The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-14
THE RETURN OF
THE MOONLIGHT
Spectators Expect the
Schooner to Bring a
Fortune.
QUIETLY SLIPPED AWAY
Went to Discover the Location
of an Island Rich in
Guano.
NO PHANTOM OF THE SEA.
The Man in Command First Saw the
Island When He Did Not
Know It's Value.
NO PHANTOM OF THE SEA
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, |

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
90S Broadway, Sept. 3D.
Captain Fowler is anxiously looking for
the return of the schooner Moonlight,
which left Oakland some time ago to dis
cover guano island off the coast of Lower
California. Several capitalists subscribed
heavily to aid the enterprise, and they
likewise expect to reap harvest.
The sailing of the Moonlight was kept
very secret owing to the prevalent idea
that the vessel was to go on an expedition
similar to that outlined by Baron Baro-
teau, and which contemplated the forci-
BILE taking possession of large territory
which is in dispute. For this reason the
Moonlight sailed very quietly and no one
knew her mission till it was announced
that her return was shortly expected.
Eight years ago." said Captain Fowler
to-day. Captain Errltt was master of a
vessel owned By ]. D. Spree kels and was
sent to Clipperton Island to load guano.
When he got there he was surprised to
see the nature of his cargo, and recollected
that on a former voyage he had seen a
large island of the same stuff, but had not
known its value or given it a second
thought. A few months ago decided to
take the matter up, and we sent out an
expedition, but it returned because the
captain did not have the right chart.
We then sent out Captain Erritt in the
Moonlight and his return is expected in a
few weeks"
The prospectus, to which several promi-
nent people subscribed, is as follows:
The island in question was discovered eight
years ago. According to the description of the
| discoverer-a WELL known sea captain of good
repute and standing-the island is about three
| miles in length. Its width he could not deter
mine at the time, owing to the obstacles of
millions of birds. Besides, he was not aware
then of the commercial value of guano and
thought it useless TO further inspect this island
or TO have his discovery recorded at the Hydro
| graphic Office and put on the chart.
! The location OF the Island being In a tropical
region, there is no doubt but that the immense
| quantities OF guano which the captain ascer-
| tanned it contained are what is called ammo
niacal guano, which commands the highest
| price in the market.
The captains proposition is to charter a
small vessel, sail to the island, locate the same
in proper shape, and then to bring back q
sample lot of guano of about 90 or 100 tons.
| Such trial quantity would be sufficient for
sending to Europe in order to close contracts
| for regular shipments.
The price OF guano in Europe ranges from
$15 to $25 a ton, according 10 quality, and
contracts for 10000 TO 10000 tons can be
| readily closed by the promoters of the syndi-
! cate. The present freight rate by sail to
Europe is from S. to So ton. Owing to the
favorable location of the island any large YES
Sci can ancnOr IneIe, ana the cost OF putting
the guano on board will be very small, thus
leaving large margin for profit.
According to the captains estimate, the re-
quired capital to make the necessary expedi-
ton will be about $1,000. and he expects to re-
ceive So, 900 shares OF stock in the company
| with 10000 shares, which it is proposed to
| incorporate as soon as the above preliminaries
have been accomplished.
OF the maining 40, 900 shares the inten-
ton is to set aside $1,000 shares as treasury
stock, to be sold at 81 per share or more, as
the company may elect, while the balance of
80, 600 shares will be divided pro rata among
the subscribers to the syndicate.
1t is distinctly understood that parties sub
scribing to the syndicate will not be required
| to pay the amount signed for until the entire
! $1,000 will have been raised. They will then
pay the amount of their subscription to one of
| the members of the syndicate, elected by
them, which latter will pay out the money for
the aforementioned purpose of an expedi-
ton, preliminary to an incorporation of a COM
pany.
Among those who took stock were DIR.
Boyce, Joseph McBoyle, DR.. f. Starr,
e. B. Greene and Captain Fowler.
"Our idea, said Captain Fowler, sis to
leave two men on the island and to freight
all the guano to San Francisco. We ex-
pect to make rich haul"