The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-03

the Strathneyis safely into the harbor OF
Port Townsend After leaving Tacoma we
machinery OF the Mineoia was founo 20 pe
not In perfect working order. anu nes r oi ~
GERS, In undertaking the heavy TASK ., .,
towing the Strathnevis. were conscious o.
the risk OF running into fatal oangvr u
her machinery should break down.; rIou.
about p. m. and during the REMAINDER OF
the night of December "A very severe
weather prevailed off Cape Fiattery anu
Destruction island. The vessels rounoso
Cape Flattery about u:50 a. m on me
18th. In the straits the wind and sea CON
tinued to increase, and the weather pc
came thick with continuous ram, SO hhat II
was difhcut for the master or the Mineola
TO determine or keep his position. IL was
the intention to take the StrathneVis 20
Royal Roads, and as she then had on
board but one anchor cable, which was IN
use to lengthen the tow line. stop was
made for the purpose OF unShackling the
cable from the hawser so as 10 get in read
mess for anchoring. When the chain had
been unshackied and the hawser of the
Mineola made fast TO the Strathnevts the
increasing wind and sea caused the master
OF the Mneola. with the consent Of tho
master of the Strathnevis. to abandon the
purpose OF going to Royal Roads and 10
run Tor Port Townsend instead. which,
from the position in which the vessels
were. could be reached with less danger.
In order to save her. IL was necessary for
the Mineola to run close under the lee of
the Strathnevis and lower boat into the
raging sea- The boat succeeded in reach
Ing the Strathnevis, and the second officer
or the Mineoia went on board the Strath-
nevis and assisted in taking in the hawser
and passing a line back TO the Mineola by
means or which the hawser was drawn on
board. and connection between the two
vessels re-esta blished. While this. work
heavy sea. sometimes head to the sea
and sometimes in the trough of the
sea, After the hawser had been made
last to the Mineola she proceeded with the
Strathnevis in tow and succeeded in
reaching Port Townsend at about o'clock
In the evening of December 18th.
For the services thus rendered in taking
the Strathneviss from a position Of danger
to port of safety. the laster and owner
or the Mineola, in behalf OF themselves
claim a suitable reward The answer OF
the claimants admits that libeilants are
entitled 70 salvage. and the only question
10 be determined by the court is as TO the
1T is established by the evidence beyond
question that the master. officers and
crew OF the Mineola were prompt in rem
dering assistance TO the Strathnevis, and
that they displayed the very highest de-
gree OF courage and seamanship. Their
INCREASING was perilous and involved
arduous labor. which was skiIlfully per-
Formed and resulted in complete success.
The value OF such service cannot be fair
measured by the ordinary contract
vessels in the business of towing. The
Mineola was not In commission as a tug
poat looking for such employment al
though she was fortunately equipped
with towing bits and other appiiances
which were useful on this occasion.
must find from the evidence that the
n ner,, nevis Vas IN position Of eminent
testimony TO the contrary given by her
commander and other witnesses, is in nv
estimation completely overcome by the
evidence OF the signals flying from the
masts OF the disabled vessel at that time
ana the indisputable facts that. being
without motive power to render her man
ageahle In such a position. and with one
anchor iost, and tempestuous weather
prevailing, she was lying at anchor on
me lee SHORE OF Destruction island.
4 ind the value of the property saved
.. be. according to a preponderance of
tne evidence, as follows: Value of the
Sc tpr aa $4,000: value of her cargo.
money, $4,000. Total Value. sae1'oo0 1e'se.
by the undisputed evidence II is shown
a una f ,ne value Of the Minsola her cargo
The time of the Mineoia Consumed by
the deviation from her voyage was four
days, and the value thereof was 81 600
and her hawser destroyed In the service
was worth $500
I'm view OF all the facts and circum-
stances. u Is my conclusion that the fol-
lowing sums, as reward for the Sery.
Ice rendered in saving the Strathnevis
are Just and reasonable:
ITO the owner OF the Mineola. $1,000:
Capt. PillsburY. 81, 500" tThe court then
allows the first mate other officers and
men sums ranging from 500 70 500 each.
the total OF all amounting to 500. 500
tended TO recognize special merit In Sec
ond OFFICER Kirkwood and Seauien Mel
son, Olson. Fabricicous. Marden and
White. and Christian. the cabin boy.
counsel for the respective parties have
cited many cases bearing upon the ques-
ton as TO the amount proper to be
ese of ts ss sr,5s have 1aksn the
my guide, for the reason that the decis-
ion In that case was rendered by the cir
cult court OF appeals for this circuit, and
i consider IL a fair decision. In that case
the court awarded the total sum of IS 600
aitnough the master of the Sirius had en-
tered INTO a written contract with the
master OF the rescuing ship TO pay $50 ESQ
In this case the value of the property
SAWED Is considerably greater, and was in
more eminent peril. the hazard incurred
was greater, and the labor performed
more arduous. and the master OF the Min
cola is entitled 20 higher consideration be-
cause ne went to the rescue promptly
and In a manly. generous spirit. much 10
his credit in contrast with the behavior
OF the captain OF the Tiila mook. The Sir
luS, however, was towed a greater dis
longer. IL Is my opinion that the above
amounts are liberal recompense, and
vet reasonable. irrespective OF tho claim
Tor savage made against the Strathnevis
in behalf of the owners. master and crew
OF the Miowera. and the same viii be de-
creed 10 be paid accordingly
Referring now to the case OF the Miow-
era. / find from the pieadings and the
evidence. that she found the Strathnevss
In a perflous situation. far from land. and
ogt OF the track OF inward bound steam
vessels. With her detective sailing gear
the StrathnSRis was able at best TO make
but slow progress towards any haven, and
In rntd-wiuter, when storms were TO he
expected she was in great danger of be-
coming entirely unmanaEcabie and of be-
Ing driven ashore or upon the rocks. when
she approached near the coast The Nil
opvera rendered rreritoriops service In
towing her to the vicinity OF comparative
safety, wnere she was able TO make
soun9ings and ind anchorage. and where
she was In the track of passing vessels
from which other assistance could be OBJ
tanned. This Is expressly admitted Tn the