Norwich bulletin., 1909-05-29

The owners of he whalebaek steam CT Bay City. or the insurance people, are out a great many dollars just through favoritism, ~or something else. in refusing to give the contract to the !. A. Scott Wrecking company Of New London to free the steamer from the rocky coast of Block Island The steamer and whaleback barge Britain mia, both coal laden, went hard and fast on the rocks during Sunday night, the 18th. Early Monday morning Scotts men were alongside the strand ed vessels and ready to render assist ance. The captain in charge of the steamer and barge refused to consid- CT proposition from the Scott com pany to float both vessels, stating that the owners had given notice that the work on the steamer was to be given to the N Chapman Wrecking com rany of New York. but that the Scott company could work on the barge
 It was explained by the representa- tives of the Scott company that the steamer, being the more valuable. it would be unwise to work on the barge and ignore the steamer, as the work on both could, in a measure, be carried on at the same time It was farther explained that the Scott company was tt hand with all the requisite wrecking gear and that if the contract went to New York parties there was liability of delay that might prove expensive pany's men went to work and on We'd nesday afternoon the barge was lowed Into Block Island harbor. ready to be taken to destination in Providence while the steamer was still pounding cn the rocks.
 The following Friday the New York wreckers commenced their work on the steamer. wtich naturally had sustained additional damage. That night there was a severe storm and the steamer pounded heavily. doing more damage It was Tuesday afternoon before the steamer was hauled free. and by that time the barge was in Providence dis charging the cargo of coal.
 Had the Scott company been privi- legged to work on the two vessels the day after they stranded. the steamer would have been towed to Providence with the barge, and in much better condition than at present. But for the staunch build of the steamer she would lave been dashed to pieces during last Saturdays storm But that would not have been the fault of the Scott Wrecking company.
 Speaking of marine matters, that's a peculiar mishap that befell the big three masted schooner Mary Adelaide Randall last Thursday morning before daybreak or her trip from a southern port to New London with a cargo of coal, especially as Captain Randall himself was in immediate charge The captain has probably sailed vessels in and out of New London harbor as of- ten as any other man. and is generally conceded to be one of the best posted of mariners.
 Still in clear weather he piloted his big vessel directly towards the new lighthouse in course of construction on Southwest ledge, and she struck hard and fast on the surrounding rocks
 Captain Randall has not yet explain ed the reason why, and he proba oly cannot. Well. he won't have to. as no lives were lost and he owns a large piece of the craft himself It was one of those unexplainable something's tha: occur occasionally during the course of the life of man. After a couple of days on the rocks Adelaide was re- leased and lowed in to the wharf of the consignees by the rescuing tugs and her cargo discharged Cdnsidera- ble damage was done the fine vessel. but. considering the conditions, the loss is comparatively small for the in surance people.