davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call., 1893-02-07

aboard. DR.. Lawl0r had previously given
the Picking the benefit of clear bill OF
health.
1t was about half-past s o'clock when the
rising tide and the flattening of the crests
on the bar allowed the Picking TO come over
the bar. She appeared in view quite sud
denly astern of the brlgs Fearless and Vigil
liant, and evidently moving along at lively
rate.
By and by she was abreast of Lime Point,
coming quite brskly on the surging tide.
The customs tug now put off from Meiggs
Wharf with strong staff Of inspectors and
searchers, and pretty well loaded down with
newspaper men and newspaper artists. who
had to scramble all over her to find room.
Among those who went along were John
D. Spreckels and the Rev. Junius Laertes
Hatch. Inspector Of immigration.
Both these gentlemen climbed up the
Jacobs ladder on the Peking like old hands,
the layman easily dlscoun ting the clergy
man.
A cheer rang out as the visitors clamhered
aboard and was cordially responded to.
The tugs pulled with all their might and
very Snon the Picking was abreast of THE
Oakland ferry. 1t was then that the fun
began.
Such baZoo OF steam whistles.
loot foot! tool! three times three.
The Picking had steam in her boilers
though her propeller was mOtioniess. and
the deep bass Ioar Of her ''buzzer" blended
with the shrill piping of the tugs and ferry
boats
1t was a triumphal procession all along
the wharyes on tile south side.
The morning call., 1893-02-07

| and there was no shouting nor cheering on
| deck.
I'VE sent up rockets during the previous
night. being as near to the California coast
,, as the captain thought was safe.
II remember seeing a light during the
early part of last night just after dark, and
was told that it was the Farallone light"
DIR. o. II. Baker, surgeon Of the steamer.
said there had been no case of sickness on
board of any consequence, nothing traceable
TO short provisions or change OF dietary.
The bill of fare was just as good at the
end of the voyage as at the beginning.
The ship went very well under sail.
One of the quartermasters istated that the
ship came on with the mizzen topmast
rugged out as bowsprit; three head sails,
namely, outer jib, jib and foretopsail. fore
topgallant sail, upper ana lower topsails
aud foresail, main topgallant. upper and
lower topsail and mainsail, spanker on miz-
zen-mast and triangular sail on the jgger-
mast. She made about six miles an hour at
her best, and when running at this rate the
propeller revolved at times.
"The first | knew of the accident to the
propeller" said Purser C. H. Brick wedel
Jr.. was hearing great racket in the
engine-room.
81 took look and supposed the engines
were then going about 1000 revolutions
minute.
That was on the morning of January 81"
G. A. Forsaith was about the easiest in
his mind of all the passengers for the rea-
son that he had brought over with him a
specimen of the Chinese edible dog, and
the butcher had not cast unfriendly eyes on
The morning call., 1893-02-07
COMING ASHORE.
The Passengers Step From Asia tc
America.

| Toward o'clock, when the news spread
| like wildfire that the Picking was coming up
| the harbor. the crowds began to flock
toward the Pacific Mail dock. But when
that plac was reached the doors were
| found bolted. Nobody but the favored few
were allowed admittance, and number Of
! policemen were on hand TO enforce the
orders OF the company.
| at the dock about five hundred people,
among them many Chinese. had gathered.
| and they occupied every place OF vantage
| They had waited long, some of them for
seven and eight hours. and they were tired
and cold.
Then the whistles began to blow down
| the bay
Their faces frightened like the CLEAN out
| Of dark cloud wonderfully quick
"nere she comesl There's the Peking,"
| shouted one who saw the tug Vigilant
| rounding the corner off the Mail docks, and
| the crowd took it up and yelled the joyful
news from one end OF the docks to the
| other.
The whistles footed. horns were blown
and perfect din cut veritable sbreds in the
atmosphere and hurled the pieces against
| the tympanum of the sensitive ear. Shouts
| and cheers were given. ana the ladies', not
| to be outdone, expressed their enthusiasm
| by wild gesticulations aud the waving Of
| handkerchefs
Yes. there was the supposed lost Pekin,
| slowly moving toward the dock.
| And there was the gallant little tug
| Vigilant, commanded by Captain Mccoy,
| the same that brought In the wrecked
| Courser week ago, towing the monster
too tl-n oaf0 don
| lead an elephant
| Way past the dock went the huge ocean
| liner, the Vigilant putting and struggling
with its charge. The tug Fearless was on
| the outside of the Picking and could not be
| seen. Then the company's tug Milen Grit
| fifth went to their aid and assisted in towing
| the Picking around, heading her for the
company's inside mole Then the Vigilant
| had done good work.
| A small naphtha launch took the towlne
| Of the Picking and made for the dock.
| All the crowd rushed to the end OF the
| dock, but were ordered back by officers
| Slowly the Picking entered the mole.
The side of the steamer was lined with
men and women looking at the shore, while
those on the shore were looking Mt the
|
| to be closer.
| After entering her berth 1t took the
| Picking fully fifteen minutes to be brought
close enough to the dock so that a gang
plank could be run out
| When the steamer entered the fine figure
| of Captain Searle In full uniform was
| seen in the middle of the main deck. where
| he was giving orders. BY his side stood
| John ID. Spreckels.
! "Hurrah for Captain Searlev' shout ed
some one and the crowd cheered for the
| gallant captain Justify.
| When the Picking was nearly locked the
great five-Inch rope fastened to the dock
| broke and the steamer began to drift back.
The rope was soon recaptured and the
| steamer again moored.
While the steamer was being locked
those on the wharf crowded close to the
edge and the people on the steamer began
The morning call., 1893-02-07

