Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1909-11-26
PANAMA EDITORIAL TRIP.
Letter No. S.

studying the navigation and propell-
ing portions of the ship. A desire
that had lain on oar heart every
since we got into the open seas.
Through the courtesy of Mr., W,
Lamb, the Chief Officer, small
party OF us were shown through the
officers quarters, the steering room,
chart room, and various other hooks
and corners of the Navigation parts
of the steamer. These are situated
ON the deck or decks which are per
ched above the passenger promenade
deck, and ordinarily passengers are
not allowed there.
The first place OF interest W.
struck was the steering or wheel
room, here an intelligent Chinese
youth stood at the wheel some few
feet to the rear of the compass stand
which was elevated and boxed in to
about the height Of table. He had
a splendid view to lookout from his
post, but most of his looking was de
voted to the compass, as he had to
hold the ship on the course marked
by 1t. The Officer informed us that
this compass had to be set at least
once q day, or corrected as they will
not continuously remain correct in
their pointings.
From there we passed into the
chart-room, where pretty good
sized map was spread out and fasten-
ed down on a table and showed that
portion of the western world
lying from New Orleans South to
Colon with adjacent coasts, currents
islands etc, On this u heavy line
was drawn indicating the course oar
boat was making and was to make
by longitudinal aud latitudinal cal
culations. From this we assume
that the steersman received his in
structiOns as to where to hold the
ship from day to day or time to time
with reference to the compass.
In this room we were shown the
ships clock which is set at noon
each day, after the reckonings are
taken, 10 correspond to the correct
time in the parts in which the ship
happens to be then. After tiinging
> open several protecting lids, the
standard time clock was shown rs.
This clock is about the size of com
mon house Waterbury mantle clock
= with the rounded white glass enclosed
D face. 1t keeps Greenwich England
e time, and is never moved, and is
used as basis in calculating the
; time for the ships clock. Its never
allowed to run down, and has :
t patent winder on 1t, that will moi
permit of its Intervals being wound
: should 0oozy one attempt to turn
the crank the wrong way; wise pre-
caution.
The barometer and therm Ometel
y and perhaps other 'Ometers were
h some scientific instruments that
: were explained to as as part of the
t ships complement for navigation
purposes. They not only watch the
= temperature and pressure OF the air.
a but at regular intervals during the
b day. the seawater in which we are
sailing is made to reveal its temper
q allure by thermometer tests. We
e took a prance up onto the bridge,
il where the Captain, on officer OF the
G watch, stands and looks out when or
. duty. On the very topmost part O
h the ship, and in the open air, as NJ
e roof is needed here. we were pointed
n to the pedestal on which was encas
ed the prismal mirror, used in TAX
irg by the sun each day at high nooI
+ the bearings. 1t will take one bette
h iniated into the science of astronomy
L and navigation 10 explain the work
- ings OF this instrument. II thu
# heavens are obscnred by clouds o
e rain, it can't be worked, and tn,
t bearings have to be reckoned approx
? imately from those OF the day pre-
Il viOus and the course taken since
It with due allowances for variations il
! the compass etc. AS quick each da,
> at the midhour us the bearings ar
taken, .cabin-boy rushes dow
e stairs with bulletin of it. which h
II posts on the Notice board, where q
l. the passengers and any of the crew
~ can without troubling anyone by in
81 uuiries. read for themselves and knO'
v as much about orr whereabouts an
:. atmospheric conditions almost i
~ the officers themselves VINO have sc
Ie entihcal.y figured it out To illus
er trate we have copied off the butleti
es for today and appear it herein. VI.
NOTICE.
e Position at noon
!; STEAMSHIP ABANG AREZ
n United Fruit Co. Line,