The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-28

for the same-never less than Sloo-which
amount is in addition to the fare paid TO
the company.
PROMOTION SLOW.
But Ii is often a long and weary way 10
the captaincy. It was the rule few years
ago for certain transatlantic line to de-
mand a captains certificate from their
fourth officer. and the fourth officer was in
receipt of but so a month"; while the first
who must be in every way as efficient as
the captain, and who, except in case OF bad
weather, has much harder work than the
captain. was paid the magnificent sum of
$1,000 per year, So much for the money.
Now word about the work.
II is so hard that no boy who Is not
physically strong should attempt TO go TO
sea The exposure is terrible. The strain
of long hours, even for the officers, could
not or would not be borne by any other
class of men L have before me the testl-
mony of a second officer who had TO be nn
without relief; and il is only a Few years
ago that Captain Grace died after forty
eight hours continuous watch on the bridge
OF his vessel.
All these Things and the chances Of be-
coming crippled by rheumatism when
considered for they are Of far more Inn
portance than the romance of the sea, with
which boys are so fascinated.
While il is well known that sailors are
restless when on shore. still. from an &C,
quaintance with many of them in All
not express a desire Ito swallow the an
Choir if IL were well greased'-which means
that they would gladly become landsmen
IL they could be sure of a living.
An engineer occupies a peculiar position
both in the navy and in the merchant ma
rine There seems to be determined effort
on the part Of those who know how faithful
and valuable these men are to bestoW on
them the rank to which their ability and
their services should entitle them, ana TINS
will no doubt soon be accomplished. The
position of chief engineer will then be a
most desirable one for boys who have
They learn. not at sea, but on shore. in
some large foundry or machine shop, where
they become familiar with every part or
the great giants which they must manage.
The reason for this is apparent after a
glance at the duties. They are to take
charge of the steam steering gear, electric
light, refrigerating and hydraulic machinery
and must know how to make repairs even to
badly cracked shaft
A chief engineers pay at the present Tune
averages $500. He may carry on petty
trading, as all seamen do, though the legf-
innate chances OF money-maklng are not
great for any one but the captain.
The only way that boy can learn 10 be
pilot is to go as deck hand on a pilot boat,
and make himself useful and agreeable to
the pilot who will then give him a chance
to become boat keeper'-that Is to take
charge of their boat. The chief advantage
of such a position is that boat keepers are
present themselves for examination LOT
license as pilot
have a knowledge of navigation sufficient
to enable them to find the latitude by an
observation of the suns altitude, TO keep
dead reckoning, and to lay down courses
upon q chart all of which may be learned
from the pilots themselves though there is
no regular apprenticeship, and a boy may
leave when he pleases.
In the port of New York the first license
granted is for vessels drawing eighteen
man holding such a license should attempt
to take out bring in one of deeper
draught. full license Will be granted
after a years service. In Philadelphia the
first license is for twelve-foot vessels, and
the pilot EiuSt serve eighteen months before
he can secure an extension, and only then
after an examination.
A pilots life is certainly hard, but IL 10
more remunerative in proportion 10 the
education and service required than al
most any other at sea
The returns are not absolutely certain,
| as they are based on the tonnage of yes
sells which are taken in and out, but the
| laws for their protection are so strict that
| they are sure or good income. The aver
| age earnings are not less than 5000 year
| as much as those of many a captain who
| has received expensive education.
There is a steady and increasing de-
| mand for sailors. In 1892 we had 6,0S5 steam
| those under one hundred tons. These are
| manned in proportion to their tonnage, the
average being three men to every two hum
dred tons.
bodied seamen" receive from $50 TO
$25 per month, more often the former and
a fireman are $S5 and an 'oiler," which is
| generally the first position taken 10y young
man wishing 10 become an engineer, can
| get from $40 10 $40.