The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-07
ITEMS FROM SEA And SHORE.
Arrival of the Sealing Schooner
Sophia Sutherland.
Profitable Season in the Japan sea-Com.
pany Of the Naval Battalion Visits
the Charleston.

The sealing schooner Sophia Sutherland,
Captain A. &. Sutherland, arrived yester-
day morning 80 days from Hakodate, and
is lying OF Meiggs wharf with 1908 skins
aboard. Her captain reports that the Japan
fleet did unusually well, the sealing season
being the best for several years past.
o ther sealers spoken were the BOwhead
June so, 100 skins; Allie j. Alger 300,
Kate and Annie 1900; May 80, c. G. White
700. The whaler w. II. Meyer was reported
at Hakodate, clean and with trouble among
the crew. Three Of the men deserted and
attempted TO get passage on the Sutherland.
They slowed away. but two OF them were
found and returned TO their own vessel.
The other was not discovered until the
schooner was we'll out to sea, and he turned
TO with the crew.
While In the midst of the season Tone of
the men. S. II. Burtis, had his foot shot
away by the accidental discharge of a gun
in one Of the hunting boats. The accident
necessitated putting into Hakodate for re-
pairs. and In this way much valuable time
was lost. Shortly before reaching this port
mild form Of mutiny broke out among the
crew of the Sutherland. The cautain or
dered the masts scraped and the schooner
cleaned, but the men refused.
Alter little persuasion all the men but
four consented TO do their captains bid
ding. They were Johnson, Smith, Saun-
ders and Lennihan, who were ironed and
placed below. The captain Will lay the
case before the United States Shipping
Commissioner. Ii that official advises the
action the men will be handed over to the
authorities.
TIE NAVAL BATTALION.
Boats from the Charleston conveyed
Company c of the Naval Battalion TO the
af WI
were shown how to handle the big guns and
perform other feats common to the able
seaman. Companies and ID were also
represented. To-day the cruiser will be
open to inspection and an excursion under
the auspices of the Naval Battalion Will
convey passengers to and from the ship, the
proceeds To be turned over to the battalion.
Boatmen and other practical water-men
along the front are organizing small naval
reserve or their own, entirely Independent
of the glove Sailors" as they call them.
The movement was started yesterday by
Jack Williams, rigger, who carried roll
for signatures He secured 20, including
boatmen, riggers, carpenters, few captains
and other practical water men, who will
join company for harbor defense only.
They claim that they will not swear al
legance 10 any military or naval body. but
their ideas may change somewhat when
they apply Tor charter. There Will be no
cObbestone parading in fancy uniforms
they say; nothing but nautical business
goes. Water men under 40 years Of age and
well veTsed IN their calling are alone eli
gble 10 membership. The roll will close
with 80 names. so now is the time 10 sign.
Ensign Chauncey NJ. ST. John OF Company
ID, Naval Battalion, went cut TO the
Charleston recently with his company, clad
IN his bright new uniform and a stock of
nautical phrases to take part In the drill
aboard ship. All went we'll until the re-
turn, when the ensign got slightly mixed
up As the boat approached FolsOm-street
wharf the tide was running out, and the
cOXSwan held down on detOuT in order 10
make the landing head on to the tide.
When the boat shot by the landing ST.
John got excited and called attention to tile
fact that the wharf was dropping astern.
Here, coXswain," be shouted, II want to
land"
Friends tried to explain the maneuyer 10
the naval ensign and that they would land
all right 10 minute. but he couldn't see it
in that light de then approached the coxs-
vain, and while arguing with him another
friend came up and apologizsd for him.
You'll have TO excuse this gentleman,
cOxswain, as he belongs TO the naval re-
serve"
This was entirely satisfactory and in a
few moments Ensign 81. John was safely
landed.
OFF WITH A NoN-UNION CREW.
The schooner Neptune sailed for Central
America yesterday afternoon with a nom
lection. The union men demurTed, but
there was no trouble. The schooner took
down machinery for the Spanish logging
camps.
The Mendocino Lumber Company at Fort
Bragg is building huge timber raft whieh
Will be towed down by the steamer Noyo
next high tide. The raft is cigar-shaped.
40 feet long. 30 feet beam and % feet deep,
containing 100000 feet Of lumber Cap
tain DrlskO Of the Noy0 said he expected to
hook onto the small end of the big cigar IN
about two weeks.
A lively fOur-coTnered fight took place on
tOisOm-stTeet Pier yesterday afternoon
between three sailors from the British ship
1eOman and one coaster. The three Brit
lsh tars were arrayed against the coaster,
but he proved hims equal to the trio and
soon polished them of in fine style. Tie
trouble was simply little personal matter.
which was readily settled by blood, and
alter the battle the cOmbetants shook hands
and repaired 10 the nearest saloon for re-
freshments.
Fishing through knothole in a wharf
does very well for tomcods and sucn small
1ry, Dut when the angler looks for bigger
game, bigger than the whole for instance.
he comes to grief. Yesterday afternoon an
ola man was patiently angling through a
tnree-lnch auger-hole in the middle of the
wharf at section of the seawall. He had
caught lew small cod when all at once he
got bite that brought him to his feet.
lie said afterward he thought IT was n
whale. but, however. the old man will never
know what he did hook. After considera-
bic Juggling he hauled up large red mouth.
when piastered itself to the hole from the
uDderside and then opened wide, exposing
yawnlng depth of vitais, which gave no
clew to the species or identity Of his prize.
As there was no way Of getting at the fish
the old man reluctantly cut the line and al
lowed tue mouth TO fail back into the bav.
lie will hereafter fish over the edge OF the
wharf.
A KNOWING DOG.
Captain George Moorehouse OF the shin
Dashlng wave, unloading lumber at Fol-
som street, Is the pOsSessUr Of a remarkable
deep-sea dog which lie is training with view
10 making useful aboard ship The ANIMAL
is Danish hound, named Neptune. He is
only Tour months old. bat he has already
grown set of feet that look like Inverted
piano-stools. Their dull thud as he gallons
over the roof Of the deckhouse at night
aWaKens the sailors. and they grumble. as
sailors usually do, but Neptune doesn't
care.
On account OF the size Of his feet Neptune
can go oft, and the captain has trained
MN Tor lookout. His eyes are better ar
night lhan those OF sailor, and from his
peIch ON the foTeyaTd Neptune can see a
san several miles away and which he re-
ports Dy signals. For ships and steamers he
ulteIs iOud gr0wls, one fora ship and two for
the steamer. For bark Neptune barks And
wnch ne sights barkentine the intelligent
dog simply wines. He paws no attention In
schooaers, and for that reason he and the
captain cannot agree on a signal.
CaDtaln Nolan Of the schooner ivy has
bought controlling interest In that vessel
Inc ship Rathd0wn moved from The
TOLL mus TO Oakland Creek yesterday
HE Merchants drydock has resumed