The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-05-24
Yankee SAILORS
Uncle Sam Looks After
Distressed Tars.
Not Forced to Ship Out of For
eign Ports - Care of
the Sick.

compel sailors 10 ship out of Honolulu
on a vessel other than the one on which
they arrive is a mistaken one" said
Vice Consul General w. Porter Boyd
yesterday. Sailors ship on a vessel
for round trip and if they succeed in
getting away from il here and then
come TO us for assistance afterward,
and are willing to ship on another yes
sci we try and secure one for him. If
he is an American citizen sailor and
deserts on account of cruelty, as it
some times happens, and is willing to
Teship, but there is no chance for him
at once, we provide for him out of the
fund for that purpose until we can
find a vessel.
'"The United States Congress appro-
PIRATES $4,000 per annum for the as
sistance of American citizen sailors in
foreign ports.
But if the man declines TO ship
on the vessel we provide, his al
lowance is cut off and the Hawaiian
Government deals with the man under
the alien law. We never force men to
ship under any circumstances. Take
the case of shipwrecked mariners;
most of them landing here would rath-
er work their way back to the Coast
and have some money on landing than
to be sent back as passengers. Our
laws permit us to send them by steam
er or sail, If they do not want to ship
When they go by steamer the company
collects the regular steerage passage
rate, $25. If by sail the cost is $40, pro-
vided the voyage does not extend be-
yond 80 days; over that the rate is $40
1t is only a year ago when we sent the
crew of the Matte A. Dyer, 13 in num-
Der, to San Francisco by the Australia.
The United States looks after her mer-
chant marine, no matter what may be
said but every case is pretty thorough
ly investigated.
Now then as to rewards. The idea
that a reward is out for every sailor
who deserts a ship is a mistake The
captain is responsible for his crew up
to a certain point and he is supposed
to see that the members do not get
away. If the captain reqests the con-
sui to post a reward it is for Sc, pro-
vided the man is caught within the
city limits, but if it is anywhere on
the outside the reward is doubled and
all expenses of capture is added. If
the man is caught before the vessel
leaves he is put back on her, if not he
is handled by the authorities unless he
tells us that he desires to go away.
Some people think the men should be
forced to leave, else the port would be
overloaded with runaway sailors. AS
a matter of fact the places of the run
away men have to be taken by others
so that the supply and demand is about
equal. Occasionally man deserts his
ship and keeps from the police for
weeks, in the meantime making ac-
nn n "
that is lucrative and which pleases
him better than the sea. If his story
can be verified and the man has the
appearance of good citizen, or brings
some reputable person who is willing
to become surety that the man will
not become charge, we use our influ
ence with Captain Fuller and secure
his discharge from the ship. Captain
Fuller, you understand who has the
power to do this
fThere is another phase of this bust |
ness that the public may not be aware |
Of: If a sailor becomes i'll on the voy- |
age and arrives here unfit for work |
We collect from The ship ali his wages |
that are in arrears and one month |
N advance and send him to the |
hospital and keep him there at a |
cost of $3.50 per day until he is well |
enough 10 ledEe. III the amount col |
ected is not sufficient to defray the /
expenses the money is used from the
appropriation. On the other hand, if |
lie RECEIVERS before the amount received
rom the ship is expended, the balance
S given him on his discharge from the
hospital If he is too weak to work
md wants TO be sent to the coast we
ook out for him, and if he is i'll when
lie reaches port he is entitled TO treat
nent in the marine hospital. Every
lollar that is paid out on account of
American sailors must be accounted
or by vouchers. / have five sailors
low that We are looking out for and
When they are ready to ship we will
~ and provide ships for them.
You will understand that there is
difference between American citizen
ailors and American sailors. The lat
er may be of any nationality but sail
ng on American ships. One of that
lass might arrive here on any vessel
wing the American flag, and in some
Tay get into trouble or be naturally
ad and get detected in committing a
rhine. l would decline to ship him TO
he United States if l knew it. but with
n American citizen it is different-his
ONE is supposed TO be in the United
tates, and if he is in distress here and
fishes to return we will help him
ither as a sailor or passenger"