The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-05
Life Aboard Merchant
Craft While Youth Is
: Learning Is Described
by One of Them
~ A MERCHANT MARINE CADET

d. Dy Vic Ol IlcIn
ny MERCHANT MARINE CADET
n THE American merchant marine
on board steamships carrying the
mails the cadet system provides
for the training of engineers as
well as deck officers. The lads who
serve as engineer cadets receive the
same pay and privileges as those who
are studying navigation. They rave
also the same opportunities for a good
time and for promotion.
After serving as an engineer cadet
for aome months the lad qualities for
an oilers berth. When he reaches
that grade he Is we'll on the way to
become a licensed engineer. His career
from the time he goes aboard as
o cub until he gains the coveted IL
esnse Is one OF much interest, for
there IL something going on all the
time.
On going aboard with his modest
possessions he reports to the first as
tSistant engineer, generally known as
the "boss." That dignitary hands him
ever to the senior cadet for breaking in.
II the lad Joins the ship a day or
two before sailing he will have an OPP
portunity to get the lay Of things. In
49, &Ar.- l.. xrtIt ha,.n atAuraI vx-a
his belongings, learned the duties re-
CURED Of him and struck up an &C.
u~uaintance with his future messmates.
No doubt some OF the readers of
9ns Sun have been in the engine room
a q steamer when she lay alongside
. pier. Then the place is all torn up
md extremely dirty. for gangs Of men
dre busy making repairs. Crime and
grease cover everything. Parts Of ma
ehinery in the course OF assembling
litter the room and cause 1t TO resem-
bic a machine shop.
Blu once the vessel Is out at sea
things are cleaned up and put in order.
The regular routine is established. and
things move with the precision OF
clockwork. Some vessels Rave en-
CINE rooms as tidy and clean as a par
lor. 1t is a revelation OF what such
Z place can I've 10 visit the engine room
OF a transatlantic liner while at sea.
4 visitor in white can go below and
pay a visit without getting a spot on
His clothing. With most men who
hold the post OF first assistant the
condition OF their engine room is a
matter Of personal pride. And it is
safe to say that a dirty, i'll kept engine
betrays a slack boss
4 On sailing day when the sigma.
stand by" rings all the engine room
force take the places assigned to them
when going out OF and coming into
port. Every man feels the electrical
something in the atmosphere which
always attends sailing day, no matter
how long he has been AT sea. The
boss" with his hands behind his back,
strides up and down the gangway be-
tween the giant engines smoking a
rank cigar. The second" polishes the
throttle OF the ~starboard engine with
. bit of oily waste. At the controls
q the port engine the junior second
beats a DEVILS tattoo against one OF
tho supporting columns. oilers stand
In little groups and talk in lowered
voices. They wait for what seems ar
1nterminable period.
% B-r-r-r-glang. The novice jump.
and looks at the dial OF the engin,
room telegraph which transmits order.
from the bridge to the engineers. Il
reads Half slow ahead" At once on,
OF the older cadets swings the levej
sunder the dial and rings up the bridg,
10 show that the order has been re
ceIved. The command is the same 70,
both engines.
The second" takes the throttle ba,
In both hands and gives 1t a YER,
dgentle movement, There comes
.sighing "swoof" from the engine an,
tho piston rises and falls. On tn,
other engine the Junior second doe,
likewise. Now comes the sound O
sthe air pumps which handle the ex
haust steam as they begin to work
The engines move slowly, as though
unwilling TO take up their burden.
q In a moment or two the port engin,
@~felegraph clangs and the dial reads
S"Half speed astern.' The JUNO,
second jams the throttle shut, grail
the reversing lever and throws it hare
over. With a clang and a hiss O
steam the complicated reverse gea
swings the valves to a new position
Then the throttle is once more opene,
cautiously and the engine turns owe
about forty a minute. Another jangl
from the telegraph the por
engine to go slow ahead.
Until the ship is fairly on her wa,
down the bay the orders come in a
c.ose intervals. Once the pilot |
dropped the engines are given fu
speed ahead and remain SO until some
thing unusual occurs.
The first watch below il always try
Ing to the new youngster, Added I
the unaccustomed o Il of moving ma
Chinery is the gentle rise and fall G
the ship as she noses her way throug
Che green seas, Those who have nc
experienced this do not appreciate tn
DewilderinE effect on the beginne.
Moreover, the heat and the close "a
cause one to become seasiCk MOI
raaliiy than on lapE