( CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES TO PRIVATE PROPERTY UNITED STATES COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. LETTER FROM THE ACTING SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, TRANSMITTING CLAIMS COVERING AMOUNTS DUE FOR DAMAGES TO PRIVATE PROPERTY BY ACCIDENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE WORK OF THE UNITED STATES COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. DECEMBER 12, 1914.-Referred to the Committee on Claims and ordered to be printed. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, SIR: The attached claims covering amounts due for damages to private property by accidents in connection with the work of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, of this department, are called to the attention of Congress for appropriate action. Some of them were submitted to Congress through the Secretary of the Treasury, and were included in the deficiency estimates published as House Document No. 1043, Sixty-third Congress, second session. The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, however, did not entertain them, as the chairman of the committee was of the opinion that they should more properly be considered by the Committee on Claims. Full information is furnished with reference to each claim, and the department would be glad to furnish any additional available data relating thereto. Respectfully, E. F. SWEET, Acting Secretary. Washington, D. O. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ALASKA STEAMSHIP CO., SEWARD, ALASKA. $25.10 Payment to the Alaska Steamship Co., for damage inflicted by the United Steamship "DORA," ALASKA STEAMSHIP Co., Capt. QUILLIAN, Seward, Alaska. DEAR SIR: I herewith tender you inclosed bills for repairs to my vessel. The damages being caused by your vessel on the morning of September 9 during a heavy southerly gale. Damages were as follows: Two davits bent, and torn away from brackets; after spring chock lifted off the deck, one plank stove in above waterline, total amount for repairs being $25.10, which I would have adjusted as soon as possible. I am, yours, truly, C. B. MCMULLEN, Master. SEWARD, ALASKA, September 14, 1912. Steamship Dora to Charles Crawford, Dr., general blacksmith. SEWARD, ALASKA, September 16, 1912. Steamship "Dora" to Charles Krefting, Dr., contractor and builder. Sept. 16. To 1 new plank in starboard side and chank repaired................ $10. 10 The SUPERINTENDENT COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have to submit the following report of minor injuries to steamship Dora on September 9, also referred to in the inclosed letter of Capt. McMullen. On Sunday, September 8, the McArthur was lying at the eastern extension of dock at Seward, Alaska. As the mail steamer was expected in, the steamship Dora, of the Alaska Steamship Co., came alongside. Some days previously the U. S. revenue cutter Manning had some difficulty in leaving the dock in a sudden southerly squall and had sprung her davits and splintered a boot and knocked out some of the fender piles. Owing to lack of sufficient fender piles I would not remain inside the Dora and shifted and made fast alongside the Dora, and shifted alongside the Dora and outside of her. At 9 a. m. Monday, September 9, there was a sudden, violent squall which caused the McArthur to chafe the Dora considerably. Steam was raised at once and at 9.10 the McArthur got under way. The wind was directly out the dock, and a considerable choppy sea had risen quickly. The wind forced the McArthur onto the Dora and I had to get out under full speed, and sought anchorage in Thumb Cove, and proceeded the next day to the working grounds. In getting away the McArthur was slightly damaged, as follows: (a) Pipe rail forward port side, fouled bowsprit of Dora and three stanchions broken; repaired on board. (b) After port dinghy davit slightly sprung. This davit has been very weak for some time. (c) A small piece 1 foot long by 2 inches deep splintered in covering board; will put in a graven piece on board. At time of leaving I did not see that the Dora was injured. The Dora also left the wharf immediately after the McArthur and anchored off Lowell Point. On the McArthur's return to Seward I was informed by the master of the Dora that minor injuries were sustained by her, as follows: (a) Two davits on starboard side sprung and torn from fastenings; repaired by blacksmith at Seward at cost of $15. (b) After spring check lifted from deck. (c) One plank about forward end of house chafed and stove in well above water line. Items (b) and (c) were repaired by a local carpenter at cost of $10. The chock was refastened and some 5 feet of plank renewed. Total repairs to Dora, $25.10. I am inclosing herewith a letter from Capt. McMullen, of the Dora, regarding the matter, together with the bills of the repairs. I suppose the McArthur should pay the damages, as she was on the outside of the Dora. The charges