"WELSFORD"
GULF TRANSPORT LINE.
17, WATER STREET,
LIVERPOOL.
TELEPHONE 736
TELEGRAMS CABLEB
July last, before she proceeded with a Chinese crew.
The arrangement made, and the advice given to the Captain, were not only wrong, but had no reference to the Merchant Shipping Act or the equity of the shipowner's interest.
When we brought this matter before the Board of Trade, the reply to their cable was such that on its interpretation the Board took the view that a trial had been held, and they could not interfere.
On receipt of the facts, and while we were negotiating with Sir Francis Hopwood and the Colonial Office, the Captain was informed that unless he took the Crew back, the ship's clearance would be refused. Reply to the Authorities was that under no circumstances would we take the crew aboard our ship, and that we would provide whatever bail was necessary.
The arrangements made with your Department as we thought cleared the matter.
Notwithstanding this, we find that in spite of the Captain's protests, this crew was taken from the boarding house and placed aboard the "INKUM" so lately as the 6th, and that it was only in consequence of the cable which you sent again that they were taken ashore.
By sending the "INKUM" to sea with a Chinese crew, this ship, whose value is £75,000, was seriously endangered. Our position in a Russian Prize Court would have been a very serious one had she been captured.
Secondly, the intimation to stop her clearance was an improper one. Thirdly, by placing the European crew on board this ship so lately as Tuesday, a serious breach of peace might have been caused, and finally, from His Excellency's telegram, we submit it is clear that it is not the
443
!
TELEPHONE 736
TELEGRAMS CABLEB
"WELSFORD"
GULF TRANSPORT LINE.
17, WATER STREET,
LIVERPOOL.
July last, before she proceeded with a Chinese crew.
The arangement made, and the advice given to the Captain, were not hly wrong, but had no reference to the Merchant Shipping Act or the quity of the shipowner's interest.
When we brought this matter before the Board of Trade, the reply their cable was such that on its interpretation the Board took the lew that a trial had been held, and they could not interfere.
On receipt of the facts, and while we were negotiating with Sir rancis Hopwood and the Colonial Office, the Captain was informed that hless he took the Crew back, the ship's clearance would be refused. eply to the Authorities was that under no circumstances would we take he crew aboard our ship, and that we would provided whatever bail was
ecessary.
Our
The arrangements made with your Department as we thought cleared the
Notwithstanding this, we find that in spite of the Captain's
atter.
rotests, this crew was taken from the boarding house and placed aboard he "INKUM" so lately as the 6th, and that it was only in consequence of he cable which you sent again that they were taken ashore.
By sending the "INKUM" to sea with a Chinese crew, this ship, whose alue is £75,000, was seriously endangered. Our position in a Russian rize Court would have been a very serious one had she been captured.
Secondly, the intimation to stop her clearance was an improper one. Thirdly, by placing the European crew on hoard this ship so lately s Tuesday, a serious breach of peace might have been caused, and finally, rom His Excellency's telegram, we submit it is clear that it is not the
443
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