The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-18
The German Ship Othmar-
Schen Made a Quick
Run.
Came Here From lquique With
Only 500 Tons of Stiff
tening.
Three Vessels Racing Neck AMI Neck
on a Voyage to Eaglish
Ports.

yesterday after NUMBER OF narrow escapes
from destruction. Captain Seller showed
his skill as navigator and proved that he
was a cool-headed sailor by bringing his
vessel into port in one of the quickest pas
sages on record.
The Othmarschen sailed for Iquique in
ballast to load nitrate for Europe. When
the vessel was off the port letter TO the
captain was put aboard ordering him to
San Francisco. This made Seller do some
choice cursing lin Germany, as in anticip pa
ton of loading at Iquique he had thrown
overheard 800 tons OF his ballast, in order
to save expenses in removing it when the
vessel was docked. When the start was
made for San Francisco, therefore, the
Othmarschen was flying light with only
500 tons OF ballast in her hold. Being a
1750-ton vessel, it required careful naviga-
ton to bring her into port. Captain Seller
had the upper yards sent down, but never
theless M ade the run to San Francisco in
the very quick time of forty-niEe days.
Off the port he ran into a southeaster, and
set just enough canvas to keep The ship
head reaching until a tug came along and
brought the ship into port. The Othmar-
schen Will load wheat for Europe.
The Harho. Commissioners held quite
lengthy session yesterday. The ferry de-
pot came up for discussion, and the mat
ter OF the terminus OF the Valley road in
China Basin was referred TO the attorney.
In the ferry depot case several changes, as
recommended by the architect, were or
dered made, but in the other case there
was some discussion. President CeInon
said that according to report the Valley
road had sold its rights in China Basin.
de thought there was a misunderstanding
sOmew here, as the land In question was
only leased to the Valley road on
certain conditions. He would like to
know if the road had complied with the
conditions OF the contract. Commissioner
Cole wanted to know if the directors Of he
road had made any improvements, and
Chief Engineer Holmes said that some
piles had been driven.
On the motion of Commissioner Cole
the board attorney was instructed to look
into the matter and report at Tuesdays
meeting. The Commissioners think that
the reported transfer of the Valley roads
inter est in China basin is a canard.
Goodall, Perkins & Co. complained bout
the state of Spear-street wharf. Ii is all
hills and hollows, and a few days ago one
OF the carriers. was thrown from his wagon
and a load OF paper was thrown on top of
him. He was not seriously Injured. The
matter was referred TO the Superintendent
Oh urgent repairs:
The question OF creosoted piles came up
and the contractors were allowed 81 pile
extra for the work entailed in hauling the
tim bers out OF the water, then barking
Them and putting them back again. Chief
Engineer Holmes explained that even
under the proposed advance the company
was losing money, but Mr.. Dundon, presi-
dent Of the creosoting WORKS, said he was
willing TO lose a certain amont on every
MI, .of f.rln ~ - N,
oughly tested. Afterward President Col
non expressed himself as of the opinion
thai had creosoted piles been used in the
construction of all the State wharves
enough money would have been saved to
build the rest of the seawail.
Captain Baron of the Eyesham Abbey,
which arrived Wednesday night, wants to
get boat into to-morrow's regatta. He
has an unusually good boats crew and is
confident that his men will beat all COM
ers. He will find at least twenty shippers
who will give him odds that his boat
doesn't come in l, 2 8.
The captains, officers and men OF the
warships and sailing vessels that anchor
off Foisom-s street wharf are clamoring for
an electric light at the landing place.
When there is no moon the place is the
most iemal spot on th front, and sailors
avoid it. A petition to the Harbor Com
missioners TO have light placed near the
float is now being signed, and the chances
are that the much needed change will be
made.
The apron at Second-street slip broke
dnwn yesterday and in consequence the
Southern Pacitic's transfer boats could not
run. The general merchandise was taken
over on the creek route.
The British ships Ross-shire for Lond on
and 'Cromartysnire for Queenstown and
the American ship Puritan for Hull all
sailed from here on November q last.
On the 1st inst. all three were In line in
latitude II deg. 30 min. north, longitude
lis deg. west, and were spoken by the
British ship lnveramsay, which got in
yesterday.
The Oceanic Steamship Company Mari
posa got in yesterday, with the following
cabin passengers:
sydney-R H. Henning, n. H. Reid, s. E.
Laidley, J. II. McKlnnon, j. S. Craig, Charles
Taylor and wife, Mrs. J. c. Williamson. ].
Waddingham, wife and children, Miss Downs,
Miss Lancaster, Mrs. Captain Hogan.
Auckland-A Dusseldorf, Mrs. Ruth STAN
ley, J. Mitchell, Rev. Haskell Smith.
Apla-Miss Ide.
Honolulu-Mrs. Wilson, N. Dayey, W. R.
Vim, J. w. Revord N. Halstead, b. N. Nc
Culloch, E. hite, Miss Patterson, Mrs. Phelps,
w. T. Whitney, ]. w. Luning and wife; Fraw-
ley Company-N. Frawley, N. Worthing, Miss
Bates, MISS Pixiey, MISS Ross NJ. Arbuckle, W.
Enos, MISS Rowan, GEORGE BoswiIh, Miss
Cooke, George Leslie, H. Clarke, H. Dreffield
and wife, NJ. Marx, ]. Gottlob, P. Thompson,
S. Phillips
Purser Smith reports that the Lurl1ne,
which went ashore in gale at Kahului,
was successfully towed off and was at
anchor in Honolulu awaiting repairs when
the Marlposa sailed. The United States