There is room for 800 of these, and the cost of the journey
from England to Australia is only 17 Pounds, which means board and lodging
of the best description for six weeks while doing the journey out.
The crew, of course, live forward, and, including seamen, stokers,
engineers, stewards, etc., they number about 300 men. On the
navigating staff of officers, quartermasters, and look-out men depends
much of our safety at sea.
Then down in the depths of the ship are the engineers and stokers, who
make the ship go. Our chief engineer, like all chief engineers, is a
Scotsman, and he loves and takes a pride in his engines, and is glad
to show them.
In Rudyard Kipling's song of the chief engineer, he describes him as
looking upon his engines as almost the work of God, in their wonderful
power and intricate working.
* * * * *
IN THE ENGINE ROOM.
And it is indeed an impressive sight to stand below these great
monsters of steel and watch them faithfully and untiringly pounding at
their work, all in order, and exactly in agreement with each other,
taking no notice of night or day, of storm or calm, but slinging along
at all times, doing their duty with an energetic goodwill which makes
them seem almost human--almost like gigantic Boy Scouts!
The great steel shaft which the four pistons keep driving round is
nearly 100 yards in length, and carries the big bronze screw propeller
at its end, which thrusts the ship along.
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