The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-13
STEAM PILOT BOATS.
fave the Commissioners Power to
Forbid Their Use?
A LEGAL CONTEST IMPENDING.
Conflicting Opinions Regarding
the Qualities of the Graft.

and that any pilot violating this rule should be
punished by suspension is understood to be Ill
rectly aimed at the steam pilot boat Hercules
which is expected to go to in the of day
or two. Both sides are evidently determined to
tight. as the steam pilots intend to pursue their
business in defiance of the fiat Of the Commits
sioners and the latter equally decided to punish
the offenders by suspension. The matter VIII
probably end in the courts. as the suspended
pilots say they will procure mandanuses TO compel
the commissioners to restore their licenses, ana
thus bring the question to a focus. Thus far the
pilots attached to the Hercules are only hve III num-
ber-Ralph Noble, Gideon Mapes. George s. Cisco.
W. H. Anderson and Peter H. Bailey-and ranged
against them are one hundred and thirty
pilots attached to the twenty-eight boats compris-
ing the New York. and New Jersey fleet. The
Hercules men have, however, some strong hackers
in the Transatlantic steamship companies. who are
determined to help them, they claim they can get
their work done cheaper by the OF steam pilot
boats, and that the present rates Of pilotage
exorbitant.
A HERALD reporter called at the pilot Office yester
day afternoon and found about half dozen pilots
sitting there waiting for call to business. Whom
the reporter made known his errand they all
ready with their story. and the following
ton took place.
"what objections have you to make to the use Of
steam In pilot boats?" was the reporters first ques
ton.
"First,' he was answered. 1.-the introduction Of o
steam pilot boat would be manifestly unfair to the
hundred and thirty odd pilots interested in the
present fleet of boats. that represents capital Of
over 5000, Co., and which would be comparatively
worthless IL sold for any other business second the
introduction of steam would lessen the number
OF pilot boats thereby diminish the surface Of
the ocean which the New York and New Jersey
pilot boats now extend; third. il steam is intro
duced the shipping will lose the benefits accruing
from finding pilot some three or four hundred
miles at sea. the steam pilots will not 60 far off
shore; fourth. steam pilot boats have not proved
success. They have been tried in Philadelphia and
found wanting. sailing pilot boat is now being
built for service in Philadelphia waters
"why would not steam pilot boats 60 far to sea
the present boatsS"
because they would not to take the risks.
Again. IL strong easterly gale to come up. the
steamers would probably run into harbor. while the
sail boats would weather it out. Then II a vessel
should come up. the captain would be able to take
. pilot board and make port instead Of beating
of shore lille waiting the arrival Of the steamer.
''They go often as far Halifax, aud have been in
many instances OF the greatest service to shipping
They have often furnished provisions vessels
several hundred miles out at sea. and in month
In 1875 they saved sixteen lives. There innu-
boats have taken off shipwrecked crews" f'
''How is it that the use OF steam was first pro.
.sThs scheme has been started by the pilots at
tached to the Widgeon. She is unseaworthy. and
they found they had to get new boat and concluded
that in o steamer they would have the advantage
over sailing craft. 1t is understood that they
being backed by the Anchor and some other English
lines and each to receive salary OF $4,000 per
annum instead of the plotting fees
lis there going to be any reduction of the present
"'There will probably be reduction. The matter
is at present in the hands Of committee. and the
pilots are willing to do whatever is right in the
"Then you think steam will not benefit tho pres
emit system Of pilotageY
1--WE have as good system Of pilotage as there is
In the world If steam is introduced the number Of
pilot boats will be diminished over one half and will
consequently be much harder to find. thereby caus-
ing considerable annoyance to ship captains"
INNoyAToRs.
After explorations of the docks fronting South
street. the reporter met the five pilots attached to
the Hercules and the following conversation ensued
with Mr. Cisco who acted AZ spokesman for his part
Will you tell me something about this steam pilot
boat that creating such among the pilotsY
1.-THE facts simply these: Some three months
ago we applied to the Pilot Commissioners for the
privilege to change our number-in fact. for per-
mission to substitute another boat for the Wild
geon. Our application was granted, and we pre-
pared to procure a new boat. About three weeks
later received o communication from the Pilot
Commissioners requesting US to show cause why
that permission should not be rescinded on tho
ground that we were going to make use Of steam.
We then forwarded to the Commissioners
sons tor employing steam heard nothing further
formed that the Pilot Commssionors had passed a
bylaw forbidding tho use OF steam on pilot boats
true tns you are Ss. sr TO serve ~ .h az
transatlantic steamship companiesT
at is not true. We are going to work on regular
pilotage rates, ~ other pilots do"
"Do you intend to carry out your project in de-
hance of the Pilot CommissionersY
Two do not wish to act in defiance of any but
still we intend to go to sea in the Hercules as soon
- she is ready-that is. in day two. We shall
board vessels as usual and pursue our regular bust
ness
'.Hsve you any contract with any steamship COM
..we have no contract with any steamship CON-
pany. and intend going to work the same as any
''what will you do IL tho Pilot Commissioners
suspend your licenses?"
''wo stall probably have defend our rights by
m appeal TO q court of law"
els the Hercules q seagoing craftY'
'Tho Hercules is first class tug, built some two
years ago, and purchased by Us from Potter Wright.
Of Philadelphia. We have had her tilted with accom-
modstions for dozen pilots: We shall go far to
or twenty miles of Sandy Hook
s'You believe that the Introduction Of steam In
pilot boats will be a success?
ssThe question has been talked over for the past
twenty years, and II has been tried in New Orleans
and proved q success. They have two steam
pilot boats that in constant use."
Tho reporter was then taken by Mr.. Cisco to call
upon Mr. Bracken. a lawyer. under whose advice no
and his partners acting. Mr.. Bracken stated the
case folows-"In the month OF February Mr..
Cisco applied to the Pilot Commissioners for per-
mission to build STEAM pilot boat and they refused
on the ground that there was no vacancy and they
did not any necessity for increasing the number
OF pilot boats then In uso. vacancy was made by
the withdrawal OF the Wdgeon from tho service and
an application was again made to change their num-
bcr This was granted, and after some search Mr..
Cisco found the Hercules in Philadelphia and pur-
chased her. He then requested to show cause
why the permission should not be withdrawn
the ground that steam going to be used.
Mr.. Cisco thon furnished the Pilot Commissioners
with his reasons .or using steam. Moth
ing further was heard from the Commissioners.
On tho LIST OF November the Hercules put In the
hands of the carpenters to make necessary alter
ations; on the 4th of November she was put In the
dock to be coppered. and on the 7th OF Novem
ber tho Pilot Commissioners held meeting and
passed bylaw prohibiting the use Of steam n
pilot boat. They let them 60 ahead until everything
was ready and then passed this bylaw. The steam
pilot boat will be run the Same principle ~ tho
present sail boats The full and regular pilotage
will be collected aud rebate WIFI be made to any
steamship company or any ono else. The first
monthly returns win show Just what the earnings
are and how they are divided. The Commissioners
WILL OF course. get the report and will thon be abo