The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-02
NEW YORK HERALD.
The Late Gale ana the Piiots-Shat ought
tn bc done.

TO be done:
The dreadful effects Of the late gale have been as
certained-the amount of life and property destroy
ed accurately known-the funeral obsequies Of the
unfortunate people who persisted have been perform
ed-and the excited feelings OF the community and
the survivors of that mournfu day, have been some
what Gained Let us now temporarily glance at
the circumstances OF the shipwrecks, and see
whether cot some OF the calamitous consequences
could not have been obvlated.
In order TO begin at the proper place, we must re-
Ter 10 the unholy crusade that has been conducted
by the Board of Underwriters, and portion OF the
city press which they control, against the old New
York pilots-a class Of men who, for enterprise,
perseverance, and bravery in the discharge OF their
duties, are unsurpassed in this or any other coun-
try.
This crusade originated in politics, about ten
years ago; and from that time to the present, has
been carried on against these comparatively defen-
sive men, with The utmost malignity and intolerance
The enemies of the pilots have pursued these men,
in public and in private They have sought 10 poi
son The Congress of the United States and the Le-
gslature OF the State against their petitions; and
have instied into many masters of vessels trading
and belonging to this port, considerable portion Of
their own malignIty To such an extent has this
ed the valuable cargoes and invaluable lives CON-
united to their charge and discretion, rather than
employ New York pilot to conduct them INTO port
But the captains are not so much to blame
the Board of Underwriters, Chamber OF
Commerce, &c. from whom they received
their orders and impulses to act in this way
This Board who the guardians of the interests
OF the peoplethe representatives of the scrlphold-
a N hair
servants-with the view of crushing the New
York pilots, give directions to the captain
of every vessel in which they are interest
ed, not to employ New York pilot to take his
ship into port, but 10 wait until his vessel is
boarded by merchant pilots, who are of the crea-
ton of the Board Of Underwriters or Jersey pilots,
and who were organized with the intention OF break
ing up the New York pilots The consequences of
this warfare must be obvious to every impartial man.
The New York pilots famed for their energy
they proceed farther 10 sea, in search of vessels,
than probably any other similar set of men IN the
world-they own a number of boats, which, for fast
sailing and sea-worthiness, are unsurpassed; and
the many years OF probation that they must go
through, TO fit them for their profession all are well
calculated to inspire the confidence OF shippers and
merchants, IN their capacity. The pilots who have
been brought into existence with the intention of
breaking the New York pilots, own fewer ves-
sells, number infinitely less Of men and boys, and
do not serve any regular system OF apprenticeship;
consequently they are in respect equal to under.
take and monopolze the duties of the old pilots The
greater number of men and boats belonging to the
old pilots, must enlarge the sphere of their business
and they must be expected to board more vessels
than the other classes of pilots do. Thus, New
York pilot may board vessel great distance at
sea, and many hours before she would be reached
by one of the other pilots. But the captain of the
vessel has the orders of his owner and the Board of
Underwriters, not TO allow New York pilot TO
take him in, but prefer rather to wait until another
pilot gets him. These regulations may be attend
ed with no bad consequence for while but in the /
end, those who sow the wind are destined to reap
the whIrlwind.
Having said thus much let us see il part at least
OF the dreadful effects Of the late terrific gale might
not have been prevented, if such warfare against
the New York pilots as we have referred to- had
been going on.
The ship John Mintun, with valuable cargo,
which, with the ship, was insured at seventy or
eighty thousand dollars. was close to land before
the storm commenced, or al least before 1t had
reached the height of its fury The Blossom belong
ing to the New York pilots, had hailed her In the
early part OF the day, having abundance OF time to
pilot her into New York before the storm had in.
creased. The Captain ascertained or knew
that the Blossom belonged to the New York pilots;
and following out the directions OF the owners or
consgnees of the ship, not to employ one of them,
he refused to allow of the Blossoms men to
come on board. Notwithstanding this repulse, the
Blossom sailed in company with the Minturn for
several hours. hoping that the Captain Of the
ship, seeing the appearance Of a storm and
knowing the dangerous coast he was near, would
yet employ one of her pilots. The Blossoms
men were kept in this state for several
hours, the Mnturn lowering abou, In the hope of
meeting merchant pilot, and the Blossom keeping
close to her, willing TO supply her with pilot at
any moment. Meantime, the storm increased to
hurricane; the captain got alarmed for the safety of
his ship, and at length consented to take one of the
Blossoms men on board. Mr.. Freedom accordingly
left the Blossom, and took charge Of the Minturn-
but it was too late. The determination of the cap
tam 70 obey the orders of his owners or others. had
gone too far The ship had got into SO precaricus
situation, and the sails were so defective, that il
was beyond the reach of mortal man 10 conduc, her
into port. The consequence was that this valuable
ship and cargo, and forty-one lives, including the
brave pilot, We're lost. Yet no enc can for a
moment blame the captain he probably had his
orders, and obeyed them, and lost his own life in
performing his duty.
Here we see the fruits OF this uncharitable war
fare The property Of the scrip holders of the in
surance companies wifuly thrown away-forty.
one valuable lives sacrfced-wives made widows
husbands made widowers-children made or
phans-ihe props OF declining age snatched away,
and number OF human beings ushered unexpect-
eddy into the presence of their Creator
In Gods name, how long Is such a state Of things
to continues How much longer are the properly
and lives OF our citizens TO be at the mercy OF
Clique oil underwriters, who Judge of the barbarv
Of their warfare against the pilots, show themselves