New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-22

admit that the average profit is Is 10 20 per
cent per aanum. Under the present compulsory pilot
without It, the shippers eannos stand the combined
expenses OF towaee and pioagc Some time since there
meanor for towboats TO te vessels through Hell Gate
without having poton board the tow dowpT re
owners struggled against the law and finally naG ~ ie
pealed so that now their duty to learn whetner
there is HellGase pilot on their tow. ro, in New.
The very few side-wheel tOw-boats engaged III wv
York narbor are principally owned py o ong bSy
without the saloons common TO passenger BOATS ana
from $4,000 TO $4,000 They are uscu ~ S
with barges for excursions pcnic etc. ana wt.ont tns
TO steamships. Nearly all the leauhe s.eausn,p Ys
from The quarantine II they detained there over
night carry rst-cass passengers 10 the wharf, anu
these boats did much service in towing vessels for
the Government. They usually carry seven hands,
propeiers are Much OF the c0astng trade which was
formerly done by sailing vessels has now fallen 10 tne
Northern ports, thus deprying towboats OF business
between here and when freighs Europe
numerous, then the harvest OF the tueDoat Own
ere which is increased when the canals are pouring
their cargoes toward the metropolis and require the u
OF tugs. a., ,,a
possible bargain with shippers and masters. sometimes
ranges from Is to S2 an hour More frequently price
is made by the job the average rate with avoraDe ue
bar at Sandy Hook for bark which class OF vessels I
nshes more tows than any other From tse Guy 500 20
and for barks t2 10 s25. During the winter
ice is thick in the river the rates are increased Iii po
portion TO the difficulty and expense OF LOWING u no.n
prOpelers and the light sldewheel Doats usuaiy unuo
20 considerable damage. 1870, IL,
But vessel in distress outside the Hook s the eoden
opportunity OF the tOw-boat when there IL no rival IN
Sh and 1 ZEN tine e1 of the is obliged
to accede TO his terms Very little reciprocity u mani
Tested the tugpilOt always trying to get the hgnest
figure, and the master always beating down W INC
lowest. ,-,.-
This habit of the tugpilots and owners Of charging
exOrbitant rates, when vessel Is In storm OF III
tress has given rise 10 much complaint on the pt vi
shipowners but the tugOwners say sucn oppOrlies
do not come often, and they lose so nueh time WahB
for employment that they obliged 10 make the dner
up way. Mg-Owners, IN turn complain vi
the corruption Of Tammany VINO fT h
gained before suitable berth can be obtained iOr Vessels
arriving in New-NOIk ,.
A harbormaster who is somewhat delicate in the mat,
ter of extortion will absent himself from his ONCE ana
battle oil the efforts OF a shpowner or consignee to nnd
him. "paTy" In his Office, however, VIII gee that
berth Is obtained and will send his the party rug 10
put the vessel III the promised berth. ms party,
tug TO dock berth the vessel paying IRON Slo 70
SIS for the Job. and immediately sending OH
ranging in amount from $40 To S126 to te conrgee of
the performed by his deputy. Inns - IN auutoh
10 the the regular HarbOTMasters fees. Either the snip
per cOnsignee must pay this bill or nave MS NsstI
turned from the BERTH II the vessel IL not taken from
and the next time he wants TO dock his vessel ne viii he
refused BERTH and consequently sulier mucn loss 90
profitable has it become 10 be known as The agent OF
HaTbOT-MaSer that one person Is sald 10 devote hs
lege of looking after the interests Of the State OF New
York the place of his friend the HaTbOraster Inese
extOrtOns of Tammany satellites worry merchants ana
shippers greatly business is greatly tmpeded IN con-
sequence, and the demands OF the HarbOrM Masters,
through their agents become more clamOrous and nelT
decisions more arbitrary with each succeeding day.