Few but those who have actually ex-~ perienced it know the meaning of these words. The majority of officers on this coast unfortunately do and are fully aware how disastrous -its consequences often are to shipowners and insurance firms as well as themselves. 'o the men themselves it is utterly denioralising, and although it has been borne patiently for so long it is none the less intolerable, No other class or body of men are expected to be on duty for such a number of hours during the day and night at any kind of, employment, let alone at such @ responsible post as that of officer on watch; and owners who advocate such system: of slavery are little ye to their own interests, however dead they may be to those of their employes.
For instance, during the present fog; mouths what kind of an existence do owners imagi 'A man goes on the bridge for four hours during a dense fog and throughout the whole of that time he must ever be on the alert ready to act without a moment's hesitation if he would avoid loss of life and property. His watch he goes to his berth, often. within few feet of the ateamer's whistle, which is constantly going, and there, unable to take his clothes off, not knowing the moment he may be wanted, he endeavours to sleep. Tired as he often is it is a fruitless effort and at eight bells he goes on deck to put in another four hours' duty, Then again in the stifling hot weather we frequently have to endure, how often is.a man able to get to sleep before the half of his watch ix over, and during the day, meal-hours, both log-book and the general work of the ship, all have to be attended to during the four hours below. Going in or out of port both officers must be on deck should one of them be laid up the other unfortunate keeps watch and watch with the captain, which means literally that the captain relieves you when he feels disposed.
Why are Ineurance Companies not alive to the additional risk they run in ships where this aystem prevails? or if they are aware of it, and it seems hard to believe they are not, why don't they endeavour to remedy it? Owners themselves fondly imagine that the trifling amount of a third officer's salary is so much saved, but they labour under a great delusion. Alli respectable shipowners at lime have long agondopted a system of three watches, and if they did not find the benefits of it I imagine it would have been done away with before now; in fact, the meu who are agitating the matter now are not those who labour under such a disadvantage, as they belong principally to the first class lines; it is those who are in the lowest class of tramp" steamers why are the sufferers, and it is on their behalf that their brethren. who are better off are trying to have it abolished. gives the natural tint and pak liza Bloom A Far, Beaniror Sxmy.—Sulpholine Soa} a perfect Complexion; makes the Skin smooth, supple, healthy, comfortable. Sulpholine Soap, 6d. Tablets. Everywhere. (4)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.