Examine all ports and dead lights in 'tween decks.
All rust should be cleaned off and painted—red lead and pigment in linseed oil.
See all bulkhead doors tight and in working order.
Spare propeller blades, booms, anchors, hubs, etc., stowed below, should be examined as to lashings and rust. Spare shafting usually carried in shaft tunnel, under charge of Chief Engineer, if in hold, Chief Mates responsible for safety.
Look for leaks in joints of shell plating abreast of hatches where drafts of cargo swing in against the side.
Examine masts, at doublings, at the steps.
Examine all fire lines and connections in holds and 'tween decks.
Examine rivets under bed plates of winches.
+Cargo Gear.+ The Chief Mate is charged with the proper use and upkeep of the cargo handling gear. This includes everything except the steam winches, and steam lines which are under the charge of the engineer department.
The Chief Mate should supervise and attend to the following—note condition and provide for proper maintenance:
+Masts—and all fittings, viz.—collars—trucks—sheaves—links—shrouds— stays—and all equipment on masts, whether cargo, radio, lights, or lookout cages.+
+King posts—same as masts—re-cargo handling.+
+Booms—goosenecks—bands—links—shackles—sheaves—gins—guys—and cradles.+
+Examine all shrouds and stays under the nips and thimbles.+
+Examine all links—turnbuckles—bales—eye bolts—pins—cleats—etc., for excessive wear, or fracture.+
+If wind platforms are fitted see to all stanchions, struts and brasses.+
+When heavy purchases are to be rove, the Chief Mate should carefully supervise the preparation of the gear—preventers—lashings—etc.+
+See that winches are powerful enough to take the load safely.+
+See that booms are strong enough or are fished and reinforced where needed.+
Leave nothing to chance—use new gear—know the weight to be lifted—be sure it will clear the hatch coamings—the bulwarks—take your time. It takes ten times as long to clear away a wreck as to make the most careful preparation for lifting a heavy weight.
Learn the way to run the winches, their construction—lifting capacity—steam pressure on lines—how to drain after working in cold weather, locate pet cocks—know when they are properly lubricated. Know as much as you can about steam and electrical deck machinery—(don't let your curiosity stop here—find out all you can about the main engines and boilers, it is interesting).