CHAPTER XII.

OFFICERS OF THE DECK, AND OF GUN, TORPEDO, AND POWDER

DIVISIONS.

SECTION 1.-OFFICER OF THE DECK.

Definition.

610. (1) The officer of the deck is the officer on watch in charge of the ship.

(2) When, under the provisions of article 406, the watch officers are not required to stand their regular watch on deck, the officer who is on day's duty shall be ready for duty, and appear on deck the moment he is summoned or notified that his presence there is desired. He shall receive all of the usual reports no matter where he may be.

(3) If, as provided in article 513, paragraph 2, a line officer "junior to the watch officers” be directed to take charge of the deck, he shall have all the authority and responsibility of the officer of the deck as provided in these regulations, and shall, in addition to the duties required of the officer of the deck, report all matters of importance or interest to the “watch officer on duty” under whose direction and orders he is acting.

(4) The watch officer on duty can exercise his authority only through the officer of the deck, whom he is authorized to relieve at any time.

611. At sea he shall carry a trumpet, and in port wear gloves Insignia of and carry a spyglass or binocular.

duty. 612. Every officer or other person in the ship, whatever may be Authority. his rank, who is subject to the orders of the captain, except the executive officer, shall be subordinate to the officer of the deck.

613. The officer of the deck shall be responsible for the safety of Responsibility. the ship, subject, however, to any special orders he may have received from the captain.

614. (1) He shall, before taking charge, make himself thoroughly General duties acquainted with the position of the ship with reference to vessels before taking in sight, and to any land, shoals, or rocks that may be near; with charge. the general condition of the weather, the course, speed, condition and amount of sail set, all unexecuted orders, and the orders of the captain for the night; with the condition of the running lights, and any other appliances required by law to be in operation or at hand in order to prevent collisions; and with the condition of the force on deck available for duty, and the general condition of the ship.

(3) He shall, before taking charge, when the ship is in squadron, see that she is in her station; if out of her station, he will not take tion. charge until he has reported the fact to the captain and received his orders.

If out of sta

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(11) In time of w

the deck.

ger,

To remain on

not make any dispuse of the armamer other object that m shall instantly make

(12) He shall not night, without auth immediate danger. signals; that none a thorized appliances ready for use, by nig

(13) When there is signal for closing the (14

) At sea he shall
as the former watch i
be necessary in order

(15) He shall requis
him at sunset, of each
readiness for service;
the lifeboat's crew of
ginning of each watch
(16) He shall see the

teutive.

When he may

(3) He may, when at sea, decline to relieve the deck until there is decline to relieve a watch up ready for duty. If the ship is in a perilous position he

may also decline to relieve the deck until he has reported the fact

to the captain and received his orders.
Keeping the (4) When at sea, and especially when approaching land or in pilot
ship out of dan. waters, he shall keep himself informed of the position of the ship;

whether land or lights are in sight, or whether either are likely to
be seen, and of all other particulars which may be of use to him in
keeping the ship out of danger. If approaching land or shoals, he
shall keep leadsmen in the chains, and have the anchors and chains
clear and ready for use.

(5) He shall remain in charge until regularly relieved, and shall deck and be at- not engage in any occupation which may distract his attention

from duty.
Care of the ship (6) He shall see that the junior officers and the watch are at all
when under way. times alert, at their stations, attentive and ready for duty; that

every necessary precaution is taken to prevent accidents; that a
boat is always ready for lowering, and the life buoys ready for let-
ting go; if in a ship with sails, that the spars, sails, and rigging are
protected from the heat of the smoke pipe as much as possible; that
the lookouts are in place, and vigilant, and that they understand
their duties; that the sails are properly set, the yards trimined, and
everything ready for shortening sail, particularly during squally
weather; and that the spars and rigging are not unduly strained.
He shall exercise great care that the ship is skillfully steered and
kept on her course, and shall keep a correct account of the courses,
the speed, and leeway made. He shall see that the running lights
are kept bright from sunset to sunrise and their condition reported
every half hour; that during a fog, when approaching vessels, and
at all other times, the precautions required by law to prevent col-
lisions (see appendix) are fully complied with; that when in pilot
waters the leads are kept going, or that other means to ascertain the
soundings are at hand, and are frequently used; and that nothing

is placed near the compass that will change their error.
To keep in sta (7) When in company with other ships he shall be very careful to

keep in station; if unable to do so, he shall report at once to the
captain.

