The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-09
ALLOWS NAVAL
INSURANCE.
Original Decision Of Comp.
trOll0r Revised.
TWO SPANISH SHIPS INVOLVED.
IsIH Gle Cuba and Don Juan de Aus
tria, Which Admiral Dewey sunk
in Manila Bay-Insurance Pnrticu-
inrIy Covered Risk OF TyphoOnS-
Ruling of Comptroller sItcheu.

An interesting question concerning the
insurance OF naval vessels against ty-
phoons has been submitted to Mr. Trace
we'll. the Comptroller Of the Treasury. by
the. Secretary Of the Navy.
The Secretary Of the Navy requested
from Mr.. TraceweH a revision Of the
Auditors settlement adjusting the &C
count OF Pay Inspector ". J. Thompson.
L. $. y. on the United States
flagship Brooklyn for the third quarter
OF 1900. In that settlement the Auditor
for the Navy Department disallowed the
sum OF 81 $50, Mexican, being a payment
made TO the Hongkong and Whampoa
Dock Company. Limited. for insurance
against loss by typhoons on the Isla de
LuzOn while in the contractors hands IN
dergOing repairs Two other items FOR
similar insurance, one for s.. SOC Mexican.
upon the Isla de Cuba. ami the other for
$3.50. Mexican. upon the Don Juan de
Austria, occurring in the same voucher,
were allowed by the Auditor.
Were sunk iE Manila bay.
These three vessels were among those
fleet in Manila Bay. Admiral Dewey, on
behalf Of the Government. on October 81
1898. entered into contract with the
dock company. whereby the latter agreed
to raise and repair the ships for a con
sideration named in the contract. which
also contemplated the taking Of the yes
sells 10 Hongkong. The contract provided
that before undertaking the voyage TO
HongkOng the contractors would have TO
insure each vessel for the benefit OF and
free OF expense 10 the United States
Navy Department for the sum Of 5000 600
Mexican. and upon arrival in Hongkong
this insurance would have 20 be continued
as FIRE risk, with additions. the original
sum 20 cover increased risk due TO subse-
queut payments on account OF cost Of re-
pairs
The Navy Department ordered also
that typhcon assurances be placed on the
vessels, which order was carried out by
Rear Admiral J. c. Watson, then in com
mand OF the United States Naval forces
on the Asiatic station.
Allows the Claims.
When the matter came up FOR settle
inert before the Auditor Of the Navy De
par,mcnt he disallowed the claim because
the legally signed contracts and premium
receipts were MOI submitted to him. show
ing payment ofamount OF premium or the
existence OF a. insurance contract.
IN deciding the-Question Mr.. Mitchell
the Assistant Comptroller. said.
The name Of the company with which
the insurance was placed is not stated
and no sub-youcher is filed from any such
company showing payment OF the premi-
ums- This should properly have been
done before payment to the dock com
pany. but since all dealings have been
had with the latter company. and after
the lapse OF so long a time no claim has
been filed by any insurance company
and in view o. the great distance to the
scene OF the transactions. the receipt OF
the dock company will be accepted as a
sufficient voucher
The action OF the Auditor disaIIOwing
the item in question viii be reversed. and
The same will now be allowed and his
action allowing the other two items OF in
surance against typhOon risks IS affirmed
On revision ! find and certify a dihTere nee
Of S7S6S4 on coming third iustallmen OF
contract price 10 the contractors. being
amount paid for marine insurance on the
Isla 0e LuZon against loss from typhCons
from July J. 1899. TO December 81. 1893
No revision Of any other items in the
amount is deemed necessary al this time Oh