Crews of the coastal boats had better working conditions and higher wages that did the crews of the deep sea ships. Also, the deep sea ships were at sea for three months to three years (see, for example, Richard Henry Dana's "Two years before the Mast"). In addition, until 18_ _ , crew members of the deep sea ships could be charged with mutiny if they left their ship without permission. Crew members of the coastal ships, on the other hand, could quit without facing any penalty, were usually home at least several times a month and received higher wages.
| Position | Number | Position | Number | Position | Number | Position | Number |
| Captain | 1 | Purser | 1 | Chief Engineer | 1 | Chief Steward | 1 |
| First Pilot | 2 | Asst Purser | 1 | First Asst Engineer | 1 | Asst Steward | 1 |
| Quartermaster | 2 | Freight Clerk | 1 | Second Asst Engineer | 2 | Night Asst Steward | 1 |
| First Mate | 1 | Asst Freight Clerk | 1 | Third Asst Engineer | 1 | Cashier | 1 |
| Second Mate | 1 | Ticket Collector | 1 | Electrical Engineer | 1 | Checker | 2 |
| Third Mate | 2 | Baggage master | 1 | Asst Electrical Engineer | 1 | Bartender | 1 |
| Bow Watchman | 2 | Watertender | 3 | Saloon Watchman | 1 | ||
| Watchman | 2 | Oiler | 1 | Emmigrant Stewards | 2 | ||
| Coxwain | 1 | Donkeytender | 3 | First Cook | 1 | ||
| Deck Hand | 14 | Fireman | 20 | Second Cook | 1 | ||
| Coal passer | 12 | Third Cook | 1 | ||||
| Fourth Cook | 1 | ||||||
| Fifth Cook | 1 | ||||||
| Broiler | 1 | ||||||
| Oysterman | 1 | ||||||
| Baker | 1 | ||||||
| Butcher | 1 | ||||||
| First Messman | 1 | ||||||
| Second Messman | 1 | ||||||
| Kitcheman | 1 | ||||||
| Pantryman | 1 |