The Crew of the 'Tidal Wave' Demands Their Due
After being discharged in Port Madison without full pay, fourteen mariners have filed a legal claim against the American bark 'Tidal Wave' in Seattle.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
In Admiralty: United States of America—Third Judicial District of Washington Territory. Whereas a Libel has been filed in the District Court for the Third Judicial District of Washington Territory, holding terms at Seattle, in King County, on the twenty-fifth day of March, 1880, by Z. Sinavssen, John Grant, Tom M. Hoy, Wm. Lewis, John Collebzki, John Horn, Martin Christopher, Henrick Henricks, John Lawson, William Anderson, T. Andrus, Clemens Ronnebaum, Oscar Lendholm, and H. Watson, late mariners on board the American Bark 'Tidal Wave,' of which O. Metinier is Master. The mariners allege that in January 1880, at the port of San Francisco, they shipped for a voyage to Port Madison, Washington Territory, to load cargo and return. They state the voyage was terminated at Port Madison and they were discharged, yet they have not received their full wages nor compensation for food, lodging, and expenses for returning to their port of shipment. The libel lists various sums of money owed to each, ranging from $43 to $131. The U.S. Marshal has been ordered to seize the vessel, her tackle, and furniture to be condemned and sold to pay these wages, damages, and costs. The court directs all interested parties to appear in Seattle on the first Monday of April, 1880.
“The voyage was fully terminated at Port Madison aforesaid, and all of said seamen discharged from the said service... praying process against said vessel... and that the same may be condemned and sold to pay the said wages.”
Maritime labor disputes in 1880s Puget Sound reflect the long-standing struggle for fair wages and accountability in the shipping industry. Just as the mariners of the 'Tidal Wave' had to rely on the courts to recoup lost earnings and basic travel expenses, modern logistics and gig economy workers continue to face structural hurdles in securing timely and complete compensation.
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