The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-24
PIRATES LOCATED.
Outcome of an Assault
Case.
AN OLD BARGE THEIR LAIR.
A Mail Dock Employe Attacked
by the Wharf Rats.
CUSTOM-hOUSE BOAT PURSUED.
A New Portland Steamer-Scheme to
Salve the Crown of Eng
Iand-NoteS.
AN OLD BARGE THEIR LAIR.
CUsToM-HoUsE BOAT PURSUED.

What may lead to the arrest and convic-
ion of an organized gang of waterfront
marauders has grown out of the taking
into custody of Albert Brogan on charge
of assaulting Storekeeper Ward Of the Pa
cifc Mail Steamship Company.
Early last Tuesday morning Ward was
assaulted and robbed by three men near
the entrance to the cOmpaDy'S dock at
First aud Brannan streets. The footpads
fled after relieving the storekeeper of sew
eral pieces of coin and his jewery, dropped
over the Brannau-street bulkhead into
skiff and rowed away for China basin.
Ward gave an alarm on recovering his
self-composure. Inspector Macglnnis of
the Custom-house and two OF the dock
watcbmen made a rush for the boat be-
longing to the revenue service which is
kept tie wharf and started in pursuit.
The skiff had good start. 1t was pulled
by the three vigorous footpads ana was
headed for the south end of Mission Bay.
Macginnis' boat was nearly quarter of
mile behind, hit was fast gaining
The robbers noticed that they were
being overhauled, but nevertheless headed
for an old barge about half a mile
from the Potrer0 mud fats, on which was
gathered about hal dozen tGugh-lOoking
customers, who by their actions could be
made out 10 be signaling 10 the skitf oars
men TO come to their assistance.
The skff reached the barge, took one of
the crowd on board and was about to pull
for a landing a short distance away. Mac
ginnis then drew his pistol and fred a
shot over the heads OF the crowd. In an
instant every man but those IN the boat
plunged into the water and swan like
frogs for the sh re. The man Brogan had
got ont of the sk!f TO make Place for
cOmrade, and when the pistol was fired he
had TO trust to his swimming abilities to
escape.
Tbs pursuers spotted him. They could
not gather in all the gang. but they secured
BToGan and returned with him TO the Mail
dock, where Special Officer Anderson took
charge of the prisoner and turnednhim
over 10 the local police.
Yesterday the old barge was exafa9ned
and afterward lowed alongside the
nearest wharf. 1t was nearly filed with
water. Its lower compartment is pro-
tected by heavy deck, so it has been de-
ci1ed to pump it out to-day that it may be
Rscertained whether she is filed up with
atOlen goods,
For months past gang OF Yandals have
been stealing boats, stores for ships and
all manner of articles from boatmen and.
vessels at the city wharveS. 1t is thought
that Brogan's crowd is the guilty combina-
ton.
The schooner Anna has been chartered
by the California Iron and Wrecking Com
pany and put in charge OF Captain Mac
guen, formerly OF the wrecker San Pedro.
To-day the Anna will proceed TO Santa
Rosa Island with wrecking appliances in
tow of the tug Katie O'NeilI. The scheme
is to save what is possible from the wrecked
Crown of England. The Spreckeis Brothers
are behind the undertaking. The enter
prise may and may not pan out several
thousand dollars. Cap ain WhiJelaw, the
veteran wrecker, does not think any vessel
can get close en- ough 10 the Crown to work
successfully.
The steamer Portland. formerly the
famous Hay tan Republic, will leave TO-
day for Portland In competition with the
regular steamers Of the Pacific Coast
Steamship Company. The Portland will
carry passengers and freight Purser Nc
D0nel, formerly OF the keweenaw, has
been appointed TO take charge OF the YES
sells business department Mr.. McDOnel
is one Of the eldest and best known steam
ship purseTs on the coast. II" was at one
lime In the employ of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company.
lu ser Richardson of the China has
accepted posi- ion as manager of one OF
The fashionable European hotels of Hong
Kong. The gentleman has been In the
Mall Company's service fer years and was
formerly on The City of New York J. c.
PucEering has been appointed In Mr.. Rich
afdson's place. Mr. PICKERING is well
known in shipping circles. He was re-
Gently In the Employ If the North Ameri-
can Navigation Company and Panama
Rallrrad Cnmpany.
The bark MPlrose for Victoria from San
Francisco has put back fer repairs. She
was damaged nn November 20 in a collision
with the tug LoIne. She will have 10 DIS
charge 800 tons of coal and have a new
rudder set.
The steamer Pomona is detailed to tow
the damaged steamer Coos Bay from San
Diego to this city.
he steamer Australia will not sail TO-
day IT o'clock She leaves Tomorrow at
that time instead.