Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Frederic 12 April 1862, CO 60:14, no. 3606, 8.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents
(2), Marginalia (3).
Romaine forwards Rogers a
report from the Comptroller of Transportsconcerning a shipment of hay which was destined for Vancouver Island on board the Thames City but ordered removed at Gravesend by Moody.
Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
12 April 1862
With reference to your letter of the 28th Ulto
requesting certain information on the subject of 20 Tons
of Hay &c which had been embarked in the "Thames City"
for conveyance to Vancouver's Island, but were removed
from that Vessel at Gravesend previous to her departure;
I am commandedby
by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to transmit herewith, for the information of His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a Report from the Comptroller
of Transports on the above subject, together with a copy of
a letter from Mr King Inspector of Shipping at the Tower
reporting on the claims of the owners of the "Thames City"
to Freight under the circumstances of the case.
by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to transmit herewith, for the information of His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a Report from the Comptroller
of Transports on the above subject, together with a copy of
a letter from Mr King Inspector of Shipping at the Tower
reporting on the claims of the owners of the "Thames City"
to Freight under the circumstances of the case.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I think the Admiralty might have furnished us with this explanation at the same time that they made upon us the Authoritative demand for payment of Hay &c which was not conveyed to its destination.
I think the Admiralty might have furnished us with this explanation at the same time that they made upon us the Authoritative demand for payment of Hay &c which was not conveyed to its destination.
The claim must, I presume, be satisfied.
See War Office Letter 3608/62.
ABd
14 Apl
Mr Fortescue
There is no end of claims about the unfortunate British Columbia. Colonel Moody seems to have landed 20 Tons of hay at Gravesend at the last moment, and thus £90 has to be paid for the conveyance of goods which never were conveyed to the Colony. But the shipowner would not let them be landed unless he was guaranteed the freight he had been promised for them.
There is no end of claims about the unfortunate British Columbia. Colonel Moody seems to have landed 20 Tons of hay at Gravesend at the last moment, and thus £90 has to be paid for the conveyance of goods which never were conveyed to the Colony. But the shipowner would not let them be landed unless he was guaranteed the freight he had been promised for them.
This belongs to the services for which the Government
at home undertook to provide on the Estimates. There is
nothing for it but to send copies of all these letters to the
Treasury and request that they will pay the Admiralty, providing
for the amount in such manner as their
Lordships may determine to provide for other particulars in
which the Estimates originally submitted to Parliament for the
conveyance of the Engineers & their stores have fallen short of
the actual expenditure.
These papers afford no hint what may have become of the
hay after it was landed. I think that Colonel Moody should be
called upon, through the Governor, to give any information in his
power on that point. I believe that there was a good deal of
confusion and many changes of purpose when the Royal Engineers
started, but it was before I had any knowledge of Columbia services.
TFE
14 April
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 25 April 1862, forwarding
copy of correspondence between Admiralty and War Office
and requesting that the account be paid.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Charles Richards, Comptroller of Transport Service, Admiralty, to Secretary of the Admiralty, 11 April 1862, concerning the claim for £98.10.0.
E.C. King to H. Tatum, Superintendent of Stores, Tower, 7 August 1861, reporting the circumstances under which 20 Tons of hay and oats were landed from
the Thames City.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
I3606& # 1 6 0 ;12
2 copies
In compliance with their Lordships minute on the enclosed letter, dated 28th Ultimo, from the Colonial Office, on the subject of a claim on that Department for the sum of £98.10.0 being dead
freight on 20 tons of hay, &c, removed from the "Thames City" at Gravesend, previously to her departure for Vancouver's Island.
I beg to repeat that the ship-
ship- Brother's claim for the above named sum was in the first instance disallowed
on the ground that, although the stores in question were originally shipped in the
Thames City, they were not conveyed to their destination.
ship- Brother's claim for the above named sum was in the first instance disallowed
on the ground that, although the stores in question were originally shipped in the
Thames City, they were not conveyed to their destination.The brokers, however, appealed against this disallowance, urging "that these goods
were "shipped in regular form "in the docks, & were discharged "at Gravesend, for the "public convenience, by the "orders of Colonel Moody, "& in the presence of Mr "King, Inspector of Shipping "at the Tower; that the owner
"owner at the time stated "that, as the room was "not refilled, & as he was "able
& willing & able to "carry the oats & hay, he "should consider himself "entitled to
the freight; "that he was assured most "distinctly that he would "receive the freight;"
and that "Mr King could no "doubt testify that the "stores were landed soley "for the public convenience"
Mr King, before mentioned, having been called upon through the War Office for a report of the circumstances of
of the case, a copy of his statement was received in War Office letter of 13thAgust August 1861, in which letter an opinion was expressed that the brokers appeared to be entitled
to payment on account of the space left by the removal of the stores for the better
accomodation of the Royal engineers on board; and this view appearing to be justified
by the peculiar circumstances of the case, the Broker's claim was allowed to be paid.
"owner at the time stated "that, as the room was "not refilled, & as he was "able
& willing & able to "carry the oats & hay, he "should consider himself "entitled to
the freight; "that he was assured most "distinctly that he would "receive the freight;"
and that "Mr King could no "doubt testify that the "stores were landed soley "for the public convenience"
Mr King, before mentioned, having been called upon through the War Office for a report of the circumstances of
of the case, a copy of his statement was received in War Office letter of 13thAgust August 1861, in which letter an opinion was expressed that the brokers appeared to be entitled
to payment on account of the space left by the removal of the stores for the better
accomodation of the Royal engineers on board; and this view appearing to be justified
by the peculiar circumstances of the case, the Broker's claim was allowed to be paid.I may observe that payments
payments for what is termed "dead freight" have always been allowed when stores, for
which conveyance has been engaged, have been subsequently withdrawn, or not shipped,
for reasons beyond the control of the ship-owners.
payments for what is termed "dead freight" have always been allowed when stores, for
which conveyance has been engaged, have been subsequently withdrawn, or not shipped,
for reasons beyond the control of the ship-owners.I beg further to add that it is not known in this Department to whom the Stores landed
at Gravesend were delivered, but, having been removed from the ship by order of Colonel Moody, it is presumed that that officer has
has accounted for them to the War Office.
has accounted for them to the War Office.The payment of ₤98.10.0 to the brokers of the "Thames City" was made in the usual way by the Accountant General of the Navy.
(signed) Chas Richards
Comptroller of Transport Service
Comptroller of Transport Service