The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-19
MATE HEDTALL
LOSES LICENSE
Captain and First Officer
Blamed for Grounding
of Steamer Northland
BOTH FOUND CULPABLE
Captain Bonifield, Less at
Fault Than His Assistant,
Retired for Six Months

Captain S. BonifieId, recently master
Of the steamer Northland, is debarred
from following his vocation as master
and pilot of steam vessels for the en-
suing six months. A decision 70 that
effect was handed down yesterday by
Captains John K. Bulger and o. F.
Bolles. local inspectors of steam YES
sells. The license of P. V. HedvalI as
chief mate was revoked by the same
decision.
The Northland went aground one and
a half miles southwest from Point
Pinos light at a. m, September 19,
Mate Hedvall being in charge at the
time Cargo valued at $1,000 was jetti-
soned and the cost of repairing the
steamer was estimated at $4,000.
The delay in rendering the decision
was owing to difference of opinion be-
tween the two inspectors, Captain Bull
ger advocating a heavier sentence for
Captain Bonifeld. but Captain BoIles,
who knows by his own sad experience
how easy it is to run a vessel ashore.
contending that six months suspension
of the masters license would be suffi-
cient
In rendering the decision the inspec-
tors say:
After a careful consideration of the evidence
in this case we satisfied that Captain s.
eating the steamer Northland on September
10 and l9 last by not being careful in
laying OFF his course and in findins tha dis
lance from the last point of departure which
was five miles southwest by west from Pigeon
Pcint Light 70 Point Pines; and for his failure
cor Crrlf hal T,fN. nh.
ne done SO he would have seen that this course.
southeast by east, would not clear the land al
Point Pinos, and that 100 miles on the log
Mouln De Two miles past or beyond the point
He should have given explicit orders to be
called when Point Pinos LIGHT was sighted, or
TO be called at a certain time when the
steamer would be at a safe distance from the
land or. IL Point Pfnos Light was siznted
ahead or on the port bow. TO change the
lead when nearing tie land.
For reason OF such negligence and unskiIl-
pended his license as master ana pilot OF
steam vessels for the period of six months
After a careful consideration OF the evidence
in this case we are satisfied that Peter V.
Hedvall. chief mate of the steamer North
land, was extremely negligent and uuskilifuI
in navigating the said steamer on Septeuber
10. 1904 in net notifying the master when he
tHedvaI) first sighted Point Pinos Light and
that IL was on the port bow; in continuing to
run on the course with that light on the port
hand. which he admits he knew was on the
wrong side. and in not stopping the steamer
and calling the master Immediately when
Point Pinos Light bore four points on the port
bow, with the land right ahead (which had
been reported to him some time before by the
man the lookout and in running as ne
did fifteen minutes longer head-on for the land
before calling the master. In clear night
any man with his ewes open and attending 10
his duty. should have seen the close proximity
OF the land and the dangerous position OF the
steamer
For reason of such negligence and mskill-
fuInesss we have this date revoked Mr. He'd
walls license as chief mate