The morning call., 1894-06-06
FISH, NOT OPIUM.
A Seizure That Was Not
Made.
ON THE SCHOONER ELWOOD.
How the Revenue Men Watched
Her With Care.
A SECOND OFFICER KILLED,
Sad Accidents on the Steamer Empire
and Ship Fannie Kerr-A Bottle
With History.

All was fish that came to the nets Of the
Custom-house searcherS who looked 1or
opium on board of the schooner Elwood'
Instead of finding thirty tons OF the drug,
the officers found $4,000 pounds Of hallbut.
Now they are feeling very sad.
The brightest dream of the revenue SER
vice turned into a nightmare when the El-
wood arrived from Vancouver last Satur
day, for it has come to light that she was
suspected of having on board one of the
largest consignments OF poppy extract
that was ever heard OF, even IN the palmy
days of Whalley ct al
About thirty days ago a gentleman re-
siding in Seattle and doing business by
proxy III San Francisco got angry because
he was a successful shipper of strange
packages, and decided to turn evidence
and give the Government tip. He talked
q good deal about his tip, with the result
that a vigilanI CustOm-hOuse man got wind
of his story and wired to San Francisco 10
look out for schOOners, or something TO
that effect
Later advice was received at the Federal
building that the Elwood would perhaps
try to land a cargo Of opium at brakes
Bay or some point along the coast. The
vessel was not very we'll known on the
of great speed"
Sti Il later came a dispatch saying that
there was supposed TO be an immense
Consignment of opium on the schooner.
The CustOm-hOuse became excited. Ii be-
gan to plan for seizure that would startle
the city.
When the Elwood left Vancouver and
drifted into United States waters she was
suddenly bounced upon by the United
States steamer Adams and searched.
Nothing was found below but nallbut and
ice, SO the Adams officers said nothing,
took fish or two, but declined an offer OF
ice, remarking that the weather was some
what chilly with them just at that par
ticular time
The Elwood sheered off and started
south. Suddenly the Ranger OF some other
United States ship doomed up and made
her heave to. She obeyed ana was searched
again. More fish-no; no ice.
In the meantime the Office at San Fran
cisco was not inactive. Captain Wells, the
well-knOwn seaman, who makes his head
quarters at Section of the seawall, was
employed TO go 20 Point Reyes in a small
DOat to stand guard and report if q vessel
like the Elwood should put in over there.
Captain Wells got his little craft, full
decked fishing smack, ready and started
off Tor the point, Drawing the dangers of
the tremendous seas off that projection,
and virtually rlSking his lie 10 serve his
country and his flag.
The captains trip was about the most
Interesting performance of any of those
IN the CustOm-house employ, for a sail to
Point Reyes in little boat is a risky
undertaking. For twenty days he waited
and watched, but the schooner did not
come.
When the Elwood locked a. Fisherman's
wharf she Was boarded by a whole force
of inspectors, who went through her care
fully and argued with her commander.
Alas! no opium, only fish and ice.
At the meeting of the Board of Harbor
Commissioners yesterday afternoon Engi-
neer Holmes plans for operating
the hosting gear for Dunsmur's new
coal bunkers were accepted. 1t is said
that Chandeliers bunkers at Pacific street
will have to go next, as the board desires
TO use the wharf for the purpose Of dock
ing river steamers.
William Arrnan, member Of the crew
Of the British ship Fannie Kerr. present
IN the stream, teli from aloft, yesterday
morning while bending sail. to the deck
below. The unfortunate man was badly
injured and cannot recover. lie was re-
moved to the City Receiving Hospital.
Swimmer Joe Fleming says he Is prac-
ticing TO swim from Lombard-stTeet wharf
10 the Cliff House at near date. lie will
commence to train Immediately.
Private letters received yesterday give
the catch of the following sealers: Penelope
PCS skins. Louis Olsen 600. II. G. Wahlberg
128. The Matte Dyer was spoken by the
Wahlberg with 862 skins. The Penelope
had to put into Hakodate for provisions,
as those she obtained when she fitted out
at San Pedro were worthless and had to
be thrown away. Her crew were on short
IatiOus in consequence.
The sea has given up its dead. The re-
mains of picnic have hoated to the sur
face of the water. The empty coffin of a
good time that has passed has been re-
covered from the angry pillows that wash
the rocks OF North Beach.
1t was only tightly corked whisky
bottle, but it bore this sad message to the
shore:
June 8. 1894-The contents of this
bottle was drunk on board the tug Fearless
without fear. Kossie GoldiDg. O'Brien, j.
p. Hoff."
Boatman Jack Haley picked up the
bottle the day before Yesterday.