(8) When the captain is on deck, the officer of the deck shall not captain when on change the course, make any different disposition of sails, alter the

speed, nor perform any important evolution without consulting him. Reports to be (9) He shall promptly report to the captain all land, shoals, rocks, made to the cap- lighthouses, beacons, buoys, discolored water, vessels, or wrecks dis

covered; all changes in the weather or shifts of wind; all signals
made; all changes of sail, speed, or course by the senior officer
present, or the ships in company; any change in course, speed, or
disposition of sails, made by himself; any marked change in the
barometer, force of the wind, state of the sea, or marked indica-
tions of bad weather; the display of storm signals on shore; all
serious accidents; the winding of the chronometers; the hours at
8 a. m., meridian, and 8 p. m.; when at sea, the latitude at meridian,
if obtained; the movements of men-of-war, mail steamers, and other

large vessels; and, in general, all occurrences worthy of notice. Changing the (10) He shall not, unless to avoid immediate danger, change the

course without directions from the captain, and then he will report
the change to him as soon as possible. When on soundings, he shall
regard advice from the navigator as sufficient authority to change
the course, but he shall at once report the change to the captain.

tion.

detailed for the purpos
accessible parts below
and until all hands or
these rounds the corpo
and see if irregularities
result to the officer of
junior officer of the wa
every two hours, or oft
can be dispensed with f

615. The officer of t
down in the routine boc
mitting, modifying the
orders of the captain ar

616. (1) When stores shall report the fact to t whose charge they beloi

% When boats, tende be shall have them clea hence to see that no prol

3. He shall take care from the ship are hoisti that are to receive them,

617. (1) He shall ket that come alongside of,

3. He shall report to tl tents of the ship's boa

To consult the

3. When the boats of abst see that they are in crews, and that the latter

course,

4 He shall see that th and astern unship the en: **y lay in the cars, are g

(11) In time of war, or when hostilities may be expected, he shall not make any dispositions that will interfere with the immediate time of war. use of the armament. If at any time he sights a suspicious ship or other object that may, by any possibility, have a hostile purpose, he shall instantly make preparations for battle, and inform the captain.

(12) He shall not make any official signal, either by day or by Signals. night, without authority from the captain, except to warn ships of immediate danger. He shall see that a good lookout is kept for signals; that none are answered until understood; and that the authorized appliances for making signals of all kinds are at hand and ready for use, by night as well as by day.

(13) When there is danger of a collision he shall at once sound the closing watersignal for closing the water-tight doors.

tight doors. (14) At sea he shall always cause the watch to be mustered as soon Mustering the as the former watch is relieved, and as frequently thereafter as may watch. be necessary in order to keep all present alert and ready for duty.

(15) He shall require the coxswains of both lifeboats to report to him at sunset, of each day, the condition of the boats in respect to readiness for service; and at sea he shall require the coxswain of the lifeboat's crew of the watch to make the same report at the beginning of each watch.

(16) He shall see that the corporal of the guard, or other person Inspections detailed for the purpose, makes the rounds of the ship, visiting all during the night. accessible parts below the spar deck every half hour after 10 p. m., and until all hands or the idlers are called in the morning. During these rounds the corporal is to inspect the lights and the prisoners, and see if irregularities of any kind are taking place, reporting the result to the officer of the deck. The latter shall also require a junior officer of the watch, if there is one, to make these rounds every two hours, or oftener if necessary, when his services on deck can be dispensed with for the time being.

615. The officer of the deck shall carry out the instructions laid
down in the routine book, the weather and other circumstances per-
mitting, modifying them as may be necessary to comply with the
orders of the captain and executive officer.

616. (1) When stores or supplies for the ship come alongside, he
shall report the fact to the executive officer and notify the officer in plies.
whose charge they belong.

(2) When boats, tenders, or lighters come alongside with stores,
he shall have them cleared, and at the same time exercise due dili-
gence to see that no prohibited articles are introduced on board.

(3) He shall take care that all articles which are to be sent away from the ship are hoisted out, and stowed in the boats or vessels that are to receive them, in such a manner as to prevent injury.

617. (1) He shall keep himself informed concerning all boats that come alongside of, or depart from, the ship.

(2) He shall report to the executive officer any contemplated movements of the ship's boats of which the latter is presumably not cognizant.

(3) When the boats of the ship are manned. he shall inspect them and see that they are in good order, that they have their regular crews, and that the latter are suitably clothed in the uniform of the day.

(4) He shall see that the keepers of the boats riding at the booms and astern unship the ensigns, except on prescribed occasions, that they lay in the oars, are generally attentive, do not lounge about or

628. (1) In add established forms. every circumstanc watch is noted int his name at the coi

(3) He shall exer rations are carefull ance with instruct weather are noted

hon

leave their boats, and give the proper salutes as hereinbefore laid
down.

(5) He shall take care that boats alongside do not lie at the gang-
way while waiting, but off the boom or quarter, out of the way of

approaching boats, unless permission is given to haul out to the boom. Boarding 618. (1) He shall see that, when a boat is sent to board the ship books,

of the senior officer, a notebook is carried in which verbal orders
received must be immediately entered.

(2) The information derived from merchant vessels boarded shall

be recorded permanently in a book kept for the purpose.
Ship's boats 619. (1) He shall see that a lookout is kept on the ship's boats
under sail:

that are in sight and under sail, that aid may be promptly sent in
case of accident.

(2) He shall direct the junior officers, or coxswains in charge of
boats, to use sails when it can be done with propriety and without

loss of time. Salutes, 620. So far as his authority extends, he shall see that the reguors, and distinc- lations concerning salutes, honors, and distinctions are carefully

observed. Etiquette of 621. (1) He shall see that all officials who come on board or

leave the ship receive the side honors to which they are entitled.

