New-York tribune., 1901-07-20
WARNED FROM THE ALLEN
TUG CAPTAIN SAYS HE WAS NOT AL
LOWED TO APPROACH OIL SHIP.
HER COMMANDER SAYS HE FEARED HEAVY
SALVAGE CLAIMS. AND THAT LITTLE
TUGS WE'RE IN THE WAY.

With fire still raging in her forecastle. her
foremast. main topgallant mast and mass of
rigging hanging over her side, surrounded by
the pilot boat New-York and several tugboats.
pouring water into her from all sides, the oil
ship Commodore T. H Allen lies listed heavily
to port at Gridney's, two miles inside OF Sandy
Hook where she towed Thursday after
noon by the ]. H Lawrence and the pilot boat
New-York She is at present in charge of the
New York, which is employed by the board of
fire insurance underwriters
AS the Allen was towed out of the ship chan
mel and beached. she settled stern first the
flames sweeping forward and consuming her
amidshps then on to the forecastle. where they
are now confined Her decks are submerged In
four feet of mingled water and oil. and strewn
with huge chunks of paraffine wax. of which she
had in her cargo one thousand barrels. Not an
article of value is left on hoard. Numerous
small craft have been lowering about her like
birds of prey, and plundering her indiscrimi-
nately. The two sidelights. valued at 500, were
found aboard the tug Charles r. Runyon. of the
White Star Towing Company but were re-
turned when demanded by Captain Charles But
Ier of the New-York
Conflicting reports have arisen over the origin
of the fire. 1t was intImated by some that the
vessel had been set on fire by her crew. Cap
tain David Roach Of the tugboat Edward F.
Cummings appeared yesterday afternoon at the
offices of Ewell & Co. in State-st. to file claims
for salvage. He said there
While attempting to get close enough TO the
Allen to aid her warned off by the sec
ond mate Mr. Thompson. who appeared on the
deck pistol In hand. saying: IF you turn that
hose on this boat I'll put a shot through you
know that claims will be made by the Allen 5
officers that such action was taken tc avoid eX-
cessive salvage charges but believe III allowed
70 approach near enough to the Commodore
Allen could have rendered her valuable aid.
To Philip Ruprecht the agent of the Standard
Oil Company's foreign trade. Roach repeated his
story. After hearing the captains story Mr
Ruprecht said: while am interested only in
the cargo of the Allen. will inform the insur-
ance companies OF this news.
Captain Merrlman visited the Offices of Elwell
& Co. yesterday afternoon, made a report about
the fire. and then returned to his vessel. He said
that the fire broke out about 2:3o Thursday
aft Of the mizzenmast and that. fearing an
Immediate explosion. he. with his crew. aban-
doned the ship TO the New-York. which placed
five men aboard OF her
When seen on board the New-York late last
night, Captain Merriman alleged his reason
for keeping off the Cummings and other small
tuEboats the fact that he feared the excessive
salvage claims that they would make and that
they were in the way of the larger tugboats and
the New-York which could render much more
effective aid. When asked as to the reports OF
&. a.mutiny among his crew and general disorder
l9css. he said that his crew drunk when
they started, as most all crews tre. but that all
IN oil, they were as good as the average. Ii is
said that there has been some misunderstanding
between Captain Merriman and the Cwner. T j.
Southard. OF Richmond. Me. and that IT on
account OF those differences that the Allen had
lain so long at her pier when other boats of her
class had Been In great demand