The San Francisco call., 1897-10-02

Hueneme and the destruction of her en-
tire cargo it was decided yesterday that The
Portland should proceed no further this
season on her third trip to ST. Michael.
This conclusion has doubtless been largely
broug bit about by the present coal shortage
here and the inability of the vessel 10 at
present take on an additional supply of
fuel.
By consuming such coal as she has in
her hold for ballast she can about reach
Seattle, for which port she will be within
week under charter TO the North
American Trading and Transportation
Company. The Portland was loaded with
the machinery which about iorty of her
passengers expected to convert this win
ter into boats and barges for use on the
Yukon. BIT the scene of operations will
now be transferred 10 Dutch Harbor. two
miles distant from this inner harbor OF
! UnaIaska. The framework for these ves-
sells was on the wrecked schooner and is
now floating on the sea-tossed waves.
Manager c. H. Hamilton. who also
came north on the PortlanI, has decided
10 make the hills surrounding Dutch Har-
Dor resounG with industrial activity dur
ing the ensuing long and dreary months.
To this end he has ordered the unloading
of the machinery from the Portland and
such lumber and supplies as she carried
at Dutch Harbor.
Here a sm1ll army of mech anics will
also be established in temporary buildin gs
now being constructed. When she fin-
ishes unloading the steamer will immedi-
ateiy proceed TO Seattle and get dupli.
cate for the lum ber lost On the schooner.
As soon as possible it will be sent here and
the work of boat building will begin.
While it would be almost i'm possible, and
certainly impracticable, to endeavor to
steam through BerinG Sea and effect a
landing at ST. Michael a month or two
later, no difficulty will be experienced
however, with Dutch Harbor as the OBJ
jective point. Rather than defer the
building of the boats until late next sea-
son the n. A. T. ana t. Co. has decided 10
be equal TO the expected requirements for
the portation to the Yukon early
next spring by having their boats built
here this winter.
Paul Moran of Seattle will be in charge
OF tn g boat construction, and has already
commenced on frame cook house and
dormitory forty by sixty feet. where the
workmen will be cared for during their
labors. He expresses the belief that by
the 1st of June next all the boats will be
completed ready for removal to the
Yukon River.
Captain Kidston SAYS that there will
then be no difficulty in transferring the
vessels. as at that season OF the wear the
weather is more than likely TO be favoi
able. The run from here is about 500
miles, but the course Is we'll sheltered ex.
ccpt along a two days voyage in the open
sea. 1t is safe to predict that the daylis b t
will have been prolonged and the SUMS
rays break forth in the glory of spring
and cut passage through the ice-ribbsd
Yukon, so there will be absolutely no
danger in the transmission of their small
but sturdy new craft through Bering Sea
10 ST.. Michael.
The Alaska Commercial Company ex-
poets to have at least one new steamer of
about $50 tons on the run. 1t is now be-
ing brought on the Lakme from San
Francisco, and is duplicate of the
steamer Bella, which has heavy machin-
cry. and is particularly strong for towing
-barges and making speed. One or two
barges will also likely be built.
Va the ToIiianuS passengers about III
teen will continue from here to St.
Michael. They include Manager Hamil-
ton, four newspaper men, one through $780,
passenger 10 Dawson City and party of
nine from Chicago, headed by Captain
Charles Barber, who 60 to manage and
operate couple of hotels at points on the
Yukon River. Arrangements have been
made for their passage on the steamer
Bertha. which is now loading lum ber and
supplies here and will leave Friday morn
ing for St. Michael.
The trip will likely be made in four
days. There seems 10 be q general i'm
preston among the representatives of the
two interested companies that the num-
Der OF returning gold-seekers will be quite
large. Not only will those return who
have been fortunate in gathering rom the
earth riches and wish to enjoy a winter
amid comforts and pleasant surroundings
but it is thought that hundreds may be
driven from their primitive homes lest