New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-09
PILOTS FOR WARSHTPS.
Comment Of NoUol officers on the
Collision Here.
rFrom rhe tribune Rurean.

Tribune
washington. Jan. 8.-The accident to the battle
ships in New-York Harbor yesterday the eve
Of the departure Of the vessels for their winter
randuvres of surprising interest TO Navy
Department people, who We're in possession OF
scant official information of the incident to-day
Consequently expert opinion or the ACCIDENT
and its causes was not obtainable, although the
usual conjecture was not lacking. 1t was observed,
for one thing, that the blame appeared 10 be placed
on the steering gear. It has come to be regarded
as certain that in accidents of this KIND the nrst
explanation brings in the important rudder and
the mechanism which controls it. 1t is said at
the department that the ships of the batteship
class proceeding under reasonably high rate or
speed ought be able TO turn on the heel as one
officer expressed it. BY this means. If the men
acing situation was observed in time, such minor
influences as tide and wind could not alone cause
collision of the sort described having
occurred at New York. Most of the officers at the
Navy Department were inclined to take the view
that there had been failure in the methods OF
observation unless it could be shown in the coming
court of inquiry that the steering gear had sudden
" failed to operate OF course, the local condi-
tons will have to be taken into account for the
present and the officers here believe IN cases or
this kind that justice to individuals is best rem
dered by awaiting all the facts from trustworthy
source.
In the mean time there is the usual discussion of
the employment of pilots by the navy when ships
go and come from the sea. The engagement of
this aid to navigation rests entirely with the COM
handing officer OF q ship under the naval regula-
tons If he deems II necessary desirable for any
reason to have a pilot, he may employ at the
usual rates and this is done. Of course. in those
places where the commanding officer Is not
ouainted with the local channel. where there are
dangers requiring a local pilots intimate knowl-
edge of the Some naval officers employ
pilots on nearly every occasion where port is TO
be entered or left. Others much indie
pendent Under the regulations a pilot is consid-
cred merely adviser of the captain and his
presence on board a ship of the navy does not
relieve the captain of his subordinates from
full responsibility for the proper performance OF
the duties with which they may be charged con-
that this late accident does alter situation
and ii is doubtful If the requirement will be made
that pilots be employed all occasions.
regulations regarded sufficiently protective
OF naval interests, although, naturally there is
heard in the Navy Department the renewal of the
employment the discretion of the captains. In
any case. however, IL is conceded that commanding
officers be held responsible for the safety OF
their vessels.
In the last fiscal year the Navy Department paid
out more money for piotage than ever before.
that service $4,000 against $4,000 for the
previous year The Of pilots was impartlaly
distributed among the ships although the Ken
lucky charged with 1921 and the Alabama with
81 100 for pilotage in the year The largest
expended for the service in the twelve months by
was used for training purposes and in the trial
trips of other ships and visited many ports along
the coast and in the West Indies Of time
in company with the Columbia.