Pacific Mail. Then the newspaper Offices
shipping houses.
Next came a large number OF firms inter-
ested in the 81, GOO 600 cargo Oh the Picking.
While the clerk of the exchange was
distributing over "a wide territory the pleas
ing intelligence of the safe arrival Of the
overdue China steamer several ladies en-
tered.
They had been accustomed TO call every
morning for the last ten days TO ask after
the Picking, because they had relations on
board for whom they were anxious.
''Is there. OH is there any Aews?" asked
the elder woman. tearfully. Eyes, / sec by
your face there is. Do not tell me there is
not" she almost gasped.
Eyes, the Picking is all right. and Is now
being towed in from the head. by the tug
Vigiant," returned the clerk.
THANK God, she is safe. My prayers
have been answered." said the lady. and she
clasped her companion rapturously.
LET US 60 to the wharf at once" and
both women left with faces perfectly illum-
mated at the joyful news which had relic we'd
the anxiety OF DAYS.
The joyful EXPLANATIONS OF these two
women were repeated with more than the
re-echoes of the fabulous cave. as the clerk
Of the exchange notified interested parties
all over the city by means Of the telephone.
From thu possession of individuals the
news passed to the custody OF the general
public by means OF newspaper bulletin
boards. and the passing Of the gratifying
intelligence from mouth 20 mouth.
Soon general break was made for the
Merchants Exchange. and by 9 O'clock II
was almost impossible for one to wedge his
way in, so great was the crowd who desired
to receive additional particulars.
Among the crowd were many Chinese
merchants. who had goods OF considerable
value on the Picking.
There were also a number OF ladies who
had long been very anxious, aud desired to
confirm the good news.
| 1.-THE Picking is eighteen miles out towing
slowly. snd will not be in for some hours"
was the exchange bulletin.
The tug Fearless has gone to the Vigil
| laDts assistance" was the next announce
| ment.
On receiving this news the crowd in the
exchange quickly melted, and its COM
| ponent parts began to drift tow ard the
| wharves.
Between and 10 O'Clock the Pacific Mall
| dock was crowded with people waiting for
| the Pekng's arrival,
| They waited for hours. but still no steamer
appeared. and so great was the Impotence
manifested that few began te doubt the
| authen ITCHY and truth of the news.
Still they stayed in the damp sheds of the
| Mail dock.
| The ladies muffled their cloak-cOllars
The morning call., 1893-02-07
A ZIGZAG COURSE.
How the San Juan Is Looking for the
Pekiup

