New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-16
CASTRO TAKES BOAT BACK.
Reaches Agreement zojth Cramps
about the RestaWadOr.
by Telegraph TO The Tribune

Philadelphia, oct 15-President Castro Of
Venezuela has buried the machete and come to
friendly settlement with the Cramps Shipbuiid-
ing Company, Of Philadelphia over the gUnboat
Restaurador The Restaurador was formerly
George j.. GouIds steam yacht Atalanta. and was
sold 10 Venezuela about four years ago For the
las. TWO years she has been in dry dock in the
Cramps yards here for repairs and alterations
Since coming into the hands of the Venezuelan
navy the Restaurador has had a rather unfortunate
career. To begin with, there was some trouble
over her purchase Something like S125,eo was paid
by the government. and charges Of graft were
made against the agent The charges We're shown
TO be unfounded-
About a week after the sailing Of the boat from
New-York 70 join the navy Of the South American
republic. cable dispatch from San Juan. Porto
Rico, told Of the vessels arrival there after en-
countering a hurricane. which nearly sank her.
In the storm it was found that the coal bunkers
were empty although enough coal had been paid
for in New-York to carry her 10 Venezuela and
back again.
To keep the boilers going, all the fine bird's-eye
maple, with which the cabin trimmed, was torn
out and burned All the salt beef and pork was
also used for fuel.
After repairs at San Juan, the Restaurador pro-
ceeded finally reaching La Guayra- There the
them, including the second officer We're arresIeo,
Before Ss TeeITHng no the Oted states one o.
The tropical climate has bad effect on vessels.
and two years later the Restaurador was absolutely
worthless Perhaps the incompetence OF the natlVe
L
cepton her graceful contour, the once beautiful
Atalanta was unreCOgnIzable.
She was sent north to undergo extensive alteTa-
and the other navigating officers became seaslck,
and the chief engineer took charge. But the nautl-
cal education of the latter deficient, and the
vessel travelled without observations
Never was the sight of sail more welcome than
that OF a schooner which came one morning
into speaking distance of the RestaUrador-
Hello Where are we?' called the englneer-cap-
tain.
The answer came over the water:
IF you keep your course youu De able 10 get
the next train to Philadelphia
CIu1IIermO lie BrUn who was sent here 70 super
intend the work the gunbOat, died from pueu-
monia- The repairs dragged along and the captain
and his were called back to NenezueIa Pres
ident Castro paid the work went on When the
slOO 600 had been spent ne refused TO pay any more
To the Venezuelan Consul General in Newly ofk
who succeeded Senior LIE Brun in charge the Presi-
dent Cabled:
Sell abandon the ship -,
But buyers, and the cramps mt
mated that they would fight the abandonment, as
about S24 600 still due them Then President
Castro threatened bring suit, alleging that the
Cramps had work than the SpeclIcat ions
called for. This threat, however. had no eject
President Castro has reConsldered his de-
termination TO refuse 10 make further payment, q
compromise has been reached. and the hoodoo snip
will return 10 Venezuela. She is much improved
practically only the hull Of the old Restaurador
remaining. New guns have been mounted.
A crew Of eighteen men and eight officers arrived
from Venezuela few days ago to man the gunDoat,
and soon she viii rejoin her sister ships.