The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-10-02


shared by the Continental companies,
which were in the agreement. 1t is said
the Scandia line had eaten into the busi-
ness of the British lines. One OF the
conditions OF the new combination which
has been formed is that the line be aban-
doned, which win again allow the Brit
ish lines to control the bulk of the Scan
dinavian and Danish business.
Only one sealer arrived from the north
ern Pacific hunting grounds yesterday
and she was the schooner Arletas. An
other, however, was reported late last
night as coming up the straits in tow.
The Arietas left the Copper islands a
month ago and brings home a catch OF
1,1O6 skins. This number is smaller than
what was expected early in the season.
An incident of the cruise brought III luck
to the schooner. The water supply gave
out prematurely, and an inspection OF
the tanks holding it showed that they
had been tampered with. This happened
when the sealer was doing her best work
of the season. She was obliged to give
UP operations and run to Yokohama for a
new supply. While in port she exchanged
cooks, as the blame of the trouble was
laid on one Of them who was believed
to have got homesick.-Colonlst.
In a recent editorial on the North Pa
cifc chart the Liverpool Journal of Com
merce says: Vessels leaving San Fran
cisco or any of the Pacific ports of the
United States, with copy of North
Pacific pilot chart at command will find
the best crossings in the North Atlantic
for each of the three months in which
they are likely to be there; and also
the probable latitude of losing the south
east trades, and entering and losing the
northeast trades. 1t Is just this sort of
nautical information that the navigators
require. Clearly expressed, and free from
affectation OF high science" the United
States North Pacific chart should have
future before it. Navigators of every
nation earnestly strive to improve this
valuable series of close cooperation; and
they are ably backed up by their nautical
brethren at the Washington photographic
office. Those observing are freely sup
piled with copies Of the pilot charts and
other matter of Importance to those
whose lives are passed remote from the
land.
Fads in shipbulding seem to date from
the seventeenth century when a Dutch
merchant gave orders for a vessel to be
constructed for him like the pictorial rep
resentations of Noah's ark. The shipping
folk in the town where he resided jeered
at him for his eccentric idea, but when
the craft was completed and she was
found capable of carrying a third more
cargo than other owners ships, and no
extra men were required, to work her,
the laugh changed sides. Probably this
Is the only instance on record of "fad"
turning out successful when put to a
practical test. In 1914 William Doncaster
patented what he described as being "the
first hydrostatlc ship which has ever APP
peared upon the habitable globe" 1t
consisted of five pontoons, sharp pointed,
to divide the displaced water, so that
she would rise well to the waves. Four
water wheels were fixed fore and aft,
between pontoons 1 and and and s,
through which the water ram to propel
the vessel This invention, as might read
lily be imagined proved to be OF no use
Observation-Disclosures Journal
The machinists of the navy have
grievance, and unless this Is speedily re-
dressed the service is likely to be short
of the best grade of mechanics. By the
departments system they have been grad
ed into three classes, chief, first and Sec
ond class machinists, with pay in pro-
portion. According to the practice of the
department the men cannot be enlisted
as chief machinists, but must enter one
of the lower grades and await promotion.
This has brought about the result that
when person has served faithfully for
a number of years, and by ability has
attained the rank of chief machinist, he
must, If he desires to continue In the
naval service at the conclusion of his
term Of enlistment re-enlist in the lower
grades, taking his chance of again getting
his old rating as chief, and losing about
SIS per month in pay until he succeeds.
In the event that he succeeds in re-enlist-
irg at once on the same ship on which
he has been serving he suffers no loss,
as he is Immediately rated as chief, but
in the more frequent cases, where he Is
to remain for months on a receiving ship
awaiting assignment, his loss is consider
abe
The Fishing Gazette says: There is
talk of an American sardine trust. Some