The Globe. MONDAY, JULY 3, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 636, 3 July 1876, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, JULY 3, 1876.

Nothing has caused so many accidents at sea as the broaching of cargo. Hardly a ship arrives at our port without its being discovered that quantities of the goods are missing, spirits more particularly. In harbor, too, it is by no means uncommon for the offence to be committed, as instanced in the case of the Desdemona. During the last few months, as was mentioned by a Magistrate on the bench at Lyttelton, no less than three serious mutinies, resulting in loss of life, have occurred, and all these weje entirely caused by the crew broaching spirits. At sea, where at any moment the life or death of all on board a ship may depend on the sobriety of the crew, the result of the men being able to break bulk may indeed prove disastrous. Of the many vessels that, well found in every respect, start on a voyage, and then mysteriously disappear, leaving no trace behind, not a few no doubt go down through the hands having got to the spirituous liquors on board. Seamen as a rule are not accustomed to restrain themselves when they can get to liquor. The exceptionally hard life they lead tends to make them indulge to an excessive degree in the short intervals of leisure that vary their lives, and when they can procure liquor they seem to be unable to restrain themselves, caring little what way they obtain it. gnUbesides Ijjheextreme danger the ship and "board, great loss is by importers and ship■HhßhSßHks cause. Not a vessel f enera 1 cargo without made against iees, and whether not, there must It is all very to judge this were not and to treat sa d°r has to which are y protect ■Lletter, V'G- ; V;.-. .'} U’^Llea■re-

pillage usually occurs through the crew having access to the hold while passing up ship’s stores for daily use. In most vessels provisions are kept amongst the cargo, no barrier intervening ; the hatches being taken oft’ at least once a week, and the sailors going down to get out what is required. Could not some compartment be set aside in every vessel for the purpose of holding stores required on the voyage, doing away entirely with the necessity for entering that part of the ship where the cargo is stowed ? A great fuss was made lately about carrying gunpowder amongst the general cargo, but we look upon spirits in that part of the hold to which the crew have access as an equally dangerous commodity. Of course, when a vessel, is discharging in port, it is necessary the men should handle all goods in the ship, but a timely watch would prevent any theft occurring in this case. But; too often, no such watch is kept, one officer only being appointed, from a false spirit of economy, where at least two are required. Surely the law might here step in to advantage, and fcompel masters of vessels to provide a sufficient number of guardians to render the offence next to an impossibility.