Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-28

similar turn OF the wheel. If equipped
with crossed chains the craft will
turn the opposite way; if with
straight chains the wheel must be
turned in iAe same direction the vessel
is desired 10 90. Most ocean vessels
are equipped with straight chains.
though this is by no means an invari-
able custom. Sailing craft may be and
are fixed either way. On the other
hand. harbOr boats. including tow
boats. tugs. etc. generally have crossed
tiller ropes
Thus our pilot friend had spent most
of his nautical life aboard tugs and
other inland boats and when confront
ed with crisis of great responsibility
wavered momentarily between the in
huence of his habit of twenty years
and the newly acquired information
given him as he went aboard. 1t WAS
Just by the SheereSt chance that he or
dered the wheel turned the correct
way.
An able ocean seaman signed for
( round trip from Buffalo to Duluth and.
asked if he could handle the wheel.
WAS sent to the pilot house. They
were already under way. and. not be-
ing familiar with the uncertainties of
steering gear. he neglected to ask the
usual question. Crossed chains or
straight chaiE~:" The coal steamer
nearpd Scow load of bricks. Hard
apurt" called the mate. The helms
man flung his wheel TO starboard. as
he had been used to do on the high
seas. and his vessel bore down upon
the unSuspectinG tow. Hard aport.
you idiot" yelled the mate. Don't
you know this boat has crossed
chains:" He reversed the wheel and
missed the ScOw by Il bare Craze.
Such incidents as these are by no
means rare in navigating experience.
though fortunately serious accidents
thercfrOm are uncommon either be
cause of beni%naut fate watching
over befuddIed men at the wheel or
because they inStiuctively follow the
new conditions and turn the helm in
the right direction Pilots themselves
scOH at suggestions of danger. saying
that real Seaman'S instinct will al
ways save him from making mistakes.
All the same. man experienced in
handling vessels of their own particu-
lar character is generally standing by
the newcomer at the wheel for safety's
sake
\ more common danger. as far as
the general public is concerned, is the
universal lack of unity in arranging
the steering apparatus on motorboats.
Most Of these craft are exceedingly
small. and the tiller ropes are put in
at the beginning of every season by
the owners themselves. to suit their
own particular notions. So. in every
fOtilla will he seen steering gear of
every description. from simple tiIlers
10 elaborate brass mounted wheels. the
latter with either crossed or straight
chains. as individual fancy may die
tate This is safe as long rs the
owner or one used to the craft is al
the wheel. and not many accidents are
reported in such circumstances. But
accidents have resulted when an anna
teur used to crossed ropes in. steered
a boat oppoSitely rugged
But when one used to a launch with
crossed ropes" requiring turning the
wheel opposite to the direction the
boat Is to 20, takes the wheel Of az
automobile. then the passengers are
fortunate indeed if they are not put
into perious situations: for motorists
are not always provided with he safe
instinct" ascribed TO experienced sea
men. and autos move in the same di
rectiOn the wheel is turned
However. crossed chains and straight
chains will probably go on their Owl
sweet irresponsible existence for JUS
as long as some great catastrophe i!
not put UP to their lack of reg1Ilat ton
&C. VI. Jennings in New York Tribune