SACRAMENTO UNION, July 12, 1906
DEWEY SAFELY PILOTED
A. Pappa, a Greek Who is Charged With All Difficult Piloting Through Suez Canal, Directed Course of Drydock
WASHINGTON. July 11.—While it was predicted by some that the drydock Dewey would never be able to pass through portions of the Suez canal, which are only slightly wider than the great dock, the aged head pilot of the canal, A. Pappa, knew differently, and it was his skill and caution which made it possible for the Dewey to get through the torturous waterway in such a satisfactory manner, according to a report of the trip just made to the Navy Department by Commander H. H. Hosley, who was in charge of the Dewey and the fleet which conveyed it.
Although Pappa is very old and was so ill that he should not have attempted the work, he assumed full charge of the Dewey’s canal trip. Worn out by the careful watching necessary to save the dock from destruction, the old man was under medical attention during two of the nights the Dewey was in the canal. He was cared for by the doctors of the general manager of the canal, and resolutely resumed his work and directed the tugs, which were doing the towing by means of a system of flag signals which proved effective. For many years all ships bearing crowned heads, members of royal families or other distinguished persons have been piloted through the canal by the venerable head pilot, whose service has been so indispensable to the company that his proposed retirement and return to Greece, his native land, are regarded by the canal officials with extreme regret. A short time ago the steamer Chatham, loaded with dynamite was sunk in the canal and offered a dangerous obstruction to navigation. Pappa was the only employee of the canal company regarded as being capable of steering vessels around the hidden danger, and he worked constantly day and night until the explosives could be removed.
Many dignitaries have showered Pappa with letters and gifts thanking him for the care and skill with which he has taken them through the Suez. Commander Hosley sent the old pilot a letter of appreciation. and in his report to the Navy Department the American officer suggests that some suitable trophy be given to Pappa by the American navy in recognition of his service for the Dewey.
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