New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-04
LONELY IN a GREAT CITY.
A BIG SHIP GUARDED BY ONE MAN-LlFE AT
NIGHT on a VESSEL AT HER PIER-A
HARD WAY OF EARNING \ LIVING

NIGHT on a VESSEL AT HER PIER-A
HARD WAY OF EARNING \ LIVING.
ono If the most lonesome. and 10 n andsman 'he
mos, 1sacreeahle places which sailor may HI IL
that of ships keeper. Every night as the s"auo"'
around the South-st. piers begin TO deepen ana 'e
ev,,r,inr currents of the East River change from
greenish-brown TO dull. grimy black men i'u! 0e
seen climbing up the companionways OF the ul'"
American ships and the more or less untidy iore'sh
greenish brown to dull. grimy black men may pe
loiterers. truckmen and all the others VINO so 10
make M the busy day life OF the waterfront nave
gone away for the night. On board the shIps '"c
cartain or officer in charge is pacing the ueeh Oi
perhaps Seeding the steward because supper Is "o'
ready over the rail of big clipper Win Caie
ful look about the deck, steps the Keeper. Mui'!'
to his ears in overcoat and wrap. and with o'IsKS
oror his arm he goes aft: there is short Inter
change of greetings a brief statement as 10 the
dsnoson OF the lines by which the snip iaSteheu
a few short words Of instruction, and ashore goes
the skippery leaving the big black lonesome huiK 10
the care of the keeper.
As soon after the captain goes as he can get ''e
dishes washed and the galley ready Tor to-inor-
rows work the steward follows in his wake ana
then begns a tour of inspection. All over the snip
from stem . goes the Keeper. Into All 'he
dark places away up under the fOrecaste deck' up
one side and down the other looking AFTER '"e
fastening Of the lines leading 10 the pier ne goes
with his trainer 10 see III nv va ''''
AZ clearly as a cat can. and sometimes with cat
for compsny. A sharp lookout is needed. FOR In
spjte of all the vigilance OF the police. there are
some river thieves yet left the New York water
front and while they would hesitate about assault
ing q man known t. be armed and ready for thein'
there are lots Of little things which may De hh'h'
even from an empty ship. and everything IS lesii-
mate plunler which can be carried or rOWed away
Ifit Is pleasant night. SO much the better Ihere
Is always a little life in the street. and the gloom
OF night is lightened by the lamps on shore ana the
hum Of the cty's never-ending noises. but "heh
the clouds gather and the wind begins to pun, ana
the sound OF the flowing tide Is increased by the
Zap, lap Of little waves, then comes the weary
part of the nights business. Gently at first but
with constantly increasing volume, comes the snow
The wind begins 10 whistle through the taut rig
ging the lights gradually become less and less plain.
the passing Of ferryboat is known only by the
noise II makes; and with ms oiled Goa, ana sou
wcsier buttoned on and down. the keeper nnhhes a
hurried trip to the pier 10 see that MS INES are
fast. ,,, -. o,,,s,r,,cs
Then back on deck he goes 70 cover hatches WIN
tarpaulins. shut all doors crouch under the wea'hcr
rail and 'let her blow" Blow she does, ana the
whistle in the rigging changes 70 shrll piping as
though a gigantic Aeolian harp were SUSPENDED IN
feel the force Of the gale and she and strains
If full Of life and trying 10 escape from BONDAGE.
music Of the storm. and ne remembers the differ
ence between being where he Is ana out at sra N
low by "A laundering knock al the iorecasile door
and a hOarse below OF "All hans on d"ck-take IN
sail-vely now. lively.
But it VIII not DO 10 stay under the shelterng rail-
for long Up and out again. for on nights IKE TINS
the 'lOngShOre pirates love to do their work ana
fathoms Of hawser for the thief AMI unknown dam
age 70 the ship since unkshOps are not particular
and there is another pier only rod or so away
s. IL goes all through the night. and when morn
ing comes and the shore people appear ready FOR
work they ind the tracks of the keeper In every
part Of the ship whore has settled. ana Mp and
down the pier, mute but indlsputable evidence that
t. anything Is wrong IT is something the presence
OF the keeper could not prevent.
Down comes the captain. The steward has re-
turned the galley" fire Is going and hot coffee
sends out enticlnC fragrance on the cold damp
air. The skipper looks alOfteverything l. taut ana
nothing carried away The same short INTERCHANGE
Of greetings the story OF the lines with Oddl-
tiOnal points to how they stood the strain. and
with curt "YOuN be here early tonight" from
the captain the keeper Chambers down 10 the pier.
answering as he goes, "Ycs. sir good morning SIR
Then he seeks his home and days sleep
These men are recruited from the ranks OF sailors
officers who have grown tired OF the and
have formed connections on shore which IL Is hard
10 break. Some old captains who have had bad
luck the water. lost their ships or met other
little competence. and, utterly unable 10 resist
the fascination which ships always have for those
who know them we'll, add to their income and at
the same time satisfy their longing for the smell
OF tar the feel OF the ropes and the taste OF the
salt air. Come from whatever class OF seafarlng
men they may, all the habits OF patience. watchfu-
ness and devotion to duty which sailors life has
poorly paid but important Office OF shpkeoper at .
New York