The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-05-23
OFFICERS AND ENGINEERS
A PLEA FOR THE PROTECTION OF
INTER-ISLAND SAILORS.
Some Suggestions to the Cabinet Upon
Important Matter-How an newt
able Difficulty Can be Met.

The President of this Republic, his
Cabinet ministers, the judges, lawyers
doctors, business and plantation men,
tourists the men, the women and the
children, have for years been continu-
ally travelling as passengers on our IN
ter-island steamers. How seldom have
we heard any mention of the unparti-
leled safety, and lack of accident TO
ship or life. and. considering the rough
landings, how comparatively few mis-
haps, to freight in loading or landing.
Is no consideration due to the hard
and capable men who officer and man
these we'll built ships; and the officers
of the companies who so carefully see
to it that their ships are Differed by
competent men, even when there are no
government laws to compel them TO
provide licensed men?
Probably the majority of inter-island
travellers are not aware that this is
about the only Government engaged in
| shipping which has never made anJ
| laws concerning the conditions upon
which a man is qualified to hold posi-
| ton as officer, or engineer of steamers.
| know of no other government winch
does not have regularly appointed in
spector of hulls, boilers, machinery,
captains, mates and engineers, and no
steam vessel is allowed to go to sea
without a yearly inspection by such
government inspectors, who issue lie
ense for each seawOrthy ship, that
must be placed in a conspicuous place
on board, for passengers to inspect.
Before the inspectors also must APP
pear every man who desires a position
as officer, and pass rigid examination
in color blindness, seamanShip, naViga-
ton, rules of the road machinery, etc,
A man who passes and obtains license
as a second mate must then serve in
hot limited npriOl
before he can be examined for first
mates position, and then another GER
tain period as first mate, before he can
be examined for a masters certificate.
The same applies to engineers. Every
officer is also required to keep his lie
ense posted on board in a position for
passengers inspection
Our inter-island ships have all class
es of men, from those with unlimited
license, to many in all positions, with
no license at all. Some worthy and
capable seamen in these island ships
can never pass an examination, or Sc
cure a license. while it often happens
that some who can easily learn the
theory, but who learn little from actual
experience, succeed in passing before
inspectors, and obtain a license, While
the very fact to the former of attempt
ing to pass an examination before regu-
larly appointed inspectors. would corr
wind. and rob them of all hope.
With the advent of the American
Government, regularly appointed Unit
ed States inspectors will be among the
new officials. Before these inspectors
every officer and engineer without Il
United States license, must appear, and
conform to all the rules and regulations
required or lose their present positions.
1t seems too bad that many worthy
men who have served the public sue
ceSSfully many years in the island SER
vice, should thus be thrown out of EN-
ployment. | thoroughly enjoy standing
upon the wharf, watching with interest
the lading or getting away of various
island steamers. The captains, it can
readily be seen, are as cool and as much
at home on the bridge and at the bells,
as when in their own homes, and to
seaman it is a delight to watch their
clever maneuVerS.
Does the public owe these men of the
sea anything? Can our Government do
anything for them in this emergency?
Is it not due these public servants TO
make a trial? 1t is likely to be year
before we shall have United States In
spectors. Is it not in the power of the
present Government to forestall ev-
entS?
There are men in the island service
who not only hold unlimited license as
masters, and engineers, but who are
fully competent to hold the position of
inspectors. Why not appoint island men
for inspectors, and trust to the United
States Government to continue them
in service, giving them at least the
benefit of the attempt? Could not these
inspectors, who would be familiar with
all inter-island men, then examine the
various officers, and if found compe-
tent, give them an Hawaiian Govern
ment license of service for the positions
they now occupy or have successfully
| held?
| 1t is more than probable that under
these circumstances, supplemented by
a request from our proper Government
officials, that the Washington authori-
ties would take action to permit all to