The morning call., 1894-10-19
THE BIG RAFT.
How 1t Went to Pieces in
the Ocean.
HEAVY SEAS TORE 1T APART.
1t Was Partially Insured by Its
Owners.
STEAMER SAN JOSE ARRIVES.
Troubles of the Sailors Still Unset.
tled-Departure of the Colon
for the South.

The history of the big cigar-shaped pile
raft which left Astoria on the 18th inst. in
tow of the tug Monarch was brought to
this city yesterday when the tug arrived
minus the raft. As reported before, the
raft went to pieces in the storm of several
days ago. which proved so disastrous to
three or four coasting schooners.
Cattain Dan Thompson of the tug told
the history of the raft, and how 1t came to
follow the example of sundry RATS of simi-
lar con structon in the years gone by.
The tug, with the raft. which was CON-
posed of 10000 piles, valued at about $780,
OG0. met with rough weather soon after
leaving port. A succession of gales and
rough seas was experienced, and the raft,
which was bound together by chains,
could not stand the strain. Half the time.
the captain says, the sea was so rough that
those on the tug could make out the
raft only by the foam that was breaking
over it.
The strain on the hawser was terrific,
and frequently the Monarch's stern was
under wa er. II was on last Monday morn
ing that the serious trouble with the raft
began. The wind was blowing at fear
ful rate and there was nasty crnss-sea.
The raft then showed signs of shakiness.
and on the following day it was plainly
seen that the sea was playing havoc with
the piles. On the evening OF the same
day the raft began TO break up. and soon
there was but 75-toot length OF the raft
which had originally been 525 feet long,
left. 1t was then decided to cut the raft
adrift. There we're sixty tons OF chains
around the piles, and that sank TO the
bottom and served as a sort of anchor to
what piles were left. 1t was off Hecta
Light where the raft was abandoned.
From that point to this city the tug met
with fair weather.
The raft was for the Southern Pac fic
Company, and the piles had they reached
hera would have been used on the Oak
land water front. The chains alone were
worth $1,000. An Insurance risk was on
the raft for about two-thirds of It's value.
AS q result of its tussle with its un-
wieldy tow, the tug is chafed about her
stern railing. The raft was not cast loose
until the last chance of saving it was gone.
In consequence of the accident naviga-
tors between this port aud the Sound will
run considerable danger. The scattering
of ,000 piles over the oceans surface Is
a serious menace to craft of all kinds.
There were 8,000 coo feet of lumber in the
raft. Seventy-ive feet IF the Mo1archs 5
steel hawser went adrltt with the raft.
The trouble which has existed for some
days past on the water front between the
union sailors and the Ship-Owners' Asso-
fights are as frequent as ever. Each side
seems determined TO stand by what il con-
siders it's principles.
The British ship Marian Joseph secured
a crew at union rates Yesterday and was to
have gone 10 sea. The tug Active took
her ID tow. but the strain of the hawser
broke the cap of the capstan. Because of
the accident the ship will not be able to
get away until Saturday. She is bound
for Europe with one OF the largest cargOes
of canned salmon thatever left this port.
The steamer San Jose arrived from Cen
trail American ports yesterday. at least
such porls as she could touch at. AL
the ports in Salvador are closed because
OF the prevalence of yellow fever IN that
country. On the wav up fireman McEwen
of he steamer died from the effect of the
fever. The agents of local business firms
are qnarantined In Salvador. They are
Mr.. Kelly, representing Castle Bros. :;
Mr.. Bonney of another local firm. They
went south on business. and they were
caught by the closing of the ports.
The steamer Colon sailed yesterday
afternoon for Mexican ard Central Ameri-
can poris on her way to Panama. Among
her passengers was Eugene Hahn of this
city, who goes south n the interest of two
commercial enterprises. He also takes
with him several racehorseS for Guate-
mala.
Yesterday the steamer Monowai sailed
for Honolulu and Australia. She had an
unusually large passenger list. Among
those on board were the following: Mr..
Whether and bride formerly Miss Gertrude
Allen of Oakland; G. p. Wilder, who goes
to take charge of an inter-island line OF
vessels; Judge Cooper, DR.. Cooper and
Mrs. G. w. Cooper.
The gasoline schooner Moro, which was
recently constructed at Whites shipyard
In Oakland, was brought over to this side
and tied up to Mission wharf l. She
was bu1lt for j. 5. Kimball & Co. and will
temporarily ply between here and Albion