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38 beam and is cut between the flange of one beam and of other thus saving the cost of cutting out the end to fit snug into the beam on the inside. The fitting of the intercostals snug in the bosom of the beams adds to the re- sistance of compressive strains when the vessel is loaded and under sagging strains. This intercostal also when riveted to the stringer plate prevents buckling which is liable to occur under sagging strains and the deck under compression. The channel intercostals if fitted so that they are close to the flange of the beam may serve the same purpose in THe Marine REVIEW forming a continuous girder under com- pression, otherwise the only advantage obtained from the channel intercostal would be to prevent the plating from buckling. In cases where the vessel comes under hogging strains the topsides are under a tensile strain and the three rivets in the intercostals are the only help to the plat- ing. 'Under tension the intercostals depend upon the number of rivets while under compression close fitting is of great value and has a tendency to form a girder in the construction. "IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE" The British Custom House Officer, as the arriving passenger sees him, is a mild and pleasant-spoken individual who, on receiving your answer to his gentle query "if you have anything daintily dutiable in your luggage?" entirely different method of pursuing his calling. He has an exasperating way of doubting the veracity of the crew's statements, a fondness for turning over the entire contents of the lockers and bags, and displays a ---- SUG Ae Ua -- ------___, (tei a teed ae 2 aiett 1 wr Satu "OU, (A) ( 'THEY DECIDED TO FIND THE OWNER OF THE BOX. peeps in the corner or center of your trunk, merely as a matter of form, and, with a polite "Thank you," turns to the next in turn. Nothing could be pleasanter; provided, of course, that the casual search does not bring to light a trifling hundred cigars or quart of cologne. The operation of passing the custom house in England is, on the whole, a pleasure, when compared 'with what the traveler experiences on the continent, or, worse still, on. re- turning to the United States. The British Custom House Officer, as the sailor sees him, however, is an entirely different individual, with an most diabolical ingenuity in knowing just when an unsuspecting victim is conveying a few plugs of ashore. tobacco This last usually occurs on some dark, moonless night. The to- bacco--for no particular reason, of course--is usually being conveyed ashore in the vicinity of the victim's shoulder blades or some other un- likely place, and is always intended as a little gift for the victim's aged grandfather or other relative. In the end it usually winds up with $o of $15--according to whether the amount of smuggled goods is 1 or 3 pounds-- being added to His Majesty's revenue, 'and the victim departing a sadder and wiser man. Sadder, because he was "pinched," and wiser, because he will adopt another and better method next time. It will be understood, therefore, that the sailor regards the "searcher" as his natural enemy; especially when it is known that the "searcher" is usu- ally an ex-seafarer, with a dangerous knowledge of the seafarers' habits and wiles. It. will be understood, also, this. being the case, the seafarer delights in getting the better of the custom's man, which he very often does. And his ways of doing so are many. : And it came to pass that the "Nan- tucket"--we'll call her--had arrived at an English port and tied fast to the wharf. The custom's men had lost no time in piling aboard, and the search was on. The officers' quarters, fo'c'sle, stores, and other countless nooks and crannies were undergoing a methodical examination, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants there- of. The "Nantucket," as may have been guessed, flew the American flag aft. She also carried cadets; said cadets being about the average--one-third human and two-thirds imp--but withal a goodly crowd of boys. And in due time a "searcher" appeared in the cadets' quarters, wherein sat a solitary youth surreptiously puffing a cigar- ette. "Wot tobacco 'ave you, my lad?" asked Customs, as he turned the shade of his bulls-eye lantern and threw a shaft of light around the semi-darkened room. He was guess- ing at the number of occupants. "This is my lot," answered the cadet, producing some cigarette to- bacco from a locker. "The other ca- dets will be here in a minute," he volunteered. With a supercilious air Customs sat down on the cushioned lockers and proceeded to survey the room under the searching light of his lantern. He had. been through this room on a previous visit of the ship. "Wot's in that 'ere package?' he asked, nodding in the direction of a crevice under the deck overhead, in which a box, in the glare of the lamp, could be plainly seen. "What package?" asked the cadet, adding, "oh--that--I--I don't know anything about it." He was nervous, and Customs noticed it. At this mo- ment another cadet stepped into the room. He showed what tobacco he had and threw open his locker for inspection. "Maybe that package belongs to you," suggested Customs, transfixing