10. Is a gangway watch necessary—is it being kept? 11. Is the vessel discharging or loading—what—what holds—how near completed? 12. What is the draft—forward and aft? 13. How much water under her at low tide? 14. Is the berth fair or foul? 15. Telephone connection on dock. Number of Police, Fire, U. S. Secret Service. 16. Locate water plugs on docks. 17. Are rat guards on lines? Are they needed? +In General.+ 1. Ask for cargo diagrams—how kept—if loading. 2. Are the working holds under supervision—by whom? 3. When will vessel be discharged—or ready to leave? 4. Get reports from the junior officers—the boatswain and carpenter. 5. Will she work at night? 6. Are cargo clusters ready—length of cables—location of connections—are they in good order—where kept? 7. Are the fire lines clear and in working order? 8. When was last fire drill held—inspect log? 9. Inspect crew list—muster same. 10. Inspect station bill. 11. Inspect crew's quarters. Look for signs of intoxicating liquors—destroy any found. 12. Are bills of lading in order? 13. Look after cargo gear—stays—masts—booms—guys—pendants—falls—whips— gins—skids—cargo slings—cargo falls—cargo hooks—nets, winches—etc. 14. Are hatch covers, strong backs, battens, tarpaulins, wedges, etc., ready and in good order? 15. Pay special attention to the flanges on the steel strongbacks—are they true? 16. Get acquainted with the engineers and establish friendly relations—this is important. 17. Locate all sounding pipes—Have carpenter sound tanks and bilges and report. THE WORK OF THE CHIEF MATE Having reported for duty, and having seen to the matters outlined above—and a smart Chief Mate sees such things quickly, for he must by that time have spent more than a dog watch in the Merchant Service—the new Chief Mate can intelligently carry on the work of his vessel. +Different Vessels.+ Differences in construction, type, tonnage, and trade, modify the size and kind of organization on board a steamer. But in the main essentials, the work of the Chief Mate should be fairly standard—he is charged with the supervision of everything that has to do with the work of the deck department. +Crew.+ The Chief Mate should study his junior officers and his crew. He should at once check up the crew list; see that the living quarters on board—including coal passers, firemen, and glory hole—are in a sanitary and ship shape condition. He should see after everything having to do with the sanitary condition of the vessel. Wash rooms, water closets, showers, lockers, mess rooms, etc. All should be inspected daily. +Station Bill.+ The Chief Mate should see that the Station Bill is properly made out, and posted as required by law.