THE BRITISH SAILOR

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1383, 18 February 1905, Page 2

THE BRITISH SAILOR

SHIPS MANNED BY FOREIGNERS

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, Feb. 17.

A witness before the Navigation Commission declared that crimping at Newcastle was worse than at San Francisco. He stated that three out of five captains preferred Swedes nnd Norwegians to British sailors. Foreigners were more easily bandied and grumbled less. On the whole, the British sailor drank most. Some of the forecastles of British ships wero very bad. The beat forecastles that canto to Newcastle were in German ships and the bost-fed ships were Americans. Until the food and accommodation on British ships wero improved a good class of men would not be sttracted. It was said that boarding masters oharged blood money. This amounted to £1 for every man put on hoard. The runner makes out his bill, and it is put through the agent’s office after the captain signs it. The money is paid to the runner, who shares it with the oaptain. For every pound the runner gets he giveß the captain ten shillings. This is not charged against the sailor; the owner of the ship pays it. Some captains do not gat high wages, and have to get little pickings.