, 1890-02-08
IMAM o~vERBoARDl"
Tho Startling Cry on Shipboard-Rules of
Action mt Such Critical Times.

The Startling Cry on Shlpboard-Rules of
Action mt Such Critical Times.
There is no sound aboard ship so de-
moralizing as that of MAN over
boardl' 1t strikes terror to the heart
of the bravest of men, and only the
best disciplined crews can withstand
the panic it usually produces. Almost
every ship has a peculiar rule of action
for such occurrences The best pre-
concerted arrangements, however, are
often inapplicable, and success depends
mainly on the presence of mind of the
watch, the man at the life buoy, and
the normal condition of the boats.
A cool hand will drop the life buoy
sometimes within reach of a man; a
bothered" one will either not let 90
al all or do so before the man has got
neal the stern. OF all persons aboard
ship. the officer of the deck should be
cool and collected.
Rear Admiral S. B. Luce lays down
the principle that the most important
considerations when a man falls over
board are: First, the quickest and
most etfectual way of arresting the
ships progress and how to keep her as
near the spot where the man fell as
possible. Second, to preserve the gen.
eral discipline of the ship, to maintain
silence, and to enforce the most
prompt obedience, without permitting
toolhardy volunteering of any kind.
Third, to see that the boat appointed
to be used on these occasions is placed
in such a name hat she may be cast
loose in a moment, and when ready
for lowering, that she is properly man
ned and fitted, so as to be efficient in
all respects when she reaches the
water. Fourth, to take care in lower
ing the boat neither TO stave nor
swamp her nor to pitch the men out.
And, lastly, to have a sufficient mum
Der of the sharpest sighted men in the
ship stationed aloft in such n manner
as to give them the best chance not
only of discovering the person over
board, but of pointing him out to the
men in the boat, who may not other
wise know in what direction to pull.
With steamers the difficulties 10
overcome in roscuing a man overheard
are comparatively few, inasmuch as a
steam vessel is always under control
SO long as her machinery is in good
order. The rule is to stop as quickly as
possible, lower the lee lifeboat, and
pick the man up. The really fine
points of seamanship come into play
when sailing ships are being handled.
The ordeal is a trying one for the best
of officers, and the young seamen
who can properly place a large sailing
ship and rescue a man hal has fallen
overheard deserve the highest credit
for seamanlike qualities.
Rear Admiral Luce, one of the best
seamen in the United States navy, and
now on the retired list, had a favorite
habit while in command of the North
Atlantic squadron of orderinga mid
shipman to relieve the officer of the
deck from duty, and the instant the
young nan took hold of the speaking
trumpet the observing officer would
quickly pass a signal and in a twink
ling the terrible cry OF Man over
boardl' would ring through the ship.
1t was all done to test the young mid,
shipman's nerve and fitness for his
calling, and the admiral's delight in
catching a young officer mapping was
amusing. Generally, however, com
handing officers refrain from allow,
ing the cry to be sounded solely for
practice purposes, inasmuch as sea,
men have been known to jump over,
board to the rescue of their supposed
unfortunate shipmate. The rule is q
stringent one that no sailor shall jumr
overheard for rescuing purposes un
less permitted by the officer of the
deck, but many brave fellows do SO in
spite of the regulation, and no few
lives have been lost in foolhardy un,
dertakings.-New York Times.