gales and I think they are safer there than in chocks unless the vessel is very low in the water."

It should be stated that a majority of the officers to whom this question was put replied that they considered it impracticable to carry the boats in this way.

Whatever may be thought of the feasibility of this plan in general, there can be no question that all the boats of a passenger steamer should be cleared away and kept ready for lowering at certain times of exceptional danger; as, for example, when running through crowded waters in a fog.

As a general thing, the boats of merchant steamers are stowed in cradles on deck, where they are lashed and covered. Iron davits, curved and turning in sockets bolted to the side of the ship, are swung in to plumb the bow and stern of the boat, where the tackles from the davit-heads hook to ring-bolts. To get them out, the covers and lashings must be cast off, the boats lifted sufficiently to clear the cradles, and the davits swung cut, one at a time, throwing the boat clear of the side and into position for lowering. This is not a difficult operation, nor necessarily a long one, if the boats are in good condition, the officers and crew cool and well disciplined, and the ship on an even keel. But such conditions as these are altogether unusual. As a rule, when the boats are needed in a hurry, neither the force nor the skill is available for lifting and swinging them out; and often the ship has a heavy list, making the difficulty of swinging out almost insurmountable.

In all cases where boats are stowed inboard the arrangements should be such that the boats need not be lifted to free them of the chocks. Where the davits are of the long curved type.common on merchant steamers, this may sometimes be arranged by lashing the boats down, the lashings being fitted with sliphooks, and then hauling taut the falls and belaying them with considerable tension. When the slip-hooks are knocked adrift, the tension on the falls, coupled with the spring of the davits, causes the boat to spring up clear of the chocks, which, if properly fitted, may then be turned down or otherwise cleared away.

In the plan shown in Fig. 3, Plate 57, chocks are used on the inboard side of the boat only; an iron rod, running along the chock athwartships and bent up at its outer end around the keel, serving to hold the boat on the side to seaward. By knocking

the lashings adrift and turning down this rod, the boat is released in an instant.

The boat cover should be put on and secured in a way which will admit of casting it quickly adrift. The arrangement should be such that the cutting of a single line will release all the stops.

The boat should, if possible, be so placed under the davits that one end is ready to swing outboard at once, doing away with the necessity for launching bodily forward or aft.

Fig. 1, Plate 58, shows a form of davit which does away with the necessity of swinging out,. the boat being habitually stowed outside the davits, although resting in chocks.

The falls are handier when coiled outside the boat, though this does not look as neat as to coil them inside. As already explained, they are kept taut enough to lift the boat slightly when the lashings are knocked clear, as well as to hold it if the cradles are washed away by a sea. They must be belayed to a cleat on the davits in order that the latter may swing freely, and it is important to make sure that they are belayed properly for lowering.

The cleats should stand out from the davits sufficiently to admit of lowering without jamming. This is a small point, but one which may be of vital importance.

The Welin Davit (Plate 59) overcomes many of the difficulties connected with the stowage and handling of boats.

Plate 60 shows the stowage of boats of a Dreadnaught. Unless the boats and all their fittings are inspected frequently and thoroughly, there will be trouble when they are wanted. The custom in well-ordered vessels is to overhaul everything when preparing for sea and at regular and frequent intervals afterward; examining and oiling all parts of the disengaging gear and all blocks, swivels, etc. The boats are swung out before starting on a trip, and, if possible, lowered and hoisted to make sure that everything is in good working order. All the fittings and equipments of the boats (see list below) are inspected, water-breakers and bread-tins emptied, cleaned and refilled. Both at sea and in port, the boats are wetted frequently to keep the seams tight, but are never allowed to lie for long periods of time with water in them, as this rots the wood and rusts the fittings.

Plugs are habitually kept out, but especial care must be taken to insure that they are secured in such a way that they cannot be lost. At least two plugs should be provided for each hole and made fast in the boat by good lanyards.

Several new devices for handling boats have been proposed quite lately and tested with promising results. There is good reason to hope that before many years great improvements in this line will be effected.

EQUIPMENT OF BOATS.

In preparing a list of articles for the proper equipment of a boat, it is necessary to consider the service for which the boat may be needed. One which is to be carried at the davits ready for lowering at a moment's notice to pick up a man overboard calls for a very different outfit from one which is never to be used except in case of disaster to the ship.

The following list includes all articles of ordinary equipment; others may be needed for special service of various kinds :

1. Set of oars, with spare for one thwart, with trailing lines if used.

2. Set of rowlocks, if used, secured by lanyards, with two spare.

3. Set of stretchers.

4. Plug, secured by lanyard.

5. Rudder and tiller, with lanyards.

6. Three boat-hooks.

7. Breaker, kept filled with good drinking water and carrying three days' supply for crew.

8. Fenders.

9. Compass.

10. Lantern.

II. Bucket.

12. Boat-box containing tools and material for meeting emergencies which may arise on distant service.

Items 1 to 12 are, as a rule, kept in all boats at all times, except that the compass and lantern may be removed for safe-keeping when the boat is not to be used for some time.

13. Anchor, with chain or good line.

14. Sails and spars.

15. Tarpaulin.

16. Boats ensign, with staff.

17. Hand grapnels, with light chain or line.

18. Rifle and shot gun, with ammunition.

19. Provisions; usually bread and canned meats.

20. Night signals or other fire-works of some satisfactory kind for attracting attention at night.

21. Hand signal flags.

22. Crutch and steering oar for boats using them.

23. Life belts (life boats only).

Items 13 to 23 are kept in the boat whenever they are likely to be needed.