The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-21
From the Boston Mercantile Journal.


A CLAIM FOR SALVAGE BY THE CAPTAIN OF
AN UNITED STATES REVENUE CUTTER.-It
seems that on tie 18th of October last, the ship
Hercules, of Boston, Captain Gregerson, laden
with a valuable cargo, on her passage from Bos-
ton to Savannah, unfortunately got ashore on
the Gaskin bank, about ten miles to the north
ward of Tybee light. The Captain, on his
way to Savannah to procure assistance to net
her off, fell in with the Revenue Cutter Craw-
ford, at anchor in the river, commanded by Cap
tain Rudolph, and went on board, explained the
dangerous situation of the thip, and requested
assistance His request was promptly acceded
to, and the cutter got under weigh, and proceed
ed down the river. Captain Rudolph sent some
of his men on board the ship, who assisted the
crew of the ship in getting out the long boat
They assisted, also, in discharging into the long
boat, and into the cutters boats, AZ cases OF hats
being all the cargo which was taken out in
order to tighten the ship-and at high tide, as
sisted in heaving her off into deep water, which
was easily effected and it appeared that the
ship, or Cargo, had not been materially injured.
The Hercules proceeded up the river to Sa-
vannah, and Captain Gregorson, OF course, felt
exceedingly grateful to the captain, efhcers, and
crew of the revenue cutter, Tor the service they
had rendered, and doubtless admired the wis
dom Of our government in stationing such YES
sells on the coast but his surprise and perplexity
may be imagined, when he received official in
formation of the fact, that Captain Rudolph, in
behalf of himself, officers, and crew, claimed
SALVAGE for haeing rendered assistance to the
ship, tchen IN dangerous situation; and had
filed a libel in the u. S. District Court, accord
ingIy.
Here was an awkward piece of work! A law
suit had commenced--counsel learned in the
law were to be employed, witnesses were to be
detained for examination, &c. SIC. In this di-
lemma, Capt. Gregorson very properly address
sed letter to the Secretary of the Treasury
Department at Washington, complaining Of the
proceeding, and soliciting his interference. But
Mr.. Woodbury. declined assuming any response
bility in the case, and very coelly addressed
Captain Gregorson the following letter in reply:
'Treastuy Department,
Oct. 81, 1s40
Sir-Your letter of the oath inst in which
you complain of the libelling for salvage, of the
ship Hercules, under your command, by Captain
Rudolph, Of the Cutter Crawford, has been re-
ceived, and have to remark in reply, that the
question being now pending in the proper tribu-
nal, to try and decide upon the rights of the par
ties, any interference by this Department, would
not only be improper, but without any beneficial
effect; and that however much may regret your
misfortune, and the inconvenience to which you
are subjected, it is not in the power Of the De-
ezsament to afford you relief.
| am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) LEVI WOODBURY.,
Captain GEORGE GREGoRsoN, Of ship Hercules,
Savannah, Georgia.
To subsequent application from the own
ers, in this city. Messrs. Gushing & Ames, MIR.
Woodbury. returned an answer of similar p1r-