New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-13
INCIDENTS OF LIE UNDER WArER.

AN OLD ENGINEER RELATES SOME OF HIS EXPIRE
ENCEs-wHAT THE cHINAMEN SAW.
"Life under water mopotonous, ell 7" Well,
guess not At least don't lind It So I've been there
fourteen years Of and on aud have always managed 10
find enough to OCCUPY my time and attention" Tho
speaker engineer on one OF the great ocean
steamers, and as be made that remark to TRIBUNE
reporter while standing the pier before his vessel he
readiusted bis loose blouse with awkward jerk and
gave his head o confident twtch.
a fellow needn't let time lag on him anywhere II he
only has his eyes open" he added. "Now, TO some s
would almost unbearable to watch the continuous
throb OF the machinery of large steamer and hear moth
ing hut tho everlasting click. click OF the piston rods
and levers but to they all sound like music. Fvebe-
come partly dulled and insensibe Them but
often sit still and watch and listen to their vary
Ing with that sort OF satisfaction which musician
feels when no his fingers mechanically vt slfully
over keys OF bis instrument His satisfaction ases
from the fact that he has the instrument entirely under
bis control, aud mine from similar With
OF finger could propel thousands OF tons al
almost any speed through tho water send hundred
lives into eternity. Indeod feel that am the sole re-
sponsbe party board for the lives of the passengers
as It remains with me to keep my machinery in such
perfect condition to withstand any ordinary or
rough storm.
And again take pride in keeping everything around
Ire shining ike FURNISHED gold II a spot OF grease
dirt gets the rods handles OF part Of the
chnery IL cannot notice long. every
part OF engine twice day, aud rub tie trass
and steel rods with much pleasure though owned
the ste amer myself sometimes my elf IN keep
ing "A record Of the number OF miles an hour and
comparing 1t With the records OF previous trips. have
on a book IN the engne-rOOm curious table OF dates
and figures which shows to the exact time for every
milo made by different which have engineered
across the ocean the last fourteen years IL thing
more than usual ot II down opposite the dats.
and 40 make sort OF ary OF IT, 1t speaks volumes 10
me- and recalls many interesting memories. For In
stance was looking through 1t the other day, and
found opposite Nov. 10, 1875, reference 10 visit
from Cinnamon. The incident recalled to my
min Ina a moment aud laughed heartily over 10 % tIy
self This Il what II one day while gins IN port
We were visited by several Cinnamon who were anxious
the ship. They were an ignorant set am u Il
tain wa, a good natured fellow and allowed them ~
come ow although they experienced some d0t"ts -
10 the alyisabilty 81 dong. They were very iii.
and N took son time u convince them tIat ia
-Itcbiucry was harmless. Finally got two ot them %
un So 70 the heavy driving rod which yOu know IN
large vessel - An enormous piece or r0n ,til MY
,yithonL warning u gave a start forward AMI accom-
naniei by loud pun Of steam leaped fully ten feet
above our heads Angry ~ assistant FOR letting On
steam without my know ledge, turned % speak q nil
yh, my attru ton attracted toward inc stairway.
The last two Chin OF the party were making nanao
oudeayors Il lump up half "A doz steps ~ tlIle. o
est mad III appeared ami before could get on decS tbs
tlC, crowd mad got their boat AMI started fr tas
shore No amount ~ persuasion cout ever yet them ID
RETURN 20 that ship which they claimed was All G. IL VAS
amean trcx bat II has Afforded me many gOol iAnsi
since"