The San Francisco call., 1898-12-23
A TR|FL|NG
 BREAKDOWN ON
 THE CHITOSE It Com peIIed Her to Return to Port.
WILL TRY IT AGAIN MONDAY
ALMOST A PANIC ON FERRY
 STEAMER OAKLAND.
Owing to an Accident to the Berke-
 ley She Had to Garry Both the ' and 5:3O P. M. Pas sengers.

The Japanese cruiser Chitose returned to port early yesterday morning with her machinery damage When off Point Sur a crack was discovered in the guide to the high pressure cylinder. so the war ship had to come back home under slow steam. There was no immediate danger of a break down, but as the guide takes the strain off the cross-head it was feared that the whole affair might give under pressure The Chitose reached the Union Iron Works about 7:30 a. m. and the work of casting a new guide was at once begun. It is thought that everything will be in readiness for another start by Monday ne.t. Had nothing happened the cruiser would have reached Santa Barbara cfan- nel by a. m. yesterday and her trial would have taken place to-day.
 The steamer Centennial is to bring the Japanese crew of the Chitose here from Seattle. There are over POO of them and they arrived at Puget Sound from Yoko- hama over a week ago. Directly the cruiser has passed the official trial and has been accepted by the Japanese Govern ment the crew will go aboard her and she will start for Yokohama.
 The tug Relief arrived from Portland yesterday after a smart run of fifty hours. Passing out over the Columbia River bar the tug had a very lively experience. The waters seemed to know that she was leaving that part of the coast for good, and the river and ocean combined to give her a fitting send off. At first Captain Randall thought he would wait for a change of weather, but he finally decided to face it and the stout craft fought her way out to sea. The work of putting new boilers in the Relief will begin at once. and as soon as the repairs are completed she will go into commission again on the bay of San Francisco. The Relief has been away from this port doing duty on the Columbia River bar since September l, 1894.
 There was nearly panic on the 59O D. m. trip of the ferry steamer Oakland Wednesday night. It took Captain Me Kechnie and Mate Higginson all their time to keep the people quiet, and had they not succeeded there would have been a serious disaster.
 The ferry steamer Berkeley was the cause of all the trouble During her many side of the bay she knocked the grating off her suction pipe and in crossing the bay the pipe sucked in a piece of sacking This stopped the circulating pump and the engines had to come to a standstil The Berkeley was due to leave this side at j D. m.. but was unable to make her slip, sc the people who generally take the boat at that hour for home were told they would have to wait for the 5:30 D. m. boat The usual rush for that boat was on time, and when all were crowded aboard the Oakland the passengers were packed like sardines A movement to starboard or port by the people made the vessel careen as though she was going to capsize, and some of the women screamed and others tainted A rush to either one side or the other of the Oakland would have been fatal so it was to prevent such an oc- currence that the captain and mate left the pilot house and spent the time oc- cupied in making the trip in calming the passengers and assuring them that there was no danger.
 suction pump later on and she was run ming as usual at 6:3O ?; m:
 The Alviso steamer F. M. Smith backed into Washington-street wharf yesterday and damaged her fantail and crank-pin She will be repaired and go out on her usual run to-day.
 The troopship Scandia will leave for Manila the latter part of January with the officers and men of the Twentieth United States Infantry. The officers will take their wives and families along with theni On Tuesday next the transport will go on the Union Iron Works drydock. where she will be cleaned and fumigated After that she will go to either the Union or Risdon Iron Works for an overhauling. and then she will be ready for her voyage 10 the Philippines. The chances are that inc California boys will come back on the Scandia, arriving here early in April.
 Chief Engineer Little of the steamer Alameda was treated to a surprise party yesterday. During his absence some of the messengers who came up on the yes sel from Australia paid her visit, and when they left MT. Little's state-room was almost completely refurnished. There was a new carpet on the floor new rugs. a couple of hassocks. new pier glass and new curtains t9r ,ine the cHlea wsa ot oed h r. away for the Orient on schedule time yes- tardav. She was delayed owing to the large amount Of freight awaiting her and did not get away until this morning
 The O. and O. Company's Gaelic also will probably be delayed, She is to leave tomorrow, but it may be Sunday before she gets away. Assistant Naval Con- structor Hobson has engaged a passage by her and will arrive here in time to catch her.