The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-29
Voice of the People
A Plea for the Pilots.

Editor Times-Dtspatch:
Sir Many years ago a well-known
Virginia pilot in company with jolly
sea captain was dining with Major VII
liam Allen on the James river.
After they had partaken of the dellca-s
cies Of the river and forest they were
regaled with wine and cigars. While en-
Toying the latter the sea captain was at
tracted by picture which hung on the
wall It was the picture OF Newfound-
land dog chained near the water, oile
and she was making frantic EFFORTS 70
break her chain In order to save hcr OIL
spring.
by the picture and taking out his knife
said r"BIamed II don't cut that chain
They held his arm to keep the knife from
severing the chain. he incident, OF
course, provoked laugh al the EXPENSE
Like tic old sen captain, feel Ike
striking d blow before the noblcst o, OF
the old sea dogs 60 undsr h use w vns
dear dear to o. me i said the life Of q sea captain
that loved his home was dogs NE! 1i,a..s.
i do not draw a salary from INC ~, t;l!o' 70
grind but past memories make s, every ,.a y
Ching pertaining to that association Ion very.
Who were the first virginia p,iotaaI
sons Of cavaliers who knew that our coa az
needed protection both from foreign log LOS
and treacherous shoals. They, lhereioteff
built ships, much against INC ,s M,s" knew
the Mother Country, who Wisely hnam
thnt thls course, more than any other
would enable the Colonies TO become '''ao-
pendent of her. 40 Raw.
luton? History and tradition VII t s,
SSoty .aas y ioa sm On the sea ,h he
old men paced tho beaches a;'a 1n sn,ne
lookout tree" where our sentinels LOON ~,
their bearing, was long familiar 10 every
old resident OF Hampton ,,os,
I would that could dwell long on l l,
scenes and relate some OF the incideem raa
~ those two wars which made us free
country. but at a fearful sacrifice OF. iNes
and property. ,, ~ thom
had ,f" lost their only means Of support
their vessels. Some they mo- 70 , rus
m small creeks and sink, :. olhers
Mere Mere burned on tho WAYS ~ unfor wu .
able TO remuncrate them for their ser,
vice or ~ vessels many Of them had passed
away. Evidences OF this nave seen ~
% One Instance: George Wythe tried lrd to
get claim for Capt sa rI't c nmTroM
Cunningham Of Eli%apeth ivy hG our ur" GOV.
his fathers vesse' W Ioade sl'v WITH II tobacco
T claim was not paid because 1t, IT W S,as
out Ut Of date; vet It was during me ''ie
o. nep ns mass on to 1885, Tho yellow fever
| onidcmic laid It's hand on our sister clty,
| Norfolk Ono of tho first victims was q
vo,ing pilot, greatly beloved .ny ,l'HnS
| friends. Pilots than, nnd now, t.e re- MY
! ieonardize their lives ~ boarding stram nso
| Vessels. In those early days they "erm
Inc quarantine officers OF the Stra,-o"f
| coast protectors serving W,tnou. Ply ,Ss,,,
| Ihey did not desert their POST curing
the fever One. an honnred s.e i hl,. no,n'a
cnptnin, was presented With n hnrdsom I,e
| gold watch by the grateful ciuaens ~
Sorrolk for Kindness to Them during tiat
dreadful scourge. ,..a, ~, f,ur viz.
,,nin pilot boats-the Plume, Hope, Relll-
deer and Antelope--lay IDLE ~ US ohrnIptI'
Did the nlnts take thei" boats 70 l5al,,.
more, where they were assured o. sat ny
ma nrotection and nossihly wealth? NOT
q man left his post me lI'n'e miu
Hope were taken to RchmonG ~ ; Anrr,,
1861, The other two 70 Nortolk, r rrado.
NOV and Held positions In tho navy until
they could no LONGER work on me Jall'cs
some Of the older ones were annroachnd
| nv the Federal officers, both at CITY FoInl
| and Packs Point. with liberal offers I0r
] their services on the, James, river, bilt
| they stood firm, declining all offers 70
! raise n hand against their beloved south
| land; not single ono shrked his dutH,
One died away from his family IN hlcn,
mond; one. though old and feeble. served
during the war " the ranks, ana Was
taken prisoner and died at FONT l>ookout.
T. .-.lkl,i, -, Fo1u hoira'5 ride of his