THE PILOT SERVICE.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1706, 22 June 1874, Page 2

THE PILOT SERVICE.

(To the Editqr of the Evening Star )

Sib,—l read the letter signed II; Dalton: in this morning's paper, and was certain from my knowledge of the man he never "wrote " a line of it, and to copy a part of it, it has emanated from some other source, although signed H. Dalton. May I ask Mr Dalton if he knows what a pilot's duties are ? By his own showing I do not think he does, or being pilot of the ship Lady Emma, he would never have left her where I saw her the morning she was brought down from the mill A pilot would have taken her out clear of all dangers, and then have left her.By Dalton's own showing he had no excuse, as tide and wind were fair. He labors under a mistake, too, when he says that Captain Shimmons was wrong iv.saying "that there is no responsible person to take charge of vessels on their arrival" until the Government appoint a regularly qualified pilot, (and I hare not yet heard of such, an appointment being made). There is no responsible person as pilot on whom the master or owners could come upon for damages, or loss. When the Government do appoint a competent pilot, I am afraid H. Dalton's chance would be of the' smallest". He would require to know a little bit more of compass bearing—how those cross sticks on the mast* are to be moved about. A knowledge of the banks are also very well; but H. D., may not always have a steamer to tow the ships down, in such a case, perhaps a little nautical knowledge and experience might come handy. Seamen soon know iiLa. seaman, or a fool, is on board as pilot. Your's &c., Nautical

Thames, Saturday.