The morning call., 1894-05-25
w ~ w LOSN {.
Story of the Pioneers
Troubles.
THE DETAILS OF HER TRIP.
How the Crew Was Kept Busy
at the Pumps.
THE DETAILS OF HER TRII
DIFFICULT LANDING IN THE SURF.
Getting News to the Owners of the
Schooner in San Francisco.
Other Marine Notes.

The tug Vigilant will probably be in
port in a few days with the leaking
schooner Pioneer in tow. The arrival Of
the Vigilant is looked forward to with
much interest, for all maritime people are
anxious to know something about the un-
lucky voyage of the schooner from San
Francisco to Victoria, thence 10 San
Marcos Island. THE CALL is able to-day
to give the full history of the voyage of
the schooner and the difficulties she en-
countered thereon.
The Pioneer sailed from San Francisco
on January IA for Victoria, but had to put
back on account of southeast gale that
was blowing stiff1y outside. She sailed
again on the 18th in tow of the tug Rescue.
and nine days later arrived at Royal Roads,
British Columbia, where she waited for
orders. Shortly afterward she sailed for
Mill Bay, where the vessel was loaded for
Santa Rosalia with mining lumber.
1t took IS DAYS to load the schooner on
At the end of that time. the cargo still being
incomplete, run was made for Esqul-
malt and the balance of the lumber
taken on there. EsQuimalt was cleared
on March .
In twenty-seven days the Pioneer
discharge. On April a sailor named
Louis Smith got caught in the cargo fall
ana was thrown down the forehatch,
breaking his right leg between the knee
and ankle.
a boat was sent ashore 10 summon a
surgeon, but that individual was an auto
crat, being the only physician in hundreds
OF miles, and with calm deliberaton be
refused to visit the wounded man until the
following morning. Smith was too badly
hurt to wait, aud so Captain Pasmore of
the British ship Andola, that was anchored
near the Pioneer, volunteered TO set the
fractured limb. CaptaiR PasmOre proved
to be practical surgeon and performed
the operation creditably.
The Pioneer proceeded south from Santa
ROSalla TO San Marcos Island, where about
200 tons OF gypsum were landed. Then she
started for San Francisco.
On the morning of the 2Sth of April. at s
O'Clock. when about 125 miles from Cape
San Lucas. the vessel sprang a leak She
filled with such rapidity that the crew was
not able to keep her clear though both
pumps were kept going. The pumps were
worked with vengeance and part of the
cargo jettisoned. The vessel was brought
about and headed for the cape with three
feet of water In her hold.
The cape was made at IL o'clock A, NJ,
on the 18th Of April. The crew were work
ing hard at the pumps and just about
managed to keep even with the water in
the hold when the sea was smooth.
The captain, Second Mate William Pat
rick and one seaman started on the morn
ing OF the 30th for San Jose del Caoo.
fifteen miles distant. in an open boa. to
catch the steamer 81. Paul, then due from
San francisco to Guaymas, their object
being to get word to the Simpson Lum Der
Company regarding the schooner's coudi-
ton.
While making a landing through the
surf at San Jose del Cabo, the boat was
swamped and It's three occupants thrown
into the water, all nearly losing their lives.
Assistance arrived and the ships boat was
hauled up on the beach. None of the
cargo was jettisoned, aud the water kept
down in the Pioneers hold until the Vigi-
liant arrived and took her in tow.
British sea captains did not forget to
celebrate the Queens birthday yesterday.
Nearly all the English ships in the harbor
were decked with colors, and on most of
them the day was celebrated as a holiday,
The RisdOn Iron Works has flied a pro-
test with the Harbor Commissioners
against the successful bidder for work to
be done on the fire tug Governor Irwin.
The company put its bill in as a whole.
and did not make two separate bids, as the
specifications called for. The Risdon peo-
pie claim that they did not understand the
requirements.