New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-19
THEY STICK BY THE SHIP
THE SCOTCH SAILORS NOW REFUSE TO
LEAVE THE ELYSIA.

A SHARP SEA LAWYER POINTS OUT POSSIBLE
WAY OF ESCAPE FROM THEIR DIFFICULTIES
THE BRITISH CONSUL. THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND
THE ANCHOR LINE ALL HAVE
A FINGER IN THE PIE
On the old steamship Elysia which lies at
anchor in the Upper Bay, there is a pretty how
dye-do. The native shrewdness and Unborn STUD
bornness OF canny Scotch sailormen have brought
about state Of affairs that may result in good
deal OF fuss before order Is brought out OF the
chaos that now relgns the Anchor Liner AS
will be remembered by The Tribune readers. the
Eysia Unexpectedly returned on Sunday after
having sailed on Saturday for Mediterranean
ports. Why the ship came back is perfectly
clear. The men would not work her, but why the
men refused to work is not so clear
Two reasons so far have been given for the
mems action. one that. according to their story.
the cargo was badly slowed and the vessel had
a decided list to starboard. and was consequently
unsafe The other was that the men were simply
homesick and sighed for a look Of old Glasgow,
and-but that's another story. That comes
from the officers. The men have not been seen.
having been carefully guarded from reporters
Competent surveyors were sent to the vessei
on Monday by the British Consul. and they
reported that she was safe and seaworthy IN
every respect. and lay upon an even keel Iheh
Mr.. Fraser went aboard the steamship and had
a talk with the men. In the fatherly way
adopted by all consuls. he told them they couiu
do Of two things-go ashore or stay aboaru
and perform their duties. II they went ashore
they would forfeit their pay and be classed
as deserters. and If they stuck by the ship
they would have to pay the cost OF her detention
out of their wages 1t was mighty unpleas-
ant dilemma. and the men gathered forward
scratched their heads and consulted together.
Finally they decided on going ashore Tor tnat
would give them chance 10 snip Tor their oe-
loved Glasgow.
That much was settled and new crew were
engaged by Henderson Brothers, the agents
OF the line But the strikers have a sharp sea
lawyer among them. Charlie Roberts by name:
and he put the matter to them this way IL
you go ashore voluntarily you VIII be classeu
as deserters. and have no show for your pay.
but If they put you ashore forcibly, why, theh'
you've got chance.
The men slept over the matter. and when
the boat came alongside the steamship they re-
fused to go. Henderson Brothers then CON
suited their lawyers. Wing. Putnam Burling-
ham. and the lawyers discussed the knotty mat
ter for some time.
The case is almost without precedent. and 1t is
not certain that there Is anything in the
treaties with England covering such an affair
The United States Distrct-Attorney was ap-
pealed to yesterday afternoon, and II was SAID
that warrants would be issued and a United
States Marshal and several deputies would 60
to the Elysa carly this morning TO serve them.
1t is believed that an attempt VIII be made 10
force the men off. then arrest them. and have
them extradited The vessel has already been
detained some time. and such n course would
cause still longer delay, the men could de-
mand an immediate examination. and the cap
tain and officers would have to be on hand az
witnesses. The detention of the snip has al
ready cost the line $1,000.