In large steamers where extra watch officers, junior officers and cadets, or sub-junior officers are carried, the Chief Mate usually has a clerk, and his work is largely that of a general manager. In such vessels the cargo, mail, baggage, specie, etc., is handled through the purser, or other officer, and the Chief Mate devotes himself strictly to the management of the seamanship end of his department. +Holds.+ He must supervise the preparation of holds to receive cargo. Sweep clean. Dunnage on stringers. Limbers cleared—limber boards lifted. Bilges cleaned. Rose boxes cleared (strainers—strum boxes). Ceiling in good condition. Cargo battens in good condition. Smothering lines in good condition, ends clear. Sounding pipes not dented or bent out of shape, ends free.—Brass screw plugs in place. 'Tween deck hatch covers, strong backs, etc., in good order. 'Tween deck and hold electrical connections—in good order. Lift tank covers. Take-up tank manholes (engineers). Examine cement in tanks. See that stanchion brackets and shifting boards are ready for bulk cargoes, such as grain. See that sufficient dunnage is in each hold; spruce planking, and chocking pieces. Find out what kind of cargo is to be stowed. See all hold ladders in good order—rungs all secure. Look for runs of rust, under frames and stringers, in wake of mast doublings, under winch beds, under deck in wake of shrouds. Examine all ports and dead lights in 'tween decks. Examine all side ports—cargo—coal. All rust should be cleaned off and painted—red lead and pigment in linseed oil. See all bulkhead doors tight and in working order. Spare propeller blades, booms, anchors, hubs, etc., stowed below, should be examined as to lashings and rust. Spare shafting usually carried in shaft tunnel, under charge of Chief Engineer, if in hold, Chief Mates responsible for safety. Look to all wire lashings _in the nips_. Look for leaks in joints of shell plating abreast of hatches where drafts of cargo swing in against the side. Examine masts, at doublings, at the steps. Examine all fire lines and connections in holds and 'tween decks. Examine rivets under bed plates of winches. Examine framing under hatch coamings. Examine state of pillars and stanchions. +Cargo Gear.+ The Chief Mate is charged with the proper use and upkeep of the cargo handling gear. This includes everything except the steam winches, and steam lines which are under the charge of the engineer department. The Chief Mate should supervise and attend to the following—note condition and provide for proper maintenance: +Masts—and all fittings, viz.—collars—trucks—sheaves—links—shrouds— stays—and all equipment on masts, whether cargo, radio, lights, or lookout cages.+ +King posts—same as masts—re-cargo handling.+ +Booms—goosenecks—bands—links—shackles—sheaves—gins—guys—and cradles.+ +Examine all shrouds and stays under the nips and thimbles.+