The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-02-09
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Overlooking VESSELS,


The probable fate of the ship Florence given up for lost
brings to mind in striking way OF the
abuses that exists American merchant Marine namely
loading of sailing vessels Competent eafarng persons
who are in position know positive in the
the load the Florence deeply This
abuse assert led directly to the probable loss of the YES
sell Whether such claim could be ubantiated may be
matter dispute but the reputation of the Florence among
g engaged carrying trade has long been that she
was usually too deeply loaded Circumstances certainly justify
such claim.
The Florence was an old vessel having been in trade since 1877
Although she had been long in the carrying business
evidently regarded her fine vessel STILL The older she got
the seaarng declared the heavier she loaded 1t APP
parenty made little difference whether the vessel sailed in
mer or winter she appeared be loaded about the
No calculation made for heavy weather The idea
seemed to be crowd much coal into the vessel she could
carry and let her and luck do the The sailors may
in their Indignation the circumstances harshy in dis
cussing this particular but there little doubt that the
tom OF overlooking vessels entirely among Ameri
can ship 1t is criminal abuse and legislation
should be enacted on the subject.
The foreign steamships that port Pn-
sol mark OF Lloyd Them This mark desgnates how deep the
vessel be loaded No vessel will be permitted 60 lnch
lower than that mark and suitable penalties prescribed in
the observance of this rule similar SUPERVISION it
oeSoo kept over the sailing vessels especially OF GREAT Brit
ain NO such system appears to be in vogue with the American
shipping interests however Certainly is the rule is obsolete
and has become dead letter. '.".~
What should be done have regular inspector appointed
whose duties shall be to that vessel carries pound
what she fit carry The inspectors of the passenger
ships that these vessels fitted
number of passengers Let that rule be violated by the vessel
ing than her license entitled her to- and fine will be int
posed very promptly Why should similar law be enforced
regarding the overlooking of freight carriers?
1t may be answered that there occasion for such law
because passengers carried such vessels Perhaps
passengers from the standpoint of transportation companies
but nevertheless passengers carried The officers and
are human beings and their lives protection much
they the greatest personages in the land the ship
look the sailor animal whose life be rkCd every
voyage order that few tons OF be crowded on
vessel then the that the minds of those
disabused of such idea the better will be- Something ought to
be done in this The OF the United States htoMn
about Jack certain 1t says how much food and what
he shall have be derect far afordng
the sailor proper protection from the indifference and rapac OF
certain ship
For the owners OF vessels find that their profits are
extensive as former times from other motive the
may desire operate their vessel cheaper cost What
done The vessels overloaded with cargo This policy
suits the boats being badly strained 1t has also gotten such
pass with many sailing vessels that the shorten
ed in the ballast they Where ship should take
500 of ballast orders the this
of ballast Naturally he has to obey Instead OF being able
give his vessel the proper OF shenng he is
per of the requisite amount The result is bad on the
vessel and gradually helps to strain her SO that her career short
ened and she becomes weakened that she not able to weather
severe gales at critical times.
Coal heavy cargo Seaarng people say that the Florence
old and when she into gale she unable weather
. it Her seams opened up and she foundered
fate of that vessel should be made purpose 1t should
work What should be done is for Congress
navigation law providing for the appointment OF competent in
specors of hus of sailing craft These inspectors should be
located the various districts the present inspectors of
hus and boilers. The duties of the sailing inspectors
should be similar scope the work the present inspectors
that sailing vessels should be inspected the
sells In addition this office there should be inspectors whose
cargo inspectors should also exercise the proper discretion IN the
of the character Of that be loaded The
of the year should also be taken regard The of
vessel not only does injustice to his captain and sailors by
insisting that large cargo be put that likely
be rough but he also risks losing his vessel 1t should be the
duty the United States Government that the lives of sail
ors are not rsed by such course rapacious ship may
have the right risk his vessel for is his property but he
has no right to eopardz the lives OF the who 60 forth
the that ship Such WantOn policy little short OF
down right murder.