CONTENTS. DUNNAGE DISMISSAL OF SEAMAN BEFORE EARNING A MONTH'S WAGES; 61 71 PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR BRITISH SHIPMASTERS. 1. DUTIES, LIABILITIES, AND RIGHTS OF SHIPMASTERS. NO MAN has greater responsibilities thrown upon him, heavier duties to perform, or risks to pass through, than a master-mariner; and yet no person, generally, has less credit for his work.* * The following qualifications which a master-mariner is supposed to possess, appeared in an English newspaper :: 'There is, perhaps, no profession or trade known wherein so much and so many qualifications are required from one man, as from a shipmaster. He is required to be well versed in navigation, in all its branches, from plain trigonometry to great circle sailing, and from finding the latitude by a meridian altitude, to the longitude by a lunar observation. He is also supposed to be thoroughly versed in seamanship; in fact, to be able to conduct his ship to all parts of the world, and to keep her clear of lee shores, rocks, shoals, and sandbanks. All this is an absolutely necessary requirement; but he is also required to be able (nearly) to build the ship he commands; he must know how every part of her frame is put together, from the kelson upwards, and whenever a part of her becomes affected, he must know how and where to apply the remedy. He must be perfectly acquainted with various trades, such as sailmakers, carpenters, coopers, blacksmiths, and sometimes cooks. 'Under his particular care and charge are, first, his crew, and then his medicine chest, and the captain is supposed (while he is afloat at least) to be able to cure any disease that may happen to come within the limits of his little book, entitled "The Seamen's Medical and Surgical Assistant." Should, however, one of the crew depart this life, the captain gives the |