The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-05

Central America and China Send
Orders for the Creosoted
Lumber.
Vessels That Came Here Expecting to
Get Wheat Charters Have Been
Disappointed.

The preserving of piles and timbers from
the ravages of the toredo has become quite
an industry at North Beach. Several con-
corns have gone into the business and in
consequence the old section on which
Meiggs wharf used to stand is now one of
the busiest on the water front. The bulk
of the work is done by creosoting and lat
terly shipments of creosoted piles and
lumber have been sent to Central and
South America and the last Steamer for
China took away a large consignment to
be used in the harbor at Hongkong. All
the piles. or nearly all those used by the
Harbor Com missioners. are treated at the
works, and it is estimated that the new
process adds at least five years to the age
of pile. Broadway wharf is to be replied
and over 500 piles will be required. twill
be year before the new pier can be built
and if it had not been for the creosoting
process the piles now to be driven would
not last out the year. As it is President
Colnon says that when the commission
comes to build the wharf next year the
piles will be as good as new and they can
be used over again.
When the San Fran cisco Timber Pre-
serving Company first put in its works at
North Beach an attempt was made to
carry it's timbers oyer the roadway and
wharf to the vessels alongside. At that
time The CALL protested against the
States roadway being put TO such use
and the company abandoned the project.
Now all the piles and timber are run into
the bay through an underground tunnel.
Another process employed at North
Beach is the wrapping of piles in tarred
linen, and still third is the paraffine
paint process. The condemnation of
smells is not pleasant, but as it brings
work and money to North Beach, the resi-
dents do not mind. The creosoting works
are running night and day and P. f. Dun
don says the venture is success.
There was goose-chase on the bay yes
terday. Davie Kramer was bringing home
bird from Fort Point, but lost it on the
way. As the goose was to be fattened for
Christmas Davie was anxious to bring it
home. He bent to the oars, but the bird
was quicker than he and always eluded
the Whitehall. The boys from Meiggs
wharf Joined in the chase and Davie picked
up his fowling-piece to kill the bird, but
while taking aim he lost his balance and
fell into the bay. Jimmy WEIGH secured
the goose, and when DAVE was taken
ashore he found himself minus gun and
a bird, as WEIGH was well on his way up
Telegraph fill by that time.
Boatman Scott, while rowing along the
front yesterday, wicked up valise, in
which were quantity of clothing and a
New Testament In the latter was written:
.'Charles Anderson. City and County Hos
pital, Ward C"; also the names Herrock-
son Sverige Sven Durd and August Durd.
All the articles smell of creosote, and if
there was q suicide the chances are the
unfortunate jumped overheard from
Powell-street wharf. Sergeant Hayes is
= ofu a !, i,,et ri,
from the City and County Hospital ended
his life last Thursday night.
The British tramp steamer Progressist
is ready to sail for India, and will get
away to-day. She has aboard $500 tons
of wheat, and her captain insist that she
should have at least 1900 tons more.
He demanded that his vessel be loaded
down to the Phmsol mark. but the sur
yeyors refused TO allow his demand. The
tramp has been running in the Dunsmuir
line for twenty months, and during that
time has never had serious breakdown
Chief Engineer j. M. Norton, who came
here with the vessel, has been more than
successful in the management of the en-
gine-room, and when the number of acct
dents that have happened to other tramps
is taken into consideration the vessels
owners should be gratitied. Mr.. Nor
ton has made many friends in San Fran
cisco, and should he ever return he will
be made more than welcome.
Since July last fifty-six British ships
have arrived here in ballast seeking grain
cargoes and of that number twenty-one
are still disengaged. Many of them are
now tied up for the winter in Sausallto,
Oakland Creek and Mission Bay, while
others are in the stream waiting for the
"off chance The GIencOna was char
tered to arrive for 2Ss Cd. but the charter
was abandoned, and she is now reloading
for Balfour, Guthrie Go. at lbs Cd per
| ton. The Bacchus from Taital, was char
| tered to arrive at 28s 9s but there is nc
sign of her and the charter expires in q
| few days. The Sutlei was chartered to ar
rive in at 27s Cd, but there is no sign of
| her and the charter has expired. All in
all. English ship-owners have not done
well this season.
| James Hammond. who was for years
one of the Merchants Exchange reporters
at Meiggs wharf, died yesterday. He left
| the employ OF the exchange some time ago,