The _Ethiope’s_ case requires no comment from me. It speaks volumes for itself! And now my self-imposed task is done; and in bidding good-bye to the readers of this little book, I may state that in writing it I have endeavoured to effect a twofold object. Firstly, to aid Robert Ponting, the _Alert_ survivor, in earning a living, and, secondly, to aid in drawing public attention to what I believe to be important matters, affecting not only the safety of ships, but the lives of men. If I succeed in either of these objects, I shall feel that my labour—which to me has been a pleasure—has been put forth in a good cause. My long experience at, and connection with, the sea have given me at least some little warrant for dealing with subjects relating to seamen and shipping; but whether the ideas I have given expression to will please or not I cannot tell. Under the impression that _some_ good might be done—to use the language of Burns:— “Sae I begun to scrawl, but whether In rhyme or prose, or baith thegither, Or some hotch-potch that’s rightly neither, Let time mak proof.” Seamen are not saints by any means, but if there be one class of men beyond another who should, in the exercise of their calling, have things made for them as safe and as comfortable as possible, surely it is those “who go down to the sea in ships.” I use the term “seamen” in its broadest sense, including “skipper” and all, for I am not altogether a believer in the witticism of the Irishman who said, “There’s but one good billet on board of a ship and, be japers, the captain always takes it.” The latter’s position is a responsible one, and his duty, where rightly performed, is by far the most important of any. Various circumstances have caused this book to remain “on the stocks” for a considerable time, and now that I launch it out on the great sea of PUBLIC OPINION, I cannot give it a better “send-off” than by heartily re-echoing the prayer of the poet:— “When wilt thou save the seamen, Great God of mercy—When? Not shipping kings, but seamen, Not property, but men!” AMEN. [Illustration: Decoration] FOOTNOTES: [2] For obvious reasons the declarant’s name is kept back from publication. [3] It is but an act of “cold justice” to mention that Mr. Ebsworth, in addition to being an able lawyer, is a practical seaman who has passed through eight years’ experience, and holds a chief mate’s certificate from the Board of Trade. [Illustration: Decoration] Final Battle with the Lawyers. “Law was design’d to keep a state in peace, To punish robbery, that wrong might cease; To be impregnable: a constant fort, To which the weak and injured might resort, But oft, perverted minds its force employ, Not to protect mankind, but to annoy; And, long as ammunition can be found, Its lightning flashes and its thunders sound.” _Crabbe._