Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-05-26
PfLOTIGE,
A Proposed Pennsylvania Law and
the Effect IL VIII Probably Have
Our Delaware Law-Its Unjust Pro-
visions as Regarded by Vessel


|
| Owners.
| The new Pilot bill now before the Penn
| sylvania Legislature is attracting con-
siderable attention from those whose in
terests are likely to be affected by its
passage. Pilots and shipmasters here
say that it will deepen the complications
likely to arise in the near future between
the authorities of this State anu Pennsyl-
vania. The bill has passed the Pennsyl-
vania Senate and is now before the Com
mittee on Municipal Corporations of the
House which has ordered negative re-
port to he made on the bill. The Phila-
delphia mercantile interests however are
iniustriously working for its passage and
| have appointed Il committee, composed of
many prominent shippers and ship
owners, to visit Harrisburg and endeayor
to secure favorable action upon the
| measure.
The bill is as follows:
Section /. BE it enacted, &c, that from and
after the passage of this act, in lieu of the
compensation now allowed TO pilots for CON
Quoting vessel from the city of Philadel-
pima to the capes Of the Delaware, the rates
Of pilotage shall be for every half foot of
water which vessel shall draw the sum OF
81. 90 aud for conducting vessel from
the capes of the delaware to the city Of
Philadelphia, the rates OF pllotage shall he
for every half foot OF water which 1t shall
draw under. up to, and including II feet the
sum of Sl.S7 per half foot, and for
every vessel drawing over II feet the sum OF
S2.US for every hall foot of water.
Sec. 2. An increase OF ~ per cent. over the
rates mentioned III section 1 shall be paid to
the pilot whenever he shall speak Il vessel at
any point east of the Five Fathom Bank light
ship, or north of Hereford Inlet light house,
| al nj Isl ~
Sec. 3. deduction Of 10 per cent. from
the rates mentioned in section l shall be made
when vessel is first spoken by the pilot III
side of a straight line drawn from Cape May
Light to Cape ilenlopen Light, but the vessel
shall in every such case be exempt from the
duty Of taking pilot on her voyage inward to
the port OF Philadelphia, and the vessel, as well
as her master, owner, agent or consignee,
shall be exempt from the duty of paying
pilotage, or half plotage, or any penalty
whatsoever in case Ut her neglect or refusal
to do so.
Sec Whenever vessel shall DO towed by
steam from Philadelphia to or beyond the
| lIraudywlne Light, or from OF beyond the
Iirandywine Light to Philadelphia, the pilot
shall be entitled to claim but two-thirds the
pllotage which he would otherwise receive.
Sec. 5. From and after the passage of this
act he additional charges shall bu made for
winter pilotage.
Sec L. A vessel calling at the Delaware
breaLwater for orders, and afterw ard proceed
. ing to port OF discharge other than Phila-
delpeia shall, if such vessel take pilot be
charged for pilutage into Breakwatcr and out
again to sea- "a total for such services equal To
One-half the inward pilotago of the said vessel
as already provided, had such vessel pro-
, cCeded to Philadelphia without steam.
4 Sec. I. Any American vessel carrying not
| less than her registered tonnage OF Pennsyl-
VAnia coal, whether with or without other
h.... f tnlt
u pilot, and the vessel, as well as her master,
owner agent or cOnslgnee shall be exempt
I from the duty Of paying pllotage or hall
pllOtago Or any penalty whatever in case OF
+ her refusal 80 to do.
/, soc. s. That all laws or parts of laws here
= totoro passed, inconsistent with the pro
visions Of this act. are hereby repealed.
1t is claimed that the bill is intended
: To improve the pilot service of the Della
l. ware, and that it is calculated to cOmpe
l. the pilots to do better work. The pilots
= however, say, with some reason, that tn,
!. proper way to secure better service il
not to reduce the pay OF those employed
j., Pilots generally acknowledge that tn,
IS service is not perfect, and that it could IN
r. much improved, but they think tina
: neither this hill nor the ouc passed b,
our state Legislature at its last session i
is claim that they do not receive large fee
j.. for the character of the service rendered
IS On the other hand, vessel owners an,
IS tug boat owners declare that both bills
y and especially our own, discriminat
/ uujustly against them. For instance
IN section OF our law provides 'rhat ever,
;, ship or vessel bound to the Delawar
$ Breakwater for orders and not proceeding
l. further up the Delaware bay, shall h
Of obliged To receive a pilot, provided she i
Fl" ,poken or = pilot offers his services out
r.. side of the Cape HenlOpen Lighthuus
L. bearing southwest, and if the master q
Ia any Of the said ships or vessels after sh
II, is spoken or pilot offered, shall retus
ar neglect TO take pilot, the master
- owner or cOnsignee of such vessel shal
Il. forfeit and pay to any such pilot suein
a. for tine same Il sum equal TO the pilotag
H. Of such ship or vessel, to be recovered b
r Il suit in our state courts, or before
IL Justice OF the peace, or such pilot ma
ol pursue his remedy therefor by a libel i
'ie admiralty III any Gnited states distri,
e. court As such pilot may sec tit and pref,
~ to do
IN \ prominent tug boat owner Of this eli
M referring To this provision declares thu
Np there is neither Justice nor reason in
~ lie says it is we'll known that most vesse
ID" now a-dayr are taken out by tug boat
"A and in such case Il pilot is OF no mo
al service 10 the vessel than dead ma
"" The tug boat is responsible for al
10. damage that may result 10 the vess,
~, while the pilot is responsible Tor nothil
la aud perform, no service Whatever vet
am is allowed and receives tull pilotage.
It. And again section of the Delawa