246 NORTH SEA FISHERS AND FIGHTERS 



necessity that the sailor remained there for any length 

 of time. 



" So old and ill-constructed are some of these colliers, 

 that in rough weather the forecastle is deluged with 

 water. This condition of things is made much worse by 

 the negligence of the sailor himself, for it seems to be a 

 rule that the cook, instead of throwing over the side of 

 the ship the refuse of material used for food, as dirty 

 water, potato parings, etc., deposits these with great care 

 in some corner of the forecastle. No attention is paid 

 by the captain to the sanitary state of the ship ; during 

 the voyage, which is often a rough one, he is engaged in 

 working the vessel, and while she is in harbour he is on 

 shore waiting upon the owners of the vessel, or trans- 

 acting their business in the Coal Exchange. . . . The 

 provisions supplied in this class of ships vary both in 

 quality and quantity ; the supply, though, is very de- 

 ficient, and there is an almost universal complaint among 

 the men and boys that they have not sufficient to eat. 

 Although coasting voyages last not longer than three or 

 four days, and the ship is very seldom far away from 

 land, the men scarcely ever get fresh meat ; the supply 

 always consists of salt beef the coarsest parts of the 

 animal. To this I may add that the biscuits are of the 

 worst description, very hard, and are masticated with 

 the greatest difficulty. The quality of provisions de- 

 pends entirely upon the liberality of the captain, who 

 not unfrequently has a share in the ship, and whose 

 interest is consequently concerned in keeping down all 

 expenses ; the comfort of the men seems to be made 

 subservient to pecuniary advantages." 



Very different indeed is the state of things which 



