The San Francisco call., 1898-08-20
Small Tonnage Here and
 Few Vessels Coming.
COMFORT FOR THE SOLDIERS
TROOPS FOR ALASKA TO HAVE
 GOOD ACCOMMODATION
Captain Harkins of the Schooner Una Again in Trouble With the
 Customs Officials-Wa- ter Front Notes.

In ten years the harbor has never been as bare of deep water vessels as 1t is to- day. The engaged tonnage Is light, the disengaged still lighter and the prospects of an improvement are light, owing to the failure of the grain crop. At this time last year there were about 60 more deep water vessels in port than there are to- day and every one of them did well. Yes- terday the disengaged vessels in port ag- gregated 26,335 tons, while at the same time last year it was 103, ,572 tons. The en- gagged vessels in port yesterday aggre- gated S6, ,792 tons, while the same time last year 1t was S3,694 tons. This makes to- tai of over 124 600 tons in favor of 1897, or 62 ships of 2OO0 tons burden each. It is no wonder then that outside of the de- parture of the transports things are very quiet along the water front.
 Of all the soldiers that have been sent away since the war began those that leave to-day on the steamer Humboldt for Alaska have the best quarters. With the exception of fifty who will be accomnio- dated in the forward tween decks all the men will be housed in splendid state rooms 6x9 feet, three hunks to a room the comfort of the men, and the depart ure of the steamer will De more like the sailing of an excursion party than that of soldiers for duty on the Yukon.
 The Humboldt sails at noon to-day, and will take away 200 soldiers, two officers and three surgeons, as well as 300 tons Of
 
 the men, and consists of provisions, blan- kets, sleeping bags, shoes, clothing; in fact, a. complete years outfit for every body in the command. The steamer is very fast and will easily make the run to St. Michael in ten days. On her arri- val there the Alaska Exploration Com the men and will distribute them at vari- ous points on the American side of the Yukon. The Humboldt will bring down gold hunters on the return trip.
 H, OdalSura. .dDaQ6SG, horribly burned wItA boiling coal tar at Belvedere yesterday morning. He was brought over on the steamer Tiburon and attended to at the Harbor Receiving Hospital by Drs. Hill, Green and Fine. Odalsura keeps laundry at Belvedere, and was melting some coal tar on the top of the stove When the mass had come to the desired consistency he lifted the pot off the stove. There was leak from the can and he lifted it up to see where it was. As he did so the bottom of the vessel dropped out and the boiling mass ran over his shoulders and down his back and chest, burning him In a fright
 The schooner Una which arrived yes terday from Panama, Is again in trou- ble. Last year she came from the same port without clearance papers, and the customs authorities threatened to seize the vessel. The matter was finally ar ranged by Captain Harkins sending to cured by the United States Consul. Now Captain Harkins has repeated the trick and has again come into port without clearance papers. On this occasion the chances are all in favor of the confisca ton of the schooner.
 Captain John Caw, late of the British ship Blairmore, left for Scotland yester- day. The Blairmore capsized in Mission Bay three years ago, and the litigation over the insurance has only just been decided in favor of the owners.
 The investigation into the sinking of the Scandals launch was continued aboard the troop ship yesterday. Captain Hart and the men in the launch at the time of the accident gave their testimony, and Mate Grimm and the assistant en- gineer of the Mcdowell were also exam ined No report of the proceedings will be given out until the board has reported first to General Merriam.
 The search for the remains of Mrs, Pax ton was continued yesterday without suc- cess. Either they were carried under the wharves by an eddy or they have been carried out to sea-