Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-23
THEOCEAN STEAMERS
FLOATING CITIES WITH A VARIETY
OF OCCUPATIONS.

4
OF OCCUPATION
The Diversion of Industry and the
Trades and Professions That Are
Atlantic Liner.
The great Atlantic liners have often
been described as floating cities, and
In at least one particular the compari-
son is entirely accurate-that is to say,
in the variety OF occupations represent
ed on shipboard. A big steamship will
In her flight from land to land carry
population of perhaps 1900, of whom
the majority, OF course, are passengers
people of all professions and lines
of business Leaving passengers out
OF account, however, and considering
only the 500 or thersabouts who go to
make up the liners crew, one will cas-
lily find representatives of nearly all
the trades Of thriving community
ashore.
This diversity of industry represents
an evolution-or, rather, revolution
that has come along with the develop
ment Of the gigantic modern steam
ship. In the old days Of sailing ships
Ill the members Of the vessels crew
were sailors and performed one part or
another Of sailors work. Even the
redoubtable cook was usually much
better versed in matters relating to
spars and ratlines than he was in the
secrets Of the culinary art. But today
the status is different. Navigation of
the big Atlantic fiers is a complicated
task, and the number of men required
to carry it on is ten times greater than
on even the biggest ships of century
ago. The variety of their vacations
has of course been multiplied to CORE
spond with the increased completely.
The sailors are in small minority
nowadays. True, you will see num-
Der Of seamen on the big ships, and
these still have their duties to perform,
duties which, however, have nothing
to do with the handling Of sails, for
not in number of years has canvas
been spread on any of the big liners.
But common sailors seem few in COM
parison with the men of other trades
whose usefulness on shipboard the sea
captain of generation or TIVE age
even understand.
Some of the greatest changes in the
conditions Of service have come about,
naturally enough, through the intro
duction of steam machinery. The pres
ence Of machinery means that the liner
must carry not only number of engi-
neers, but also several machiniStS to
keep in order the complicated mechan-
ism of pumps and blowers and deck en-
gines which big vessel carries. Then,
since every great passenger ship is pro-
vided throughout with modern plumb
ing system, she must have in readiness
a qualified plumber. An expert eiectri-
electric lighting plant, refrigerating
engineer for the cold storage plant and
d number of other representatives of
different branches of the engineering
profession.
Instead Of the ancient cook with his
very limited accomplishments the up to
date liner has an expert chef, besides
bakers, confectioners and also the Other
gastronomic specialists to be found in
the big fashionable hotels ashore. A
ships butcher cuts the roasts and
joints and takes general charge of the
meat supply, and there are several
storekeepers, who, it is true, do not sell
aS hypt no q
Of all the groceries and other supplies
issued for the use Of passengers and
crew as though their livelihood depend
ed upon it.
Besides these, every liner carries {
barber, for passengers long ago gave
up the habit of going unshaven from
beginning to end Of the voyage. .The
barber has a comfortable little shop
and next door to him perhaps is in
stalled the barkeeper, who from thu
nature of his clientele is required to bs
adept In mixing the drinks of all ma
| tons. Still more surprising to the mex
perienced traveller it will perhaps be II
learn that the big steamships carry
| four or five bootbiacks to keep the pas
sengers In shines.
OF the learned professions the onl.
one regularly represented Is that o
medicine. Every liner carries a sur
geon, who not only attends to pas
sengers OF members Of the crew VIII
may fall Ill, but who is also charges
with the general supervision Of th
health and sanitation Of the vessel
There are usually plenty Of sea law
yers' on board mot that there is an,
demand for legal services and if clergy
1 men are not among the passengers th
captain or purser is qualified to rea,
4 the service on Sundays.
/ The issuing of a paper containing tele
4 graphic news involves Of course an ed
tor and q wireless telegrapher. Th
4 editorial duties are assumed BY th
purser, and the wireless operator no
only receives the news for the shiE'
paper. bat takes and transmits mes
sages for the passengers as well. I'll