The Men on Deck: Master, Mates and Crew, Their Duties and ResponsibilitiesRiesenberg, Felix
History
The Men on Deck: Master, Mates and Crew, Their Duties and Responsibilities
Riesenberg, Felix
Merchant marine -- United States; Navigation; Sailors
+Gangway.+ The Third Mate is usually charged with the getting in and out
of the gangway, and with the safe embarkation of passengers. He must
keep order, and note who comes on board, and what their business is
while the vessel is being permanently secured or anchored, and before
the regular gangway watch is set.
+Signal Officer.+ While the duty is not generally assigned, it is a good
plan to designate the Third Mate as "Signal Officer." This charges him
with the care and use of the signal flags and other apparatus, and he
should perfect himself in their rapid and accurate use.
The Third Mate should master the hand semaphore signals and should see
that at least two of the quartermasters are adept at this form of
communication. Such knowledge is of the greatest use when in convoy with
men-of-war, and can be made use of in a hundred different ways while
lying at anchor, or when communicating with other vessels or the shore.
So many seamen are now familiar with the semaphore alphabet that it has
become one of the handiest means of talking at sea over moderate
distances, and its use at once stamps a vessel as being up to time.
He should also know the Morse Code and be able to send and read by the
blinker or Morse lamp.
This is used in convoy work instead of wireless.
+Bridge.+ The bridge, and the duties of the quartermasters on the bridge
and bridge deck, are generally delegated to the Third Mate, or to any
officer who may be junior to him. This means general upkeep and order. A
well-regulated and well-kept up bridge is a joy—the reverse is all too
common.
CHAPTER XIII
THE JUNIOR OFFICERS
Most vessels now carry one or more junior officers, young men who have
some sea experience and who have prepared themselves to a certain extent
in navigation. Many of them come on board ship with a very hazy idea as
to what it is all about. They are willing enough, but don't know where
to begin. They would be glad to tail onto the starboard main t'gallant
buntline, but don't know just where it is.
For such as these, the following random +Things to Do+ and to learn
about are suggested:
+Do the things you are told to do, then—+
+1. Find our what quartermasters are doing.+
+2. Look after hand leads and lines, are they marked
correctly—accurately?+
+3. See that log is ready for streaming, as soon as past the light ship,
or other mark.+
+4. Find switch for running lights—are they in order?+
+5. Look up log book, see how it is kept, and if up to date.+
+6. See that note book on the bridge is handy.+
+7. See if the clock in the wheel house and chart room is correct.+
+8. Work up the chronometer error.+
+9. See that the bridge dodgers are properly bent, and are clean.+
+10. See that the binoculars and telescopes on the bridge are in their
proper places and are clean.+
+11. Find out where the Coston lights are kept.+
+12. Find out what are red and what are blue lights, how many on board?+
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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