United States Congressional Serial Set Volume 4759 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...by steam that can possibly be handled in that way. We have no difficulty in getting crews anywhere. In fact, I can fill the vessel to-morrow. I nave, I suppose, 50 applications in my desk down there to man those vessels. Senator Mallory. Are they rigged with fore-and-aft sails? Mr. Melvin. Fore-and-aft and mutton-leg sails. Senator Mallory. How many masts? Mr. Melvin. Three. Senator Mallory. Bowsprit? Mr. Melvin. No bowsprit. That is about all I can say, so far as the barges are concerned. If there is any matter you would like to know about, I can probably answer your questions. Senator Mallory. Are the class of men employed on board those barges the same as the men employed on ships going to sea? AS TO BARGE CREWS. Mr. Melvin. Yes; the class we employ are. Our masters are men who.have been on sailing vessels for a long time. We are very particular in picking them out. Senator Mallory. Have you donkey engines aboard those vessels? Mr. Melvin. We have, and every sail and everything is hoisted by steam. Virtually there is very little done by hand. Senator Mallory. How many barges are towed at one time? Mr. Melvin. Two. We limit ours to two barges. Representative Spight. Do you think that is unsafe? Mr. Melvin. No, sir; I do not. Representative Spight. It has been stated here that sometimes there are as many as four barges, I believe, or three barges in one tow. Mr. Melvin. Yes; quite frequently. Some concerns tow three barges. Representative Spight. It has been stated also that more than two, I believe, are unsafe. Mr. Melvin. A man is making a very broad statement if he says that. If they are well found they are just as safe with three as with two. If they have sufficient ground tackle, sufficient sails to handle them in case of a break up, they are just as ...