The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-16
BY THESE LIGHTS
The Mariners Guide Their
Boats at Night.
GETTING BEARINGS IN A FOG.
How Captain Cristofo Vespucci Ma
ginnis Located Where He Was
in the Bay.

The lights of Butchertown are the bea-
cons whieh by night serve to guide the
mariners who sail between Third-street
wharf and Hunters Point.
They are excellent guides on dark night
when the mariners do not care to sean the
vaulted arch for the location of the dog
star, aud answer all the purpose of a COM
pass 10 steer by, but woe betide the unfor-
tunate skipper who when between shores
finds himself suddenly surrounded by one
of those dense fogs that often drop down
on the bay
In such contingency the mariner misses
the guiding star and the lights of Butcher.
town. He puts Ills trust in providence, sim
cerely hopes that the swift current will not
carry him TO the Alameda shore or against
Mission Rock or some vessel anchored Ia
the fair way. Crist0fo NeSpucc Magln-
mis-, who has been man and master aboard
ship for these thirty years or more, is the
owner of a vessel that is cross between a
square-toe schooner and a Chinese junk. a
com bnation of two models that were de-
stroyed after this vessel had been built in
order to prevent any shipbnllder from con-
structing another like il. Maginnis runs his
vessel between the TWO points already named
and carries passengers who prefer ride on
the wild waves to one on blackboard over
the undiscovered roads of the southern part
OF the county.
A few nights ago Maginnis, whose
manly breast swells with pride when he is
addressed as Captain" left the wharf wit
three passengers on the forward deck. 1t
was dark, but as he had the tide with him
and fair wind, aud had often made the
trip by night, he felt safe In starting.
Never a tear, boys" said he. addressing
his passengers; "TH say to you as Hank
Monks said to the editor of the Tribune,
Keep your seat and III get you there
Captain Maglnnis made tack for MIS-
sion Rock and after passing it was lacking
tor the roling-mills, when one OF those fogs
sprang up, and the nondescript vessel Was
10 it. but out of sight OF guiding lights.
Were in for it n0w," suggested one of
the passengers. who noticed that the boat
was drifting.
Never a fear" exclaimed the skipper;
well pull out all right as soon as We get
sight of the lights OF Butchertown.
There was silence for moment. Then the
skipper called to his crew, a one-legged
naval veteran, who stumps along on a peg
leg and performs all the duties that are re-
quired of cabin-b0y, man before the mast
and mate.
"Hey, there. forward! cast the lead line"
AYE, aye, sill" answered the crew.
"W hat does she bring up?"
'Sand," answered the crew.
The vessel dr!fted; the passengers looked
at each other, but said not word.
Again the order ''cast the line" was given.
"Wnat does she bring up?" asked Skip
per Maginnis.
Mud" was the answer that floated from
stem to stern and lost itself in the fog bank
There was more silence as the vessel
drifted upward with the flood.
cast the line"
AYE. aye, sir" responded the one-legged
crew.
There was a splash. a rushing of the limo
over the rail and then the skipper once more
asked, What does she bring up?'
The crew hestated. held the lead line
close TO the white light Oh the port side and
answered, "Tripe."
''Saved!' exclaimed Captain Maginnis.
Cast the anchor and we'll lay-to till this
fog rises"
A chunk Of pig-lead that did service for
an anchor went by the board and the
vessel swung laZily around.
What do you mean by saved?" asked
one OF the passengers.
"Meah-what do / mean? | mean, sir.
that have found my bearings. That piece
of tripe means that we are off Butcher
town and in a little while we will see the
lights that will guide us on our journey to
the point. little fog don't bother me;
ali want Is TO get my bearings"