Norge-Philadephia, styrmann Johannes Johannessen oa, 1879

[Jens Johan Kaasbøll]

Philadelphia Inquirer. Tirsdag 14 oktober 1879, Vol CI, s 2

Norwegian sailors in Trouble.
On the 3rd of July last the Norwegian barque Resolute, Captain C. Lawrud, left Hamburg for Philadelphia, arriving here September 11. It is stated by the first mate that the vessel leaked, in fair weather, thirty laches every four hours. As the vessel was thirty-two years old the crew deemed it hazardous to attempt to return. A protest was drawn up requesting a survey. This was signed by J. Johanesen, the first mate; Terje A. Andersen, the second mate; Andreas Knudsen, the carpenter; Ole J. Gudbransen, the sailmaker, and four seamen. Their statement is to the following effect: The Norwegian consul told them to come on shore. They did so, and a new crew was put on board and the vessel was sent beyond the Capes by a tug boat. They have not received their wages, and are in a destitute condition at the Bethel Home, No. 37 Christian street, the Norwegian consul declining to aid them to ship in another vessel. The Resolute was thirty-two years old, with decayed timber, and had only one serviceable boat, with two oars. The vessel could not get insured at Arendal, in Norway. The watchman alleges that the captain hid the sounding rod when the new crew was shipped. The Norwegian consul told them, "I am the sole arbitrator and no law in the United States can touch me." He denied them all protection, but offered to settle if each one would suffer the loss of half a month's pay, and now refuses to acknowledge them as Norwegians. The men state that the captain was notified by them of the unsafe condition of the vessel as soon as the cargo was out. Such is their story.
The following version of the affair was given to the Inquirer reporter by M. Westergaard, the Norwegian official referred to:
"A letter written by a sailor boarding house keeper, and signed by the mate and seven of the crew, addressed to the vice consul of Sweden and Norway, was handed me by two of the crew September 30, explaining that the vessel was rotten and unseaworthy.
"A survey was called by me, consisting of three Norwegian shipmasters, one of them being resident agent at New York for Norway underwriters, who found her fit to go on her voyage, after having bought another boat here and done certain other matters recommended at the said survey,
"Nevertheless, the crew (mate included) most positively refused to go in the vessel from here to Europe.
"Another crew was shipped, and the vessel sailed."
"The whole was done with the approval and direction of the consul-general, before whom all the facts were placed, and he decided that the mate and crew were:
"First. Not entitled to be paid off here.
"Second. That by refusing to go in the vessel they forfeited their wages.
"Third. That they are to be treated by the vice consulate as deserters.
"Forth. That the vice consulate is not allowed to ship them on board of any Swedish or Norwegian vessel."
After the anniversary exercises of the Scandinavian Mission, to be held at the Mariners' Baptist Bethel, No. 923 South Front street, on Sunday afternoon next, the pastor, Rev. M Frayne, will organize a meeting to take into consideration the complaint of the Norwegian sailors cited above.

Philadelphia Inquirer. Onsdag 15 oktober 1879, Vol CI, s 2:

The Norwegian Sailors.
We have received a communication signed by J. Johannessen, recently the first mate of the Norwegian barque, and several of the crew. They assert that they were not deserters, and have a written document signed by L. Westergaard, the Swedish and Norwegian vice consul dated October 4, requesting them to come on shore with all their clothing. They assert that no repairs were put on the vessel, for they came on shore Saturday afternoon and the vessel left the next morning. The following is a copy of the document referred to:

[Translation.]
Swedish and Norwegian ViceConsulate, Philadelphia, Oct. 4, 1879.
To the Mate, Johannes Johannessen, on board the Resolute, of Arundel, Port of Philadelphia: The tug boat that brings this order comes to take you and the rest of the crew, eight in all, on shore, together with all the clothes of yourself and the rest of the crew. You will therefore promptly obey this order.
Seal. L. Westergaard, Vice Consul.