Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-13
our RIookaded Channel.

.s
Our Riockaded Channel.
Editor Yirginian- Pilot:
ihe pilot who brought in the British
steamship Scarsdnle and contributed to
tho blockade Of Norfolk channel hay
i;iE Just returned to the scene, seeks
Ills first opportunity for a reply to that
part of "a Trip Down the Harbor."
which Is reflection on the ability
anu disposition of my co-workers to
aid In keeping the channel clear.
me interest manifested by the Har-
Dor Commissioners under the present
strained conditions IS indeed creditable
and will meet with the hearty CO.
operation of every member of the
Pilots Association. But 1t Is to be re-
GREETED thGt the initial investigations
or the Harbor Commissioners and their
report thereon should start out with an
indirect censure Of the one body OF
men who have always endeavored to
30 place vessels brought in by them
that the channel should be kept clear
and the safety OF vessels preserved
NOW, 1T Is true that Norfolks chan
mel has for several months been taxed
to Its utmost, but at the same time let
us inform all who are interested that
the members of the Pilots Association
are not and have not been responsible
Tor the complicated situations of YES
sells and the resultant collisions
Having been associated with this
business twentythree years. can re-
call no casualty wha tever that has re-
suited from an unwiSe selection of an
chorage by n pilot of foreign commerce.
collisions. including the recent one of
the Old Dominion steamship. have oc-
Cured, but they are In no wise at
tributable to anchorage by our men Of
steamships In such an obstructive man
ner.
1t is true for all who are interested
and not in position to know init
lnately this matter to receive such en-
iightenment that these awkward con
dltions OF commerce shall not be at
tributed to lack of efforts on our part
TO maintain conditions that admit of
freedom of channel
In the matter of the Scarsdalc's an
chorage. l have to take Issue and
assert that if the bones Of the Great
Eastern could be resurrccted in all
their majesty she could have safely
passed on u draft OF twenty-five feet.
even though the Scarsdale had been
swinging in the most obstructive man
ner.
Now it is a fact that because of the
great number OF vesselS anchored in
the channel the pilots (of foreign ship
ping) frequently cannot elect other
wise than anchor In the channel even
though the vessel may be in ballast.
We have the safety of the vessel under
our command to look to, and il In our
efforts to preserve the freedom of chan
mel we SO encroach on the anchorage
OF another vessel, the last one anchor
ing Will be held responsible for any
and all damage ensuing.
All will understand that some dis
erection has to be used. and we make
the best of circumstances as we find
them.
1 have stated that Norfolle channel
mot anchorage) has been >sorely taxed.
Now the truth of the matter rs that the
blockade so long existing could have
been ere this greatly relieved by the
simple method of making proper use
OF anchorage clear OF the channel
Out OF seventy-five vessels that may
DE anchored between Lambert's Point
and Norfolk. fully sixty will be found
drawing from eight to eleven feet, and
while much OF the available anchorage
opposite to and above Lambert's Point
Is used. yet 1t Is not sufficiently worked
and number of light vessels now oc
cupying positions on western edge of
channel could be moved to flats re-
ferred to where sufficient water is
found for them, and their present
berths reserved for larger and deeper
ships
The shipping (foreign) handled bv
their draft, make use OF these flats.
and there is frequently nothing to do
+ other than bringing up in the chan
mel.
Buller would like to anchor his army
In Ladysmth, but being unable. as far
rs we know up to the present 10 do so
because of Instructions he has done
the next best thing by bringing up as
near as discretion and good (?) gen
eralship permitted
Remove the cause of this congestion
In our harbor so that the larger and
deeper tonnage brought in by the pilots
may have ms near as possible an an
choragc consonant with the vessels
safety and an unobstructive condition
of the channel "Thc State pilots
handle the largest and deepest vessels
that come, having under their care
those which. because of their size and
depth, require more attention than any
handled by others. This is a matter of
vital interest to us, and keeny appre-
c'ating through experience, not always
pleasant. the necessity for keeping the
channel clear, it does not stand to rea-
son that we would without compusion
augment the already existing trouble.
This reply is intended as an explana-
ton OF articles which sometimes ap-
pear attributing indirectly the cause OF
accidents to the pilots and vndica-
tion OF me State pilots" to whom the
responsibility wrongly attaches
l would like for all interested parties
TO understand that the pilots who
handle the foreign ships are in no man
ner responsible. for the blockade, hut
the vessels that are answerable
are anchored by others entirely un-
q 1dentiiied with our branch, and 1t is
questionable. without extra facilities.
whether the coastwise business can,
even though their masters are willing.
ny their own exertions. better the CON
dltiops- Their vessels have frequently
to bring up under unfayorable condi.
! fi0ns axad r,aaSt a. =. - =.