A PLEA FOR THE SEAMEN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3713, 9 June 1883, Page 4

A PLEA FOR THE SEAMEN.

Under the above heading "An Old Traveller " writes to the Oamaru Times as follows:—"Sir,—ln this morning's North Otago Times I observe two incidents which recall to mygmind cases which are indicative of serious' 'defect in the supervision or management of ships, especially steamers. First,"the Hnwea is said to have grounded at tho mouth of tho AVaitara owing to the second mate having mistaken tho light for that of New Plymouth. Secondly, the chief officer of the" Huia which arrived at Wanganui yesterday morning, was lost overboard when twenty miles from that port, it being surmised that he had fallen asleep and then lost his balance and his life. Now, Sir, I received a letter very lately from Sydney which seems to throw sonic light upon tho cause of many marine disasters, and it is possible this cause may at least have been connected with the forenamed cases. I allude to the long hours which many companies keep their employe s a *3 wor -| { —22 hours in some cases. AVell mh'-ht an officer exclaim, ' If I were to tell you how little sleep I have had out of seven days and seven nights you would scarcely credit it. it is" hard, very hard ;I am quite knocked up.' In another letter he informed mo ho had found it necessary to resort to stimulants in order to keep to the constant strain upon his energies, though, I may tell you he is, and has been for many years', a total abstainer from all alcoholic beverages. This, though an individual instance, may yet show that accidents at sea are not often traced to their true cause.