900 VETEEINARY HYGIENE 



goes, and would only cause a few inches displacement of 

 the ship, which would in consequence be very high out of 

 the water unless properly ballasted for the conveyance of 

 animals. 



A vessel high out of the water has more motion than one 

 which is nearer the surface, and is therefore lacking in 

 steadiness ; the latter is an essential quality for all ships 

 used in animal transport. If they are known to roll they 

 should certainly never be employed. A ship wide in the 

 beam is steadier than a narrow one ; on the width of beam 

 depends the number of rows of horses carried. If four 

 rows are carried on one deck the width should be at least 

 forty feet. 



The height between decks should not be less than eight 

 feet for horses, though it is frequently less. Cattle and 

 sheep could be carried in a vessel with less height than 

 this, but there would be a corresponding reduction in cubic 

 space. With horses height is essential to prevent injury to 

 the poll. 



The hatchways should be large as they then afford an 

 easy means of getting animals up or down. A hatchway 

 less than ten feet is no use for an animal transport ; 

 twelve feet should be the minimum measurement. The 

 animals are walked down 'brows' or gangways fitted in the 

 hatchway. If a hatchway is small, not only does it make 

 a steep descent or ascent, but the chances are in the case 

 of horses thoy will knock their heads against the coamings 

 of the hatch. 



Speed is important where a valuable cargo is concerned, 

 and slow boats should be absolutely rejected ; the highest 

 type of cattle boat now crossing the Atlantic can do fifteen 

 knots an hour. The principle should be to drive a vessel 

 so long as fine weather lasts, but always to reduce the 

 revolutions as soon as a sea gets up, or the animals will 

 suffer from the motion. In very bad weather the ship 

 should simply go slow and quietly ride it out, any other 

 procedure will be attended by trouble and loss. 



Ventilation. — The means of ventilation are all important, 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



