"SEAMEN'S CATHECHISM."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 97, 24 April 1874, Page 2

"SEAMEN'S CATHECHISM."

The following is a copy of one of the pamphlets published and circulated by Mr Plimsoll, with the view of directing attention to tbe alleged unseaworthy condition of tbe British mercantile marine: — Question. What are you? Answer. A British seaman. Q. How are you qualified for that profession? A. By hanging about docks and ports, generally, sometimes by apprenticeship. Q. Then you learn your business as you go on. A. Yes, for the most part, except those who are regularly instructed, say about one in ten of us. Q. What -are your duties? A. To navigate ships, to give a reasonable obedience to our captains, and to be very respectful to our owners. Q. Good. Have you any other duty? A. Yes, cheerfully to go on board any vessel whose owoers may engage you. Q. Are the vessels you navigate always in sound condition, well found and manned, and properly laden? A. It is not our business to inquire. Q. Your answer does you much credit, but supposing you bave by chance shipped in a vessel that does not fulfil these conditions, what is your duty? A. It is difficult to suppose such a case, but should it occur it is our duty to be drowned. Q. Right again; but is this the universal view of your obligations? A. A few of us have, with a great want of consideration for thg interests of our employers, objected to go-jto sea now and then. Q. What has been the result? A. A Board of Trade examination of the vessel. Q. And with what result? A. Well, once or twice the ship has been stopped for a little patching, or a few tons of goods are taken out of her but generally she bas been declared all right. Q. And in the latter case, what happened? A. Those who Bhip, go for the most part, on their last voyage, and lose tbeir lives, but a few have gone to prison instead, and lose their character. Q. You would never act thus? A. Oh, no-!-never.

J (.For continuation see fourth page,) j

Q. Have you a father or mother? a .wife or children, or a sweetheart? or brothers or sisters? A. Most of us have one or another,) and some all. / , Q. If you are lost, do they object? / A. Not if they are well-principled' They cry a bit, but are told it is a(l right, and it would be very bad raanneis to make a fuss about it. ' _\M'' Are th&re aoy other considerations of more importance that the loss ofyou^ife? A, Oh yes; there is the ship, and tire^oods, and the freight to be considered. Q T^hen, of course, the owners are very careful of such important interests? -A* . Yes, if tbey are uninsured, or abn tbelong to a club; aud we are all pretty safe then. i ..Q« .But should they be insured? A. Why, the underwriters pay for the loss, Sod ask np questions. Q, A? ypuwelyes and families do not object to the course of procedure, it is presumed that no one else will interfere. A. Well, we have a man who calls . himself the .Seamen's Friend, who has made objections. Q. This is very unreasonable. What is bis name? A. Samuel Piimsoll. JQ. In what way have you been taught to consider his unwarrantable interference? A. As as an attempt to sow class dissensions, and a shameful interference With ilie liberty of British subjects. Q. Anything further? A. Yes; as a leader io an attempt to deßtroy British trade, and to throw it into the hands of foreigners. Q. *yho are British subjects? ,A. Our masters the shipowners, whose interests should be paramount. Q. If any misfortune was to lisppen * to your vessel, who would you blame? A. The winds and waves, in fact anything but the vessel or her owners. Examiner. You have answered discreetly; always remember to be satisfied and contented with the position/ in which, in the order of Providence, wou have been placed, and be thankful Jwu have not been born a slave in a heatbeo> land, but hav«j the advantage of belong/ ing to a Christian country. You may now proceed to fulfil your interesting and delightful duties, always keepibg v in mind the principles with which, by yonr answers, you have shown yo irV self so well instructed. £• '^'' '■■ '■■' '■ ■ —J. FT