The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-04
Are: the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's
Steamers Unseavvorthv2
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAN En- ANCIs00 or onr

~ THE kDlIOk OF THE San FRANCISCO GLOBE.
In an article in this mornings Globe you have SO far
misaprended my position TO designate the information
You received concerning the steamers Of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company be from the agent of the Board Of
New York Underwriters. While am empowered by va
rious companies in New York to effect assurances
sells and cargoes, the position named is more worthy
filed by Captain John c. Hoyt, a shipmaster of many
years experience and long the service of the
writer's who also discharges the duties Of United States
Inspector Of Hulls Of Steamboats, for this district
My duties simply to insure upon such vessels pass
the inspection of that parsonage, by whose opinion am
guided and controlled, and with whom am in daily
sultation. Other circumstances, of like nature
equal intimacy with the principal shipwrgbts Of this
port from whom acquire information concerning vessels
Of all classes whensoever desired.
Both Captain Hoyt and myself the representatives OF
important interests allowed free the private
reports required to be made by the captain and engineer
of each steamer TO the agents here its arrival this
port-a privilege of which avail ourselves, and fur
nishes us the same private information as is enjoyed by
the agents themselves.
Whenever disaster has happened to any of the Paci
fc Mail Companys steamers that reach this port, the
American agents and the surveyor for oyds invari
ably called to survey the vessel, and in
stance whatever repairs in their judgment were required
suggested have beer made. All the vessels of the
pany running from here TO Panama have been locked
the Mare Island Navy Yard dock where the United
naval constructor has had the opportunity examining
their condition. the necessity repairs the in
which the work has been performed subjoin the dates
of recent dockages and rehment:-
1oiden 1ate March, 1897
3oiaeh age sept 1901.
:. L. stephehs ;Marcn 1900
The celebrated tub Panama this day ready for
inspection as seaworthy boat capable of proceeding
upon voyage without dollars repairs having been
expended upon her since arriving from Panama; while
her sister tub the California made the Panama
upon new copper, with boilers, and her hull as
staunch any ship that floats the
therefore offer the opnions-not beief-of the compe
tent and trustworthy parties named to justify my
ment TO you, and will add that this statement will be
hrmed by two of the most competent private shpwrights
in this place by Capt Moves the present dockmaster and
late port warden and by other and well known
and experienced surveyors whenever these facts de-
MED
will also state that each Of the vessels named have
donkey pumps and engines, with separate boilers in ad
don TO those connected with the engine the main
deck above the principal boilers
1t is upon the authorities have quoted that do not he
state that each and all these steamers would
pass rigorous inspection either here in New York
England as l. remarking in addition that the condition
OF machinery and boilers is much element in the
grade OF steamer rs the seaworthiness Of the hull
These Mr.. Editor, facts the denial Of which chal
enge Mr. Hughes TO conrovert and surely that gen
teman, after making such grave Congratulated 10
inspire dtrus anxiety and excite unnecessary APP
prehensions IN the minds of passengers who be
PEELED TO travel in these seamers-w give the facts
upon which he bases belief so strangely with
thai Of persons hitherto regarded by the community
reliable and well informed in nautical affairs