The morning call., 1892-05-31
THE DAY AT MARTINEZ.
An international Event in Which
HOn0rs We're Cheap.
Britishsrs and Americans Who Fraternizsd
on Cheap Transportation Rates for
Wheat.

When the steamer Jas. NJ. Donahue started
from Market-street ferry about 9:15 o'clock
yesterday morning two plants went up.
One was that there was very small crowd
on board, infinitely belittliDg the expeeta-
tons Of the promoters. The other was that
all the world and his wife had not gone
along, for it was most enjoyable picnic
from first to last
The mistake (for there was big mistake,
considering how excellent the entertain
ment was) seems to have consisted in a
want Of organization. The British captains
at Martinez, who had gotten up the affair
in very dull season, failed to make con-
nectlonS on the San Francisco end, or to
enthuse the disciples Of red coats, thistles
and Shamr0eks sufficiently 10 insure q
crowd In the representative sense OF the
term Opinions may differ as to how the
misehance happened, but so it was. 1t is
hardly possible to conceive greater posi-
biliueS OF success; it is hard to conceive a
greater failure. Only one element that
could be contributory to success had been
lost sight OF by the Martin eZ captains, bus
one thing was sadly lacki ng-an American
quality, INSTRUMENTATION at both ends.
Inc James NJ. D0nahue took up JOvial
party, by no means so large as anticipated.
but select enough. When Benicia was
reached hope rose high for crowd was on
the landing. The tide was adverse, how
ever, and 1t was three-quarters of all hour
before the steamer got near enough to the
wharf to enable the Benicians to get on
board. When they did the steamer moved
higher up to the second landing and took on
board 90 or 80 more, then steamed off TO the
Martinez side.
The smashing up OF an Italian fishing
boat at the Benicia landing was a mere in
cldent. The descendants of Marus, Sylla
and Belisarius took too long to get out Of
the way after due warning. Then the
steamer drltted, very late, over to the Mar
tiDeZ side, tied I'D and the races began.
FOUR EVENTS.
There were four events, but so far as the
arrivals on the Donahue were concerned
those races might as well not have been run.
II was IN 20 sense a regatta from either
British or an American sense Of the term.
True, when the nine gigs started off for the
first event there was some hard tuggiDg at
the oars, and few frantic cocks waIns rose
and made motions that would have won the
race "Out of sight" if that sort of thing
could have done it, But as usual, the race
was won by the quiet people. to wit the
crew OF the Ailerton in the OtterspoOl's
boat. Tie Drumclogs came next, then the
Dunfermilnes, then tardy tai-end.
1t was parchlng sun and slow work.
More than an hour elapsed before hustle to
the side announced that the pinnaces were off
on sailing match that the ships boys had
been let loose on match of their own, and
that the lieboats were being sailed for all
they were worth.
One peculiar feature about the contre
temps OF the days arrangements WAS that
the thing was irremediable from first to
last 1t might have been great, big event.
The captains of the British wheat fl ct
cd hot fha ,&,fr,
wanted 10 fra.erniZe; the guests wanted
100 cents for the dollar in the way of inter-
national Publication, but for ali that the
races were flat failure.
The course fer the first was from
the ship Netherby to an imaginary line
between the Glencaird (hagship) and the
wharf In the matter OF the sailing
pinnaces, the Melverton came in first,
the ElllslaBd second and the RhOderick
Dhu third. OF the llfeboats the Iverna
came in first, tie DechmOnt second and the
the Dunfermline third. In the Gig races the
Offers o J.. Drumrock and Dunfermlins
came in the order named.
BY tar the most pleasant occasion Of the
day was the Informal process by which
couples danced and individuals met on the
various ships Without regard TO a prear-
ranged plans. There were two lands on the
James NJ. DOnabue and one of Il esa was
transferred at the last moment on the flag
ship Glencaird, contributing carloads OF
fun. Miss Emily Soldsne, VINO was a guest
of the DOnahue, boarded the flag hip and.
helped amuse the people there. Returning
to the Donahue she sang number Of good
old songs. The people on the D0nahue,
who had left the pinnace-sailing match I'M
decided, were cOnSOled by her.
On leaving Martinez things Frightened up
A Benicia Alfred Dalton, Native Son
got the floor, or, rather, the deck. and said
some good things about Native Sons in
a n
Heenan, celebrity in his special line, had
been n Benicia boy, and that Benicia had
great advantages as an arsenal depot and
calling place generally.
ON WITH THE DANCE
Meanwhile the bands on the Donahue
were inviting the guests to the dance, and.
the ice having been finally broken. good
time was had. Miss Soldene sang again.
and the element of comic song was notwant-
ing. About the greatest regret expressed
was when the vessel had touched the wharf.
All the real enjoyment of the day was
crowded into the last hour
Among the captains of harDOT ships en-
tertained we're: j. Jenkins of the Mime
ola, /. Davies of the Pengwen, w. Poole
of the Piedmont and Il. Bradley of tina Cap
itan. Lieutenant KeaDe of the United
States Navy anu Mrs. Keane were inter
ested spectators Of the races, which were
not concluded when the Donahue left
q
lie was a noteworthy point that the free
trade question never once cropped up dur
ing the day. Scores OF Americans visited
the long line OF British ships, the races eX-
citing little or 10 interest, and not Once-in
recorded cOnversation-waS the subject OF
free trade mentioned. The international
sympathy and good feeling was as pro-
nOunced as the races of the day were fail
ureS-that is TO say, failures in attracting
interest, even from experts. There was
good deal of hard pulling and keen sailing,
but something was lacking in organization
at the start.
Captain English Of the Glencaird held
big reception on that vessel as the flagship
Ct the % British vessels in the harbor be-
tween Benicia and MARTINEZ. 1t was grand
sight and there was an abundant display OF
bunting, but the Stars and Stripes on the
Donahue and the United States tug Rodgers
looked lonely.
1t was quite late when the DOnahue ar
rived at Market-street wharf, but no one
found fault. The idea was right, and il
properly carried out would have proved a
success.
The British committee had Ia hard days
work, and If the machine had worked the
result would have been very different, so far
as the races were concerned. As TO the re-
ception, there could be no doubt of its sue
cess. The long line of British vessels,
curvlng all the way from Port Costa to
Martinez, was taken by storm and sur
rendered at discretion. Hospitality knocked
out the Boring Sea controversy, and the
last strains heard as the guests departed
were those of "The Land Of the Free and
the Home of the Brave"
Chinese Lottery.
mi To- a II.