The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-01
SEA POsT-OFFICE SERVICE.
Duties of Postal Clerks Aboard
Vessels.
From the New York Post.


From the New York Post.
Passengers on the large steamships Of
ten inquire concerning the duties of the
clerks in the sea postofIice which are fitted
up on several vessels of the
great lines. The work is
difficult, and requires faithful and
experienced men. The sea postoffices now
transact an enormous business. and the
system is likely to be further extended
with the development of the other branches
of the postal servie. w. A. Hines, a clerk
in the sea postoffice service, has just writ
ten description of some of the duties of
a clerk aboard one of the great vessels
for the Bulletin, the organ of the national
association of postoffice clerks. He says
among other things, in speaking of a trip
aboard the Fuerst Bismarck:
THE pier from which we left had hardly
faded from sight before the business OF the
sea postofiice began. Two-cent stamps
were on call, to be used on letters to be
given to the pilot just before his departure
at Sandy Hook. With the actual forward
ing Of these letters, however, the sea post
Office has absolutely nothing TO do. The
pilot is not an authorized mail-carrier, and
letters entrusted to MIN are absolutely at
the sender's risk.
I'VE reached Sandy Hook at about
noon, and Immediately after luncheon
went down to our paper department.
where the mail is also stored, with the la
borer our first duty, with the assistance
Of a couple OF sailors, was to verify all
the mail. except that for Germany-pace
each in its own pile; to and via Plymouth,
England. in one; 20 and via Cherbourg,
France. In another; mail for Russia. Nor
way, Denmark, Sweden, and paper mail
for Austria In still another, and the Ger
man mail by itself The letter mail for
Austria was kept separate. 10 be resack-
ed when the letter mail for Germany was
ready to close. The sacks labelled Ger
many letters were sent up 10 the post
Office proper Those labelled Hamburg
forward" containing closed mails for Swe-
den, Norway, Denmark, and Russia, were
opened and verified as per letter bills en-
closed. The sailors were then sent TO their
duties the paper room closed and locked,
and the American part OF the sea postof-
fee. with his assistant, adjourned to the
upper Office.
"rhe necessary mention Of letter room
and paper room Is possible Of a few ex-
plantations The letter room Is. on the
Hamburg ships. located In the extreme
after part of the vessels on the uD1er
deck. There are usually six decks on a
Transatlantic hner-the sun deck. which IL
the highest, where the lifeboats are kept
and the forward and after parts OF which
are used for promenading purposes. the
promenade proper next, then the upper,
and IN their order the main and two lower
decks. one advantage Of the location Of
the letter room. or postOiilce. proper on
these ships Is very apprcciabe: the pos
slbiuty OF ventilaton with three portfolios
In the room. one need never want for
fresh air. except OF course when the wind
~ astern. aud the motion OF the ship with
10 creates almost a vacuum; but the loca-
ton OF the mall-room 80 Tar oft makes
the vibratory motion caused by The screws
excessively disaFreeable. and in extremely
rough weather work u simply Impossible
"WhCn ! got 10 the ictter-room the La
borcr opened several 81 the lottCr-hnFa
for Germany--aH much AZ could be- conYe-
nlcnty handled AZ one time passing tho
labels over 20 me AZ a means Of vcrnea-
ton when through Then be- opened the
bundles and separated the letters Zen two
pllea-one containing the cities aud towns
which We make up direct aud which / aen-
nrato later the other. ali other matter.
which ia taken care ri hv my German col.
league A. Hoou az che letter mail o. 30
eiatned, open thg registered bags and