31214-01-0008

October 12th am

Went down to
the ship after dinner. There
are sailors and firemen wait-
ing here already in the hopes
of a berth. It is only two
o'clock, and signing on
takes place at 4 o' clock, it
is usually six o'clock before
the last man is signed on.

At 4 o'c the shipping
master came down - the
Rules and Regulations re-
lating to their engagement,
time, and ports, also the
scale of provisions +c were
read aloud by him to the
assembled crowd of sailors.

Every person, beginning
with the Captain and officers