The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-01 00:00:00

THAMES.

SEAMEN'S WAGBS.—CURIOUS DISPUTE. —This morning
Captain Daniel Barton, the master of the ship Vienna, a
coasting vessel, came before Mr. Ingrain with two sea-
men, who had taken out summonses against the captain
for their wages, and in favour of whom orders had been
made. _ _

Taplin, No. 234 K, an officer of the Court, stated that
the seamen came before Mr. Yardley last Tuesday week
and stated that they had shipped on board the Vienna
at Llanolly for a voyage to London, for which they were
to receive 51. each. Mr. Yardley asked them if the cargo
was discharged and they said it was not, on which the
magistrate direoted them to stay by the ship till the
cargo was discharged, and he would then grant sum-
monses. On Monday the seamen again applied,
and said that the cargo was out, and the magistrate
granted summonses, which were made returnable
yesterday. The captain did not appear, and the cases
were heard ex pare. Orders were made for the pay-
ment of the wages and costs, and be served the minutes
of the orders upon Captain Barton last night.
Mr. Ingham—What does the captain want me to do ?
Captain Barton said be never received the summonses,
and was not aware any process was out against him
until he received minutes of the orders.
Mr. Ingham said the case had been heard and deter-
mined, and he could not review the decision of his col-

league.
Captain Barton said the voyage was over, and handed
the ship's articles to the magistrate, who read the agree-
ment, and said that the voyage was to be from Llanelly
to London and back to any loading port or ports in the
north. The seamen were not entitled to their discharge
here. The articles further said, to be discharged in
London or not at the option of the captain.
The men said the meaning of the articles was this—
they were to make one voyage for 51., not a voyage and
a half.
Mr. Ingham—The voyage terminates in the North,
and the captain has a right to your services back to the
North under this agreement. The seamen declared they
never so understood the agreement, or they would not
have signed it. They had been already detained in
London a fortnight.
Mr. Ingham asked the captain what he was stopping
in London for 1
Captain Barton—l am stopping here to get a freight.
Mr. Ingham—The articles of agreement are not very
clear; but my opinion is the men are bound to proceed
to a loading port in the North, but you cannot stop
here to take in cargo. If you do you alter the agree-
ment, and the seamen have a right to say they are dis-
charged, and to receive 51. each. You must not detain
the men while you are looking for a freight.
The seamen complained of the hardship of the case.
They would never have shipped for a voyage from
Llanelly to London and the north for 51. if it had been
explained to them.
Mr. Ingham—The agreement was read over to you 1
The seamen—Yes, sir, it was.
Mr. Ingham—Then you are bound by it. The mean.
ing of it is, captain, that you must discharge your cargo
here and go away. You cannot keep the seamen here
an indefinite time.
Captain Barton—l will sail to-morrow.
Mr. Ingham—lf you do not they will be off the bar-
gain, and will have a right to say the contract is termi-
nated. You must leave this port directly or pay them
51. each.
The captain and seamen then retired with the officer.