The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-07
AN EXCURSION BOAT SEIZED.
Carried OF by Tugs While Watch
men Were Drinking.

men Were Drinking.
| NEW YORK, June 6.-Possession being
| nine points of the law the Columbia. one
Of the largest and fastest excursion st am
/ boats known in New York waters. may be
| said to belong to the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, notwithstanding the charge OF
| piracy that is made by the New York Nav
igation Company, which claims title to the
boat Just at present the Columbia rides
at anchor off ST. George. S. L., where it is
| closely watched to prevent its again CHI ns-
| ing ownership in clandestine manner.
Net long ago the Columbia and the Re-
public were the only assets of the New
York Navigation Company. The Columbia
formerly belonged to the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company, and it is said that
the terms OF sale were never fully complied
with. Suit was brought by the Baltimore
and Ohio to recover possession. but in the
| meantime it was seen that the legal pro-
, cess would be too slow il the present exeur-
sion season were to be taken advantage CT.
At that time the Columbia was in Ere
Basin undergoing slight repairs. One even
| ing in early dusk two tugboats that had
| been lettering about that part of the harbor
for several hours dropped into the basin
and proceeded to make fast TO the Column
bia, which was then taken cut into the
| open harbor so rapidly as to cause the mel
aboard to think that, they were on their
| way to Europe.
Private watchmen were supposed to be in
| charge of the boat but by a remarkable
coincidence, at the time the tugs were do
ing business with the Columbia these
watchmen were having drink with a
pleasant hammered stranger, who had for
two days cultivated their acquaintance.
This stranger spent his money SO lavishly
that the watchmen when they emerged
from the saloon we're inclined to believe
that their senses were deceiving them.
The Columbia. which should have been at
rest. was rushing out of the basin, al
though no smoke appeared above It's stack
to explain its motive power.
With eyes bullying. the watchmen gazed
after the Columbia until one of them finally
caught sight of the tugs. His first remark
was in the nature of an explanation CT his
future expectations. Then with his COM
panions he turned upon the stranger but the
latter had suddenly recollected business
that demanded his presence elsewhere. He
had departed as silently and as mysterious
ly as did the Columbia, which was towed
across the harbor to ST. George, where it
was turned over to representatives of the
Baltimore and Ohio.
The Columbia was sold to the Cape May
and Delaware Navigation Company for the
Long Branch service last year. 1t was
purchased from the Baltimore and Ohio
with some peculiar understanding that
weekly payments were to be made for a
definite period, at the end OF which time
1t was either to be returned to the Bal
timore and Ohio or paid for in full.
1t is now alleged that the agreement was
broken by the purchasing company, which
a few weeks ago. went into the hands of
receiver. William F. Russell, Frank r.
Walton, and A E. Stoney. who had rro-
NOTED the Cape May and Delaware Naviga-
ton Company, when it met with financial
disaster organized the New York Naviga-
ton Company. which was inco; porated with
capital OF 100000. This company took
over from the Cape May Company the Co
lumbia and the Republic, but has not sue
ceeded in retaining possession of either.