The morning call., 1892-12-28
SLICING THE FOG.
Ferry-BOatS Run Almost
Any Way.
A Few of the Delayed Steamers Ar
rive, but the Fog Keeps
Others Outside.

1t seems as il the tugboat companies will
never be able to finish the large amount of
work that has accumulated on their books
Ever since the storm started orders have
been put over day after day for various
reasons. 1t was thought by captains that
they would have been able to do the work
yesterday, but all their good intentions
were frustrated by one Of the thickest fogs
in years.
1t did not come in the morning, as fogs
generally do. and then fade away before 10
o'clock. but instead it hung over the bay
from daylight to dark and then became
thicker than ever.
All day long there was an incessant din
from whistles and bells on the wharves and
steamers. The ferry boats all ran at half
speed and had four lOokouts. Most of the
trips were about twice as long as the usual
time, and one boat took thirty minutes TO
make landing at Oakland mole. She was
close TO the slip and the fogbell could be
plainly heard. but there were so many
other sounds coming from all directions it
could not be located.
As usual, scow-sehooners were sent out by
the dozen and managed to get in the way
of ferry boats as often as possible.
The captains Of these little vessels will
insist on getting out on the bay when they
cannot see and there is not q capful OF
wind. They float around heiplessly and are
menace TO navigation, but there seems TO
be no law to compel them to keep out of the
way Some morning an accident will hap
pen and people will wonder who Is TO
blame.
The steamer Kenee nav got in yesterday,
seven days from Seattle. She got the worst
of the storm. and her story is about the same
as that Of all the other vessels that were in
the southeaster.
The steamers Grandholm and San Benito
were due several days ago, but il Is hardly
likely that they will get in before the fog
lifts. There are eight or ten steamers due
that may arrive at any time but, of course,
nothing positive can be known. as none OF
those which have already got in saw any,
thing OF them, and it is very likely that they
are hove to long distance from shore.
The steamer COlims did not arrive yes
terday, as was expected, but she had orders
to get all the coffee she could, and ii Is very
likely that her delay was caused at the
start.
The schooner Norway sailed with a nom
union crew from Mission No. yesterday
morning. She was closely guarded by
police, and there were a large number OF
union men on hand waiting An opportunity
to make disturbance. Some time few
nights ago the schOoner's mooIing lines
were cut and she was allowed to 60 adriit,
, but one line at the stern had been over
be- secured. IL is not known who did the
vicious work.
None OF the officers or crew OF the steamer
Umatllla, now quarantined at Angel Island
have yet broken out with smallpox, and Il
ls hoped the men will be released next
Saturday so as TO be able to resume their
places on the vessel when she returns from
her trip north.
AS soon as the Rush is through with ON
Folsom-street wharf her place will be taken
by the cutter Patterson for thorough over
hauling. Her engines and boilers Will he
changed to certain extent. and she will be
supplied with three new sticks
Captain Green, now first officer on the
wbern. will take the captaincy of the
steamer Bunita owing TO the illness of her
present commander, who wishes to retire
Purser Maynard of the steamer Columbia
has resigned, and Purser Rowell of the
steamer Oregon has been called on to I'll
the vacancy. Purser Rogers of the steamer
Queen will be transferred to the steamer
Oregon.
The telephone line between the Merchants
Exchange and Point Lobos was down all
day yesterday through some unknown
reason, so the first that was heard of the
lew vessels that arrived was when they
passed Me.ggs wharf.
dispatch from Grays Harbor Yesterday
states that the new brig Geneva had arrived
safely in chat port She sailed from here on
December 13. and was consequently four
teen days on the trip. This is yeTy long
considering that she had the wind in her
favor all the way.
Nothing has been heard OF the shin
Parthia, on which Pilot Murphy was put
last Saturday morning. At the time she
was about fifty miles from shore and il
seems strange that she was not seen by
some OF the yeseels that have enma in