Chapter XXII: The Boatswain

The Boatswain, for a long time was not in favor on American vessels, this prejudice being a survival of the hard old sailing-ship days, after America had ceased to be great with her white wings.

The cheese-paring policy of many owners denied the common sense arrangement of having a Boatswain—a leading man of the crew—to do the actual roustabout with the men in holds and on deck. The Mates were supposed to attend to such matters, and while they juggled hose, and did other energetic, but senseless duties, other matters of far greater importance went undone.

Owners are now generally alive to the fact that a Boatswain makes the Chief Mate about ten times as useful as an officer. He can plan work, attend to his duties and inspections, while such matters as washing decks, mixing paints, standing over gangs of chippers, or side cleaners, goes on without interruption under the Boatswain.

The Duty of the Boatswain is so closely associated with the duty of the Chief Mate, that it is more or less a matter of repetition to enumerate just what he is supposed to look after.

Under the Chief Mate, the Boatswain works the men; if in a large vessel, with the assistance of a Boatswain's Mate. At sea, the watches are divided between the Boatswain and his Mate.

The Boatswain should be something more than an able seaman, as the term is known today. Steamers do not carry a sailmaker, and the Boatswain should be able to sew a seam, sew on a bolt rope, and fit and cut an awning, or a staysail.

He should understand something about rigging—the splicing of wire ropes—the turning in of thimbles—the making and rigging of lifeboat sails (most of them on merchant vessels are an abomination).

+Boatswain's Orders.+ A small book of Boatswains' Orders, filled out by the Chief Mate helps to keep things straight and the work on deck progressing. This is specially necessary where the Chief Mate stands a bridge watch and may be turned in for a part of the day.

+Stands By.+ The Boatswain or his Mate, whoever is on deck, should always "stand by" for an emergency call from the bridge, to attend to any work that the officer of the watch may wish to have done.