Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-02-16
HOT RACE BY PILOTS.
The Huntcliffe Was Big Prize, and They
Didn't Propose TO Get Left.

Didn't Propose to Get Left.
The big steamship Huntcliffe, laden
with raw sugar, arrived off the bar from
Java and anchored to await orders from
either the consignees, Ceballos & Sons,
of so Wall street, or their brokers, Simp-
son, Spence g. Young. The Huntcliffe
usually docks at the Wilmington stores
in Philadelphia, and her master, belev-
ing that he would be ordered to proceed
to the Quaker City, did not take on
Sandy Hook pilot when approaching the
Hook.
The Philadelphia pilots were on the
lookout for the steamer, as the pilotage
fees on her are very large because she
draws fully twenty-three feet. 1t so
happened that Pilots Gus Clampet and
W. J. Marshall, of Philadelphia, each
unconscious of the others act, called up
the consignees and brokers' Office on the
long distance telephone and inquired
about the Huntcliffe. Each was notified
that she was lying off the bar, and the
pilots rushed pellmell for the railroad
station, their object being to come on to
New York and board the steamer at the
bar and thus secure the prize before any
of their brother pilots in Philadelphia
caught on to their game.
They met at the station and instantly
recognized each other. OF course each
surmised the others motive, but they
boarded the train, each determined to
reach New York ahead of the other.
Arriving at Jersey City they rushed
for the ferry boat, and legged it in great
style down West street. At the Bat
terry they parted, Marshal cutting across
lots to the office of the Mutual Grain
Sealing company, where the fast tug
W. E. Ferguson was instantly placed at
his disposal, while Clampet went to the
Raymond Towing companys office on a
dead run, and breathlessly demanded a
tug. The high pressure tug ]. Fred
Lehman, with Clampet aboard, was soon
putting down the East river.
When abreast of Bedloe's island the
Ferguson was seen putting out from
the Battery wall. Pilot Marshall was
aboard. All possible steam was piled on
the boilers of both vessels. Freeland
Dalzel, who is the chief engineer of the
Raymond towing fleet, was at the Lob
mans throttle, and the way be made
her puff along was caution. The Fer
guson began to demonstrate her worth
when off quarantine. From that point
on she steadily gained on the Lehman,
and finally drew alongside of the sturdy
little tug. There was tremendous ex-
element on both vessels. 1t was race
for purse of $500, and Pilot Clampet
saw the prize slipping out of his grasp
when the Ferguson began to draw
away.
The Ferguson got alongside the Hunt
cliffe first, and Pilot Marshall was hoist
ed aboard in twinkling. The Lehman
was not far behind, and before Marshall
had finished shaking the hand of the
Huntcliffe's captain Pilot Clampet
dashed up and grabbed the captains dis
engaged hand. Then both pilots claimed
the privilege of plotting the Huntcliffe
back to Philadelphia, Clampet asserting
his right through having been notified
by the brokers.
Both men were very much disguised
to learn that the Huntcliffe will be dis
charged at this port and not at Philadel-
phia. Their race proved expensive to the
pilots, for the hire of tug is fifty dollars
alone, to say nothing of their fare from
and to Philadelphia.-N York Ad-
vertiser