CO885-24

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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TTTTT C.O. 885

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24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

MINUTES.

2. 5.8. Gracio."-Mr. Holt informed the Committee that the High Commis- sioner for Canada had suggested that this ship should load deals from St. John, New Brunswick, at 130s. per standard. As the result of inquiries he had made, Mr. Holt had gathered that the current rate of freight was about 140s., and he had offered the High Commissioner to take the cargo for 135s., free of loading and discharging expenses.

3. s.o. "Terpsichore."-Mr Holt reported that the Customs authorities at Limerick were refusing to allow Messrs. Thomas and Company to deal with the ship Mr. Evans undertook to inquire into the progress of the proceedings in the Court.

A letter from the Admiralty Marshal, relative to the return of the personal effects and slops on this ship to the German captain who was claiming them, was considered. The Committee decided that, having regard to the terms of the Admiralty Marshal's letter, the personal effects might be restored to the captain, but that the slops should not be handed over, as they would have been brought on board by the captain for sale to the crew and were not, therefore, his personal belongings,

4. 8.S. "Kawak.”—Mr. Holt reported that Messrs. Strick were refusing to pay the canal dues, as they claimed that they were not bound to do so under the charter party.

The Committee recommended that Messrs. Waltons should be consulted, and that Mr. Holt should again discuss the matter with Messrs. Strick.

5. Report on position of Ships.-The Committee also discussed the position Adolphus," Gutenfels," of the following ships :-"Rooke," "Lorenzo,"

Barenfels," "Lauterfels," "Werdenfels," and s.v. Carl."

6. Steamships "Hamm," "Apolda."-A telegram from the Government of South Africa, stating that Ministers were prepared to indemnify the Imperial Government against the loss of £5,000 anticipated in connexion with bringing a cargo of sleepers from Australia in these ships, was considered by the Committee. It was agreed that in view of this telegram the ships should be used for the convey- ance of the sleepers, provided that a general indemnity be obtained from the South African Government against any loss it being understood that among the expenses would be the cost of insurances other than against war risks. Mr. Holt undertook to see Mr. Hughes and arrange the terms of the agreement with the Federal Steam Navigation Company.

The Committee agreed that the Federal Steam Navigation Company should be put in, funds for the further dist-ursements which had been incurred in connexion with these two ships and with the "Tandem."

It was also agreed that the costs which had been incurred by the Foreign Office for issuing an advertisement relative to the Java cargo should be met from the Committee's account, and that the proposals put forward by the Federal Steam Navigation Company for warehousing the dead-weight Java cargo at Sydney should be approved.

7. 8.3. “Marina.”—A telegram was read to the Committee from the Governor- General of Nigeria stating that Captain Munn's report on the condition of the ship was correct. In the circumstances the Committee agreed to accept the revised proposals which had been put forward by Messrs. Mitchell, Cotts and Company, subject to the stipulation that the ship should be re-valued by Messrs. Kellock and Company in the light of the information which had now been received as to her condition. The Committee decided also that if the ship were ultimately condemned the whole of the cost of docking her should be met by them.

8. 8.3. Marquis Bacquehem."-The Secretary having reported that the Transport Department did not wish to use this ship, the Committee requested Mr. Holt to arrange for her to be managed by a firm of shipowners. The Com- mittee agreed that Messrs. Nelson, Donkin and Company would be a suitable firm.

9. Steamships "Steinturm." Moltkefels,"" 'Rappenfels."-

"The Secretary read a letter from the Transport Department asking whether the two last-named ships might be used to take a cargo of military stores to Alexandria on their way to India to load for wheat. The Committee decided that the Transport Depart- ment should be informed that the "Steinturm," being a detained ship, would be handed over to them altogether; that the "Moltkefels would be placed at their disposal for the conveyance of military stores to Alexandria; but that the Com- mittee proposed to use the "Rappenfels to load on the berth for India with outward cargo, which was badly required.

MINUTES.

In the meantime Mr. Holt should inquire from Captain Segrave what were the exact arrangements which had been made by the Government of India and Messrs. Grahams and Company with regard to the engagement of the crew of the "Stein- turm" and the other ships.

10.

3.5. "Koerber."-The Foreign Office having ascertained that this ship would probably be adjudicated upon within two or three weeks, it was decided that Mr. Holt might make arrangements for her to be managed by a firm of shipowners. The Committee agreed that Messrs. Arthur Holland and Company would be a suitable firm.

11. s.s.

"Quarta.”—Mr. Holt was requested to consult John Swire and Sons with reference to the awnings which had been the subject of a telegram from the Governor of the Straits Settlements. Subject to any arrangements which might be made by Mr. Holt the Committee were of opinion that the Governor might be authorized to incur the expenditure suggested. At the same time he should be asked to report what had become of the old awnings.

