396

NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUHCAL KNOWLEDGE

grain is more matured the ventilation is reduced a little. The cargo
is loaded under the supervision of official surveyors.

4
-

Fig 4.—Rice Ventilation.

In Figure 4, A indicates the fore-and-aft ventilators, B the athwartship
ventilators, C the five bag spacing of ventilators. The arrows indicate
the air current flowing to the vertical ventilators shown heavy.

STOWAGE OF CARGOES.
Merchant vessels exist primarily for the carriage of cargo or pass-
engers. With respect to cargo the aim of those on board should be
to prevent damage or deterioration whilst it is under their care and
to deliver it, as far as possible, in as good condition and order as it was
when received.
Receiving Cargo,-—When about to take in any cargo, if you have
not been with similar cargoes before, you should ascertain as much as
you can as to its nature and what precautions are necessary with
respect to it.
Evidently it is necessary to note particularly the order and condition
of cargo when first received, and not to give a clean receipt for it unless
it® condition warrants it, otherwise the ship may be held responsible
for loss or damage which it may have received prior to being shipped.