The San Francisco call., 1897-10-31

The furnishing of supplies for the mer-
camille marine that has its home port in
San Francisco is a business of consider
able importance 1t keeps vast sums of
money in circulation. 1t gives steady en-
ployment to thousands. 1t is good not
only for the merchant but for the manu-
facturer, the farmer, the stockman, the
mechanic and the laborer. The ships that
pass in the night are. when in port, liberal
money ependers. No trip can be made
across the ocean without subjecting the
vessel making ii to a degree of wear and
tear which comp peIs the owners to have re-
pairs and refitting done and renewals
made to fit it for further usefulness. Be-
fore another voyage can be com menced
everything must be put in shape. Carpen-
tiers, calkers, painters and machinists are
almost constantly at work on the vessels
at the wharves.
The sailmaker's busy needle is never
idle. The shipchandleI has his hands
always full attending 10 the wants OF his
customers. The men who sell nautical
instruments and keep them in order are
always suresof a commission. These are,
however, but a few of those who are inter-
ested in the active commerce of a great
seaport. The furnishing of supplies for
passengers and crews at the beginning of
every voyage is alone a business of sur
prising magnitude. To enumerate all the
articles required would fill many columns
Tons OF groceries, eggs, meats, ice. fruits
and vegetables are consumed annually on
the high seas. The first-cass passenger
steamers are floating hotels and their
owners are in the markets all the time as
buyers of luxuries and necessities il the
varied line of food products.
1t Is then a great trade-this business
OF supplying The mercantile marine.
Those engaged in it have learned by the
experience of years how to look after the
interests OF their customers. There is of
course close com petition in every line.
The merchants and firms who carry off
the lions share of the trade have won sue
cess by m ain tanning the quality of their
wares, while not allowing rivals to under
bid them in prices.
The San Francisco merchants who
cater to the shipping and whose firms are
mentioned in this article are all recog-
nized as reliable men full of enterprise
and leaders in their several lines
1t would be difficult to give any accurate
idea OF the extent and volume of this
trade. The Australian and Hawaiian
branch alone represents sufficient to keep
Aidhy Vi ptOplo constantly EN-
ployed. Take the Oceanic Steamship
Company, for instance. which keeps a
fleet of steamers and sailing vessels con-
stantlv on the move between Australia
New Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands and
San Francisco The steamer Australia
plies between Honolulu and this port once
month. Every TWO months the steamers
Alameda and Mariposa make the round
trip 10 Australia and back. Besides those
vessels the steamer Moana, belonging to
the Union Steamship Company, runs from
the Hawaiian Islands to San Francisco
and is consigned to the Oceanic Steamship
Company. From 200 10 300 persons, con-
stltuting passengers and crew, have to be
provisioned on board these steamers for
every trip.
Besides these steamers there is feet of
fine sailing vessels operated by the o. s. G.
Their names are familiar to the public
Among them may be mentioned the bark
Alden Besse, and brIgantines w. G. IRWIN,
W. II. Dlmond and S. n. Castle sailing to
Honolulu the brigantines John D. Spreck-
els and Consuelo and schooner Anna
sailing to Mahukona and the barks Rod
erick Dhu. Santiago and Annie johnson
running 10 Hilo. All these vessels have
splendid commodations for passengers
and the steady furnishing of them with
supplies alone calls for the expenditure of
considerable money.
The oysters used on the Oceanic steam
ers are supplied by the firm of NJ B.
Monaghan, the pioneer importer, planter
and wholesale and retail dealer in all
kinds of fresh oysters.
The shipping business of this firm
covers extensively most all the steam and
merchant-vessel com panies. Their local
trade inc udes ali the principal hotels,
boarding houses and restaurants, as well
as the finer class of family ira lie. A fea-
ture + the business is the retailing of
OF wi hnl 10
rooms OF this company, located In the
California Market. is one of the best
known establishments in the city.
In connection with the foregoing de-
partment is an extensive restaurant
where the freshest and best oysters In the
market are to be obtained as well as all
other dainty and delicious viands which
serve to make com plete meal in any
line.
The Monaghan oyster beds are located
al Burlingame and Milbrae, where they
cover an extensive area of ground.