In the days of sail, the duties of masters, mates, and crews, were well defined. Sea practice, in the various rigs, had become standard with the authority of an ancient calling.

The art of sailing, and of rigging ships, was a precise matter. Gear remained standard for a century. The main to'bowline of a Black Ball Liner, tearing to windward in a North Atlantic hummer, was rove and led in much the same fashion as the main to'bowline of the ships of Nelson and Van Tromp. And the old time seamen, in their usage and habits, followed the regularity of the ships upon which they sailed.

The gradual transition from sail to steam carried with it, for a time, the old system of sailing ship routine. But to-day the sailing ship sailor is a thing of the past; the works of steam and steel are upon the waters—we are in the age of engines and the engineer. Great problems of mechanical propulsion, and of construction, are constantly presenting themselves, and the successors of the ancient mariner, the modern master, mates, and crew; the "deck department," if you will, of the present day steamer, find themselves afloat with different gear and under different conditions every time they change vessels.

No standard form of sea training has yet come to take the place of the old-time apprentice system of sail, and in addition to ships that are far from standard, we find that many ideas prevail as to the duties and organization of the seamanship branch of the modern steamer.

Able as they may be individually, officers of mixed training are constantly being thrown together in vessels of the merchant service, while in most cases crews are picked up haphazard from the beach. It is not to be wondered at that many ideas prevail as to the proper way of doing things. Indeed, many otherwise intelligent officers often have a very hazy notion as to just what they are supposed to do, or to know.

Seamen are often confused, through lack of knowledge, as to what may be expected of them; one vessel is run one way, and another one may be quite different. In fact the lack of uniformity at sea breeds uncertainty and makes for disorder in situations where order and discipline are essential.

Among many junior officers in the merchant service a notion prevails that their main object in life is to get along with as little effort as possible while awaiting early promotion and increased pay—they look forward hopefully to that glad day when they will wear the Master's stripes, with all day ashore, while in port, and all night in, while at sea—this book will not be agreeable reading for them.

In the following pages an attempt is made to point out the things the various members of the deck department of an ocean steam vessel may reasonably be expected to know, and the things that they may be required to do. The book does not pretend to tell HOW, but the object is to show WHAT a modern American Seaman ought to know, and to do, and to lay before him the laws by which his calling is regulated.

It is also hoped that the book will help to inform owners and shore managers of the kind and quality of service that they should expect from sea officers and men. It is hoped that it will also aid in creating a greater respect for the quality of the men who go down to the sea in steamers; sail has gone, but a mighty wake of heavy gear and great responsibility has come along to take its place.

Great Lakes officers and seamen, who are being called to salt water during the winter season, as a matter of war emergency, will, it is hoped, find the following pages of use in their new situations.

In conclusion it may be well to remind the hard-working merchantman that while many things are expected of him fortunately he is not required to do them all at once, nor do the United States Local Inspectors examine him upon all of the things mentioned in the pages of this little book.

The American who goes to sea to-day will not content himself with minimum requirements. He means to be more than a ten-per cent seaman. War emergencies have sent many men out on blue water who formerly would never have reached the deck or bridge. They know their limitations—all we can do is to point out the way.

The Author will welcome suggestions and criticisms from officers and men of the Merchant Marine who happen to read the pages of this book. Standard practice at sea is desirable, and such practice can best be achieved by some common ground upon which all minds may meet and reasonably agree.

Letters addressed in care of my publishers, D. Van Nostrand Company, 25 Park Place, New York, will be forwarded to me and be appreciated.