The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-30
BIG WHEAT SHIPMENTS.
Nearly Every British Ship
in the Harbor Is Under
Charter.
FORTY VESSELS ON THE WAY.
Letting GOA Rise in Charter
Prices.

Every iron ship in the harbor, with one
exception, has Deen chartered. The ex-
ception is the British ship Dunstaffnage,
which, it is said, refused cargo at 30 shil-
lings last week. This is condition of af-
fairs which has never before existed in the
history of the port. A year ago Mission
Bay was crowded with idle British vessels,
and charters, which were few, were offered
at ruinouS rates.
1t is only within the past few weeks that
the price of charters began to rise, the in
crease being proportionate to the demand
for foreign bottoms. The price started at
25 shillings and is now up to 81. Some
body has been working very quietly in the
matter, and ship after ship has been en-
ployed. What the reason is for the sud-
den demand for wheat-carrying vessels is a
matter of conjecture on the water front,
but the mystery seems to have been solved
on Change.
1t was rumored that the syndicate which
attempted to corner the wheat market a
year ago by swapping up all the stuff of
fered and calling for more, had received in
structions to let go. Broker McGlaufiin
was the man who purchased the bread
stuff, but who his hacker was could never
be learned. The late James g. Fair was
credited with having furnished the money
for McGlauttin's heavy purchases, and
while the statement has never been proved
it is generally accepted as true. 1t is said
that at least 100000 tons of wheat were
bought in by McGlaufiin and stored
away in the warehouses at Port Costa OF
this amount 49, 900 tons vet remain on
hand, menace to the market. With this
great amount OF wheat on hand there is
little danger of a rise in local rates and
brokers and farmers would like to see a
selling movement on the part of the hold
erS.
1t is common report that the wheat in
the Port Costa warehouse is weevilly and
the managers of the Fair estate do not
wish to take chances on the destruction OF
the entire stock and SO for that reason it is
said the order has gone out to sell the'stuff
The chartering of all the English ships
in the harbor would seem to lend color to
the rumor of the sale of the syndicate
wheat. Gossip says that the stuff may be
shipped to Liverpool via New Orleans, as
there are not sufficient vessels in port to
carry the stored tonnage. This may, or
may not be SO, but there is a big fleet OF
ships now on the way to port from various
parts of Europe. The engaged tonnage in
port up to yesterday amounted to 5S,549
tons. A year ago to-day there were 65, 055
! tons IN the nafDor lying Idle, the engaged
tonnage amounting to only 22,566. Two
British ships arrived yesterday-the Full
wood from Calcutta and the Hollywood
from Liverpool. The latter vessel was
chartered prior to arrival, and negotia-
tons are already under way for the char
ter of the FulwCod.
OF the big feet of vessels now speeding
toward San Francisco at least forty are
known to be chartered at from Is to 81
shillings. In addition to this there are
but three American ships in the harbor
which have not been chartered. These are
the Belle O'Brien, Great Admiral and the
j. B. Walker. 1t was rumored yesterday
that the Belle O'Brien would soon be sent
TO Port Costa TO take in cargo OF, wheat
Captain Colley of the vessel admitted that
he would soon be taking cargo, and init
mated that the vessel would be foreign
bound when she sailed. In view of the
foregoing it is evident that somebody is
unloading his wheat, and indications point
to the syndicate.