The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-08
GROSS INJUSTICE TO PILOTS.
CHARLESTON, S. c., July I.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS,

CHARLESTON, S. c., JULY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
In the daily papers of this date appears an
advertisement from the chairman OF the Board o.
Commissioners Of Pllotage Of this city, suspend
ing Edward Myott for the space OF twelve months,
for the alleged offence OF being absent without
leave and George r. Wilson, for the alleged offence
Of neglect OF duty, for twelve months also. Now,
Mr.. Editor, in neither Of the cases mentioned by
the chairman Of the commissioners has any
offence been committed or law violated. AS to
the charge OF being absent without leave, the
facts Of the case are as follows: Edward Myott,
Wishing to 60 to Florida for the summer, to get
work for the support Of his family, for his avoca.
tion would not support bis family for the summer
months at Charleston, gave notice In writing OF
his intention Of leaving the State to the chairman
Captain Habenicht, as required by law. Now, II
the Law requires pilot to give notice Of being alb
sent and he gives said notice, how he can be said
to be absent without leave Is very hard to under
stand.
In regard to the case Of George F. Wilson, ne
glecting duty, these are the facts: The bark An.
nIe KImbaI was brought In by Wilson In April. On
the first day OF June Wilson went aboard OF the
Kimbal and asked for the captain. The chief
mate was in carge, the captain being absent. The
chief mate stated 10 Wilson that the bark could not
possibly be ready to clear on Saturday. Now any
boy who ever saw salt water, knows that when
the captain is not on board, the chief mate is in
charge, and responsible for everything. Wilson
knowing the bark would not be ready on Satur-
day. went to sea on Friday, aud returned on Sat
urday at P. NJ, and went aboard OF the Kimball,
when to his astonishment he found that the car-
tain, by order Of Captain HabenIcht, had pro-
cured another pilot. The vessel was carried out
on Monday by S. Bringlow, but Wilson stayed
aboard The case was brought before Trial Justice
]. G. Mackey, who decided that Wilson was en-
titled to the fee, he not harig neglected his duty.
By Captain Habenicht ordering the captain OF the
Annie X!mball to take another pilot he was
obliged to pay fees TO two pilots, which the cap
tain must think very NICE and |: must tend to ad-
vance the maritime interests OF the port Of
Charleston. How Captain Habenicht can estab-
lsh charge OF neglect OF duty In the face OF the
legal decision Of the court where the case was
tried, is certainly incomprehensible.
Now We propose to show to the merchants,
shIp-owners, shipping agents and others, the real
cause Ol tne pThCtlCeu Soio1So
pilots Of this city. Captain Habenicht owns
pilot boat which he proposes that the colored pilots
shall all go In and give him monopoly, for when
the law creating colored pilots was passed, they
found 1t difficult to get boat suitable for their
use Captain HabenIcht taking advantage Of their
condition, obtained one for them, but after few
trips, not being able to derive any support from
their calling after paying the exorbitant charges
OF Captain Habenichs, they obtained other boats
at reasonable rate, where thepound Of desh was
rot demanded. II Captain Habenicht wants to
do an act OF justice, why did he not remove him.
self when he piloted Tor attempted to pilot) Bre-
men bark up to this city and towed her ashore on
Pumpkin Hill, 800 yards out OF the channel. And
when he went about three weeks ago aboard OF a
schooner to take her out the captain refused to
even let him come aboard, as he Insisted on
her into Stono Inlet for Charleston.
Why was he not suspended And the captain
took coiored pilot, York Moultre, instead.
GEORGE R. WILSON,
EDWARD MYoTT.