The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-11-17
Compulsory PlIotage.

~ Otc EuttoI " We IFcSSs
Notwithstanding a bin has been before
Congress for the last three years to relieve
ships from compulsory pilotage, no action
has been taken upon 1t. Last winter ar
rived in Philadelphia. My pilotage in was
S9i, and took tug boat Off the Five Faith
ON Bank Lightship. The boat towed us to
the city in ffteed hours, for which paid
$50. 1t was winter time, but there was no
ice. The next voyage / went to Boston. My
inward pilotage was $40, and took tug
halfway between Boston light house and
Cape Cod. In Boston had my ships papers
changed from register to a coasting license.
next went to Nerfolk, and before sailed
from Norfolk l went to the pilot Office and
paid Ss1 outward pilotage, and then put my
vessel TO sea, drawing 10 feet Of water, with
out a pilot, for did not want pilot. No
one dOupts the ability OF an ordinary ship
master to pilot his vessel in and out Of port.
Mr.. Dingley's bill, which has been before
Congress for several years, proposes to
license ship-masters TO pilot their own Ves-
sells, and is the best step that has been taken
10 do away with compulsory pilOtage in
measure; but whenever this bill has been
agitated in Congress, some friend Of the pi-
lots has introduced a bill to remove the en-
try Zee Of $3.50. or to pay the fees Of ship
ping our crews, OF some Otlef peLtN expense.
But the most important bill is laid on the Ia
bic, or thrown under the table. Before the
adjournment OF the last Congress, IL was re-
ported that the Dingley bill had passed the
House, and would soon be cOncurred in BY
the Senate; but alas, the hopes of ship own
ers were blasted. Congress adjourned with
out any definite action, and some Of the
congressman went to the woods and some to
the mountains. where the majority of them
ought to spend the remainder Of their days.
We may congratulate ourselves that we have
no compulsory pilot law in Maine, nor will
ever have.
From Norfolk | went to Bath A pilot
came on board of Seguin, and the same day
we arrived up to Bath by the help Of tug.
The pilot charged me S12, and thought he
was well paid for his services, and the dis
tance nearly as far as Norfolk is from the
sea. IL Is amazing to all interested people
that our government should allow the differ
ent States to make their own pilot laws, when
all the nayigable waters OF the States are
under the exclusive jurisdiction Of the Unit
ed States.
The whole system of compulsory pilotage
is only system of legalized robbery. III a
pilot boards you outside of given line, one
quarter more Is added to your piotage, and
when winter comes on $40 winter pilotage Is
added. The pilot is not willing to take his
chances with the captain and crew of the
shiplt detained outside Of the port by stress
OF weather, but he must have extra pay, so
much per day for detention, added to his 9TH
er pilotages, while the ship owner has TO
bear the expense Of the whole. But any
thing to rob ship owners. The tug boat cap
tains do the most of the plotting at the pres
ent day. About the first thing pilot looks
Tor when he boards your vessel Is for a tow
boat to tow him into port.
unconstitutional ALVIN HALL.