(2) He shall see that all persons coming alongside or visiting the ship are courteously treated.

(3) Unless prevented by urgent duty, he shall be at the gangway to receive, and shall accompany to the side, all commissioned officers or distinguished visitors. When so prevented, he shall send a junior

officer of the watch to represent him.
Leaving and 622. (1) He shall require all persons over whom he has authority
returning to the to report to him or his representative upon leaving the ship, stating
ship.

that they have permission to do so; and also to report their return
on board.

(2) The absence from the gangway of an officer of the watch at
the time of the departure or return of any officer, is not to be con-
strued by the latter as a sufficient reason for omitting this report.

(3) The officer of the deck shall report to the executive the depar

ture and return of all officers senior to the executive.
Turning over 623. Whenever it may be necessary to turn over the engines by
the engines when steam when the ship is not under way, the officer of the deck shall
not under way.

first obtain permission to do so from the commanding officer, and
shall station a junior officer of the watch or other competent person
at the engine-room bell to give the necessary signals, taking every
precaution against accident.

624. When at anchor in a strong tideway, or with a strong wind ger of dragning, blowing, he shall keep a drift lead over the side, and, if possible,

observe a range on shore, and take all other precautions necessary
to ascertain at once if the ship drags.

625. He shall not, without permission from superior authority,
permit the hatch tarpaulins to be used for any purpose except cov-
ering the hatches.

626. He shall not, without permission from superior authority,

permit birds or animals to be brought on board to be kept as pets. When washung 627. When washing decks, and the temperature permits, he shall

require the crew to take off their shoes or boots and stockings.
except those who are excused by proper authority.

3. He shall enter ia. The name and be detached from desertions; the nam and of all absent wi times of coming ab state of the weather, when any particular performed; the signa the time when, and made: the nature and name of the offender sig ting of all vesse Gangers to navigation 10. Any accident to the loss or injury of b ong attendant circums

m An itemized sta trom which, and the de and the amount and

the side.

Ward.

(d) An account of al pose other than that fo

'e An account of al ship

, and the authority 3) The marks and urned, is found to con a statement of the defic

9. All alterations mi authority therefor.

h, a mention of th statement of her tonn

When in dan.

Hatlı tarallins.

nuunber of her crew, authority therefor.

Every occasion u banked, or hauled, with a engines are in operat and the average pressur

j The reading of all of a port. 629. When at sea he

2. The chief boatswa biexamine the conditio

th. The chief carpente smular examination and

The chief sailmak *. A and report concerni

Pets

decks.

The log.

628. (1) In addition to the entries in the log book required by the established forms, and by special instructions, he shall see that every circumstance of importance or interest occurring during his watch is noted in the deck log Upon being relieved, he shall sign his name at the conclusion of his remarks.

(2) He shall exercise particular care that the meteorological observations are carefully taken and entered in the deck log, in accordance with instructions, and that the signs of approaching bad weather are noted and recorded

(3) He shall enter the following particulars in the deck 'og:

(a) The name and rank, or rating, of all persons who may join or be detached from the ship; all transfers, discharges, deaths, and desertions; the names of aīl persons made prisoners by an enemy, and of all absent without leave; the names of all passengers, with times of coming aboard and leaving; the direction of the wind, state of the weather, courses steered, and distances sailed; the time when any particular evolution, exercise, or any other service was performed; the signal number or other record of all signals made, the time when, and by what ships, and to what ships, they were made; the nature and extent of all punishments inflicted, with the name of the offender and his offense; all ratings and disratings; the sighting of all vessels, land, lighthouses, light-ships, and of all dangers to navigation.

(6) Any accident to the ship, including all cases of grounding, and the loss or injury of boats, spars, sails, rigging, and stores, with all the attendant circumstances and the extent of the injury.

(c) An itemized statement of all stores received, of the source from which, and the department for which, they have been received, and the amount and character of all public moneys received on board.

(d) An account of all stores condemned, or converted to any purpose other than that for which they were intended.

(e) An account of all stores loaned or otherwise sent out of the ship, and the authority therefor.

(1) The marks and numbers of each package which, on being opened, is found to contain less than is specified by the invoice, with a statement of the deficiency.

(g) All alterations made in the allowance of provisions, with the authority therefor.

(h) A mention of the employment of any hired vessel, with a statement of her tonnage, the name of her master or owner, the number of her crew, for what purpose she is employed, and the authority therefor.

(1) Every occasion upon which fires in the furnaces are lighted, banked, or hauled, with the hour of each change and its object. If the engines are in operation, the average revolutions made per minute and the average pressure of steam.

(j) The reading of all draft marks before leaving and after entering a port.

629. When at sea he shall require

(a) The chief boatswain or boatswain, during the morning watch, to examine the condition of the rigging, and report the result.

(b) The chief carpenter or carpenter at the same time, to make a similar examination and report concerning the spars.

(c) The chief sailmaker or sailmaker to make a similar examination and report concerning the sails.

Examinations and reports.