Daily Republican., 1883-05-26
SUIT AGAINST A BOAT.
THE \. n. FELTON, CHARGED
WITH VIOLATING A CITY
ORDINANCE.

Last evening Captain John p Wiley,
of the steamer Samuel NJ. FELTON,, wal
before the Mayor charged with violat-
ing an ordinance of this city in run
Ming his boat on the Christiana at a
speed exceeding four miles an hour.
Captain Hall testified that his schoOn-
er, the Benjamin Hale, was lying at
the wharf Of the Diamond State rolling
mill, and that yesterday morning the
FELTON, passed out at such a speed that
it caused his vessel TO surge and break
a stanchion and iron chock. He thought
she passed at the rate of ten miles an
hour The witness said that il was not
only the FELTON, thar violated the law,
but also the Shady Side and Whining
ton. EIe thought it would cost at least
S25 to repair his vessel, but he would
not have had it happen for 500
His vessel had been chartered by
parties in Charleston to bring another
cargo to this city, but he had telegraph
ed them to cancel the charter as he
did not wish to return under any cir
GumStanCeS.
Harbor Master Feaster testified that
there was great deal of complaint
about the STEAMBOATS, running up and
down he Christiana at a high rate OF
speed, and he had known of several
vessels, that were fastened to the
wharves, having their lines broken.
He said he had furnished the captain
of every steamboat plying on the river
with copy OF the law, which pro hib-
its boats of over 100 tons burthen, pro-
PEELED by steam to move faster than
four miles an hour within the city
limits.
Captain CraDmer testified that his
schooner, the Isaac l.. Clark, is and has
been lying at the wharves of the
Jackson & Sharp Go. for the past three
weeks undergoing repairs. During that
time he has been very much annoyed
by the steamboats, passing mp and down
the river, and although they had not
injured his vessel, the surges they
caused had rocked his vessel so that a
five and half inch hauser, with which
she was fastened, was stretched so that
it would not measure more than four
and half inches.
The boats passed at the rate of ten or
eleven miles an hour, and he had deter
mined that unless it was stopped not
TO return to this port again. He ex-
pressed his opinion that unless the law
was enforced it would he almost impos-
Sible to get a vessel TO come here.
Captain Kershaw, Of the Jackson Il
Sharp Company, stated that their bust
ness was very much injured by the
steamers running alta high rate ofspeed.
Unless it was checked, he thought that
boats needing repairs would be taken to
other places.
At the request Of Captain Wiley the
further hearing OF the case was pOstpOn-
ed until Monday evening, to allow him
time to Obtain witnesses and be repre-
sented by counsel.
Captain Hall expressed his deter
mination to visit Philadelphia today,
and demand damages from the mana
gers Of the FELTON,, and said that unless
they were paid, he would libel the
steamer.
Captain Wiley courteously invited
him to take the trip on his boat, and
said he had no doubt but the matter
would be settled in satisfactory man
ncr.
The law hearing on this matter pro-
vides that the master Of any steamer
violating its provisions shall be- fined
$50, one half of which goes to the in
former.