The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-03
NEAR SPEAR-STREET WHARF.
A Question of Small Rent and
Large Profits Involved.
THE STATE is INTERESTED,
Because 1t May Derive q Larger
Income for Dock Rentals That
Have Been Too Reasonable.

iduc AdfO OcCh dioWh Ava ~"
dock to take the place of the small dock
now used by the California DrydocK Com-
pany at Spear-street wharf.
The company has two docks in opera
ton at the present time, one of which is
capable of docking pretty good-slzed
vessel while the other can only be utilized
to dock schooners, tugboats and other
small craft
1t is the intention of the company to do
away with the smaller structure and erect
in its place a dock almost similar TO the
larger concern. which will greatly faclll-
tate the handling of the corporations in
creasing business.
The new plans and specifications call
for a floating dock capable Of lifting
craft of 500 tons or less.
No venture has been more profitable
than the California Drydock Company and
scarcely day passes without some one OF
the local coasting vessels hauling up at
Spear street for repairs or to be cleaned.
The company, through a gentleman who
is said to be its secretary, refuses to d.
vulge any Of the particulars OF its pro-
posed Improvement. A reporter called at
the Office of the company at 302 California
street and was directed to the Office OF the
Shipowners' and Merchants Towboat
Company.
"Does the drydock company intend
building a new dOck?" was asked.
81 don't know nothing about any dry
Dock" was the peculiarly worded reply of
the alleged secretary.
but you have decided to build"
Pm not talking about our new dock, sir;
l amt got nothing TO say"
From other persons interested in the
corporation polite answers were received
regarding the pending investment of sew
eral thousand dollars for new dock,
matter of interest to all seafaring men.
Plans have been drawn up, but 1t has
not been definitely decided when work
will commence.
The new structure will fill the basin
near little Main-street wharf and will be
provided with pumping gear similar to
that of the big dock next to the Union Pa
cifc's wharf.
Still another company is figuring on
building drydock in Oakland Creek.
The enterprise is said to be backed by
Captain T. L. Lawlor of the old Empress
Eugene line of tramp steamers, who is
acting for syndicate of Eastern men.
Captain Lawler is at present on his way
to New York and only hearsay can be
quoted relative to the dock he Is said TO be
interested in.
Should the California Drydock Company
decide to build the dock that they have
had plans prepared for it may have an in.
terestng battle with the State Board Of
Harbor Commissioners.
The board has twice raised the rent on
the Spear-street concern. The latter seems
TO be laboring under the idea that it
will have to pay no more rent for a small
dock than for large one.
In the year 1890 the rental paid by the
California Drydock Company to the State
was $500, or $3.50 per month. During 1891
and 1892 the ridiculously small sum OF
$4,000 was paid.
lSThe Commissioners were smart enough
to see that it was costing the State more
to keep the approach to the drydock
dredged than the rental for the same
amounted to, so an additional 500 was
added to the lease.
A number of ship-owners who thought
that cheaper dockage rates should be in
vogue were at one time thinking Of estab-
fishing a new drydock. but their scheme
fell through. This started owners of for
eign vessels to asking why big wharf
space could be leased for about $500 a
month when ships. comparatively speak
ing, had to pay nearly twice as much for
the same privilege.
Ii the new dock is built at Spear street
it is expected that the Commissioners will
add another 5000 a month to the rent of
the wharf, and this fact may possibly de-
ter action for some little while.
Opinion is somewhat divided as to what |
should be considered fair rental for the |
California Drydock Company's city front
age, but the most practical business men
think that the question of rent should not
cut any figure in the case.
"Why. the company is getting some
thing for nothing the way the matter
stands now" said one gentleman.
"a new dock would pay it we'll and
there is no reason why it should not be
built and the 5000 month added to the
company's bill for rental The dock
would be used all the time and the CON-
pany could amply afford to pay the addi-
tonal expense for a lease.
Zone thousand dollars month Is not an
exorbitant rent for the space occupied by
the dockyard. Certainly $500 m 0nth is