The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-07

dressed up In red suits and little red cans
which make the animals look very comical.
They are as cunning as can be and the
tricks they play are very amusing. The
rats recognize one master and not another
man on the ship can get them to budee.
They are housed in a kerosene can and
know the mess hour as we'll as the crew.
The rabbits are what give the most trouble
They breed and multiply to such an extent
that summary measures had to be taken
IN their case. In consequence rabbit pie
has been u usual dish on the Mcclellan
once week for two years past.
The men are mourning the loss of their
pet parrot. The day the ship re cached
port 1t disappeared, and what has become
OF il they would like to know. 1t was the
bird that came aboard when the vessel was
off the coast of Brazil and at once made it.
self at home. The men taught it many
tricks, and it became general favorite
whether 1t flew away or was stolen no one
seems to know.
The pigeons are the shippers favorites.
Every morning they fly into his cabin and
walk ali over him until he awakes and
gives them something to eat. Their quar-
ters are amidship, and in company with
the chickens and rabbits they OCCUPY two
fine houses lifted up with all the latest i'm
provements. There they live and breed
until now the good ship seems to be alive
with beasts and birds.
The men have nearly all been with the
Mcclellan Tor over two years, and they are
Ekely TO stay two years more. They like
the ship and they like the manner in
which they are cared for. but they don't
like the cook. They say he is no good and
have petitioned for his dismissal. The
chances are that the cook will be paid off.
In the forecastle the men have stored
away at least twenty models of different
SHIPS. Some OF them are OF good size
and some are only a foot long. Others
nave been built piece by piece in brandy
bottles and whisky TASKS, and form an ad
mlrable collection. The crew has also a
full band aboard. All or nearly all the
instruments were made on the ship and
they present unique appearance. I've
Dig drum was made out OF barrel and the
snare drum was purchased in San Fran
cisco. The mbourine and banjo had for
basis the ends OF a kerosene can, and the
flute was made of a bamboo cane. The
cornet Is modern instrument, but every
thing else was made aboard. The melody
they produce is reminiscent of the canni-
bal islands, but it is not inharmoniouS-
when you get used 70 it.
The pigeons never leave u.s." said Chief
Officer Sim yesterday. when we are at
sea they will make long excursions on
their own account, but they always return.
Sometimes they will stay away for a
couple OF days, and where they go to no
one knows, as on many occasions we have
been 5000 miles from land when they
started. One thing is certain, when they
got back they were always ready for some
thing to eat and drink Several times
they have brought other birds back with
them. and l suppose the parrot and the
other stranger came back with them. Our
abblts we have to xii in self-defense, and
the hens keep us supplied with eggs. l
am sorry to say, however. that most of the
eggs go to the forecastle. The sailors
always manage to get to the nests before
the steward and cook"
The Mcclellan will discharge at Harri-
son street, and will then load wheat for
Europe. She was chartered at FL IS Cd
prior 10 arrival, and Captain Mann is de-
lighted over his good luck.