The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-10-12
SEAWORTHINESS OF AMERICAN
VESSELS.

| Editor Advertiser: The lives of thou
sands of men and the property of thou.
sands of people are in jeopardy by the
very unwise action of Congress, in re.
pealng the Act of 1898 which made il
compulsory for sailing vessels of over
700 tons burthen to carry at least two
licensed navigators, when proceeding
to sea.
By the repeating of this act, it has
done away with the absolute necessity
of carrying more than one licensed
navigator (the mastery, and has there
fore left the vessels at the mercy of
the elements in case of the master be-
ing stricken with illness, accident or
other cause, and no other competent
person being on board to navigate and
manipulate the vessel whilst in dis
tress Or otherwise. The vessel, conse-
quently, becomes a menace to life and
property, and hindrance to the COM
mercial pursuits of the United States,
and is unseaworthy.
A case in point came under my no.
tice last January. eThe bark Big Boz
nanza left San Francisco, in tow, for
the Columbia River, and, when cou-
pie of days out, encountered very Sc
we're weather in the vicinity of. Cape
Mendocino, to such an extent that the
tugboat had to cut loose from the
vessel and when the tug managed to
come into Eureka, as a port of refuge.
she reported that the Big Bonanza had
foundered with all hands.
However. the old saying, that there's
ci re
a1oft, to watch DER the life of poor
Jack" proved true in this instance. |
for. 10 and behold, the vessel hobbled
into San Francisco, her port of de-
parture, seventeen days after she had |
eft, in a very much disabled condi- |
ton. The master had his right leg |
broke and his left ankle sprained-iust |
ponder on it-and there was no other |
qualified person on board that had the |
east idea of navigation, or even the |
'ufe of the road, and consequently the !
vessel was sailed aimlessly about the
Pacific Ocean until the acting" Off
,ers and crew, becoming alarmed on
he eighth day, rugged up an extern
bore stretcher and managed to get the
master, who was in excruciating
lgony, on deck, where he obtained an
altitude, with the aid of his wife, God
,less her, who noted the chronometer
ime and thereby determined the YES
els latitude, position and SUMS true
and also found his compass
rror, variation and deviation, which
discoveries eventually led to the ves-
els safe but disabled arrival at San
francisco. This is no romantic or in
'ented fiction. This is the Gods truth,
nd / can hardly believe that the Con-
ressional gentlemen at Washington,
gho are responsible for this state of
fairs, We're cognizant of the jeop-
rdization of life that the repeal of
he Act of 1898 has caused, and will
ause. if it is not reenacted at once.
Now, Mr.. Editor, for the benefit of
our readers, / wish to say that this
vii sprung from the fact that the
hipowners appealed to Washington,
nd stated that it was impossible to
rocure licensed officers for sail vessels
nd that, when they were procurable
hey asked exorbitant rates of remuner-
ton for their services. AS licensed
laster mariner / know that such was
OF the case. / know that the ship
wners did not mention the fact that
aey were getting as high as $10.50 per
lousand feet for carrying lumber. I
now that the first officers in steamers
ere getting, and are still receiving,
100 per month and overtime. | know
nat the shipowners kicked because we
anted SO per month, and | know that
sveral firms are paying that amount
DIV, when freights are 20 to 100 per
mt lower than wheH we made the de
and. | also know that the repeal of
le 1898 Act inficts a great hardship on d
lie sailing officers 0icensed) of the !.
acifie Coast. who are second to none
any port of the world. AS a member
good standing of the American Mas
rs. Mates and Pilots Association. and
inc in fraternal friendship with Ho-
'inlu Harbor No. 81. so ably presided 1
-er by Cap. Lane, I hope and trust Il
at the first demand for the reenact-
ant of this much-needed act will
lanate from maritime and com !