The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-07
HILL GATE PILOrAGE.

The Expressions Of nterest ed Parties.
recent conviction under the laws Of the State
New York. having for its object the protection OF [
pilots of He'll Gate has stirred the opposition
many steanlug owners against what they term moi
poly of this business, and the unconstitutionaty of
act and this opposition manifests itself by prelimn,
measures to form organization for the purpose Of y
ing its various provisions The State enactment ere
ing this unjus, monopoly, the representatives Of
tugboat Interest refer 10 II. reads
II any person other than branch He'll Gate pi
snan pllo. or tow for any other person any vessel
except bargss vessels OF less than ltyve tons burtt
and canal boats actually used in navigating the canal
the channel of the East river commonly called Il;
Gate, without the aid Of branch He'll Gate p1
on board, he shall be deemed guilty Of msl
mcanor, and may be prosecuted therefor in any couH
OF this State adjoining to or in which said offence nj
be committed and on conviction thereof shall be ps
500 or by imprisonment NOT exceeding sixty days.
by both such fine and imprisonment. And al perst
employing person 70 act a. pilot through He'll Gal
who is not branch He'll Gate pilot, shall forfeit
pay the sum OF 500 to the Port wardens Of the p
Of New York, as provided. Laws Of 1865 Chapter
The steamboat owners assume .ns' ss snsy pay,
the various dues and Custom House fees made and 4
vded in their especial case, the State has right
imposed by the law as above. They have property
vested in their business estimated to be vol
from So 500 900 to So 600 0OO and directly connect
with It are three thousand persons whose hvelihc
depends upon Its successful prosecution. They ass
that the pilots numbering but forty five TO fifty MI
and representing no invested capital have be-
successful proven ing their investment 81
the interests of thousands Of employed men FROM
legitimate and constitutional representation. The b,
river channel is or immense transportati<I
and during twelve months millions Of tons se
through it and il Is frequently the case that during
summer months many vessels with pershable cargo
compelled lie Ia the harbor Of New York await
potage through the Gate, fair winds are consider
indispensable by the He'll Gate pilots to prudenty naY
cate them through this dangerous channel. Thus BY
delay which could be wholly obvated, were possib
for the steamboats, to tow them through, many tho
sands Of dollars are lost. This. the owners q seal
boats scontend, Is particularly and unjui
as the majority these boats receive such poor
rat for their reghting that they cannot afford 10 p
both piloage and tonnage. Again, the steamboat m'
claim that their license from the United States COVER
ment gives them the right of towing through all 4
navlgable waters around New York and they
clearly why, If shipowners want the services Of tht
vessels, when the captains navigating them
many instances are as familiar with the 4
tricaces Of Hell Gate channel many OF q
without detention annoyance. They hope by vigoroI
TO be enabled to change the provisions of ID
measure which they stigmalize as absurd, oneron
oppressive and unconstitutional
This is the digest of an extended conversation with
prominent steamboat owner upon this subject yet !
bearings are naturally one-sided. The complexion
the case given by the pilots, against whom the DO
owners intend soon to act Is OF another character The
assert that before they az all competent to q
He'll Gate pilots tney are required 10 serve
number Of years as apprentices, and to pa
an examination of the character. The prote
ton OF requires them thus TO be educated
the underwriters recognize them alone IN the plotting
vessels through the gate Should an accident happen
insured craft under their charge trouble arises
the recovery OF the amount insured; but were It u
case that vessel should be lost while charge OF
tugboat the insurers do net yniZe the claim III
pilots interest does not partake of monopoly, rs of<
under their advice the services of tugs are called In
requiston; but they do object and that most empha
cay, that an uDrecognized party shall wholly drl'
them from business that they have made life stud
and by their experience and services rendert
an almost unnavigable channel! comparatively SAT
Again. owners OF many vessels tina, regularly trade up<
the Sound will not risk them and their valuable cargo
to other hands than theirs and consider protect
at the hands Of the law of the most valued characte
Again, they contend that the steamboat interest IL Of
most graspne character and that many Of the captains
these vessels are men OF questionable repute, where
they cannot hold Office only during good BEHAVIOR
upon the first charge Of official misconduct, suspense
Is the result. They amenable to the Board
Wardens Of the port OF New York, and the rul
and regulations under which they act have bean ma
after the experience OF years. with Of the prole
ton Of commerce and all its attending interests Har
ship ard exposure otimes OF the character,
their lot and they deem their position perfectly Gle
that they leave their with public, whose gro
commercial interest Is such that they will see tn
justice Is done them, even with such an immense int
est as the steamboat owners against them.
This is the story Of the pilots n prief The rcade
Of the HERALD can adjudge wvre justice and right b