The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-27
STRENUOUS RACE BETWEEN PILOTS Great Rivalry at New Orleans
 During Early Days HOW CAPT. MITCHELL WON Had a Hard Pull Down the Mississippi River Against Capt. mil Wuertz But Reached the Ship
 First.

From the New Orleans Picayune.
 In the old days of shipping on the Mis- sissippi river, before the pilots were or ganized as they are now, there was many a strenuous adventure because of the trouble in boarding the ships com- ing from the Old World. There was keen competition between the individual pilots, races to the ships, and struggles to get on board. Capt. Ben Mitchell, one of the oldest in experience of the pilots and at the present time president of the Pilots association yesterday told a strenuous ex- perience which happened many years ago, when he had an exciting race with Cap tain Phil Wuertz for the job of pilotlng Liverpool freighter up the river.
 Tt was in '79," said the captain. T had Just started in the plotting business, and was anxious to get as many jobs as possible. The pilots were not organized, and we had tussle to get on board the boats first as they came into the mouth of the river from foreign ports Some times the men in their scrambles to get on board fell into the water, and were pulled out half-drowned. At other times they won out in har-raising finish.
 Tt was in June and very hot. Know ing of the coming of a Liverpool freighter for load of cotton, I was wait ing in the Southwest Pass, and had start ed down in a yawlboat with a companion with the intention of boarding the ves- sel before the others, and getting the job. A companion and l were rowing along some nine miles above the vessel when we discovered almost abreast. Cap tain Phil Wuertz, also in a yawlboat, and |, h, !, ly the race was on.
 Nip and Tuck.
 Tt was nip and tuck from the start. Wuertz pulled and puffed away and kept his boat abreast, though we were wide ly separated on the stream. The current helped us along, and we made fast time, 1 keeping my boat in line because of the training l had received just before. After a while Wuertz's tongue actually hung out, and he changed off with his man be- cause his hands were blistered and he was about Tagged out. And mine were getting rather sore also, but no time was to be lost, and we kept her going at a decidedly rapid rate. The sun peat down. and we had no shade whatever. It was nard work.
 "The perspration just rolled off from us as we rowed hard as we could, with the one object of getting to the ship first. The men in the boat not working would call out across the river to each other, and in that way add to the excitement of the chase. And we pulling hard at the oars, were determined to get there If we had to succumb to the heat in the attempt. I don't know in what time we made the nine miles between the start ing point of the race and the ship, but we certainly made fast time, and at last she hove in sight.
 To Get on Board.
 "Then it was a question of who could get on board first. My man told me which way to go, and I pulled my boat up to the side. As we drew nearer we lost sight of the other boat and Captain Wuertz, and showed the yawl right up to the side. The boats had gone slower and slower, and though we were rather tired from the effort we were unmindful of either tho effort or the heat of the sun because of the excitement which continually made us forget all else but the ship we were after.
 ''Then, when we had pulled up to the side and were ready to get on board, to our dismay we noticed that there were no stairs. Up on top the sailors were gazing at us, about as much interested in the race as we were They urged us on with shouts and were impartial in thei: encouragement.
 Try the roper said one.
 ''So hand-over- hand up the side went, on large rope that was hanging to the waters edge It was all done as quick as one can tell it. There was the sug- gestion, the quick springing from the boat to the rope and the nasty clam bering up to the deck above. There was not second to be lost
 And, sure enough, when I got to the top of the rail and peered over. there opposite me on exactly even terms was Phil wuertz, who had done exactly the same thing. Wet with precipitation. hot and burned by the sun, we took in the situation at a glance, and realized that it was up to us to see the Captain in a hurry.
 Wuertz's Mistake.
 "Wuertz thought that the captain was up on the upper deck. and chased off up the little stairs as fast as he could make 1t. But, luckily for me, I saw the cap tain and recognized him on the same deck with some of the sailors. and l i'm mediately made for him, presenting my case as quickly as possible and trying to get his favor before Wuertz got chance at it. And Wuertz, seeing the mistake he had made, and that l was next to the captain, came tearing down the stairs at a rapid rate, and also presented his case.