HOW the San Juan Is Looking Tor the
Picking.
All the Pacific Mail officials wore looks of
good cheer after the arrival of the news of
the Pekings safety yesterday. The loss of
the steamer would have been great blow
to the finances Of the company, as to replace
her would have cost 81, 100000
There was only one drawback to the good
feeling of the company's officials. and that
was the fact that the Panama steamer San
Juan had been sent on a wild-goose chase
after the Picking.
The San Juan sailed In search OF the
missing steamer on Sunday afternoon at
O'Clock. In passing out she did not strike
the object of her search. Sixteen hours
after the departure of the San Juan the
Peking appeared off the Golden Gate and
was towed in. while the San Juan is now
proceeding on her way.
What were the precise instructions given
to Captain Pitts Of the San Juan neither
the agent OF the Pacific Mail nor his sub
| ordinates will state they simply say he was
ordered to search for the Peking
When q leading officer of the company
was asked If tug would be sent after the
San Juan to bring her back. he said:
mo. That would be perfect folly.
Under the instructions given to the San
Juan and the course she took, going in zig
gag directions, and considering the steamers
start. nc tug could catch her. The COM
pany will have TO stand the loss Of the San
Juan's searching expedition"
When asked whether the San Juan was
going as faras Honolulu the official was
mum as an oyster
IL the San Juan falls In with the Aus
tralia, which left Honolulu on February /,
| ii is thought by some that she will return
with the latter
III the San Juan proceeds as far a. Homo
lulu she will be unable to return by
February Is, the day she is booked to sail.
Should she go that far the trip will cost the
company $4,000
'0f course. we will be thought foolish for
sending out the San JUAN" said an official
of the company. lowing TO the Picking CON-
| ing in. But we desired to be ready for all
emergencies, although we had the greatest
confidence in the Peking's safety. 1t was
not mistake to send the San Juan out, but
| It was bad luck that she did not meet the
| Peking."
1t is thought that If the San Juan had
taken q course a little to the north she
would have sighted the Picking.
According to the statements of the pilots
and towboat men, the San Juan sailed in
straight course out. little to the north,
with an Idea OF first meeting the Australia
from Honolulu.
According to the statements of leading
insurance men. the local companies are very
| little affected by the arrival of the Picking,
as there was very little reinsurance ON this
steamer by local firms.
The morning call., 1893-02-07
Date

The humorous element In the Picking
Chronicle crops out strongly In the conun-
drums.
1t is not what would be called frst-class,
razzle-dazZle. sparkling humor. but it shows
how the boys kept up their spirits at sea.
Wanted, toe ctow)," is an exclamation
In verse which has not the proper number
OF feet.
The illustrated final page has a sad-eyed
dog at tue top. saying: One bell and ell Is
well-a jest readily appreciate By sailors
on the dogwatch-and snndry bacchic bot
ties with the trademark Consolation"
There is no evidence of nervousness in the
hektograph copy of the Picking Chronicle,
and IL the compiler and the writer are to
be accepted as samples OF resignation TO
circumstances aboard the Picking the cir
cumstances could not have been very hard.
There were many handsbakes as the City
OF Picking drew slowly up to the Mail dock.
number OF those on board might not
reasonably hope TO meet again.
The world Is wide and humanity, clad In
fine clothes, is narrow.
Time is long and steamer friendships are
short.
Purser Brickwedel had a hard time say
ing good-by, so did Steward Chandler and
Chief Engineer Mcclure, anc In fact every
officer on board.
Ii steamer friendships. warmed by neces-
silly and accident, could be as enduring rs
they are cordial, this earth would be a
paradise of a brotherhood of ocean travel
ers.
No one seriously discussed the shaft cpl
sode.
That IL was broken in the sleeve" was
plain enough from the fact that the engines
could not turn the propeller. and the pro-
peller turned without the engines when the
vessel was making good Roadway under
full sail.
After the accident the chief assistant
engineer was lowered over the stern, and
with his assistants stroYe to disconnect the
propeller or locate the break, but though
immersed frequently over head and ears in
water he was unable to do so.
1t was soon recognized. as every nautical
man could not fall TO understand, that the
shaft was broken too far aft to be reached
from the engine-room and too far forward
to be reached from the stern post.
| The reason why the missing steamer was
not sighted either by the San Juan or by
any incoming vessel arriving the last fe "
The morning call., 1893-02-07

hardened frequenters of the Merchants
Exchange and thecity front have whispered
CT crank craft and Davy Jones locker.
All this time the steamer City Of Picking
has never been distant more than thousand
miles from the port Of San Francisco.
At the last moment the steamer San Juan
had been tardily sent in search of the miss
ing steamer, and is now missing herself
with every probability of a long and Eof
course fruitess journey to the meridian Of
the Hawaiian Isles and return.
twas at 8:45 A. N. yesterday that the
Merchants Exchange bulletined the well
come notice: Steamer City of Picking.
eleven miles out towing
Very few patrons of the Merchants Ex-
change and very few citizens interested in
shipping business were in the dark about
the fact after $50 But they did not know
that the Picking had been taken in tow be-
fore daybreak. Still less did they dream
that the missing steamer would not dock till
near dusk, and that all the heartburnings
of those on board and those waiting at the
man AOOA nNuiN uafC W bS bNA NC RakAcukAI
for so many long hours
Even as early as 10 o'clock the wharves
on the northwest part of the city front, and
especially the new Powell-street wharf,
began to be invaded by sightseers and SYM
pathizers. Ships came and ships went, but
though the view was clear right through
the heads, and the breaking bar could be
seen beyond, there was no sign of the Pc
king.
Il went on thus TIL nearly l O'clock. when
two tugs came racing along at headlong
speed. not a pin to choose between them.
AS they flashed by Powel-stFeet wharf en-
thusiastlc amateurs tested their snap cam
eras on a very lively subject.
There was little tale hanging thereby.
The Millen Griffith had left her dock
when the news arrived, in advance of the
regular dispatch. with number of the Pa
eifc Mail officials aboard, and with death
warrant for any pIesumptuous newspaper
maZA sAo should even dare to ask passage.
TIP Active of the Spreckels Towboat
Go u and ~ ',ye l,tty on the alert how
eve. ~fthe proposed w.Perkias, DR.. Law
Ior's quxom Twentieth to -'hrted out.
1t was soon f sG 70 .lit lac City of Picking,
which was In tow Of the Vigilant. could not
cross ths bar till the afternoon food tide.
The Governor Perkins being unfit for out
side service on breaking bar, DIR. Lawlor
was transferred to the Griffith.
The Active brought the first news on the
return journey, beating the Griffith, and
conveying the first intlmation of the nature
OF the Peking's trouble In the laconic
words:
Broken shaft-all right-salled TO port"
The morning call., 1893-02-07
there had been any short ratiODs in his line

