The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-05-25
YANKEE SAILORS
Uncle Sam Looks After
Distressed Tars.
Not Forced to Ship Out of For
eign Ports = Care of
the Sick.

'The idea that United States Consuls
compel sailors to ship out Of Honolulu
on a,vesseI other than the one on which
they arrive is a mistaken one, said
Vice Consul General w. Porter Boyd
yesterday. Sailors ship on vessel
for a round trip and if they succeed in
getting away from it 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 il
some times happens, and is willing to
reship, 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 Goa t
and have some money on landing than
to be sent back as passenger. Our
laws permit US to send them by steam
er or sail, if they do not want to ship
When they 90 by steamer the company
collects the regular steerage passage
rate. SIS. 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 year ago when we sent the
crew of the Matte A. Dyer, Is in num-
Der. 10 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
ho
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 a man deserts his
ship and keeps from the police for
weeks, in the meantime making ac-
quaintances and possibly secures work
that is lucrative and which pleases
him better than the sea. If his story
can he 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 a 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.
There is another phase OF this bust
ness that the public may not be aware
Of; If n sailor becomes IN on the voy-
age and arrives here unit for work
we collect from the ship all his wages
that are IN arrears and one month
in advance and send him to the
hospital and keep him there at a
cost of $3.50 per day until he is well
enough to leave II the amount col.
lected Is not sufficient to defray the
expenses the money Is used from the
appropriation. On the other hand, if
he RECEIVERS before the amount received
from the ship Is expended, the balance
is given him on his discharge from the
hospital, If he is too weak TO work
and wants to be sent 10 the coast we
look out for him, and n he Is IN when
he reaches port he Is entitled to treat
ment in the marine hospital, Every
dollar that is paid out on accornt Of
American sailors must be accounted
for by vouchers. | have five sailors
now that We are looking out for and
when they are ready to ship we will
try and provide ships for them.
You will understand that there is
a difference between American citizen
sailors and American sailors. The lat
ter may be of any nationality but sail
ing on American ships. One of that
class might arrive here on any vessel
flying the American flag, and in some
way get into trouble or be naturally
bad and get detected in committing a
crime. / would decline to ship him to
the United States If knew it, but with
an American citizen it is different-his
home is supposed to be in the United
States, and if he is in distress here and
wishes to return we viii help him
either as sailor or a passenger"