OPFIOEES OF VESSELS; DISCIPLINE OF THE CEEW; NAVIGATIOlsr. 99 



theft. Notwithstanding the fact that they were unsuccessful, the suit cost the captain a large 

 sum, probably more than his profits fbr the entire voyage, in addition to his loss of time.- 



Such instances of disobedience as the one referred to above are most liable to occur during the 

 ■ absence of the master from the vessel. He is, of course, obliged to attend to business upon the 

 land, and, since he has no one on board to whom he can delegate his authority, the vessel is left 

 without authority to enforce discipline. 



The crew are supposed to sign shipping papers when they join the vessel, though many 

 masters ship their crews without any formality whatever. These shipping papers, when signed, 

 " usually attach some penalty to absence from duty without leave, but the utmost penalty that can 

 be inflicted is one which, within the memory of man, has never been enforced — that the fisher- 

 man's share in the proceeds of the trip shall be forfeited. 



In cases where the American consuls at foreign ports have been appealed to for assistance in 

 controlling an unruly crew, they have stated plainly that they had no authority in the matter. 

 The difference in this respect between the fishing and whaling vessels is too evident to require 

 comment. A severer system of discipline is needful no less at sea than on shore. Many of the 

 fishing vessels are absent from two to six months, with crews of from ten to twenty-five men. It 

 cannot be otherwise than that frequent necessity should arise for the exercise of authority to 

 quell insubordination and to enforce proper attention to duty. 



It is evident, from a consideration of the above facts, that there is need of a reform in the 

 methods of officering the fishing vessels of the United States and maintaining discipline on board 

 of them. On the smaller vessels the demand for a change of this sort may not be so strenuous, 

 but even in these a different system of organization could result in no harm. 



Needful kefokms. — In the opinion of many of the most experienced fishing masters and 

 fishery capitalists of Gloucester and other ports, the following changes would seem to be extremely 

 desirable : 



(1) More care in the selection of masters of fishing vessels. They should not only be required 

 to pass an examination in seamanship and navigation, their proficiency to be attested and signed 

 by a board of examiners, as in the case of the merchant marine, but they should be selected with 

 reference to their good judgment, prudence, and humanity. Mere ability to obtain good "fares" of 

 fish by some sort of haphazard luck should not be regarded as a suf&cient recommendation for a 

 man to whom are to be intrusted the lives of a number of men, and iJroperty worth several thou- 

 sand dollars. The skippers of Gloucester vessels are frequently selected for no other reason than 

 because they are supposed to have good luck, or, as the fishermen express it, because tliey are 

 "killers." Luck of this sort is, of course, but little to be relied upon, and in the long run such men 

 are perhaps less successful than their rivals who are skillful and observant. 



(2) Since the needs of the fishing vessels are at the present day not very different from those 

 employed in the the whaling and merchant marine, it seems evident that there should be more than 

 one officer. There should be a mate, or first officer, who should share the responsibilities of the cap- 

 tain. He should have authority in the absence of the captain, and in case of accident to the latter 

 should at once take charge of the vessel. This man should, of course, be subject to examination, 

 like the captain, or, at any rate, should give evidence to the proper persons of his ability to perform 

 the duties of his office. The creation of a grade of subordinate officers among the fishermen would 

 undoubtedly have a good effect upon the whole body of men engaged in the pursuit. The number 

 of responsible positions would be doubled, and the responsibility placed upon these men would 

 render them more sedate and reliable. They would be recognized as in the line of promotion, and 

 their efibrts to improve themselves would be greatly stimulated. The advantage to the fishery 



