it is a curious fact that few seamen can handle a small boat with facility. this applies chiefly to the crews of sailing craft, as the large steamship corporations long ago realized this failing among sailors, and instituted a series of boat drills on their steamships that have been productive of excellent results. knowledge of the workings of small boats is a requisite that every seaman should possess, and young men intending to follow the sea for a livelihood should acquire it before they tread the decks of a vessel, as they will have but little opportunity afterwards.

the wise forethought of steamship corporations on having their crews drilled saved many lives at the wreck of the steamer denmark, as something like 734 persons were transferred from her to the missouri without a single accident in mid-ocean during a heavy swell. it follows, therefore, that those who seek recreation on the water would do well not to go in any boat, unless it is in charge of an experienced boatman, and is amply supplied with life-preservers. boats ought to be ballasted with fresh water in small casks, instead of stones or iron, so that, in the event of being capsized, the ballast may help to keep them afloat. a young man who may have been only a very few times in a boat, under favorable circumstances, assumes he can manage one. he makes up a party, the wind freshens or a squall ensues, he loses his head, a capsize takes place, the boat sinks, and the chances are that he and his companions will be drowned. those who go boat-sailing ought to leave as little to chance as possible.