The morning call., 1894-03-29
CAME IN COMPANY
Arrival of Two American
Ships.
They Have Made Three Voyages
Together-SaiIor Jones Released
From Custody.

The American ships Arabia and Iroquois
arrived yesterday morning from New
York after passage of 1877 days. There
is rather strange story connected with
the simultaneous coming of these two yes
sells.
The Iroquos and Arabia were both built
at Bath. Me-. in 1881. by rival firms. Dur
ing their maiden voyages both vessels left
the Atlantic side on the same date, bound
for San Franrisco. They arrived here oD
the same day. III days out.
On March 81 of last year the Arabia left
this city for New \ ork few hours ahead
of the IrOquLis, which sailed when The
Arabia had Just about made the offiug.
The trip to New York was made by each
in 106 days. the Iroquois arriving ahead of
her companion ship.
Last November at IL 80 A. NJ. the Iro-
Qunis left New York on return TO San
Francisco, while her shadow. the Arabia.
followed TWO hours later. Yesterday
morning the former craft dropped her an
chor in port just exactly two hours sooner
than the latter.
Both ships were in company during
many days of their journey.
The Ir Quois and Arabia are of the same
tonnage (2024 tons). aud are of very little
difference in length and breadth.
The slip Prussia was towed down from
Martinez yesterday morning By the tug
Fearless. She was anchored IN the stream,
but her hook did not hold. She drifted
across the Oakland ferry slips and had to
secure the services of the Fearless again TO
tow her into the stream.
The survey of the ship Undaunted was
not completed yesterday. alth houGh the YES
sci was placed on the Hunters Point dry
dock early in the day.
The Undaunted is the craft that bumped
. en..A "A
Relief some DAYS ago.
Strange to say, none of the vessels keel
was carried away. She is, to all appear
ances, sound.
An examination OF her timbers will be
made to-day 10 locate the Leak
The revenue cutter u. S. Grant is some
what overdue, being out ia days to-day
from New York. If the Grant is as tardy
in catching smugglers as she is making
rort there are some doubts as to her use
fulnsss as a coast guard against illegal
traffickers.
If the HarbOr Commissioners would only
change the objectionable rule recurring
wharhngers and collectors to be on duty
during the summer months from A. NJ
until P. NJ. there would be general salts
faction along the front. The rule is an
exceedingly arbitrary one and there is not
the slightest excuse for its existence
Nobody but few stevedores, longshore-
men aud sailors are moving about the
docks until $3.50 or O'clock in the morn
ing There is absolutely no necessity for
any of the States men being on deck be-
fore that hour.
A CALL reporter made an investigation
of the case of .he drowning of sailor
Thomas j. Thomas of the British shin
Peleus, and found that Thomas un-
doubtedly lost his life through an accident.
Frank Jones, the young seaman VIII
was accused of causing Thomas to lose his
life, merely put forth his hand to stop a
blow aimed at him, and as he did so
Thomas tripped on The companion ladder
and fell In the bay.
The complaining witness in the case is
sa to be prejudlced. Jones was released
from the tanks yesterday, the police hav-
ing satisfied themselves that he was en-
tirely innocent of any intention 10 do his
Shinmata harm