Copyright, 1901, 1910, 1914, 1917, 1921, by D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY All rights reserved, including that of translations into PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PREFACE TO EIGHTH EDITION A large part of the present edition of Modern Seamanship has been entirely rewritten and the remainder carefully revised. At all points it has been as completely as possible brought up to date. A comparison with the Seventh Edition will indicate that the most extensive changes are, as would naturally be expected, in the earlier chapters; that is to say, in the chapters which deal with materials rather than with principles. Important changes have, however, been made in the later chapters and considerable new matter has been added. The chapters on Submarines and Submarine Chasers and the final chapter, on "Assistance by Public Vessels to Vessels in Distress" are entirely new, and that on Destroyers is practically so. The Rules of the Road have been re-arranged to provide for easy comparison of the Inland with the International Rules. Much care has been taken in the arrangement of plates to bring each one as close as possible to the text with which it is associated. In the preparation of this, as in that of other editions, assistance has been sought from many sources, and the author acknowledges with high appreciation the help received from a large number of his brother officers of the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Merchant Marine. The Officers of the Seamanship Department of the Naval Academy have contributed suggestions of much value, based upon experience in the use of the work as a text book. Captain W. L. Littlefield of the Bureau of Construction and Repair has been untiring in his interest and helpfulness. A large part of the material in the chapters on Ground Tackle and Boats has been supplied by him, with the approval of the Chief of Bureau. The Chapter on Destroyers, in its new form, is chiefly the work of the Lieutenant Commander W. W. Smith; that on Submarines is by Lieutenant Wilder D. Baker, and that on Submarine Chasers, by Captain A. J. Hepburn. It is believed that these three iii chapters will be recognized as among the most interesting and valuable in the book. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the generous co-operation of Commodore W. E. Reynolds and other officers of the Coast Guard, and the very valuable assistance received from them, in connection, especially, with "Boats" (Chapter IX) and "Assistance to Vessels in Distress" (Chapter XXIX). Valuable information and suggestions were received from Rear Admiral W. S. Sims, Rear Admiral H. B. Wilson, Rear Admiral J. A. Hoogewerff, Rear Admiral H. P. Jones, Rear Admiral L. H. Chandler, Captain C. T. Vogelgesang, Captain W. A. Moffett, Captain T. T. Craven, Captain C. T. Owens, Captain C. S. Kempff, Commander R. S. Holmes, Commander J. P. Lannon, Commander S. C. Hooper, Lieutenant T. A. M. Craven and Lieutenant G. D. Barringer, all of the Navy, and from Captain B. H. Camden, Commander H. G. Hamlett, Lieutenant-Commander F. C. Billard, and Lieutenant-Commander H. C. Roach, of the Coast Guard. Also from Captain E. K. Roden of the International Correspondence Schools, and Captain Felix Reisenberg, recently Editor of "The National Marine." Information was courteously furnished by the American Steel and Wire Co., The Columbian Rope Co., The Waterbury Co., The Plymouth Cordage Co., The John T. Roebling's Sons Co., The General Electric Co., The Sperry Gyroscope Co., The American Balsa Co., The Steward Davit and Equipment Co., The American Engineering Co., The Hyde Windlass Co., The Kelvin and Wilfred O. White Co., T. S. and J. D. Negus, and John Bliss & Co. WASHINGTON, August 30, 1921. AUSTIN M. KNIGHT. |