The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-22
OF JERSEY PILOTS
State Board commissioners
Of Pilotage Makes It's
Annual Report to the
Governor.
Especial to "rhe Jersey city News

Especial TO THE Jersey City News-
TRENTON, Dec. 2, 189s.-The Board Of
Commissioner of Pilotage has just pres
ented to the Governor its annual report
of the work done during the year in
the administration of the pilot laws of the
State, and also the laws 70 the preserra-
ton Of channels in governing Instructions
to navigation and fisheries. This Board
consists of Daniel C. Chase, president,
South Amboy; John r. Dewar. secretary,
Jersey City; Henry W. Miller, Morris
town; Henry c. Gulick, Barnegat; Mark
Townsend, Linwood, and John 6. Weaver,
Maurieetown. The report gives a detaiisd
account of the wrecks and Instructions
removed by arrangement with the New
Jersey Board and the United States Cow
eminent Tt shows that the total num-
Der of vessels piloted by New Jersey
Sandy Hook pilots during the year was
1923. Of his number 500 were ocean
steamers, 80 ships, IS barks, IS briggs, So
schooners, all inward bound; and s25
steamers, IS ships, 81 barks, Is briggs and
IS schooners, all outward bound The
total receipts of the pilots were $3.50. S76-03-
The report, commenting on the recent
troubles of the country, says:-'The war
with Spain caused considerable delay to
the water between the State
and foreign ports and coastwise, on ac-
count Of ex~tinguishing the rarge and
channel lights. the mining of the cham
nels preventing the passage of vessels
| during the night, compelling pilot vessels
to come into remain in the harbor
zach night to avoid Spanish warshiDs
that might capture and compel the pilots
to guide them into the harbor. This
also inflicted a considerable additional
expense on the pilots. The exigencies OF
the war caused a temporary arrest OF
the river and harbor improvements, the
River and Harbor bill failing to pass the
last session of Congress, but the statis-
tics, data and arguments prepared for the
last session are In order for use at the
next session. with a view Of urging a
continuance Of the improvements IN
State navigable waterways
Early in the year the Board requested
Attorney General Grey to give a decision
whether or not the Board had the power
to reinstate a pilot before his term of
| suspension had expired. The letter is
given in full in the report and the At
torney General, in a quite elaborate opin-
ion. holds that there is no discretion in
the commission to infiiet any less pen
atty h that prescribed by law. and
after the infection of the penalty sane
toned and required by the statute the
power of the commissioners in the mat
ter is exhausted.
There are at the present time in the New
Jersey Sandy Hook pilot service forty
three fuil-branch pilots. one deputy pilot,
four apprentices and four pensioners.
In response to a request made by the
United States Engineers office. the board
shortly after the war broke out last sum-
mer. furnished the depth of water at mean
low tide through the following channels
Through Raritan Bay to canal lock at
New Brunswick through South River to
town of Washington; through South AM
hoy Channel to Raritan Bay; through
Wards Point and Sequine Point cham
nels; the maximum draught around the
Corner stake Light at Elizabeth
The board has mad a new rule with
reference to the granting Of licenses to
pilots. The first license to be granted to a
pilot VIII limit him to e~ighteen-foot
draught; after one years service under
this license, the pilot will be entitled to
another examination and given a twenty
two-foot license. If found qualified; after
two years service any pilot will be en-
titled to examination for a full-branch
license. TO be given at the discretion Of
fba hoard