Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-10-18
THE RleHARD Ill.

statement Of Capt, Adams CONCERNING
SITS Fiisht from the sound.
Some time ago it WAS published that
the Master of the ship Richard I'LL.
while at New Tacoma, had some trou-
BILE with Deputy United States Mar
shall, and that he had stolen his ship
from that officer, beating the latter off
with a loaded pistol, and put to sea.
Only one side of the story was known
until the following letter from the Cap
tain was published recently in San
Francisco paper:
As there has been so much said about
the ship Richard Ill. in the late affair
at New Tacoma, will say few words
in explanation of the treatment re-
ceived there in August and September
last. The ship Richard Ill. left San
Francisco April Both under years
charter to the Wellington Coal Com
pany, of British Columbia. to carry coal
from Departure Bay to Wilmington,
Cal. The ship had made one voyage
and had returned to Departure Bay.
when, owing to the miners strike, she
was ordered away, after lying i'll the bay
eight days. She was towed to Esqui-
mault HarbOr, where, after ten days,
she proceeded to New Tacoma to load
coal. Now the trouble commenced.
Tho ships crew was engaged at
San Pedro or Wilmington to per
form voyage to Departure Bay or
any port on Puget Sound and back to
| Wilmington, they to load and discharge
cargo and ballast ship. They claimed
their discharge and refused duty on
August oath, the ship being at the time
with a swept hold and at anchor at New
| Tacoma. Tue weather was thick and
| the barometer falling. The steward re-
ceiyed orders from me to feed nepe but
those who worked, and eight of the crew
| went ashore and entered an action be-
| fore magistrate for their wages. The
magistrates name was Campbell. He
thought the men should return to the
ship, but in case of refusal they might
have libel Action was brought and
the case held along from Monday to
Wednesday, the ship meanwhile loading
with hired help. On Wednesday she
was libelied for 300, and the marshal
put on board. The ship was lying at
the coal bunkers and was ordered to
leave the dock, the ship being put in
the stream with a stern line to the dock
In the evening, on the ebb tide, she
drifted, and, to save her from going
ashore, the second anchor was let go
and her stern hauled close
to the dock. She was in the way
of other vessels and in DANGEROUS pc
sition. Nevertheless the marshal re-
fused to allow me to do anything fol
the vessels safety. On Saturday pre-
sented the marshal with a bond fol
$500, signed by Mr.. G. Il. Atkinson
agent of the Tacoma Mill Company
said bond signed and accepted in court.
This bond the marshal accepted anC
left the ship. At about l:20 p. M, thu
TUG Tacoma came along side and pat
out two lines. We slipped our linei
from the dock, hove up anchor ane
st Rted down the sound. After having
fairly started, the marshal came to thu
tug. Ithoughtsshe was trying to arrest
me, as he had said on the ship b.
would have me in irons and In jail.
told him not to come on board, as n
had given up charge to me. and vouit
take the ship to place of safety, ane
| that he could find me in San Francisco
at any time. There was nothing saiy
, about shooting, nor was there Q pisto
, on the ship that would or could go of
under any circumstances. The shiI
: was manned by myself, the secont
mate, carpenter, cook steward and thre'
J sailors. We reached Port Townsens
at $50 a. m. Ii Was very thicl
and dark. 1t is true we took the mus
on entering the harbor. and also tina
! We cleared and shipped crew at Por
Townsend. leaving as IL a. q. Sunda.
| 10 save time Tho ship Cahada Wa
! awaiting to be towed mp by the Tacoma
} and had We not done 50 would have =
J have waited until the tug returned froH
that service. Was told the only bont
acceptable 70 the Marshal was Unitet
, states gold coin for him 70 handle
Il There Was no one at Tacoma that
could get TO 90 on the bond but Mr.. At
kinsou. Even A. Packscher, who dis
, bursed the ship. Was afraid, AZ he va
I | told the sailors would make disturb
. aace about his place. IL appears 20 m
/ thew were all afraid 10 do justice 10 til
, ship. A was a stranger there. mus
} say had Il not been for Mr.. AtkinsoI
) and Captain Cameron. Of the tug Taco
ma, think the Richard III would hAv
{ become common stock for all, as with
|. strong sbb tide and a small breeze. Q
| either. there was nothing 10 hinder ID
!. ship going on tbs rough beach, and b
0 inc heavily loaded. il IN needless 10 -
What would have been the result. /
!, Conclusion. I would advise all ship maj
!. ter 10 ficht clear Of New Tacoma
THOMAS Il. ADAMS.