The morning call., 1892-12-15
KEEN BAY PILOTS.
Steering a Ferry From Slip
to Slip.
MONOTONOUS TRIPS VARIED.
How Ferry Commanders Are Kept or
the Alert During Passages on
Stormy Nights.

slave you ever been In the pilot-hOuse
on rainy and stormy night?' asked Cap
tain Bradley of the ferry steamer Bay City
of CALL reporter. just as he was going up
to take his place in the wheelhouse preyi-
Gus to making his last trip.
"Well. come up then and see how 1t goes"
he replied to the negative answer of the
reporter.
After climbing up the narrow stairway
by the side of the wheelboxes and grouping
timorously along a slippery deck, over
which the wind comes in gusts and makes
moaning cry In the funnel strings, one finds
himself at the pilot-house. thirty feet al
least above the water.
The prospect for steering across the bay
on such night is anything but assuring.
Looking back the city appears but dimly
Illuminated. as the electric lights try to
spread their rays out on the mist Captain
Bradley goes TO the rear plot-house, and
when the last passenger is let in through
the gate, scurries aboard and the apron has
been raised by the waiting deekhands. be
pulls the whstle-Tope and touches lever
which sounds the gong In the englne-r0om.
The ponderOus sidewheels OF the ferry
steamer have only made few revolutions
when the captain makes his appearance In
the forward wheelhOuse.
The place Is so dark that the dim outlines
OF the two men at either side OF the wheel
are just observable. Their faces cannot be
distinguished. From out the open windows
dim line of light marks the horizon. 1t is
the illumination given by the electric lights
In Oakland and Alameda.
The ferry rocks little as ID is headed out
into the open bay. The sound of the water
dashing against the stern OF the boat Is
plainly heard, as also the splash of the
water stru by the paddles. The yibra-
ton OF the engines keeps up constant
tremOr
Not an object ten feet ahead of the ferry
can be seen by the impractical eye.
Every one Is quiet The captain PAGES
back and forth without saying a word.
The men at the wheel stand like statues
while the ferry FORCES ahead. Once and
awhile they give evidence of life by moving
the wheel spoke or two.
All Of a sudden the captain peers out Into
the Cimmerian darkness.
He reaches for the cord and gives IL pull
or two and then grasps the small lever
which communicates with the engne-room.
The whistle gives vent 10 two short but
sonorous "toots."
second later and subdued reply Ike
that of an echo Is borne over the waters.
1t sounds far away. A minute later ana
the glimmering lights Of an approaching
ferry steamer can be distinguished through
the mist. 1t comes on at rapid speed and
Is seen passing to port not 200 feet away
with its cabin lights casting brilliant rays
about 1t like halo Of glory.
Goat Islands dim outlines can just be
made out. and once in while a monotonous
foot by the fog whistle there warns the
ferry pilots TO keep away.
About here heavy swell begins TO cast
mp waves against the piunging steamer
Earring II from one end to the other. The
windows in the pilot-house rattle, and the
wheelmen give the steering-gear under
their charge an extra turn or two.
The ferry plunges ahead at full speed for
minute or two, when all of n sudden the
captain pulls the whistle-cord, and at the
same time throws the lever over. The air
is alive with the discordant groans OF the
whistle, the vibration ceases and things
have apparently come to a standstll.
The waves dash against the hull, but that
is all
Ahead 10 the gloom the dark outlines of a
huge hulk are seen drifting past the star
board bow and not 200 feet away.
The passing vessel gives few shrieks
from It's whistle and passes on. 1t is one of
the great EMBELLISHMENTS on its last trip to
the city with load of cars.
Again the lever is turned back Tito its
former position and the wheels slowly re-
volve aud then rapidly increase their pace.
Suddenly bright red glow of small CON-
pass appears directly ahead.
The engineer is warned 10 slow down and
the captain moves up beside the wheelmen.
The signal to stop is suddenly given, and
propelled by Its momentum the ferry gides
into tho V-shaped slip. slightly grating
against the piles on its port side
The lever is again thrown forward The
speed gwen by the momentum is slack
ened. The gong again stops the wheels
revolving and with scarcely any perceptible
Roadway the ferry jams its nose into the
slip.
The gong again sounds for ''haIf speed
ahead" and the ferry is held in place until
securely fastened. The apron is lowered,
and as the passengers rush for the trains i'm
waiting the captain gives cord lively
pull. merry jingling Of bells is heard in
the engine-room. while the engineer pulls
levers. turns wheels and otherwise prepares
the machinery for the return trip TO the
city.
on, It's nothing when you get accus-
toned TO ii. remarked Captain Bradley us
he bid the reporter goodnight.