TWENTY-THREE TUG BOATS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 1 May 1901, Page 4

TWENTY-THREE TUG BOATS.

The salvage claims brought against the Norddeutscher Lloyd by the owners of the tugs which hauled off the steamer Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse from the burning pier at Hoboken (New York) on June 30th last, have been adjudicated upon by the New York tribunal before which they were heard. There were no less than 23 steam tugs joined in the suit, and the Court awarded the sum of 20,000 dollars to be divided between them, although the total claims amounted to at least ten times that sum. The tug captains maintained that to them alone was due the salvation of the vessel, and that they risked their lives and property in the venture. The Court, on the evidence, was of a different opinion, Jr

and stated in its judgment that the contention of the claimants that the steamer was fast secured to the pier until the tugs made their appearance could not be supported, as the evidence showed that she was gradually being hauled away by means of ropes. ' Nevertheless, the assistance which the tugs did render was necessary and very valuable ; the tugs themselves, however, were in no danger, and a greater number of them came up than could be utilised. The Court estimated the value of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse at 2,000,000d01., and the value of the 23 tugs engaged in the salvage work at 3J0,000d01, The award of 20,000d01. was divided among the tugs in proportion to the services which each one had rendered. The largest share amounted to 2000dol. and the smallest share to 30dol. The remark made by the Court that a greater number of tugs confined their attention to the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosso than were required justifies the opinion expressed on the spot at the time that the other three steamers might also have been got clear of the piers if some of the tugs present had taken them in hand at the time.