Chapter XXI: The Carpenter

The carpenter occupies an important position on board ship. He is one of the "idlers," works all day and turns in at night, like an ordinary human being; in other words, he stands no watches.

His duties, of course, are defined by his title, but on a well-regulated vessel, the Carpenter, under orders from the Chief Mate, to whom he reports in person, performs certain standard tasks.

+Sounding.+ He has charge of the sounding; sounds the bilges and tanks, and reports their condition each morning, or when specially ordered.

In the event of grounding, or collision, one of the first things to do is to sound bilges and wells in the vicinity of the damage. This duty always falls to the Carpenter.

+Tanks.+ Any work done to the tanks—not directly under the Chief Engineer—is attended to by the Carpenter.

+Tools.+ The Carpenter is responsible for all tools used in the deck department—outside of marline spikes, fid, rigging screws, etc., which belong to the Boatswain. He takes care of his shop, keeps an inventory of his materials, and turns same in to the Chief Mate for approval.

+Cargo Ports.+ The Carpenter should overhaul and attend to the opening and closing of all cargo ports.

+Hatches.+ Hatches are opened and covered and the tarpaulins battened down by the Carpenter; he keeps an extra supply of hatch wedges in his shop.

+Deadlights and Light Ports.+ The Carpenter is charged with the good order and care of all deadlights and light ports. He should examine all deadlights in 'tweendeck, where cargo has been carried.

+Fresh Water.+ The Carpenter should examine all fresh water tanks before filling. He should see them cement washed, when necessary, and should be in attendance when fresh water is taken on board. When double-bottom tanks are being filled, he should see that vents are opened for the escape of air, so they will be completely filled.

+Decks.+ The Carpenter is specially charged with the caulking and repair of wooden decks. He should keep a supply of deck plugs handy. Caulking is almost a lost art today.

+Booms—Masts.+ The Carpenter is charged with the upkeep of booms and masts. He should examine the masts at the partners, whenever the vessel is unloaded. Runs of rust should be noted and the state of the wedges and mast coats reported to the Chief Mate, if necessary.

Old booms should be examined in the wake of bands, and probed for dry rot at the heel. Checks and dangerous cracks—probably puttied up—should be searched for and reported to the Chief Mate.

+Storm Oil.+ The Carpenter should have charge of the storm-oil tank, and should see that the drip cocks and pipes leading to the hawse, or over side, are kept clear, and that the supply of oil required by the U. S. Inspectors is on hand:

Vessels of over 200 and not over 1,000 gross tons, 30 gallons.

Vessels of over 1,000 and not over 3,000 gross tons, 40 gallons.

Vessels of over 3,000 and not over 5,000 gross tons, 50 gallons.

Vessels of over 5,000 gross tons shall carry at least 100 gallons.

+General.+ The modern ship carpenter is as much a worker with iron and steel as he is with wood. His duty requires that he be familiar with machinery—and his special charge is the braking and releasing of the windlass, under the direction of the Chief Mate.

A top-notch carpenter is a jewel, he is a scarce article in these degenerate days of high wages and indifferent performance.

A good artisan can do no better than to go to sea as a carpenter in a well-found modern steamer; the pay is good he will have comfortable quarters, and good food, he will also save money. This holds true of most billets aboard a merchant vessel today.