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But from a sanitary point of view there is the further serious objection that
if a tank is always in use it is not likely to be often cleaned and limewashed.
The position for the storage of tanks varies in different types of vessels,
but amidships appears to be the favourite one, as in this case full or empty
tanks does not mean any alteration in the trim of the ship.
Easy access and daylight are the points to be aimed at in choosing a
position.
Not long since a water tank was discovered under the cabin deck of a
sailing vessel, with the manhole in a position which prevented the slightest
chance of its removal. And as a consequence it had not been cleansed since
it was placed in the ship.
On some recently new steamers where no passengers were carried, and where
deck space was not valuable, the water tanks were found on the main deck,
either abaft the engine room in the alleyways or under the top-gallant forecastle
deck. Of these the first was the best, as giving more light and being
easier of access.
Preference, however, is to be given to the method adopted on the Ocean
Line steamers, where there are two tanks resting on the bottom of the hold,
and rising two feet above the main deck. On the top of each tank is a manhole,
and a pump with a packed gland preventing the introduction of sea water or
dirt. When the manhole is removed daylight streams down in the tank, and
cleaning, &c., can be carried out with the aid of artificial light.
The supervision of the necessary work, it is needless to say, is more likely to
be attended to with this arrangement than in the case of tanks stowed out of
sight.
Except for the use of passengers and officers, filters are not found in the
Merchant Service, notwithstanding the doubtful sources from which water
has at times to be taken.
In the large lines the water tanks are cleaned and cement-washed regularly,
and in one of the Mail Companies the custom obtains of doing this work on
the arrival of every steamer in dock, unless the chief officer reports in writing
that this has been done within the month previous.
Although a general willingness exists on the part of masters to carry out
the orders of the Authority regarding tank and cask cleaning, occasional
exceptions are met with, though those generally are foreigners.
A Norwegian barque, for instance, arrived in the Victoria Dock with timber
from a pitch pine port.
All hands forward were laid up with Malarial Fever, and one was lying
dead at the time.
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