The morning call., 1894-03-31

The arrival of England's greatest mer-
chantman, long given mp as lost. sci at
rest all wild conjectures as to her prob
able fate, and the 25 per cent or more paid
for reinsurance will have to be charged up
To the 10 IS account of her owners and con-
signees.
The Somali spread good bit of her
canvas forward when she passed in, for
the tide was running out strong. As the
ship sailed past the city docks she at
tracted a great deal of attention from
nautical people who congregated at the
end Of the quays in groups, passing much
favorable and adverse criticism on the
much-talked-of cargo carrier.
In appearance the SOmali is not a par
ticulaTiy attractive craft; she looks awk-
ward and slow, but her commander de-
clared with considerable emphasis that
she is mighty spry ship in good wind.
Owing TO the llghtness of her tea cargo
more space than tonnage being consumed
by 1.-THE Somali is pretty high out of
watsr, which appearance tends to deduct
by optical illusion from the height Of her
masis, making them seem stumpy. but ex-
ceeding strong Of spar and brace.
When it had been currently reported
about in business circles that the SOmRli
was safe in port there was just faint
sign of disappointment manifest upon the
countenances of those who had coasign-
ments on board of her. One merchant
shook his head dolefully and murmured
something about being ruined. but his was
the first real expressi q Of actual dissatis-
faction at the arrival.
Ping Suey tea, number of thousand
of cases of which help to make up the big
ships cargo. has been the especial butt of
Custom-house contumely for several sea-
sons past, and of late has attracted the
vigilant eye of Collector John II. Wise and
others interested in maintaining a stand
ara of purity in the imports of the leaf
The Ping Suey is said to be highly adu-
terated and hardly cGmmendable article
for household consumption. There is
grave doubt, however. whether the reve-
nue. authorities have a right TO question
the legality of the landing Of shipments Of
the despised product.
Regarding the reinsurance of the Somali
% per cent was paid, but afterward re-
bated to tEe original percentage named in
the ships insurance contract. This rebate
was allowed because, after a careful re-
view of the causes that might delay the
Somali. it was decided that The vessel could
not possibly reach San francisco before the
25th of the present month or possibly the
1st of April.
The real fear for the safety of the float
ing property was felt by Messrs. Seigfreid
& Brandenstein and others interested in
its welfare, after 1t became known that
Captain Hanney bad been spoken 1000
miles south of the regular route for vessels
from HoDg-KoDg for this city. as IL was
then ackno wledged by most seafaring men
that the Somali had chosen the southern
route for reasons best known to her COM
mander.
1t was fear of typhoons which inspired
Captain Hanney TO change his course.
after losing dozen of his ships sails, aud
square away for the Carrimatta Straits,
leaving the Basbee Channel astern cut up
by the bowling mon soons. that had played
havoc with the SomaiPs rigging and can
vas.
The southeast trades carried the un-
lucky craft into calm patch of ocean,
where for forty days she rolled slowly over
about 600 miles of smooth water.
When 80 degrees east. 80 degrees south,
was reached her course was altered until
135 degrees west, 80 degrees south. brought
her into some strong west southwest
gales. No ice was encountered and an
average run was made TO Pitcairn Island.
where the vessel was hove to and boat
sent ashore for provisions.
1t was Saturday and all the good
Seventh-day Adventists on the island were
resting from their weeks labor, and not
desiring to break the day for worship by
uDholy exerti0n Captain Hanney was re-
quested TO anchor until the day to follow,
wheL such stores as the islanders could
spare would be given him.
Captain Hanney did not care to delay, so
after prevailing upon the Pitcairners to
sell him a barrel of potatoes the Somali
bid the spot farewell, her crew deciding TO
broach the cargo of rice if necessary TO
keep them from starvation.
1t was not so very long after Pitcairn
and its queer inhabrsnts had been left in
the wake before the ships stores began to
ruE low, a diet of canned goods and or
ange marmalade constituting the chief in
gradients for an evenings mess. But the
marmalade ran low, and the canned goods
disappeared can by can until the mere
skeleton of q storeroom Confronted the
steward.
According TO the ships skipper the crew