Tugboat Captains Sue for Massive Salvage Fees
A collision between the Willamette and the Premier led to a $20,000 legal battle over rescue services rendered near Whidby Island.
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.
Two libels were filed yesterday in the United States court against the steamship Willamette to recover salvage claimed by tugs which went to her assistance after her collision with the Premier. One suit is brought by the Puget Sound Tugboat Company, which is the owner of the tugs Tacoma and Goliah. On October 9, the Tacoma, while towing the bark R. K. Ham from Port Townsend to Port Blakeley, discovered the Willamette aground off Bush Point, on Whidby Island. It is alleged that the steamship gave three whistles as a signal of distress, and that the Tacoma, going to the rescue, found the Willamette and the Premier still fastened together. Assisted by the tug Goliah, it is claimed, the Tacoma attempted to pull the two vessels apart. Being unable to do so, the Tacoma went to Port Gamble and returned the next day with the tug Tyee. The three tugs succeeded in getting the Willamette and the Premier apart. It is claimed that the captain of the Willamette, against the advice of the captain of the Tacoma, wound the wire pennant on the tug's hawser around the propeller of the steamship, ruining it. The amount of salvage claimed is $10,000, and the Puget Sound Towage Company, owners of the tug Goliah, also sues for $10,000.
“It is alleged that the steamship gave three whistles as a signal of distress.”
This maritime dispute captures a pivotal era of Puget Sound commerce, when the financial stakes of industrial shipping accidents were litigated with high intensity. It illustrates the central role of towboat companies in maintaining the flow of goods through our waterways.
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