vessel. The Halifax disaster is a case in point.

Cost Data. The Chief Mate who is on his job should keep cost data on stevedoring, and in fact on most operations performed on board ship. He should know how many men can work a hatch effectively, and what their pay is, and how much cargo they can stow, say in tons (2,000 lbs.) per working day:

Cost data resolves itself into this.

Amount of work done-any unit; tons of cargo-sq. ft. of paint. Number of men-and pay:

Hatchmen at $.00 per hour.

Holdmen at $.00 per hour.

Lightermen or truckers at $.00 per hour.

Checkers-tally men at $.00 per hour.

Time required to do the work.

Kind of cargo stowed.

Port.

Remarks-weather-sea-etc.

Cost data, actually kept, often is the foundation for important work later on as superintendent and manager.

Keeping cost data is a good way to relieve the monotony of supervising stevedores-it results in a note book of considerable value.

Live Stock. Vessels carrying live stock present added problems for the consideration of the Chief Mate. He should see to the proper organization of the cattlemen, their attention to duty, etc. The Chief Mate should be familiar with the laws relating to the carriage of live stock on passenger vessels.

Horse slings should be provided for valuable animals. Other cattle taken aboard in the stream are often slung on board by the horns alone.

Valuable horses should be placed in padded boxes, placed athwartships, and same fitted with slings under the bellies of the animals.

Passengers. Passengers are usually the special care of the Purser and Steward. The Chief Mate, however, should so organize the work of the ship that there is as little interference with the passengers as possible. The Second Mate, is usually delegated as baggage officer and has charge of the stowage and breaking out of this special cargo.

Tank Steamers. Tank steamers, like everything else, are undergoing changes in design, and each vessel requires special study on the part of the officers.

The Chief Mate should be familiar with the system of piping and the handling of the same. He should study the pipe diagrams and trace out the lead and use of everything for his own information.

There are many things in tank steamers not common to the regular run of sea carriers. The hose connections, the method of trimming, the use of summer tanks, the expansion trunks, and the many wrinkles having to do with the care and management of tankers.

When going into dry dock, be sure and see that all tanks

are gas free" before lights or red hot rivets are introduced. This is done by steaming them out, by blowing air through them, and by filling with water and pumping same out, the oil in the water, which should be overflowing, will run off first.

The officer who is going into tank steamers, or is in that service is advised to get a small pamphlet by Mr. Herbert John White, a British Merchant Marine officer, called OIL TANK STEAMERS, published by James Brown and Son, Glasgow, and for sale in New York by D. Van Nostrand Company (price $1.00). This is a very clear and practical manual for the use of tank steamer officers-one of the best books of its kind.

CHAPTER VIII

THE CHIEF MATE (Continued)

Receiving Stores. All stores delivered to the vessel should be received by the officer of the deck. The Chief Mate should provide for the proper receipt and the proper entries either in a log book or in a stores receipt book. Everything should be checked, weighed, and measured. This should be the basis for the approval of bills from supply houses, etc.

Keys. The key board of a vessel should be the direct charge of the Chief Mate, delegated, if necessary, but he should see that the keys are kept in order, properly marked, and only in the possession of those entitled to have them in charge. Receipts should be given for all keys drawn from the key board.

Master Keys. The master keys should be in the possession of the Chief Mate, and of the Master. When the Chief Mate goes ashore, the master keys should be left with the officer in charge of the ship during his absence.

The key board is a fair indication of the efficiency of a vessel.

Harbor Regulations. All harbor regulations should be observed. It is the duty of the Chief Mate to acquaint himself with these rules and see that the vessel and the crew abide by them.

Turning To. The time when men turn to and knock off, while in harbor, should be regulated by the Chief Mate, subject to companies' rules, customs, etc. It is well to abide

strictly to these rules, but when the safety of the vessel, or the necessities of work require it, extra work may be demanded by the Chief Mate.

In the point of work in port, and at sea, for that matter, working conditions are now bound up in agreements between companies and seamen's unions. Much of this is necessary and was brought about by abuses practiced upon seamen in days past.

The Chief Mate who gives his crew a right deal, and knows how to handle and take care of his men, never has any trouble in getting work done after hours. The answer is be humanalso just and firm-no sailor has any use for a jelly fish officer.

Upkeep. The work in port is usually confined to washing down, cleaning up after the stevedores, preparing holds for cargo, painting over the side, painting the boot-topping when the vessel is light, and cleaning up after coaling. At this time the steering gear and steering engine should be looked after, cleaned up and overhauled.

Wooden decks should be washed down every morning, as at sea, especially if in a warm port.

Cover the ends of mooring lines, to keep out dirt and grit; stow superfluous lines below-but handy-this keeps them away from harm, and the junk boats.

Unscrew and stow away all brass fittings-when in ports where these things can be disposed of-in most ports where the vessel lies at an unwatched wharf.

All persons leaving the vessel with packages, and suit cases-unless officers or officials-should show contents to the gangway watch.

No one should be allowed on the bridge or bridge deck, unless there on business.

Fire Hoses, Axes, Buckets, Extinguishers, etc. The Chief Mate is charged with the care and working order of the fire-fighting equipment of the vessel.

Fire drills must be held as required by law.