The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-21
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORM A ION
BURE AU
= CARGos AND sUPERCARGos.

Washington, D. c., Jan, 1S.-One
reason for the congestion at ports and
terminals which delayed shipping dur
ing the war was the lack of system
and efficiency in loading and unload
ing. There were delays that. in the
opinion of experts, could have been
avoided.
To eliminate this congestion and
confusion, and enable the United
States merchant marine to enter the
great peace-time shipping competition
with the highest possible efficiency.
the division of operations of the
United States shipping board is now
organizing a force of men who will
be it's representatives on the govern
ment-owned merchant ships.
Everything pertaining to the sea
seems to have some tinge of romance.
1t may be slight but it Is always there.
When the shipping board made its
plans for esta blishing this new office,
! they did not give it the title of bust
ness manager" or deficiency expert.
The newcomer at the captains table
| will be known by the ancient and sea-
worthy title of "supercargo."
This opens another door of oppor-
tunity to wide-awake Americans who
! are anxious to broaden their expert
i ence, and to take an active part in
/ building up the foreign trade OF the
| United States.
| wanted A certain amount of sea-ex-
perience and training is desirable, al
( though not necessary. Some knoWi-
| edge of steamship business and over
| seas commerce in general is essential.
| Men who have served in the quarter
masters corps as transport offleeFs or
| clerks are promising material, as are
pursers from other boats. Men ex-
perienced in working with or direct
| ing stevedores should also be inter-
| ested in this new position as super
| cargo.
The supercargo is subject to the
! ca Dtain's authority in all matters re-
| lating to the safety of the ship or hel
| cargo, but in no other. He will eat
at the captains table and be assigned
| to quarters as nearly as possible equal
to the captains. His position on TINS
! ship will indeed be very responsible
and respected one.
| The pay is good-$175 a month ir
addition to subsistence. The expert
| ence will be invaluable to those Wht
| wish to learn the shipping business
| Two years of supercargoing will teaeF
a man more about the practical side
OF the business than any office job ir
| existence. With this experience as q
| foundation, men will be able to hole
/ important positions with private com
panies. There is also an excellent op
l
! eminent service. Agencies in import
| ant ports all over the world will bt
| established by the shipping board, ant
/ it is natural to suppose that many OF
these posts will be filled by former
| SupercargOS.
| Application can be made only ir
| Washington at the present time. 4
| school has been established by the
shipping board to give two weeks o.
! intensive training to successful appli
| cants. This course will be heightened
/ to about four weeks. At the success
full completion of this course the sup
ercargo is Immediately assigned to 6
ship.
The following is brief outline o
| the duties of the supercargo. If afte
reading them you think you want t.
| be one, forward your application II
| the Division of Operations, United
| States Shipping Board. Washington
| D. c.
| The first duty of the sepercargo il
to study and become thoroly familiar
with the amount and class of cargt
on his ship. He must learn the ports
and just what cargo will be discharged
and loaded at each one. Together
with the master and first officer h,
will draw a preliminary plan of stow
age. The supercargo must find on
from the chief engineer if he has re
| ceived the quantity and grade of Goa
J or fuel oil contracted for, and mus
satisfy himself that the bunkerage i
sufficient.
Before sailing he must go over al
documents and check up copies o
| bills of lading, bills of health, and cop
| les of stowage plans.
| En- route the Supercargo will pre-
pare such forms of manifests, crew
lists and store lists as may be re
quired by authorities at ports of call
| and must make up tally books. 1t il
his duty to notify the shipping boart
aTents at each port of the hour of ar
rival of his ship and the class of carg,
| for discharge there, and must make al
arrangements for tugs, If required, TO
docking, stevedores and gangsters.
He must ascertain the system of de
| livery of cargo to be employed. Be
fore taking on fresh cargo 1t is hi
duty to see that the vessel Is cleal
aid fit. and that the cargo is slowed II
such a manner that it will not shift
| en- route.
The supercargo must keep a log
entering therein a list of people met
such as agents, port authorities. ship
pers and consignees. He may also en-
| ter any suggestions for betterment
He must keep a list of vessels tina
are in port at the time of docking, in
Guiding data relative to their nation
ality, type. lightweight and cargo be
ing handled. The supercargo mus
|
rates of pilotage and other useful data
A complete report must be forwa rdet
to the shipping board headquarters.
/ The supercargo is not to be place.
on a ship to tell tales or be a dicta
tor. He will be there to represent tn
shipping board and to render ever.
lossible help in the efficient manage
ment of the ships business.
A great deal of time and couse
quently money is yearly lost thru tn
failure of ships to discharge thei
j cargo Immediately upon docking
Sometimes q ship will lie in the har
Dor several days before unloading
This waste runs into large sums. Pre-
viously the loss was met by the-eom
panies, and if they didn't care, wh
was to say anything?
Now that the government own
such a large percentage of the mer
chant marine, the shipping board IN
tends to see that no expensive ship
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