The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-10-29

on board drowned because the leak has
been more than the hand pump could
overcome. and the men, tired out with
long work at pumping, could not save
the vessel While they have manned
the pumps and worked for dear life
s9ars. sails and rigging have gone by
the board. and the vessel has been left
a wreck, only to founder later in the
storm. The change has worked well
for the owner as we'll as for the sailor
| Several of the more modern vessels
are steam heated. Steam pipes are ar
ranged in all parts of the boat where
the living quarters are. The master
has cosey, warm cabin. The officers
are comfortable, and the mems quarters
are just as eosey as those that are aft.
| After doing trick on the watch on a
cold wet night, the men can turn in and
SLEEP on a warm. dry bed in a warm
room and forget that they are far out at
lsea buffeting the winds and the waves.
Just think Of telephones on board a
| sailing craft. There are several of the
| larger and more modern vessels that
are fitted with this convenience.
The telephone runs from the cap
/ tain's quarters aft, to those of his men
| forward; and If he wants a sailor, or. if
he has any order to give, it is done
/ over the telephone. This is luxury
that was never dreamed of few years
ago. ..-s .
In the last ten years sailors wages
| have been raised 100 per cent. Sailors
/ who used to get from SIS to SIS month
now get from $50 to s135 month.
/ Mates who We're paid from $50 to $40
a month now earn from s55 to SIS for
1 the same period: and masters, too get
more money. Many OF these have in
| teres-s in the vessels they command,
and it is to their benefit to make the
| ship earn as much as possible, to make
quick passage and have everything run
smoothly. ~ ..
/ Much of this improvement in the
copdition Of the sailors has been
| brought about by the sailors union.
This union is well organized, and has
branches in every port in the United
! States. The headquarters are in
| Boston. 49,
| This union has been Instrumental in
| having many laws that have i'm
proved the condition of the sailor
Sometimes it goes little too far in
| the opinion of the owners, and the two
I interests clash.
| Largely through the efforts of this
| union law was passed, a few years, ago
which described what food should be
| served to the men at sea. Some owners
think that, the men are fed and that the
! law should be modified The law SAYS
that the men are to have a certain
amount of fresh meat, so much salt
meat, certain vegetables C. kinds,) fresh
bread, pickles, fruits, tea, coffee, proper
condiments, sugar, molasses and cereals.
After the men go off watch during the
night the cook serves them with coffee.
Breakfast is served between $50 and Z
O'Clock, during the dog watch. This is
a good, substantial meal.
Dinner comes at noon. 1t usually
consists of soup, meat, vegetables, and
lpie or pudding. Sometimes fish is
served; often two kinds of meat. two or
three vegetables, salad, If possible, and
coffee or tea.
Supper is ready at o'clock, and for
this meal the men have hash or .stews.
cold meat, bread, butter, cake and fruit.
OF course, the way the food is served
will depend largely on the ability of the
cook, but usually the cook knows
his business. He is paid $50 month;
and on a large vessel. where there are
many men in the crew, he has an
assistant. The sailors get the same
fare as the master, and they live well.
a cof Low f<r fl11 la
need to have any expert knowledge.
All that is wanted of him is to be
strong and do the work required.
Iongshoremen and laborers could do
his work in these times, and long
shoreman can only earn about a dollar
and half day on shore. He has to
put in long days work too, and has
also to provide his own food. When it
is considered that the laborer on shore
has to care for himself, it is seen that
the modern sailor Is much better off
than the landsfnan.
There is no music for the landsman
when he has finished his days work, no
library from which he can get a book
to read it he is so disposed. Many ves-
sells have libraries for the sailors.
The sailor is separated from his FAM
lily for long periods, but when he gets |
back to port he has long shore leave |
until his vessel is ready to sail again, |
and then when he signs for the next |
voyage, he is paid months wages in
advance.
The laws regulating the engaging of |
crews are very strict, and are much in !
favor of the sailor. If on reaching the !
port for which the vessel is bound the !
master wishes for any reason to leave !
the ship he can pack his bag and walk
ashore, and there is nothing to stop
him.
The owner suffers in this case be-
cause he may have some difficulty in
getting another man to take the place
Of the one who leaves, and the vessel is
forced to remain in port until another |
hand or full crew can be obtained
New York Sun.