The morning call., 1892-09-27
MERELY 4 PILE OF JUNK.
What the Carbutt Castle
Brought to Port.
En That Remains Of the Old Ship Asia viii
Go Iuto the Bast Fur
mace.

TIE British ship Carhutt Castle of Liver
did not commence disehargiBg cargo until
yesterday.
On the register the vessel is put down as
loaded with junk, but it is a most interest
ing and curious collection after all
The so-called junk is in reality an entire
ship which has been broken up and will be
melted into new and useful forms.
The old iron which is now being taken to
the blast-furnace is all that remains Of the
famous old ship Asia. and was brought
here from Calcutta, India.
The q sia had the honor OF being one o.
the first iron ships built and for many
ears was the crfck steamer OF the British
Iudis Company.
Her record is most Interesting, although
she never ran on any other route except be-
tween London and East India ports.
She ha been seized by pirates and almost
wrecked in typhoons.
Several times she has been ashore on
different parts Of the India coast.
But she stood everything until q few
wears ago when she was run down by an
unknown vessel ia the Hoogly Riv er
and sunk.
In due time she was raised, but the
British marine inspectors concluded she
was too old and unseaworthy. She was
finally condemned and not allowed to be re-
paired.
The owners could do nothing with her,
so she was broken up and stored In a ware
house at Calcutta, where she lay In heap
until sold.
What she will be used for is not known.
but the material viii very likely be used to
build other ships.
The engines may be repaired and used, as
they seem TO be in good condition, except
that they are little old-fashioued.
Many OF the pieces appear of enormous
proportions compared TO the same pieces in
modern ships The plates are very thick
and great many riFets were used 10 hold
them in place.
All this is slowed between decks on the
Carbutt Castle and made a curious sight
scattered around in confusion.
There were two boilers Of most primi-
tive pattern, badly broken up. ribs and side
plates by the hundred, anchors, chains by
the ton and thousand other things that
belong TO deep-wster steamship.
There is besides portion Of bell that
from the inscription must have belonged tc
the old British three-deek frigate MARI
borough.
All but the first letter OF the name is per-
fectly clear, aud the seal Of George III ap-
pears in good condition.
Whether it was part Of the Asia could
not Ut lOtu IucIc - uO tcilDR now IL 90 I
into the junk pile at Calcutta.
The more carefully the pile Is examined
the more curious things come to light.
There are several miles OF railroad rails
that were taken from the old line that ran
between Calcutta and G0alinda.
The rails appear to be in good condition,
but were condemned by the British Govern
Rment.
Large numbers of elephant shackles, most
of which have the chains broken of, can be
found.
There are hundreds OF horseshoes of q
peculiar pattern. being very wide and thin,
and look as if they were intended for some
special purpose.
Knives and pieces of rifles and revolyers,
all In very Tusted and corroded condition,
are IN abundance.
1t would be well nigh impossible TO
describe the large number of different
articles TO be found in the pile, all of which
in its present condition is useless except fol
ballast
But few months will change it all, and
il is possible that in year or SO the old
Asia. the bell from the Marlborough, The
railroad to GOalinda, the elephant shaekles
and ali may sail through the Golden Gate
ia the form Of a brand new United State:
cruiser