The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-14
VESSEL OWNERS AND CAPTAINS
First Annual Meeting Of the Associa-
ton Reports and Recommended
tons.

BosToN, Mass, Oct. 13-The first an
nual meeting of the Vessel Owners and Cap
tains' National Association was held in the
Meionaon today, with an attendance of
about 100 members. The association was
organized for the purpose of establishing
uniform freight rates in the coasting trade
and bcnefiting in every possible way that
branch of the merchant marine A board of
commissioners was appointed year age, land
have succeeded in inducing a lage majority
of those engaged in the coastiug trade to
conform to the rules of the association. 1t
now has membership of over 1000 and a
correspondingly large enrolment of vessels,
and embracing nlne-tenths OF the entire coal
carrying trade at the country. The conven-
tion was called to order at 1870 O'Clock by
President Charles Lawrence of Philadelphia.
Fred p Litchfield of New York was chosen
Temporary Secretary and the following COM
mittee were appointed to ascertain the
names of vessel owners in the hall, that the
exact strength of the meeting might be
known: Messrs. Emery Of Boston. Winslow
of Portland, Manson of New Haven, Nick
erson of New York and Stewart of Bangor.
Treasurer j. A. Van Brunt of New York,
presented his report, showing receipts up to
October /, 1886, of $26S, with balance of
$136. The commissioners had also reported
to him receipts of $7,S57.51, expenditures to
the amount of 6,13916 and a balance OF
$1,71S.35
The annual report of the board of commits
SlOu6IS WAS Jllcll llldut ny GuC SCClCbtlls l. HO
report, after giving the history of the forma-
tion of the association, says that the member
ship now consists of 1000 vessels, averaging
558 tons each, and with an aggregate coal
carrying capacity of 55S,000 tons. Since the
list of membership was issued 5S vessels
have been lost and seven withdrawn, and
since June !, 1885, 119 vessels, averaging $50
tons each, with carrying capacity of 63, ,192
TONS have been added. The report details
the establishment of a central office at. New
York and the appointment of agencies at
Baltimore and Boston, and gives summary
of the work in regard to freight rates. The
following recommendations are among those
made: That the commissioners be author
lied to employ counsel to represent members
in cases of freight and demurrage free OF eX-
pense that earnest and vigorous efforts be
put forth to secure the abolition OF compul-
sorry pilotage; that any town or city inter
ested in coaStwiSe shipping be entitled to
one member of the executive committee
that all vessels of 400 tons carrying capacity
or less have the option of discharging 10C
the association bill of lading; that the an
nual dues be increased from two to five cents
per net registration.
An auditing committee, consisting OF
Messrs. Phillips of Taunton. Nickerson OF
New York and Littlefeld of Winchester,
was appointed The committee on creden.
tials then read the list of those present and
that all were entitled to participate IN the
business of the meeting. The report was
accepted. A committee to prepare an order
of business for the meeting was appointed,
and while it was at work the following Off
GERS were elected: President, Charles Law
renee of Philadelphia; Vice Presidents, Guy
G. Ross of Bath Clarence T. Lowell OF Bos'
ton; Secretary, j. A. Van Brunt of New
York; Commissioners of Coasting Trade to
serve two years from May /, 1887, Charles A.
Petit of Philadelphia, Henry Sutton of New
Haven Henry Lord of Bangor. Thomas nj
Bartlett of New York, S. M. Thomas OF
Taunton.
The committee on business reported fol
the action of the convention the appoint
ment of committee to draw up constitu-
tion and bylaws, and the report was adopt
ed and the following committee appointed
Messrs. Thomas of Taunton, Cotton OF Phil,
adelphia, Lawrence of Philadelphia, Lord
of Bangor and Burt of Boston.
The committee on business reported the
following resolution: That all vessels of 400
tons carrying capacity or less shall have the
option of amending the bill of lading so that
the consignee shall be required to discharge
cover demurrage of eight cents instead ol
six cents; that it is inexpedient for the asso-
citation at present to adopt any system of re-
bates.
Discussion followed by MeSsrs. McCon.
vile and Lold of Bangor in favor, and
Phillips of Taunton and others in opposition
and the resolution was adopted.
The question of the abolition of compul-
sorry pilotage now in force was discussed
and a committee of fifteen, headed by
Charles Lawrence Of Philadelphia, was ap,
pointed to present the shipowners side tC
Congress in conjunction with New York and
| Philadelphia maritime societies. After the
| transaction of some minor business the con
| vention adjourned to meet in New YorE
| November Sd.