12. s.s." Thor."-The Committee agreed that an account for loading charges which had been forwarded by the Governor of Jamaica should be sent to Messrs. Farrar Groves.

13. 8.c. "R. C. Rickmers."--The Committee agreed that the price of the coal on board which had been ascertained from the Prize Claims Committee should be paid into the Prize Court.

14.

S.S.

Kalymnos."-The Committee decided that a copy of the valuation and of the inventory of this ship should be sent to the Transport Department, and that the Assistant Paymaster-General should be informed of the valuation.

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15. 8.3. Gibraltar.”—If the value of the shifting boards were not included in the valuation made by Messrs. Kellock and Company, the Committee agreed that the offer made by the Transport Department to pay a third of their original cost should be accepted.

Messrs. Churchill and Sim should be asked what they had done with the lascars' stores which they had been instructed to sell.

16. 3.0. Heinz."-The Committee agreed that it was not necessary to have any formal appraisement for the purpose of fixing a reserve price for the sale of this ship. It was thought that a reserve of £6,000 which had been proposed by Messrs. Kellock and Company was suitable.

17. 8.8. “Arnfried."-The Secretary read a letter from the Transport Depart- ment about this ship. The Committee recommended that the Admiralty Marshal should be asked what steps he was taking for the valuation of prizes handed over to the Transport Department. Subject to an arrangement being made in this respect the Committee instructed the Secretary to inform the Transport Department that the ship was not in the Committee's hands, and that if she was to be requisitioned the Transport Department must make arrangements with the Admiralty Marshal direct.

18.

s.s. "Concadoro."-The Committee ascertained from Mr. Malkin that the French Ambassador had been reminded as to the arrangements for the bidding of French citizens. In order to prevent further delay, however, the Committee recommended that Messrs. Lachlan should be informed that it was proposed to employ them to sell this ship and that she would be sold on a convenient date in the first week of June. Before informing Messrs. Lachlan the Secretary should, how- ever, await a reply to the telegram which had been sent by the Foreign Office asking whether any order had been made by the Court which would prevent the vessel from being put up for sale.

19. s.s." Reichenfels."—As it had been impossible to ascertain clearly from the Transport Department what was the position of this ship, the Committee recom- mended that if more definite information could not be obtained the India Office should telegraph to India to inquire what arrangements had been made.

20.

8.3. "Emir."-The Committee considered an application which had been received through Thomas Cook and Son for the release of two cases of trophies which had been condemned by the Prize Court. The Committee recommended that Messrs. Waltons should be consulted on the subject, and that if they agreed the trophies might be released to the claimants on the payment of freight to Hamburg, in accordance with the arrangements which had been made in other cases.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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mummimC.O. 885

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21.

MINUTES.

Motor Schooner "Elfriede.”—The Committee agreed that this ship might be chartered to the Government of Tonga or sold to them if they were willing to buy the ship.

22. Detained Cargoes.-The Committee decided that a report should be drafted to the Treasury recommending the sale of all detained cargoes, power being reserved to withhold sale in special cases and also to transfer cargo for sale from one port to another.

23. Bonuses to Officers and Crews of Coasting Trade Steamers.-The Com- mittee approved certain proposals for bonuses submitted to them by the Organizing Secretary.

833

THE FIFTY-FIRST MEETING of the Committee was held at the Colonial Office on Monday, 17th May, 1915, at 3.15 p.m.

The following members were present :-

VICE-ADMIRAL SIR E. J. W. SLADE, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O. (Chairman).

MR. W. J. EVANS, Admiralty.

MR. G. L. BARSTOW, C.B., Treasury.

MR. C. HIPWOOD, Board of Trade.

MR. H. W. MALKIN, Foreign Office.

MR. L. D. WAKELY, India Office.

MR. C. TENNYSON. C.M.G., Colonial Office.

MR. T. H. HOLT, Crown Agents.

MR. R. A. WISEMAN (Secretary).

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed, with one alteration. The Committee considered a letter from the Director of Transports relative to the proceedings of the Forty-sixth Meeting, at which Mr. Kemball-Cook and Mr. Royden were present. The Secretary was instructed to refer the Transport Department to the Fourth Interim Report, which contained the Committee's con- sidered recommendations in regard to the subject under discussion at the Forty- sixth Meeting.

2. The Fifth Interim Report.t-The Committee considered a draft of the report, which had been prepared by Mr. H. W. Malkin, relating to the sale of detained

The Secretary was instructed to submit a revise at the next cargoes. meeting, with the amendments agreed to by the Committee.

8.8. Gracia."-The Secretary reported to the Committee a letter which he had received from the Sugar Commission since the date of the previous meeting. Mr. Holt stated that the demand for the export of produce from Canada did not appear to be sufficiently urgent to justify sending the ship so far from her port of discharge. He had, therefore, arranged to place this vessel at the disposal of the Sugar Commission for cargo from New York and Philadelphia.

