ordinary and usual wear and tear, all other damage being at the expense
of the contractor for the disposal. A rigid system of inspection was
necessary to determine and record properly the damage for which each
contractor was responsible; and, as much of the breakage could not be
noticed from the exterior, a thorough examination of the interior of
each scow was made before and after every loading. In order to keep
proper records, the bays of each scow, formed by the cross-trusses, were
numbered, beginning aft with number 1 and going forward to the bow, and
the longitudinal bays formed by the main beams were lettered, beginning
with "_A_" on the port side. A beam broken in "1-_A_," therefore, would
be an intermediate beam in the stern port corner bay, and a beam broken
in "10-_A-B_" would be a main beam at the bow end on the port side. The
underside of each plank was marked with a number beginning with 1 at the
stern and increasing by unity to the bow. Fig. 11 is a diagram of a scow
in accordance with this system. In addition to recording the date,
location, extent, and party responsible for each damage, in a book kept
for that purpose, the injured member was marked with paint, the color of
which indicated the party responsible. The repairs were made by the
contractor for the disposal of material, and the cost was assessed
according to the marking in the boat.

The careful inspection of the damage done to scows and the cost of their
repairs enables a fairly accurate statement to be made of the amount at
different points, and it is here given on the basis of cost of repairs
per cubic yard, barge measurement, of material handled.

Cost, in cents
per cubic yard.

Repairs of damage done in loading material