Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-01
Loose Methods
Salva!ging Cargo
Of Port Hunter

Boston, Sept. 30-Testimony that
out Of the cargo Of $1,000, 900 worth
OF army supplies on the Cunard Line
Steamship Port Hunter, only goods
valued at 100000 were salvaged
after the steamer sank in Vineyard
sound on Nov. /, last was given bs-
lore a congressional investigating
committee here today. 1t was also
lestlfied that the contract for salvag-
ing was awarded to the Mercantile
"recking Co. of New Bedford after
/ competitive bids had been rejected
Rand the required bond reduced from
$4,000 to $4,000.
4 Inc committee is composed of Rep
fesentatives c. Frank Reavis of Ne
Haska, chairman, and Clarence Mac
Qresor and j. Donovan, both Of New
4brk The witnesses heard today
, WE'RE P. B. Jeffries, formerly major
in the headquarter corps, who was
stttl0ned at this port as superintend-
ent Of the marine division and assist
an4 Port Storage officer, and Lieu
tenAn Colonel Henry D. Barrick
quafermaster corps, assistant zone
supQy officer at the Boston quarter
masf depot. The hearing will be
esu4ed tomorrow.
Tho Port Hunter was sunk after a
collision with the tug Covington.
She ws bound from Boston to New
| York pin an overseas convoy, and
besides the army cargo had on board
| steel v$lued at s600.00 for the French
| govern4en The steel is still in tho
| vessel. Which now lies in Is feet If
| water. Il
"Wha& tccame of the other $1,000
0o0?" al ked Congressman Reavis.
after LidLt Col. Barry had told IF
| the recover of 100000 worth Of
goods.
mo ono Mows."
Are YOU sure of that"
well" pswered Liuet. Col. Barry,
Il know fom hearsay that about
every one D Vineyard Sound had
been at thek wreck. but that is all /
| know"
| He said t a, on learning through
the Cunard 4 ne office of the sinking,
his office at knce notified Brig. Gen.
! Hines, chief d the embarkation serv-
! ice, who latef sent word that the
| navy would dt the salvaging. Later,
on instructionA from Washington, the
| contract was a3yen to the Mercantile
| Wrecking Company, which was to
| receive SO per kelt. of the value Of
| the goods recovered. He said Brig.
Gen. Hines hadftsen notified of the
reported thefts from the steamer.
Mr.. Jeffries 4h6ed that he told
Col. Yates. zone Hupply officer here.
shortly after the sinking that he
! thought the PorG hunter could be
fioated and put in by dock at an ex-
pense of $15O,O0O.
i Colonel Yates suggested this course
! TO Washington but 4oaction was tax.
| en- on it. For twoA weeks after the
sinking. Mr.. JeffrieS said, the decks
of the steamer were&awash.
Mr.. Jeffries also lad that two
tugs stood by the Pdrt Hunter after
the collision and ofTereda tow. which
was refused. He exprt~ed the opin-
ion that she could hafe been towed
from the shoal and beAcaed and her
cargo saved. The or1y reason he
had ever heard for the oeay Of near
ly three months in taking definite
action for sal:aging SHAT the yes
sci was British owned end part of
the cargo was for the french gov
eminent. which made it, delicate
matter to handle.
Mr.. Jeffries testified THAI residents
of coast towns got "all thV wanted"
from the wreck. Hooks |me used.
he said. to pull thousands pt dollars
worth of clothing out of d. holds.
He said Boston stores WERE selling
for 25c each two dollar arti(hs TAX
EN- from the ship.
Mr.. Jeffries said that he knew lit
tie of the Mercantile Wreckink Com
pany. except that he believed that
it was financed by Jacob DFyfuss
and Sons and that the compare was
without experience in salvagina YES
sells, having been a laundry wicker
and machinery mover.
He testified that after Brighter
Gen. Hines had sent word that he
navy would salvage the ship, no FUR
Their action by the Boston office Vas
necessary. Late in January, Wak-
ington requested the Office to SEX
bids for the work. This was doh.
but all bids were rejected because pt
difficulty ever the 100000 bond. La
ter, on orders from Washington. TN
bond was reached and the contracI
was awarded to the Mercantile Com
pany.