by the blacksmith and carpenter are reasonable and moderate. The steamship Dora is operated, and I think owned, by the Alaska Steamship Co., with offices in Seattle. I am referring the matter to you for adjustment and settlement. It is probable that the McArthur would have sprung and possibly lost one or more of the port whaleboat davits and raked her pipe rail off had she been inside, as she would have blown under some projecting beams of the dock where fender piles are absent. SIR: Referring to the matter of the claim from the master of the steamship Dora for damages sustained by chafing of McArthur on September 9, I beg to make the following statement: I was aboard the McArthur at the time and later had an opportunity to inspect the Dora. The davits on the starboard side of the Dora were bent, one plank above the water line was chafed badly and, I believe, stove in, while one plank aft was chafed slightly. I should estimate the damage about as follows: Removing, straightening, and replacing davits, about $20. Renewing one plank, calking, painting, etc., about $16 to $20. Total not more than $40. This statement is made from my recollection several months after the occurrence. Respectfully, Respectfully forwarded. A. M. SOBIERALSKI, Assistant, Coast and Geodetic Survey. C. G. QUILLIAN, Assistant, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Commanding " McArthur.” The Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey has several times recommended payment of this claim. HARTFORD & NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION CO., HARTFORD, CONN. Payment to the Hartford & New York Transportation Co., for damage to the barge C. T. Marston by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey steamer Hydrographer on Aug. 30, 1913.... $121.42 The claim and full details of the accident are given in the which copies are given: Capt. H. C. GRAVES, papers of HARTFORD LINE, Hartford, Conn., September 22, 1913. Commanding Steamer Hydrographer, Department of Commerce and Labor, New Haven, Conn. DEAR SIR: Herewith I inclose our bill for repairing damage to barge C. T. Marston at Hartford, August 30, by steamer Hydrographer, in accordance with yours of 5th instant. DEAR SIR: In relation to the damage to the barge C. T. Marston by the steamer Hydrographer I would say that the following is an estimate of the necessary expenses for putting the barge C. T. Marston in condition previous to accident, and which we will accept in lieu of all damages and avoiding charges for formal survey: Pumping out at Hartford, Saybrook, and New York... Time of barge and men for 3 days... Hauling on marine railways in New York. Calking and underwater work.... Total estimate..... BARA | 8 15 86 The United States, Capt. H. C. Graves, steamer "Hydrographer," New Haven, Conn., to Hartford & New York Transportation Co., Dr. For cost of repairs to barge C. T. Marston, damaged by steamer Hydrographer at Hartford shipyard Aug. 30, 1913: 1913. Aug. 30. For time to tug Comet pumping 3 hours, at $10.... Sept. 1. Lost time waiting for dry dock 1 day.. Sept. 2-3. Lost time repairing, 2 days... Bill of Hunters Point Dry Dock for repairs and docking. $30.00 6.00 12.00 73.42 121. 42 I certify that the above account is correct and just; that the services have been rendered as stated; that payment therefor has not been received; and that the rates charged are not in excess of the lowest net rates available for the Government, based on tariffs effective at date of service. THE HARTFORD & NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION CO., The Hartford & New York Transportation Co., to McWilliams Bros., 1 Broadway, New York City. 1913. Sept. 2-3. For repairs account barge C. T. Marston as per bill, damage on port side amidship................... $73.42 To Hunters Point Dry Docks, Dr., Hartford & New York Transportation Co., New York. $15.00 2.75 15.00 22.50 2.00 2.75 1.32 .25 .21 2. 48 .65 3. 24 1. 13 .14 .20 4.00 .80 73.42 Coast and GEODETIC SURVEY STEAMER "HYDROGRAPHER," The SUPERINTENDENT OF THE COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. The guard of the barge, which is partly decayed, was crushed in about 3 inches, the width of our stem. The impact had apparently been sufficient to start a seam in the bilge under the point of impact, causing a leak that we later found amounted to about 6 inches an hour. During our examination the floor was lifted near the leak, but it could not be reached, and it will be necessary to haul the barge on a railway. The barge was bound to New York, and the estimate is for placing her on a railway there. It will be necessary to pump the barge by tug at Hartford, again at the mouth of the river, and at least once in New York to put her in condition to go on the railway. I am informed that the insurers allow $10 an hour for pumping the tug. The time of the barge and two men for three days at $6 per day is for an estimated time of three days for hauling and repairing. |