The San Francisco call., 1896-05-30
NARROW ESCAPE
OF THE GARTHA,
Caught in a Severe Gale
Off the Farallone
Islands.
LOST SOME OF HER YARDS
Unemployed Vessels Crowding
Into Richardson's Bay
to Lie Up.
DEsERTERs FROM THE DIRIGO.
They Arrived From Honolulu on the
American Bark Martha Davis
Yesterday.
DEsERTERs FROM THE DIRIGo.

The Norwegian bark Gartha, which ar
rived from Antofagasta yesterday, with
cargo of nitrate, had a narrow escape on
the oath inst. The vessel was off the Far
allones and Captain Tengelsen was pre-
Queens birthday.
All went well until a small cloud ap-
peared on the horizon, and then danger
was scented. The captain examined the
barometer and found the glass falling. He
ordered the sail shortened, but before the
men could carry out the order the fore
upper topsail and main top gallant yards
were carried away.
Heavy cross seas kept the vessel in
dangerous position for many hours, but
finally she was got before the wind and
damages were repaired. The storm was
ridden out and port finally reached.
The Gartha is one of the prettiest barks
that have reached San Francisco in many
months. In spite OF the heavy weather
encountered she is as clean as yacht, and
people who boarded her yesterday said
she was as trim allow as aloft- She is
loaded with nitrate and is here seeking a
charter. The chances are that she will
join the feet now at anchor in Richard
sons Bay.
The British ships Ecclefechan and Orion
joined the Sausallto feet yesterday. There
is no chance of a charter, so their owners
determined to lay them up.
The bsrkentine s. n. Castle went to the
Fulton Iron Works yesterday to take
aboard q set of boilers for the new Hawai-
ian steamer James MCGEE. The latter is
at Honolulu and has already received her
machinery from this port. AS soon as her
boilers are placed in position she will have
her trial trip and be put in the inter-island
trade.
The cruiser Philadelphia will be open
for inspection to-day. The Ethel and
Marion will make hourly trips to her from
Clay street wharf. and should the weather
be fine thousands will avail themselves of
the opportunity to view the admiraPs flag
ship.
The British ship Blackbraes from Liver
pool for San Francisco has had many un-
fortunate experiences. A few hours after
getting under way she ran into hurricane
and Captain Chisholm put back in distress.
Early IN January she made another start
and was in collision OF Birkenhead
Again she returned to port and after being
repaired made another start. a few days
ago she put into Monte Video leaking and
with her rudder damaged. Yesterday
came the news that her cargo was afire.
She is loaded partly with coal, the remain
chandise.
Howard-street wharf had a narrow es-
cape few days ago. The Samaria was
discharging blacksmiths' coal into the
bunkers and also in sacks on the wharf.
The latter exploded and a still alarm was
turned in. The chemical engine was first
on the scene and soon drowned the fire.
Had the fremen been less prompt, how
ever the fire might have developed into
serious conhagratlon.
The only American steel built ship in
the world-the Dirigo-is getting into i'll
repute. She left here for Honolulu to load
sugar and on arriving at that port the
who have reached San Francisco-that
they were not half fed and had to do
double work. Two. of them got away on
the British ship HOLLYWOOD and two
arrived yesterday on the bark Martha
Davis. They made themselves a bed
among the sugar In the hold of the bark,
and although the captain of the Dirigo
and the Honolulu Chief of Police searched
for them their hiding place could not be
found. When the Martha Davis was out
side the reef the men came on deck, and
sooner than put back to land them Cap
tain Souie brought them to San Francisco.
They say that all hands attem pied to de-
sert on account OF ill-trehtment, out that
all were arrested except four. According
to them the ship was hell upon earth
and the captain and officers fends in
carnate.
The water front will be gay tomorrow.
The Corinthian Yacht Club will hold its
annual regatta. The South End Rowing
Club will also celebrate at Ell Campo and
several excursions around the bay will be
in order. Ell Campo, the favor1te picnic
ground, is now in all the glory of its sum-
mer dress and whoever visits it to-day may
rest assured of an enjoyable time.
The old Couzens drydock was removed
from its moorings YESTERDAY and is now
anchored off the Mission Rock. In future
the Merchants drydock will handle all
the business.