4. 8.8. "Quarta."-Mr. Holt informed the Committee of the attitude taken up by Messrs. John Swire and Sons with regard to the awnings, which had been the subject of a telegram from the Straits Settlements.

The Committee understood that instructions had already been sent to the Straits Settlements directing the Governor to have the awnings fitted, and they thought the matter might again be considered when the Governor had reported why there were no awnings on the ship already. The Committee were inclined to think that it would be an advantage to be able to dispose of the awnings to Messrs. John Swire and Sons at the conclusion of the charter, at a valuation, as suggested by the firm.

5. 8.8.

Rooke." In connexion with this ship the Committee considered a telegram from the Governor of Jamaica asking if further tonnage could be pro- vided to ship produce from the Colony. Mr. Holt urged, however, that the needs of West Africa were considerably greater than those of Jamaica, and be referred in particular to the large amount of stores which the Crown Agents wished to ship to Nigeria for the Nigerian Government. The Committee considered that in these

* No. 4 in Appendix A.

+ No. 5 in Appendix A.

MINUTES.

circumstances the ship should be sent out to West Africa with cargo; but the Secre- tary was instructed to write to the Transport Department before any arrangements were made, stating that the Committee proposed to utilize the ship in this way

unless she was very urgently required elsewhere for naval or military purposes.

6. s.s."Syra."-The Secretary reported to the Committee that he had received a letter from the Transport Department stating that they urgently required this ship to bring oleum from America. Mr. Holt reported that the ship had been fixed with cargo from Hull to Rouen, but it was ascertained that the charter party con- tained a clause enabling it to be cancelled in the event of the ship being required by the Admiralty. He also stated that loading had not yet commenced, as the ship was undergoing repairs. The Committee decided to cancel the charter party, and to inform the Transport Department that they might have the ship as from the date of the letter from the Secretary. The cost of the repairs already effected should be charged to the Admiralty, and the ship should be valued by Messrs. C. W. Kellock and Company.

s.s. Derfflinger."-The Committee considered a letter from Messrs. F. Green and Company containing a statement of their expenses in sending out crews, etc. In this connexion the Secretary referred to the correspondence which had taken place between the War Office and the Admiralty, in which the War Office had stated that they were willing to pay expenses incurred on requisitioned ships up to the time when the ships should be retransferred to the Committee. It was decided to send Messrs. Green and Company's letter to the War Office, and to ask that Depart- ment to make the necessary arrangements for reimbursing the firm for the expenses incurred by them. The War Office should, at the same time, be informed that the Committee had no means of checking the figures, but that it was desirable that Messrs. Green and Company should be put in funds with as little delay as possible. The attention of the War Office should also be called to the claim made, in accord- ance with the original agreement with the Committee, to a percentage on freight which had not in fact been earned, owing to the transfer of the ship to the transport

service.

8. Steamships' “Lutzow” and “Sudmark.” The Committee considered a letter from Messrs. Harris and Dixon stating the amount of their disbursements in connexion with these two ships. Mr. Holt was asked to obtain a detailed claim from the firm, and to inquire what payment they required on account.

s.s. "Marquis Bacquehem.”—Mr. Holt reported that he proposed to fix this ship for wheat. Mr. Evans was asked to see to her registry.

The agreement with Messrs. Nelson, Donkin and Company was confirmed.

10. 3.8. Concadoro.”—Mr. Holt informed the Committee that he had fixed this ship with cargo from the Tyne to Rouen.

Mr. Malkin reported that the Foreign Office had informed the French Ambas- sador of the date fixed for the sale of this ship, and had also stated that His Majesty's Government would prefer that the necessary notice should be given to French firms who wished to bid at the auction through a ship broker appointed by the French Government.

11. s.s. "Thor.”—Mr. Holt stated that he considered that the amount charged by the Government shipping agent at Jamaica for his services in connexion with the loading of the "Thor" was an exorbitant one. The Committee recommended that a telegram should be sent to the Governor of Jamaica offering a commission of 5 per cent. on disbursements and a fee of twenty-five guineas.

The Committee also recommended that an inquiry should be made of the Government of Trinidad as to an apparent discrepancy between the charges for docking in the case of the steamships "Lorenzo" and "Thor."

12.

S.D. Neath" (late "R. C. Rickmers").-Mr. Holt read to the Committee a letter from the manager of this ship, stating that the coal actually on board when the ship was taken over by them amounted to 780 tons. The Secretary was asked to instruct the Assistant Paymaster-General to make the necessary correction in the amount which the Committee were taking over at a valuation; the Admiralty Marshal and the Prize Claims. Committee being also informed.

13. Other Ships.-The Committee also discussed the position of the steamships Steinturm," Moltkefels," "Rappenfels," "Lorenzo," and " Koerber," and the sailing vessels "Terpsichore" and "Yawry."

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