The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-29
Government Officials Say Ships
on Nome Route Are Safe.
ALL WITHIN LICENSE LIMIT
Vessels Thoroughly Inspected BE-
fore Departure, and Not Over
loaded with Passengers or
Freight-Bryant Makes State
ment in which He Declares There
II No Foundation for Charges.

Since the first boats sailed for Nome
from this port there have been local street
rumors and comments by the Northwest
press that many Of the fleet were over
crowded, unsanitary, unsafe and that In
case OF accident serious loss Of life would
undoubtedly follow. The Oregonlan, OF
Portland, has been particularly active In
its criticisms. Local steamship men, GUS
toms officers, and the United States in
spectors claim that these rumors are
groundless and that the press comments
are the results of jealousy and envy on
the part OF so-called rival cities.
As compared with the vessels that went
North during the memorable klondike
rush of 1928 the Nome vessels are, 1t Is
claimed not only more comfortable. but
far more safe. The feet. as a whole, Is
far superior Not a vessel. the United
States marine inspectors and customs Of
ficiaIs say. has sailed from Seattle without
being first thoroughly inspected as to SAN
itary conditions. seaworthiness and num-
Der OF passengers carried. In no instance,
Capt. Bryant, of the United States ma
rine board. stated yesterday, has the Il
cense limit been exceeded. and this in
the face of an Overwhelming demand for
transportation.
without a single exception. Capt Bry-
ant alleges, every vessel thus far dispatch
ed to the Nome gold fields, has been sub
Jected to a thorough inspection before
being allowed to receive passengers and
freight. Discussing the charges made.
Capt. Bryant said:
All Vessels Thoroughly Inspected.
'"rhere is not and has not been the
slightest foundation for the charges. Our
board has inspected every passenger
carrying vessel. We have shown no IA
voritism. and I think thirty years OF SER
vice Mt sea has qualified me to Judge as
to n vessels seaworthness and carrying
capacity. My associate, Capt Cherry, Ia
a thoroughly competent man, and we have
allowed nothing to escape us. Tho law
prescrihes the number OF passengers and
the amount OF freight vessel may carry.
and after we have determined her sea-
worthiness there is nothing to do but to
permit the owners and charterers to solicit
as many passengers as they are entitled
to take. / Will say. however, that | have
seen very little disposition to overcrowd
vessels OF course those going to Nome
cannot expect to have roomv saloons and
palat.a staterooms. where the vessels are
carrying such crowds. But where they
have been willing to put up their money
they have had no trouble In securing state
rooms II desired
I'VE have kept the gangways clear OF
distractions, and have enforced the rule
OF no deckloads. Each vessel leaving has
been properly equipped with life-saving
apparatus such as boats and life RATS"
In tho matter of passengers. 1t has been
possible to maintain a double check. After
the limit prescribed by the customs regu-
iations has been reached, the local force
has seen To II that 1t was not exceeded.
The customs officers have stood at the
gangplank of every vessel and allowed
no one In excess of the limit to go aboard.
To do this 1t has been. necessary to exer-
cise the utmost vigilance. Stowaways
have given no little annoyance.
Thirty or forty were taken off the steam
err Robert Dollar. whose agents 1t was
also found had slightly exceeded the limit
In the sale of tickets
Not Allowed to Depart.
The holders of excess tickets were kept
off of the vessel, despite the fact that
they begged to go aboard and be allowed
10 take their chances for food and sleep
Ing quarters Indeed, one woman donned
male attire and climbed through a port
hole. only to be driven off OF the vessel
by an officer. She had a ticket. but UNI
fortunately the limit had been reached
when she presented herself. She was
then dressed as n woman. but, determined
not to be Ontdono, she returned two hours
later in the garb of "A miner. But the
ruse did not work,
There has been much talk concerning
the steamer Aberdeen. particularly In
view OF the fact that mine OF her passen-
gers deserted tho vessel at Neah bay
and returned to Seattle, The Aberdeen
was regularly inspected and passed by
the marine board. She was found sea-
worthy and was licensed to carry :gS
passengers, William NJ. Calhoun, a rppu-
local agent. and he asserted yesterday.
ns he has assorted repeated, that but 22S
tickets for transportation on the Aher-
deem were sold II more than @SS passcn-
gers were aboard when she left Seattle
he declares that there were stowaways