there had been any short rations in his line
on the steamer.
1--WE had plenty Of everything" he said.
"You ought to have dined on board last
night"
Among the passengers was a sad-eyed
humoTist.
1t seems little paradoxical to speak of
dry humOr, the word humOr implying as a
primary meaning moisture" but II. +.
reDe, a Chicago drummer. was emphau-
cally the dry humorous type OF humanity.
He contributed largely to the ease and
peace of mind Of the passengers by found
Ing sea newspaper-the Peking Chronicle,
published on board in hektOgraph form.
The Peking Chronicle contains much OF
what the orthodox journalist would call
padding" and general matter, but it gives
many items of strictly local interest, for in
stance the log OF the Picking as adopted TO
the comprehension of unnautlcal readers.
His log is no joke.
The jokes, like the troubles in married
life. come separately but numerously.
Here is the log extract:
The morning call., 1893-02-07
A ROCKY TRIP.
The Picking Shows That She Is a
SeaworthV Craft.

The Picking Shows That She Is a
Seaworthy Craft.
whats the mat;er?" said Mrs. L. Ansell,
stewardess Of the Picking. when asked if her
fair charges had been having hard time
during the eventful twelve days.
why, we had a frst-class time-a very
pleasant time indeed. No one was anxious
about the ships delay or about themselves.
1--WE we're very comfortable and had all
we wan ted 10 eat.
''The first l knew of the ship breaking
down was great noise between z and s
o'clock in the morning.
The passengers soon learned what was
the matter. We had rough weather on the
japanese coast, but no typhOon."
P. S. Shepherd. second officer OF the
steamer. admitted that the vessel had had a
very rocky trip. but there had been no'gen-
eral alarm.
tine breakdown" said he, occurred on
January 20.
I'VE had TO come in under sail, and. of
course. at this season we could not expect
any trade winds. We had variable winds
all the tine
"Were we hungry Not much.
" Hdt uO } Ou tulHh VI tHlo DllI VI laIe IVI
last night?
st was about thu same as we had right
along:
Chicken.
Alaska Salmon, Egg Sauce.
Boiled California Bacon ana Cabbage. Cold Ham.
Sslml OF WoodducE la Parisenne
Macaroni la GrStin.
Lamb Curry and Rice.
Kobe beef Rud Yorkshire Pudding.
Pheasants and Fried Crumbs.
Boiled Potatoes. Asparagus String Beans
Stewed Tomatoes.
Cabinet Pudding. Wine Sauce.
Jelly. Tipsy Cake. POme0es. Dried Ginger.
Lychees California Nuts and Raisins.
Coffee Cheese Cakes. Crackers olives.
Wanuts.
j. ". Stockbridge Of St. Louis, cabin
The morning call., 1893-02-07
ON THE MAIL DOCK,
Waiting for the Steamer to Come Tn
the Bay.

