The New York herald., 1870-02-04
PILOTS OF THE PORT.
Vhe Present System and the
Proposed Reform"
Who and What Our Pilots Are and the Ser.
Vice They Render the Nation-Their
Organization and Eiilciency-Thelr
Record for Fifteen Years Past
What Representative Pi-
lot Says Of His Mates.


Tne development or another well devised plan or
sho part OF certain shipowners agents ana brokers
OF vessels in New York to lessen the rates OF the
pilots Of the port has caused among this class OF dar
ing men within the past few days considerable ex.
citement, which IS not easily alayed. They have be-
come convinced, so they assert, that few persons
Cf wealth, who have neither natural nor national
right to attempt the control OF their business are
trying to impress the Legislature Of the State with
the belief that they are Tar better paid than they
pugbt to be; that their prvations are but few; that
neither spirit OF bold adventure, generous enter
prise nor gaantry are synonymous with their duties;
that, In WORD, their lines cast In very plea.
SAINT places" their services being rewarded TO a
greater degree than those OF any other persons con-
nected with the commerce Of the metropolis. In
contrast with these assertions. directly and indt.
rectly made, the p,Io,s hold that the rates which
they receive for the vessels that In charge
py them do not result per month the year through
IN more than living wages and anything
less than the present remuneration would
eventually cause them to seek, after years of
apprenticeship and education for their special work
Other means OF live iaoOd The recognition of the
proposition to reduce their pay caused by argu-
nents full OF erroneous statements would check the
70 become proficient and send keener chill to the
hearts OF oil the band than the inhospitable winds
shat at times greet them the decks OF their tiny
EraftS-a more harsh rebuff than was ever received
from the storms OF the sea within the grasp OF which
they have for years and years made their homes.
80 little Is known oy the community at large OF the
sandy HOOK pilots-a staiwart, noble crew Of about
b75 men, who In sunshine and Storm beneath priva-
Hon, defying cod, lassitude and suffering, nave
"d0ne 80 much Tor tho gationn OF tue port-that
1t is deemed advisable at TINS period OF their exist.
ence to chronicle lew regarding their organ
Eations and their daily ilfe with such other Incl.
dents OF note as VIII give fair estimate OF their
status and worth.
THE NEW YORK PILOTS.
The enactment OF the Legislature to provide for
the licensing and government OF the pilots and
regulating the potase OF the port was passed June
28. 1863 and has that PERIOD been amended as
experience dictated. The law specified that a
SBoard OF Commissioners - consisting or i've per.
sons appointed oy the Chamber OF Commerce ana
She Board OF Underwriters, should have the power
70 perform the various responsible duties therein
eet forth. This was the INCEPTION the starting point OF
ene various PROVISIONS anl bylaws, thought to be
just and equitable, which now govern the New York
pilots. The qualifications required OF pilots in this
PCT were fully aud specifically SET forth, beng sub
stantla1y as folows:-
shall be the duty OF the commissioners before they
:. pilot in pursuance OF ihs act within one week there.
after TO call suo applicant them and In presence
pns or more OF the pilots OF the said port licensed pilot
Vessel, to and from the said by Sandy HOOK
hereby required to attend and assist in eAamna-
pilot pilots who shall be notified pur-
pose then without the or assistance OF any licensed
touchng his qualifications for the once Of pilot. and
n particular touching his knowledge Of the sailing and
management OF square rgged vessel, and also touch
Ing bis knowledge OF the soundings, bearing
distance Of the several snoas rocks points
Land and night lights the navigation for which he applies
Ior license 10 act as plot anu touching other matter
relating thereto which the sad commissioners may think
proper And H. upon examination the person so applying
habits aid to be Of sufficient ability skin and expe
ence TO act pilot and not otherwise the said commits
Sione. may grant HIM license ier plotting vessels to and
3rom the port OF New York ~ way ofsSandy Hook.
That they should faithfully perform their sworn
duty, and be held to Strlct accountability II was
decided that
The COMMISSIONER before granting licenses shall require
An pilots to enter into recosnizance to the people this
State with two approved by mmission
ers majority Of them, each penalty exceeding
BsO0 conditioned that the pilot shall diligently and faithfully
knce shall be prosecuted In the name OF the people the
ktae Of New York by or IN behalf OF the commissioners,
provided majority OF them shall 30 instruct.
Such Is the skeleton OF what was required in
She law as originally passed, since made more strin-
xent in these essential particulars, while additional
requirements have been imposed by the Commls
Dtoners for faithful performance OF duty the manner
0f recording incidents OF cruises, fines Tor neglect
pf duty, &c.
The boats now belonging to the New York pilots
which have buffeted the wild and stormy weather
Of the Atlantic coast escaping at times the perlls OF
with their respective tonnage, as suDjoined:
No ny