The San Francisco call., 1896-03-24
ALONG THE WATER FRONT.
The Bark Theobald Will Carry
Miners to the Alaskan
Gold Fields.
HUNGRY MEN ON THE OREGON.
Harbor Commissioners and the Risdon
Iron Works at Outs Over It's
Contracts.
HUNGRY MEN ON THE OREGON.

vessels are now in the berth for Cooks
Inlet One that is now being fitted out is
the bark Theobald, but as her master is
now engaged in suit for defamation of
character in the Superior Court it may be
few days before she gets away.
Captain Swan was formerly master of
the bark McNear, and like many another
skipper he got into trouble with Managing
Owner Thompson. The morning the vessel
was to have sailed Swan was superseded,
and he at once sought revenge. He gave
Thompson thrashing and the latter got
even by telling tales about the captain.
The slander suit resulted and Swan will
have TO remain in port until the matter is
decided. The present master of the Nc
Near also has row on his hands with the
managing owner. A few months ago he
telegraphed from Puget Sound, repudi-
ating Thompson, and said lie would not
recognize any charter which he might
choose 10 accept.
The bark Theobald is one of the best
known traders in and out. of San Fran
cisco, and Captain Swan, her master, is
very skillful navigator. He has worked
his way up from the position of cabin-boy.
and never had word said against his
good name until he was relieved of the
command of the McNear. Underwriters,
stevedores, merchants, towbOat men and
reporters have all borne testimony to his
character and the chances are that he will
win his suit.
Another vessel that will leave for the
mines in a few days is the steamer Port
land. She will go out under the auspices
of the Pacific Steam Whaling Company,
taking the place of the Jeanie. which has
been detained at one of the canneries. The
Portland will not go direct to Cooks Inlet,
as so many vessels have promised. 1t will
be the latter part of May before any vessel
can go through the ice, SO the miners who
contemplate trying their fortune in the
frozen north will have to use the portage
system. Captain o. j. Humphrey, one of
the oldest and most experienced masters
in the employ of the whaling company,
will have command of the Portland, so
passengers may be sure of getting to the
nearest available point to the gold fields.
The men on the bark Oregon, which had
to put in here in distress last Sunday
morning, say they were half starved dur
ing the voyage from Junin 10 San Fran
cisco. Captain Parker says there is not a
word of truth in their statement, and that
there is still plenty of food aboard and
enough tobacco to last another voyage.
The entire crew, including the first mate,
anchor. They say that In order to reach
port they had to guarantee an extra $25 to
the towboat before a hawser was put
aboard. The agent of the Oregon calls the
crew of the bark chronic set of kickers,
and says they do not know when they are
well off.
Mate Fisher. who was formerly master
of the bark Ophir, is the most outspoken
of the crew. II wasn't going to stay out
there and starve," said he yesterday.
when the master refused tow 1 spoke
up and the men joined in. We called the
tug back and finally reached San Fran
cisco. It is the last trip | will ever make
in the Oregon"
Captain Hughes of the steamer Oakland
ago he was stricken with paralysis and
another master had to be placed on the
ferry steamer. He was seized with a
second stroke few days ago and lost the
power of speech. Now he is helpless and
his friends expect his death at any time.
Captain Hughes was . general favorite
with the Oakland travelling public and all
his friends are grieved to hear OF his
serious illness.
The Herbor Commissioners and the
managers of the Risdon Iron Works are
at outs over the contract for the new ferry
building. Messrs. Mead and Taylor,
representing the company, have been
trying to get the State to allow them an
honorarium on the supposition that the
price of iron had advanced while the test
case has been before the Supreme Court.
An Investigation by Chief Engineer
Holmes shows that iron is lower to-day
than it was when the bid was put in.
Messrs. Mead and Taylor will be asked to
explain their figures at the meeting of the
board to-day.
The Pacific Mail Company's steamer
San Bias, scheduled to arrive from Pam
anna and way ports tomorrow, will not get
in until next Thursday. She has been de-
tanned at Mazatian. The San Bias has
1850 bags of coffee aboard and over 900
tons OF general merchandise from New
York. She will dock at Lombard street.
| rs the Mail Company's wharf is crowded
with Central American and Asiatic freight.
Captain n. Wolters OF the German bark
J. G. Phueger is a very sick man. About
three years ago he was thrown from the
bridge by giant sea and injured his spine.
! He is now going home for medical treat
| ment. His place will be taken by Captain
William Fangmeir, formerly chief officer
of the ship.
The Oceanic Steamship Company's Ala
media, which sails for Australia on the I'd
of April. will take away over 1000 tons OF
! -four for the Colonies. Wheat was very
poor crop over there last season and
Am erican -four is in demand.
! The apprentice boys on the English
ships at anchor off Sausalito had an excit-
ing gig race last Sunday. There were SIX
entries, and the course was from the club
| house to the tide guage and back, q dis
tance of two miles. The crew of the ship
Kilmeny won first prize, while the Wyn.
| stays boys carried OFF second honors.
|