Munitions. Cargoes under the general heading of munitions call for the most careful handling. It is well for the Chief Mate to know just what is being stowed, and where. This knowledge should be of use in exercising increased care in the management and handling of the vessel. The Halifax disaster is a case in point.
Cost Data. The Chief Mate who is on his job should keep cost data on stevedoring, and in fact on most operations performed on board ship. He should know how many men can work a hatch effectively, and what their pay is, and how much cargo they can stow, say in tons (2,000 lbs.) per working day:
Cost data resolves itself into this.
Amount of work done—any unit; tons of cargo—sq. ft. of paint.
Number of men—and pay:
Hatchmen at $.00 per hour.
Holdmen at $.00 per hour.
Lightermen or truckers at $.00 per hour.
Checkers—tally men at $.00 per hour.
Time required to do the work.