+Mail.+ The Second Mate is also charged with the handling and stowage of the mail sacks—unless in a very large liner where special mail clerks attend to this duty. +Navigating Officer.+ The Second Mate is sometimes designated the "Navigating Officer," that is, he is charged with the special care of the navigating equipment. Corrects charts from the "Notices to Mariners" and assists the Master generally in the navigating duty. He may be required to wind the chronometers each morning at eight bells and report them wound to the Master, though when standing the mid watch, this duty is usually attended to by the Master himself, who, in the Merchant Service is the responsible navigating officer of his vessel. The Second Mate corrects the ship's clocks for difference of Longitude to noon. However, the naming of the Second Mate, as navigating officer has much to commend it. He then has special duties, and is charged with the complete supervision of the compasses, sounding machines, instruments, lead lines, patent logs and log lines. He should perfect himself in the science of navigation and master the simple (and to many) mysterious principles of compass adjustment. He should be in charge of the deviation log and prepare the deviation tables for each loading and voyage. CHAPTER XII THE THIRD MATE +Watches.+ The Third Mate of an ocean steamer is generally a watch officer. If the vessel is of any size, and the three mates stand watch, the watch from eight to noon and from eight to midnight, is usually assigned to the Third Mate. This is one of the best watches, and the watch during which the Master is most likely to be up and about. As the junior watch officer is the least experienced, it is best that he have the Master close at hand in the event of anything unusual occurring. +Hold Duty.+ The Third Mate is generally given charge of the forward holds, under the immediate supervision of the Chief Mate. Here his duties are those outlined in the chapter headed Chief Mate. He is directly under the mate and should use every effort to familiarize himself with his duties and with the vessel. He should carry out all orders to the letter, and aim to perfect himself in the many branches of seamanship and navigation. The duty to cargo, and the hold duty is one of his most important charges. +Coming Alongside.+ When coming alongside, or to anchor, or when docking, the Third Mate is stationed on the bridge with the Master. He usually attends to the telegraph, cons the quartermaster at the wheel and looks out for the work on the bridge generally. This post is one of special importance for the young officer as he gets, from close observation, a splendid opportunity to observe and learn the details of ship handling. He sees the mistakes made fore and aft, in the handling of lines, etc., and can, if he will, profit by this experience.