The San Francisco call., 1896-07-24

are all coming in ahead of schedule. The
Colombia was two days ahead when she
ran on the rocks at Pigeon Point. The
China beat the record between Yokohama
and San Francisco, making the final run
from Honolulu in two hours better time
than her own record. The City of Sydney
arrived from Panama two days ahead, and
Captain Johnston says that his vessel was
not pushed.
The Sydney is one of the handsomest
steamers that comes into port She has
been lucky vessel for the Mail Company,
as few if any accidents have happened on
her, and she has always more than paid
expenses.
Captain Frank Johnston, commander OF
tn e Sydney, is one of the ablest masters
on the Pacific and is a universal favorite.
He was master of the City of New York
when she went on the rocks at Point
Bonita, but at the inquiry held by In
spectors of Hulls and Boilers it was
shown that the pilot who was i'll charge
insisted upon holding his course in spite
of the protests OF the master. When the
vessel struck Johnston felt like throwing
the pilot overheard.
There was rumor current on the water
front yesterday to the effect that the Mail
Company's San Juan had gone ashore in
the fog near Manzanillo. 1t was near this
port that the Colima capsized and went
down. The telegraphic com munication is
very poor and on the occasion of the CO.
lima disaster it was fve DAYS before the
news reached San Francisco. The Mail
Company has received no advices. but then
they got the first news of the loss OF the
Colima from the newspapers.
The San Juan left Panama five days
after the City of Sydney, and would there
fore be in the vicinity of ManZanlllo last
Tuesday. The Mail Company's officials
put no faith in the story, however, and
say that had the vessel gone ashore they
would have heard of it.
The steamer Mariposa sailed for Sydney,
n. s. W., via Honolulu, Apia and Auck-
land last night. The English mail was
late, and in consequence the vessel was de-
layed until IL P. NJ. Among the vessels
cargo is over a thousand BICYCLES and
large consignments of onions and -four.
Ihe former are a drug in this market, but
are luxury at the Antipodes at this time.
The schooner Annie has been chartered
by the North American Commercial Com
pany and will load provisions and general
merchandise for Alaska at Steuarf-street
wharf. The Annie has been in Oakland
Creek ,or quite long time but to-day she
VIII come from her retirement, and after
Delng overhauled and loaded will start for
the Alaskan mining camps.
Another overdue ship reached port last
Wednesday. 1t was the British ship Bed
1oroshlre, on which II per cent reinsurance
was paid. The Bedfordshlre was from
Astoria Tor Liverpool, and reached Queens
town In company with the German ship
Arthur F1tger. The latter was from San
francisco, and made the run in IO1 days.
This is far and away the best passage
made this season.
The MAGNIFICENT battle-ship Oregon will
l.xa< gNarnf fOra <s<<ks.
is the first time that the man-of-war has
been thrown open to the public, so there
is bound to be rush to see her. Henry
Peterson will run the launch AMY from
Folsom-street wharf, and other steamers
will make excursions to the big ship.
The Harbor Commissioners held a short
session yesterday. The monthly bills
were passed and few matters of minor
importance were attended to.
The brig John D. Spreckels arrived from
Hawaii yesterday with a load of sugar,
and went direct 10 the refinery. Captain