20 INTRODUCTION. 



unavailing regrets. The object to be sought is, 

 to secure those who will go to sea from doing so 

 under false apprehensions of the kind of life, and 

 the essential qualifications for success in the sail- 

 or's avocation. 



Seamen are in demand, and if commerce con- 

 tinues to extend, many more able-bodied sailors 

 will be required to man our ships. When the 

 extent and value of the interests involved are 

 thought of, it seems surprising that efforts are not 

 made to improve the character and condition of 

 the sailor. Millions of property are intrusted to 

 his care. Thousands of precious lives are in his 

 hands for weeks and months ; yet many sailors 

 are the refuse of jails, penitentiaries, and state 

 prisons. The sentiment too often prevails that 

 the worse man makes the better sailor. Hence 

 we may easily account for many shipwrecks, ves- 

 sels cast away, sunk, and burned. This is be- 

 coming too expensive. As total abstinence on 

 board ship has reduced the rates of insurance, so 

 will greater security to life and property be ex- 

 perienced at sea, when more attention shall be 

 paid to the character and condition of sailors. 

 The profit may be proportionally divided between 

 the owners and the crew. 



Combined and earnest efforts should be made 

 by parties, especially by those more immediately 



