The Steamer That Slipped Through the Owners’ Hands

In a complaint filed in the superior court yesterday, the Pacific Navigation Company, of which James M. Ashton of Tacoma is president, told the story of how it lost the well-known steamer Henry Bailey, recently sold at a United States marshal’s sale.

The company, which sues to recover judgment for $3,005 from L. A. Le Ballister, J. F. Trahauer and W. H. Clough and their bondsmen, states that in May, 1904, the three defendants agreed to purchase the Henry Bailey for $6,500. A contract was drawn up and signed by the parties. The defendants were to take possession of the steamer, run her on the Sound, and keep her free from all claims for wages, supplies, repairs, and in fact from liens of any character. The defendants paid the company $500. The remaining payments were to be made as follows: $500 August 10, $500 November 10, and $300 each month thereafter until the debt was wiped out.

The company alleges that the defendants failed to live up to the agreement in that they permitted about $3,000 worth of claims to accumulate against the steamer, which resulted in her being libeled and later sold under the direction of the federal court to realize enough to pay the claims. The defendants, it is alleged, made but one payment, and the balance of the debt is now due, notwithstanding repeated demands. At the time they entered into the agreement, the defendants gave the company a bond, and the company asks that judgment be rendered against the defendants and the sureties. The sureties, according to the complaint, are H. C. Davis, William Gage, A. L. Le Ballister, S. G. Parker and W. H. Carnahan.