The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-02

nad SIX hours opportunity ror sieep divided into
two periods Of about three hours each; while It
may be wondered where he nnds time to work
his reckoning &c, yet the log Is kept and all the
other duties 60 on with never failing regularity.
Now say that this time h not enough TO devote
to rest for men who while on deck especially at
night are ever on the alert. l have asked the
opinion OF several eminent medlcai men on on tni y
subject and the answer has been invariably the
same-that the time is insufficient, more 80 on
account OF being divided into two periods
Having stated the grievance think 10 only rlgnt
that should suggest remedy, and in this case
happily 1t Is at hand without entailing any more
expense to owners or interfering in any way with
The duties of the ship. Nearly all our first class
steamers on the Atlantic have some three, some
four and others five officers on board, win masters
certificates, all fully competent to Keep a watch
Why not divide the watches in to threeY or another
way-if 1t be considered absolutely necessary TO
have the first and second officers divide the nlght
between them, let them nave plenty Oh rest curing
the day.
am wen aware that this is the case In some Of
the newly started lines, but why not adopted Dy
all cannot imagine. am sure That passengers
would Ieel themselves more safe having the assur-
ance that the man in charge mad mao sumcient
rest and was physically capable OF performing his
duties efficiently.
Secondly, and in my opinion OF equal Importance
is in many steamers the want Of sufficient shelter
from the weather afforded to the officers on Inc
bridge, which, indeed In some SHIPS amounts 10
nothing at all; and feel sure IL Is utterly lmpOs-
sble Tor any man under some circumstances 10
keep q sufficient lookout for Jour hours. II any
one doubts this assertion let him Tor experiment
go in gale OF wind to the end OF wharf
or lefty or any other exposed situation and,
facing the wind ana ram ana sleet, Try 10 Keep u
STEADY, continuous lookout for tour hours. think
at the end OF this watch he would subscribe 10
my opinion that too good shelter cannot De
afforded to these men who go through THIS sort OF
thing constantly, and, in addition to the wlnd anu
hail, have the sea and spray, ana last, Dut not
least, the motion OF the ship, which compelS tnem
at times either to lash themselves to their post or
hold on with fingers nearly frozen with colo lor
four hours.
/ am sorry to say that the ola established lines
are as far as my experience goes, the worst htted
vessels in this respect, having nothing but NAKED
bridge with a rag OF canvass In the middle OF IL,
lives and valuable property holds on, trying
to keep good lookout exposed to wind
and hail and sea, his natural energy actually
beaten out of him. 1t Is simply brutal. NO man
could expose animal IN this manner without
making himself liable to prosecution for cruelty.
But leaving these sufferings out OF the question,
ask Is 1t SAFE is IL judlciOuS to trust all TINS lie
and property to man for the time physically IN
vantageY
We win suppose case. light is seen and re-
ported to be seen by the officer in charge, and he,
not being able TO make out its color by the naked
eye takes his glasses OF their to ascertain.
and they (tne glasses) are Immediately rem
dered useless by rain or salt water spray.
What IS to be done Can any one
tell meP Does this man put his helm hard a-pOrU or
hard a-starbOard on a chance and trust to Provi-
dence9 l have often wondered and have often
asked, but never haO satisfactory answer. l
think all passengers in these vessels Will agree
with me that too good shelter cannot be afforded
to these men.
These vessels are regularly surveyed, their capa-
biltties and qualifications Kept up to certain
mark. and think that while the surveyors are
l0oRing at the ship they ought also 10 inquire.
How do you divide your watches at sea and what
shelter is rovided for the Officers9
Hoping and trusting that these few lines, like
bread cast upon the waters, may produce some
PREVENTION.