The morning call., 1894-05-24
REvENUF-CUTTER HARTLEY.

woodwork to the tune of a big bill for
their labOrs.
The Hartley has had enough new rails in
the past year to consume several thousand
feet of lumber In five years there has
been expended upon her for repairs over
$50, 000, double the present value of the
boat. She is as good for nothing to-day as
If there had never been a cent wasted on
her.
Some months ago Congress was asked to
appropriate a certain sum of money for
the purpose Of building a new cutter for
haIbor duty al San Francisco. A bill was
drafted by our representative at Washing
ton but it failed TO 90 through. AS a re-
suit the revenue boarding officers of this
port have been obliged to do boarding
duty with the Hartley. which is altogether
too small and Unsea Orthy for the service.
The Hartley's faults are many. She is
not large enough nor broad enough of
beam. She IS old and unreliable, and above
all, so slow that any tugbOat in the bag
can tow a fuli-rigged ship behind her and
beat the cutter in a race. 1t is not an un-
usual thing TO see the revenue steamer
chasing after an Inbound sailing vessel
and getting left several thousand yards in
a five-mile run.
The Hartley does not meet the ships,
the ships wait TO meet the Hartley. II
they did not do so the customs inspectors
would have TO devote most of their time TO
chasing the runaways TO their anchorage
Foreign shippers know the peculiaritiss of
the slow revenue boat aud very kindly de-
sist from spreading too much sail until
they have been boarded.
While the Hartley has been laid up for
repairs the Government has been obliged
to charter the tug Mile, and in addition
10 the cost o. patching I'D the cutter have
also had to pay about $50 day for the use
of a substitute.
New boilers were placed in the Hartley
some few years ago at a large expense.
She has been patched and tinkered with
until there is scarcely an original bit of her
planking in her hull above the water-line.
Each time she has been repaired the CON-
tractors have reaped a rich harvest and
the boat would be turned over to her
officers as cranky. slow and unmanageable
in rough weather as ever.
San Francisco ranks as the fourth port
OF Importance in the United States, so far
as the collection of customs duties is con-
cerned. Notwithstanding this, she is but
tenth in the matter of equipments and
number of inspectors employed.
New York and Boston harbors are each
provided with good vessels for harbor
duty. but this port is neglected entirely
an appropriation for new cutter was
rendered few weeks ago.
In connection with the case of the Hart
lev, it is well to mention also the failure
of vessels bound into San Francisco Bay
to obey the law requiring all ships to Eeave
to until boarded. "ugboat captains are.
according to the statutes, obliged to slack
up when the revenue boarding vessel
whistles to them to stop. The Hartley
has often been obliged to chase a tug and
her tow as far as the sugar refinery. No
one is to blame for this breach of the law
except the head CUstOm-house officials
themselves.
What is wanted by the revenue service
is boat that can be relied upon in any
sort of weather. She should be as large
at least as the tug Nigilant or the Relief.
and be able to overhaul anything that
floats in the bay. Al no port in the United
States is there SO much smuggling carried
on as at San Francisco. The revenue SER
vice here should be equipped If anything
better than in New ! ork.
Sometimes 1t is necessary for the board
ing vessel To steam several miles from her
regular station. and Sue may be called on
to perform special duty outside. If the
Hartley went outside it is doubtful
whether she would ever return should il
be at all rough on the bar.
At present the Custom-house people are
using the tug Walter HacketI and paving
gOOdly price for its charter. The
Hackett cost about half as much as the
Hartley and is twice as good vessel,
Several interviews were had with rev.
enue inspectors and other persons along
the front and all stated that they were
glad to hear that THE CALL had under
taken to show how poorly equipped our
Government service is.
Yes. you are right" said one gentle
man, there is not a sound plank in the
Hartley. She has been patched and
patched until enough money has been
spent In repairs TO build two new boats !"
after the present repairs are made 20
her boilers and hull do you think that the
boat will be any better than she was be-
f0Te?" was asked.
Not bit. The Hartley is no good and
should be condemned. IL is simply an
outrage that so much money should be