CO885-24 — Page 203

I PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

|

ˇ | | | | | | | / / | | | | | | ||

Reference :-

CO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRE NOT TO

80

MINUTES.

1. Arrangements with the Transport Department of the Admiralty.—The Secretary read to the Committee a letter which he had sent to the Admiralty in accordance with the decision at the previous meeting of the Committee, and he was instructed to write a further letter to the Admiralty asking whether the Transport Department wished to take over the "Moltkefels” and “Adolphus" alao.

The Secretary also read a letter from the Director of Transporta asking to he informed before any employment was fixed for any of the Committee's ships. He was instructed to mply that the information asked for would be given, and that arrangements were being made to charter the "Altair" and "Emil" for wheat from India.

2. 8.8. "Gibraltar.”—The Committen agreed that no action could be taken to fix this skip pending a reply from the Admiralty to the Secretary's letter referred to above

The Secretary indicemed the Committee that Messrs. Parker, Garrest and Cor pany were anxious for a stálement of the account under Clauses 7 and 8 of thà Mr. Holt stated that Agreement with the representatives of the carge owners. Messrs. Houlder, Middleton and Company would be forwarding their account in a day or two.

3.

s.s. “Kalymnos."--The Committee decided to claim exemption from har- bour dues and rates in respect of 3,050 tom of copper brought from Gibraltar on this ship.

The Secretary informed the Committee that he had seen Mr. Leverton Harris as to the insurance against war risks of the copper which had been brought on this The Committee had no objection ship and on the "Adolphus” and “George R.'

to the premiums being paid from their account for that portion of the cargo for which premiums were not being paid by the owners,

"

Quarta."-The Secretary informed the 4. Steamakips 'Rajaburi” and Committee that Messrs. Waltons and Company had not obtained any settlement of this matter with Mr. Roberts. The Committee agreed that in these circumstances it would not be possible at present to make arrangements to fix the ships elsewhere. Mr. Holt informed the Committee that he had approached Messrs. John Swire and Company, and had received a firm offer from them of £800 a month for the “Rajaburi” and £400 for the "Quarta," the terms of the charter to be similar to those in the case of the "Rance." He stated, however, that Messrs. Swire had stipulated that they should be allowed to use the ships in the Malay Peninsula, Siam, Indo-China, China, Japan, Java, Sumatra, the Philippines, and Borneo. The Committee thought that they must take the risk of any complications arising through trade with China. They recommended, however, that the Governors should eventually be instructed to change the names of both ships and to remove all external marks of German origin. Steps should also be taken to have the ships requisitioned permanently if this had not already been done. For the present, however, Messrs. Swire's offer must stand over.

5. s.v. "Chile."--Mr. Holt referred to the damage which had been done to the rudder of this ship, and stated that he thought it was unnecessary to incur the expense of putting in a new one. Mr. Hipwood undertook that the Board of Trade would send instructions to their surveyor to inspect the repairs to the rudder and report whether they were satisfactory and such as to render the ship seaworthy.

6. 8.0. Neath" (late "R. C. Rickmers ").-The Chairman informed Mr. Holt of the names of the firms who wished to consign pit-props, and the Committee agreed that Mr. Holt might now make arrangements to fix the ship with them.

7. 8.8. "Gracia.”—The Chairman informed the Committee that the Admir- alty had appointed a shipping agent in New York to superintend the loading of their cargoes. The agents were Messrs. Lunham and Moore. Mr. Holt undertook to make all the necessary arrangements with them.

8. 8.0. Yawry."-The Secretary read a letter from the captain sent by Messrs. Houlder, Middleton and Company to take over the ship. It was agreed that inquiry should be made as to the shortage referred to by the captain, provided that the ship was not to be delayed thereby.

9. Steamships "Rappenfels" and "Moltkefels."-Mr. Holt informed the Committee that he understood that the Indian Government provided the officers and

MINUTES.

81

The

crews for the ships and that Messrs. Grahams only arranged the charter. Committee agreed that he should make inquiries as to whether any of the larger shipping lines wished to make use of either of these ships.

10. Alexandria Steamers.—(a) s.8. “Altair.”—Mr. Holt informed the Commit- tee that this ship would be ready on the 21st April, and that he could obtain 508. a ton from Mr. Glanville for wheat from Karachi. The Committee agreed that the ship might be fixed.

(b) 8.8. "Emil."-Mr. Holt stated that he understood that provisions could be obtained for this ship but not tarpaulins. The Committee suggested that MessгB Glover Brothers should be told to have tarpaulins sent from Bombay to await the ship at Aden. It was understood that Mr. Holt would see whether he could obtain another cargo of wheat from Mr. Glanville.

11. Report on position of Ships.-The Committee also discussed the following ships:

Concadoro," George R.,"

'Senegambia," "Emir," "Terpsichore,"

CE

Paroe," " Aenne Rickmers."

44

12. Inventories of Sailing Ships.-The Secretary informed the Committee that he understood that the Admiralty Marshal had no objection to the sale of the slop chests on these ships and that Messrs. Kellock and Company were making arrangements for them to be taken over by the various shipping firms who were dealing with the ships.

13. Accounts.-The Committee accepted the monthly statement of accounts which had been forwarded by the Assistant Paymaster-General. They noted that the balance amounted to £110,827 148. 2d.

was a

As regards a question raised by Mr. Bebb as to whether the "Tandem Crown prize or Navy prize, the Committee did not think it was necessary to settle the point, since the accounts for each ship were being kept separately.

14

14. 8.0. Carl." The Committee recommended that the Admiralty should inform the Cardiff Railway Company that their claim for charges which had accrued on the ship must be rendered to the Prize Claims Committee, and that the ship must not be delayed for settlement of the claim. Mr. Starkey having executed the Agreement, he might be informed that he could take immediate possession of the ship.

15. Prize Court Bill.-Mr. Tennyson informed the Committee of the altera- tions which had been made in the draft as a result of his discussion with Mr. Dennis of the Treasury Solicitors' Department and Mr. Godley (Parliamentary Counsel). The Committee suggested that the provision allowing the payment of a salary or a gratuity in lieu of fees should be altered so as to provide that the arrangements might take effect as from the beginning of the war.

16. Railway Material at Malta and Alexandria.-The Secretary read to the Committee a letter from the War Office, asking whether certain railway material lying at Malta and Alexandria might be considered as available for use by the Mediterranean Force if required. The Secretary was to reply that the War Office might requisition the material from the Prize Court through the Proper Officer, of the Crown on an undertaking being given by the Proper Officer on their behalf to pay the appraised value into court. The local authorities at Malta and Alexandria should be informed accordingly.

17. s.s. "Gutenfels."-The Secretary informed the Committee that he had received certain insurance policies from Mesars. Grahams and Company. The Committee decided that Mesars. Waltons and Company should be asked to look at the policies and to retain them on behalf of the Committee if they were in order.

18. .. "Fürth.” The Secretary informed the Committee that he had received an Agreement, relative to the sale of this ship, from Messrs. Waltons and Company. It was agreed that Messrs. Waltons and Company might be informed that the Committee approved the Agreement if, after considering it, Mr. Tennyson thought that it was in order.

19. Turkish Sailing Ships condemned at Alexandria. The Committee agreed that the local authorities at Alexandria might be authorized to dispose of these ships locally, and Mr. Malkin undertook to send the necessary instructions from the Foreign Office.

G