A SEA TRAMP

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 121, 23 May 1914, Page 9

A SEA TRAMP

EXPLOITING THE WORLD THE JOHN HARDIES TRAVELS TRADING IN FOREIGN PORTS. She walks the waters like a thing of life, And seems to dare the clemontb to strife. Although penned a century ago, these lines may be fittingly applied to tlie pre-sent-day cargo steamer, which, year in and year out,, in calm and storm, tramps the ocean from port to port, ever on an important mission. Vessels of this description are constructed and sent to the water to answer the never-ceasing call of trade. They form the chief connecting links in the great chain of commerce. Irrespective of the vast expanse of water which may have to be traversed, it ie through these vessels that the producer is able to send supplies to the consumer. Years ago this was carried out by sailing vessels, but with the introduction of steam goods were despatched with greater assurance of their arrival at the destination within a certain period. This led to the establishment of regular lines . then there were countries not so conveniently situated as to have regular communication by sea, and it was imperative that these should come within the limits of trade. (So there gradually came about a division of steamships into two classes— the "liner and the "ocean tramp." Those included in the former category range from tho first-class mail and passenger steamer to the regular cargo steamer, while the latter class comprises cargo carriers with iio fixea running whatever, but which proceed wherever profitable employment offers. Hence the appellation "tramp." Ocean tramps do a very large portion of tho world's cargo-carrying, being more especially utilised in the carriage of such cargoes as coal, grain, sugar, timber, oil, etc. A VISITOR OF NOTE. Not infrequently vessels of this class visit Wellington ; in fact, there has been a marked increase of late in the number of tramps calling at this port. This was particularly noticeable at the time of the strike, some few months ago. when many a foreign steamer arrived laden with coal. It was then that their importance was fully manifested. Apart from the influx on that occasion, tramp steamers arrive frequently with cargoes of oil, general merchandise, lumber, etc. People who find pleasure in visiting the waterfront and in Btudying the various types of vessels, seldom pass by a tramp (should one happen to be tied up) without making special observations. In the first place, attention is attracted by the weather-worn appearance of the vessel (which is invariably tho case with a tramp), which alone suggests many a struggle with tho elements oil the high seas. Another equally noticeable feature is her crew. In the majority of instances these tramp steamers are manned chiefly by foreigners— Chinese, Hindoos, or negroes, or oftentimes by a mixed crew. A typical tramp has been in port this week discharging a cargo of case oil from New York. This wa* the John Hardie, of 4372 toru>, owned by the firm of John Hardie and Co., of Glasgow. She carries a mixed crew, the sailors being West Indian negroes, while those "down below" are Chinese. TRADING IN MANY LANDS. Since entering the' sea 'nearly eight years ago the_ John Hardie has visited many ports in various parts of the world, and an outlino of her movements during the past twelve months, and the caigoes she has "lifted in that period, makes interesting reading.' Early in May of last year she loft Barry Dock (South Wales) laden with coal for Santos (Brazil), from which port she proceeded "light ship" to Cuba. Here a load of sugar was taken aboard, and tho vessel sailed for Now York, where the cargo was landed. Orders were next received to go to Philadelphia, and there load coal for Ha.vannah (Cuba), This mission completed, the John Hardie then set out for Pensacola (Florida) to carry timber for the River Plate. A call was also made at Mobile, where a quantity of general cargo was taken aboard. Various ports were visited on the River Plate, the cargo being discharged at Monte Video (when the vessel was docked) and Buenos Aires. On completion at the latter port the John Hardie proceeded about six hundred miles^ up tho River to Santa Fe, at which place a part cargo of quebracho logs and extract (used for dyeing purposes) was taken aboard. Puerto Borgha was next visited, and here more logs were loaded, after which the vessel went to Puerto Sorrento (near Rosario), where loading operations were completed. The John Hardie then set\ sail for New York, her port of discharge, where she arrived 'in January last. Subsequently she loaded case oil there on behalf of the Vacuum Oil Company, and sailed for New Zealand on the 24th February. En route calls were made at St. Vincent (Canary Islands), Durban (South Africa), and Albany (Western Australia.), the vessel arriving at Wellington about a fortnight ago. When discharge has been completed at various other New Zealand ports the Johi« Hardie will go across to Newcastle to load coal for Manila. Her movements after that are not yet known. HANDLING OF CARGO. When questioned regarding the facilities for the handling of cargo at the various ports above mentioned, the officers of the John Hardie stated that Barry Dock was easily the best as far as loading coal was concerned, while for other purposes Monte Video was quite up to date. Great improvements had been made at the South American port, a new dock having been built, and electric cranes installed. At Puerto Borgha., also on the River Plate, a, peculiar method was adopted in bhipping logs. The vessel was moored alongside the riverbank, and thick wires were then fastened from the top of the bank down to the ship's side at certain distances apart. By means of connections the logs were slid down these wires, and then hauled on board by means of the ship's winches. Speaking of New York the officers considered there was plenty of room for improvement, as it was such an important port. In regard to AVellington they stated that it compared favourably with other ports generally. Moreover, it was a very homely port. LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE. To anyone not acquainted with the sea, life on board cargo steamers would appear very monotonous, more so in regard to tramps, which are called upon to travel through waters seldom tre quented by tho majority of vessels. Then again officers on these stenmem are very often away from their home port for years nt a rime, and for the most part trading between foreign countries. When it is considered that there are only nine Europeans all told on tho John Hardie, life for them would appear to be decidedly dull. Such, however, m not tho case, but, if anything, just the reverse. There are times, of course, when tho officers would much prefer a "homely port," out, generally speaking, they are quite contented. When off watch they have plenty of amusement, and in tliit, connection there is One member of the ehip'fc company who playt. a prominent part— the pet. This rank on the John Hardie is filled by a- cat, which joined tho ship at Monte Video, and, necdle«6 W say, "Tom's" presence is al-

ways enjoyed, except perhaps when he may pay a visit to ibe cook's quarters at an inopportune time. Tho members tf>f tho ship's company are able to keep in touch with relations or friends by ■means of tho post, and at each port they generally receive letters. Life on board ship is then nob as Samuel Johnson, would make believo when ho wrote — > "Being in a ship is being in a gaol. TALES OF THE SEA. Thrilling experiences at sea, which are reported tim© and again, in a majority of cases originate from tho rargo steamer, and nearly every tramp on. the water to-da,y has a tale to tell. When tho John Hardie was bound from the Argentine to 'New York early m January last, she encountered a terrific gale off Cape Ha-tterae, but managed to come out of tho ordeal little tho worse ior tho severe buffeting she reoeived. It was during this, same gale that tho oil tank steamer Ok l ahonla broke in two without any warning, a-nd many lives were lost. On arrival at New York after that voyage, the John Hardie had the. unique experience of being "enowed-up." On ono day the decks of the vessel were covered with enow to a depth of 3ft 6in. 11l speaking of experiences, one officer called to mind a collision about seven years ago between the four-masted barque Vimeira and the German fullrigged ship Maria. He was then on board the former vessel, which, ac a result of tho impact, had to put into Queenstown (Ireland) for repairs. On tho Vimeira' s previous voyage Home she succeeded in beating the Port Jacksou vi a Tace from Sydney. The John Bardie's recent long voyage from New Yotlc to Wellington was an exceptionally rough one, the vessel having to plough against heavy head soas and winds practically all the way. She. however, again camo through the ordeal practically ficathless.