Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-21

Published That Each May Reao Al
Leisure And Verify At Will.
For more than half century the
| Yirginia Pilots Association OF Norfolk,
has maintained an uHbrokea record Tor
! faithful and efficient service to ship
! ping, port protection, and in all the
main movements looking TO improve
ments and the uphuilding Of Virginia
barbors-from q broad exploitation OF
| their wonderful advantages 10 expert
| service in securing Federal aid for
! same.
They are even now, Of their own In.
| itiativc, contributing most literally IN
advertising the Hampton Roads sec
ton, while very substantial amounts
have been expended in many other
novel ways In helping to get that Sec
ton ION the map"
And, too. as shown By Its recoros'
| there has not been single month
since the organization OF this body IN
1857, that has not been marked by;
special and unselash devotion to port
interests.
A Perfect System.
As an example Of organization
readiness and efficiency, IL can here
be stated as q literal fact that this
association went through four years
OF war with the most extraordinary
demands upon il, without ION account
of the war; the purchase Of az much
as yawl boat or the addition OF
single man TO its crew, though It's ex-
penses more than doubled. And the
association could 90 right through the
same thing now and handle even more
ships-a system so nearly perfect that
during those four trying years. the
Government did not see ft 10 take
over, extend aid or even suggestion
while the profound honor was paid
the Virginia Pilots Association OF not
requiring e single member to take the
oath OF allegiance, as was exacted else
where.
In dUUlLlOll W SpicE0i0
from those Ia command OF the Fifth
Naval District, the n. o. T. S.. Q. 8.
Port Captains. U. S. Secret Service
and the British Admiralty in regard
to the work Of the pilots during the
war. they cooperate with and are
strongly Endorsed by the U. 8. Quar-
antine Authorities, U. S. Weather Bu-
reau, U. s. Customs. u. 8. Hydro
graphic Branch, U. S. Courts OF JUS
flee, Norfolk Maritime Exchange,
Newport News Chamber OF Com
merce, Steamship Agents and Char
,erers. Masters Of Vessels, editortally
by the informed and unbiased press.
leading port Interests, and many
nroninent individuals these t-sti-
monials being on file and available In
the ofic of the Association.
Pilots Are Port Builders.
Pilots are, in truth, port experts,
port builders, and port buffers. They
stand Between the ports and threat
ened disaster, regardless OF conse-
ouences to themselves. They have al
ways exploited the ports advantages
and worked for their upbuildtng-all o.
which has been done in an unselfsh
| and whole hearted manner and spirit.
Capt. W. r. Boutwell,, president OF
the association, figured quite con-
spicuously in securing, first las chair.
man of the NorIolk-Portsmouth Harbor
'Committtee) s1,25O.000 for thirty
! foot channel, and three years later Gas
chairman OF the Joint Harbor Com
.n,ittee of Norfolk and Newport News)
IN securing about s2250,00O for the
thirty-flye foot channel from both ports
to sea-a matter which was accom-
p1ighed lust in time to meet war eX-
licences in the accommodation OF such
vessels as had never before freQuented
! our ports. and which could not nave
come 10 us but for these improve
ments.
Same The World Over.
Through some propaganda recently
spread throughout the State, no
doubt .or political expediency on the
part OF a few. an endeavor showed a
tendency to mislead the public to be-
l!eve that the principle OF marine
practice-that is the vessels being
compelled to accept services OF the
pilots peculiar to Virginia when
IN fact, it obtains at nearly every sea
port Of the United States, and prac-
tically all the great ports OF the word.
Il Is a marine traffic regulation winch
has its foundation in the experience OF
the great commercial countries OF the
world during several centuries-the
vessel being required to be under
skilled guidance for the safety OF
ports, other vessels. and human lives
for, as said by Lord Fisher:
II vessel ls wrecked and lost, and
DUNK near to the entrance of a COM
merclaI port, she Is not only lost her
-.g L,+ cL> L. \ dreat dancer and