The New York herald., 1870-03-15
DANGERS OF MARINE TRAVEL.
The Seamens Strike-What 1t Has Developed
Perils Of Coastwise Steamships = Food
for Insurance Companies-How In
gpectors are Manipulated

| has been In active operation, has developed many
shortcomings among vessel owners and captains
really alarming. Here are some OF them IL Is the
duty OF ali vessel to have their crafts In a
perfectly seaworthy condition, supplied with
stancn ana numerous boats, with tackles, spare
sDars, sails; ana above all, 1t s criminal for cap
tains to sail from this port without the requisite
complement OF able and practical seamen. All Of
these rules are being violated every day and the
seamen's strike mas Dr0Ignt out many culpable de-
inquences that show not only an utter disregard
Tor the safety OF freight, but also reckless care
lessncss for life ana limb.
III Is asserted that prominent firm. whose vessels
sailed from pier a6 North river, had some difficulty
with their seanen about wages. and thar the seamen
were instantly discharged, and the crew could not
Immediately be shipped, and the vessel was ordered
TO SEA WITHOUT A SAILOR ON BOARD.
Tbe Ocean Scamen's Benevolent Association In
stantiy sent circulars board, asserting the utter
insecurity OF coastwise passage along the pcrions
Atlantic shore without sail0rmen counter eloft
was made and the passengers were nstiled with the
false belief the officers alone could man and Da-
vgatc steamship TO distant Southern port.
TIE vessel sailed Without seamen. She arrived
safely at her destined port. Ins was more than .
contingency; 1t was positive accdent-a wonder,
ana wnyY Because men are necessary Tor these
reasons:-On Hatreras ana along the Jutting head
lands OF
THE SOUTHERN sEABoARD
the wind Is always nigh gale and the sea is angry
ana Dolster0us. cyclones, such AZ That fearful cir
cuar tempest in which the Evening Star went down.
are always liable; indeed. they are indigenous TO
those lattude5. Suppose steamship sails from
New York WITH ten seamen, SIX. or none, as In the
case mentioned. a gaze cones up. shifting TORNADO
rlses ABOUT TO all points OF the compass; the ship
Is twisted about ner keel ner machinery IS dis
abied; she Is beyond control OF the helm; steam is
no longer avaable she mas recourse TO her canvas.
What men has she then 90 maze sail, or TO hand
sail TO rip the taters blown from the bolt ropes
from the jack stays; TO set storm staysa,ls, to beat
or from lee shore; or, in case OF a wreck, q
stranded ship, Or
FouNpERING AT SEA,
to clear away The boats man them ana save the
These are very pertinent questions, and concern
the vital interests OF every supper and passenger
patronizing American coastwise steamships. In The
case cited above it - reported that Inc owners had
no insurance upon their vessel, ana taab tneif re-
gard Tor the safety OF Their transportation was mea
suFei by the profits OF the passage, not minus III
Surdnce premiums.
INSURANCE COMPANIES
take great risks even IN the steamers that weekly
leave this port. Their inspectors and those OF the
government often make tneir surveys OF the ship's
condition IN tue cabin over Widow Cliqnot and
French brandy. Ine result is that certificates
amount to nothing; and testimonials of safe
machinery ana SOUND boers are impudent frauds,
signed oftcn without examination and frequently
wnen the inspector Is al sea wlth mis- own mind
IL was related TO the reporter yesterday by an old
salt that III me asurns toe hose ior government
official. .he ad taken the same coli from one soe OF
the geek 10 the ether while the inspector was In tue
uty on board. Tne same trick was played with lrea
buckcts AID these artlces are the rule not the eX
ception
TIE BOATS
are In many cases rotten ana unstable; lockers for
seamen and in a condition where they could hardly
be cleared away III o critical mo,nenL The lnsur-
aace people are sl taxing these risks. They should
make thorough examinations.
If the true story could be tod OF many ocean DIS
asters want OF hands, worthless lire appar atus,
rotten boats, unserviceapie sails and culpabe ncgll-
gence would he the summary.
TIC western McgropOilS sailed on saturday with
ten men and two mess boys. AT the Seamens' Read
ing ho0ln, so Beacn street. 1t WAS affirmed that
these men were not seamen, but the ODDS ana
ends looking Tor Jobs. There are now 1So
and Merchants lines. The vessels OF the st. Do
mlngo and Havana, Fernandina. Pacific Mall North
American GarrIsOl's ITO Janeir0 ana ltuger's lines
pay the wages demanded-1orly dollars per month.
AS FAST as The steamers which reduced wages
paid arrive III port the society men VIII retire from
employment,
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STRIKERS.
The society has $4,000 In the treasury, and its
members intend to hold out as long as possible
Tnoy assert tnat the action Of tae vessel Is
cruel; that they never have had at sea coastwise
steamers such q luxury as watch In watch,
and that tnclr duties are day and night
wearing, fatiguipg and tnankless. Contrasting
the British usage with the American, they say
the National line In each steamer has fory-two
men, sixteen ordinary seanen and four quarternas-
ters, while the American vessels OF the tonnage,
&c, won q nave SIX hands, all told. The strikers
are Dltter against boarding masters and shipping
agents, who Drain the seamen by 'blood money"
by frauds, by cunning sWinoles and the meanest OF
all petty abuses.
Whatever may be the result OF the present strike,
it Is serious deLriment to commerce, aud taxes
from the dechs of steamers already depleted OI the
requisites o safety the sea. ol tue hardest
and most prolcient seamen OF the merchant marine.