Volume Eleven - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - some more aspects - A Dispute at Yokohama -  1889 . . .

Besides cargo and coals for ship’s use we had about 30 tons of ship’s stores on board while in dock, and we subsequently before leaving dock took in from 5 to 10 more. Before leaving dock and before we took the last mentioned 5 or 10 tons on board the displacement of the ship was ascertained. It was 19' 5", mean draft.

The document produced is the displacement scale supplied to the ship by the builders. I know personally that that was supplied by the builders; according to that a mean draft of 19' 5½" gives a dead weight on board of 2,180 tons. I have tested this scale on other occasions and found it accurate. It gives correct weight to within ten tons.

Before arrival at Yokohama we took on board a pilot; we paid him on 19 feet draft. I examined the draft myself after we came to anchor and found it to be about 19' 4", e. i. 1½ inches higher than when we came from Cardiff dock. That 1½ inches would mean about 20 tons less weight on board. We used 5 tons of coal, about 10 tons of water, and of stores altogether about 5 tons. I have tested the scale before with two coal cargoes and two wheat cargoes. In those cases there was practically no shortage on delivery, on the wheat about ½ p.c.

The ship was built in April, 1885. I have been on board of her since she was built and on every voyage she has made. Except in the wheat as above I have never delivered cargo short. On arrival at Yokohama we commenced by delivering coke; after taking coke for two days we delivered 100 tons coal for one of the French men-of-war. An employé of Jardine, Matheson & Co. took delivery. The cargo was not weighed out of ship, except as to the 100 tons.

I agreed with defendants to allow 1 per cent. shortage on coal; that is I was to pay cost of 16 tons of coal; that I am still willing to pay, but we differ as to meaning of cost. I am willing to pay Cardiff cost. I discussed the question with Mr. W. B. Walter of Jardine, Matheson & Co. We first agreed that the full amount of freight as stipulated in charter party was to be paid; I was to hand them back cost of 16 tons at Cardiff price.

Mr. Walter subsequently denied that we made this agreement. That was on Tuesday, 4th December, when I went to settle with him.