The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-31

pert, sis what Is known as the great circle,
and you will notice that a vessel travelling
that way appears 10 make an unnecessary
wide sweep 10 the north. But within certain
limits the further north she goes the short
er the trip. Wouldn't ii be a pretty long
way around the world for vessel follow
ing the line of the equator? She would get
the full bulge OF the earth SO you see the
southern route taken by the Picking is the
longer by some 700 or SEQ miles, because it
brings her that much nearer the equator.
If it was in the southern hemisphere the
conditions would be exactly reversed. This
is not the way a mathematician or naviga-
ton teacher would put it, but il will give an
idea.
''The reason why the northern route
would not be taken by the Picking is on &C
count CT the cold weather and storms apt TO
be encountered at this season"
A suggestion was made that steamer
sent out from this port along the southern
route would be sure to pick her up.
Not so sure" said the oracle gravely.
ION the Atlantic side the steamers 10 and
from Europe travel on pretty well regulated
routes or lanes, as Captain MaurY once
called them. But the captains on tails side
are allowed wide margin Of discretion. and
it " Ould be the easiest thing In the world TO
miss vessel two DAYS out from here. The
China steamers don't sight the Hawaiian
Islands unless scheduled TO call there. They
pass far TO the norihward, even when TAX
ing the southern route.
''If steamer should be sent out 10 look
for a vessel delayed like the Picking she
would take with her the log Of the last
homewaTd bound steamer that went over
that route. The log fixes the position of
the ship not only from day to day, but for
every four hours. The log OF ship Is
very comprehensive affair"
my notion of the business" said another
authority. lis that the stern or after-crsnk
you know. Newspapers are usually con-
tent with one. Now, If the after-crank re-
mains unchanged she can still remain head
or, but the breaking of the after-cTank
would disable her"
While the above theories ana discussions
were in progress it was noticeable that
long train Of wagons, coal-laden. were pass
ing out TO the head Of the Oceanic dock,
where the big tug Fearless was lying. The
coal was dumped IN as fast as the men could
work. and that WAS pretty fast
Captain Hawley stated positively to CALL
reporter that the tug was not going TO sea,
"at least not tonight" he added guardedy.
1t was made pretty evident from other cir
cumstances that the tug was being gotten
ready for something more than bay trip,
and was. Ia fact, being held till the last mo-
ment with the idea Of starting out at day
break IL the missing steamer should not ar
rive.
The Fearless and the Vigilant have done
pretty we'll with the business OF the two
derelicts, both of which latter are now lying
stem and stern at the Oceanic wharf on the
south side with very little damage to the
hull and both apparently as sound as the
day they were launched.
The Ciaudine will 90 to sea early on
Thursday morning and there Is some lively
speculation as to whether the little Ha
waiian craft. the United States steamer
Mohican or the big Mariposa Will reach
Houplu1u frat A IL tHraa will ka Qnnodad
The Mexican left on Sunday morning and
has therefore four clear days start of the
Claudine and five and a half of the Mari
pOsa. But the MOhican is a slow craft
while the Claudine is a nearly new vessel
and made the run up in eight days. Now
comes the MaripJsa and claims the ability
10 dispose of both her rivals The MaripOsa
has the fastest steamer record to the
islands. and it is claimed that she will cover
the distance in days aud u hours.
A rumor prevailed yesterday that the
steamer Zealandta, which formerly ran on
the island aud Australian route, will be
brought down FROM Martinez to-day and
chartered for immediate dispatch to Homo
lulu. The Zealandia was removed from
Sadsalito TO Martinez about two months
ago, and she is in immediate readiness for
service. On an emergency her crew could
be aboard and she could be coaled and sent
| to sea in six hours. AT the Office Of the
| Oceanic Company the report that the Yea
| landia would 20 To the Islands was denied.
especially in view of the fact that the
| English mails left New York on Monday
night on time. and that there is nothing to
| delay the MaripOsa.
The new sealing schooner Mascot Is
ready for sea and will sail for the Japan
| coast tomorrow.
The revenue cruiser Richard Rush Is un-
! deTgoing thorough overhauliug at Folsom
| street wharf.
| The Claudine Is being scraped and
| painted, evidently TO give her good show
| ing in the race to the islands.
The big banks Of mud on the north side
| Of the Pacific Mail dock are beingldredged
| out and extensive repairs are being made to
| the wharves and approaches between the
| foot of Beale street and the foot of Bran
nan street "all along the line" Between
| slush and broken timbers this portion Of the
city front is almost impossible just now,
and at night is dangerous TO a degree, since
! there are numerous holes.
| The British steamer BawnmOre will leave
| this morning for Nanaimo. Trouble was
anticipated yesterday on account of the
| non-union crew she will carry, and the
| vessel was anchored out in the stream and
guarded with Winchester rifles.