The herald., 1898-09-05
MONTEREY and BRUTUS
CONTINUED from Page One).

and a tow cross the Pacific ocean. What
tale there would have been to tell had
much rough weather been encountered is
Of course, another story, but there is rea-
son to believe that such voyage can be
made even in heavy weather, and In The
Pacific ocean 1t is always possible to choose
a route along which favorable weather
will probably be encountered.
The Brutus, which was formerly the Nor
wegian collier Peter Jebsen, was IN no
way, except coal carrying capacity, especi-
ally designed for her trip. II was simply
a matter of Hobson's choice. She was
taken because there was nothing else on
the Pacific coast to take, and besides she
had nearly 5000 tons Of coal in her bunk
ers. There was no time 10 fit her up for the
work, but she was able to steam, she had
the coal and there were three big 14-inch
towing hawsers on board of her. This was
practically the extent of her equipmen,
when she Left San Francisco June Z. She
was built In 1894 for seagoing, and evil
IDENTIFY 1t was meant to keep her going as
long as possible, TO earn as much with her
as possible, and then put her to rest in
some boneyard.
Redlead and Brutus had long been
strangers when she fell into the govern
ment's hands, but she was given a good
overhauing, and her condition today Is
fully 100 per cent better than when the
government bought her.
Leaving Honolulu
After the two vessels left Honolulu the
good work done on the Brutus began to tell,
and in the long tow from July 5 to jury %
she showed the good stuff that had been
Put in her, reelng off for a days work
about 163 knots. On July IS the towing
hawser parted, and that part between the
break and the Monterey, $50 feet in all, was
lost overobard, and became thing to make
the fishes wonder.
Before it broke the Monterey had been
towed by this hewser 2GO3 knots. The
spare hawser was gotten out. and after
only few hours delay the two ships were
on their course again, and by That time
every one on the vessel knew that the
critical part of the trip was over, for the
Monterey was then IN striking distance Of
her own coal. The lifting Of the responsi-
billy as Guam drew near was very
noticeable, and it was easier breathing on
both ships after July rs.
Such long sea voyage, in all 50 days at
sea out of 81 without break in the de-
lishtful weather, doubtless seem to lands
men monotonous In the extreme. I>lt the
days We're we'll filed with the work of keep
ing the ship going and caring for things ON
board. 1t is seldom that long voyage is
80 destitute OF events. There were no
hardships except that the heat on the mon
!tor was almost fntolerable, and Tife on her
would have been simply unbearabe, but
for the constant buzz Of the electric fans
as they stirred up the close atmosphere be-
low decks. In crossing all this waste of
waters only one vessel was sighted full
rgged sailing vessel on July 12
Often In the evenings about 3 o'clock,
when the Monterey was but low. dark
object on the sea astern of the Brutus,
marked by a red light on one side and a
green light on the other, a great flash
would shoot over the ocean from one Of
the monitors searchlights; then another
would throw a white fash out into the
darkness, and II Is easy to imagine the
terror she could strike to the hearts Of the
simple Guamtes by steaming toward their
little island with her lights playing and
her steam siren tearing the air.
Entry Into Guam
Our entry into Guam however, was
very peaceful one, as the Charleston had
preceded US, and carried away the gov