Evening star., 1897-04-03

much an air OF business for mere pleasure
craft. They darted hither and thither al
most like the galls that sometimes raced
beside them. each one displaying some
number in big black figures on Its main
sail. and thousands Of Americans returning
from foreign travel have felt a thrill Of
pleasure at sighting these bold little sea-
birds perhaps $50 miles from the coast.
welcoming them as the first sign Of land.
and feeling that with the pilot on board
they are almost at home again. But here,
elsewhere. time brings changes, and the
cid order of things is even now passing
away II is probable that the beginning of
the twentieth century will the last Of
the sail pilot boats, around which 60 many
associations OF exciting and heroic adven-
lures haze accumulated during the past
life OF American commerce.
The struggle 10 replace the sail pilot boats
by steam craft has been long and some
what bitter one, but the victory of steam
Is assured by the capitulation of the Sandy
Hook pilots. who have always been its most
formidable antagonists. Almost every sea-
sOn for the past twenty years somebody has
suggested the building of a steam pilot
boat. and once or twice attempts have been
nade 10 utilize ordinary tugs for this pur-
pose. But these conservative sea dogs,
with the inborn scorn OF old-fashioned
sailors for steam craft, have always fought
the proposition tooth and nail, either
through their commissioners, by refusing
TO license the steamboats,, else by a
formidable system OF boycott. The mere
suggestion OF a steamers guiding the great
ocean liners into port is enough to make
some Of these departed salt water guides
turn Ia their graves. but they were quiet
men in life. and are not likely to make
trouble now.
Unique Calling.
In spite Of changes pending or already
arrived. the vocation of harbor pilot re-
mains unique, wholly unlike any other
calling In the direct control which Its
followers exercise. the manner IN which
work Is allotted TO each one and the sys-
tom OF apprenticeship fl more closely re-
sefnbies the mcdiaeval guilds than any
modern trade or profession. In spite of
the many restrictions with which law has
hsdged about the genteel professions. 1t is
easier 10 become d lawyer or a physician
than 70 secure the privilege of plotting an
or-aE vessel into port. There is no school
o. college that can train a man to be a
I.Ct and turn him out at the end OF a
and ready TO practice. The pilots diploma
must be won by hard work exposure to
al kinds OF rough weather and an init
mate acquaintance with all the rips -
CUTS AMI bars for 100 miles along the
coast, and admission to the craft is so re-
sificted that the number of pilots never
varies much. 1t is usually about 100 for
SSndy Hook For the other ports the
number is considerably less Only enough
men are admitted TO take the places of
those who drop out on account of death or
old age. so that II is difficult matter for
"a younSster 10 get even the opportunity of
undergoing the hardships of the pilot s
apprentice.
The would-be pilot begins his training
usually at the age OF sixteen or eighteen
though frequently older men who have
been for years before the mast or in some
allied seagOing trade take UP the pilots
calling As an apprentice he is put on q
pilot boat where he works as sculhon and
maH-of-all work, picks up what informa-
tion he about tides shoals and chan.
neIs. and learns not ID fear the sea In Its
argriest moods. He helps to row the pilots
TO and from vessels In little yawl when
waves are running mountains and grows
accustomed TO risking his life every day
with the nonchalance of the men older in
the business.
After two years OF this kind Of work the
cub becomes a boatkeeper, and is In.
trusted with the charge OF the boat wher
bne - manned. Curious!y enough,