the Bay.
While the crowd waited on the dock the
early corners saw the Mail Company's tug
Millen Griffith move near the main en-
trance to the dock. Agent Center and Can
taid hawkins, followed by party OF six
other Pacific Mail officials. quickly emerged
from the Offices Of the company and rapidly
got on board the tug. which steamed away
and was soon OUT of sight
THE Picking Will soon be at the dock"
was the thought Of those who witnessed
the departure, and they waited.
Then another incident occurred which
created temporary diversion.
The Panama steamer Acapulco belched
forth large volume of smoke and began To
steam away from the dock. She had barelv
got away when the quartermaster of
the steamer. who was ON tho lookout in the
crowd, was seen to throw up his hands and
fall.
He had been struck on the arms and sides
by heavy fve-inch rope which had pa ted
from the rigging, and which In swinging
round threw him from his position with
great force.
The quartermaster, whose name Ia Swan
sen, got up aud walked away, apparently
unhurt.
Several hours later the quartermaster was
brought back by the tug Griffith. which had
returned. The tug had been overtaken by
the Acapulco, and the Pacific Mail Off Gals.
after deciding to proceed out toward the
heads on the steamer. were transferred from
the tug.
The quartermasteT was found TO have a
broken arm, and being supposed to be In
ternally injured he was taken from the
steamer and sent back for medical treat
ment on the tug.
When the Griffith arrived ut the Mall
The morning call., 1893-02-07

the animal or thirsted for his blood for
soups and made dishes.
Mr.. Forsaith has been for several years a
United States Chinese custom official, and
his dog was as dear TO him as his life
almost.
The animal Is somewhat of human In
his way, sits up In his masters arms, has
gray eyebrows and beard, and would adOTn
the judicial bench, at least on the strength
OF his appearance.
Mr.. Forsaith stated that his wife had
been living for some months in San Fran
cisco, on Bush street, near Van Ness
avenue.
He seemed unable to imagine how anxious
people in this city had been about the
steamer. but cast several anxious glances at
the Mail dock as the vessel neared that
point, as if realizing the fact.
Butcher COnley. sturdy knight OF the
cleaver. laughed when he was asked If
The morning call., 1893-02-07

passenger, was not disposed to grumble
unduly either at the fare or the delay. He
said:
81 went out to Japan for a sea trip with
my friend Fred Manget here.
1--WE wanted a trip, and we have had one
Like the man who started out for fight,
we have been accommodated and we are
not saying word more.
II want to say that the Picking is a very
good sea boat, all reports TO the contrary.
AS to the last 100 miles, we came under
sail. and II we had had sails On all the
masts we would have been here sooner,
that is all.
we were not anxious at any time.
ut was great strain on Captain Searle.
have no doubt; and don't think he took
MS clothes OF the last part Of the trip.
lie was around at all times of the day.
not so much to encourage the passengers
for they needed no encouragement-but
just to keep things going regular
1--WE did not see a single vessel on thu
whole trip til we sighted the Farallones.
"The first knew of being so near San
Francisco was seeing the tug alongside my
cabin window just about day break.
"She came alongside quite nolselessly,
The morning call., 1893-02-07

days may, perhaps, be that she took the
middle course, and not the northern or
southern route. Lines very slightly diverg-
ent at San Francisco or Yokohama along
the thirty and fortieth parallels may
represent wide tracks ON the ocean, when
once the vessel is at sea and subject TO
winds and currents.
In fact. as already stated, the waste Of
waters was unbroken to the view of those
on board the Peking till the light on the
South Farallon suddenly burst on them
after sunset on Sunday evening
The scene as the big steamer closed up to
the wharf was a striking one. and long
and needless delay did not rob it of any Of
its dramatic intensity.
Faces were recognized, handkerchIefs
waved. tears stood In eyes long strangers
to such weakness. and the officers of the
ship SMILED audiby" as they congra tn at ed
themselves that their troubles were over.
The City OF Picking was safe in port at
Last
The morning call., 1893-02-07

of the union, who were delegates to the
municipal convention which nominated
Ackersoa, state that they voted for him on
a promise that the union should be allowed
to ma me the dump SUPERINTENDENT
Under a similar promise thew say the
scavengers srent money, adopted res0lu-
tions in favor of and generally Endorsed the
candidacy of Ackerson.
Now the political ofIceholder Spurns their
claims, and when A. Tassi some time ago
asked to be appointed as the choice of all
the scavengers Ackerson refused TO recog-
niZe his claim.
Tassi says he did not want the place. put
he would have turned 1t over to G. Baciga-
lupi had he been appointed.
The morning call., 1893-02-07

EAmong those already aboard was Miss
Fanny Barbara Pussy Mcclure, the twelve
year-old daughter of the chief engineer of
the Picking. and the two were inseparable
on the ships deck.
PUSSY" had stuck by the "old man"
from the first day Of i'll tIdings, and every
day of anxious expectation had found her
little feet tracing the muddy way TO the
Mail dock.
II Pussy had been about ten years older
she would have received about as many
offers of marriage yesterday.
The lady passengers of the Picking on the
cabin roll were only three in number, but
they all FASTENED to assure THE CALL re-
porter that they had not been the least bit
scared or uncomfortable on the trip.