The San Francisco call., 1898-05-29
YUKON TRADE
 LOOKING UP Steamers Ready and Getting Ready to Go. h RIG RJJSH EXpEcTEn
A BIG RUSH EXPECTED.
HARD LUCK ATTENDING THE STEAM SCHOONER RUTH.
The Chinese Crew on the Troopship China Sent Home and Their Places Taken by White
 Sailors.

Two steamers intended for the Klondike trade had their trial trips on the bay yesterday. The Alaska Commercial Com pany's new steamer St. Paul had her engineers trial, while the Alaska Yukon Transportation Companys river steamer James Eva went out on her official test The St. Paul was in command of Cap tain George Harvey of the Ship Owners and Merchants Towboat Company He is one of the most capable masters on the bay, and took out the St. Paul by the special invitation of the Commercial Com pany. The machinery worked to perfec- tion, and when the vessel was going at full speed she averaged fourteen knots an hour. When everything is down to its bearings it is expected that the new steamer will do better even than on her trial
 The James Eva took out a large party on her trial trip. They were all friends of the directors of the company, and had a most enjoyable outing on the bay. The steamer is intended for the Yukon River trade, and will leave this week for St. Michael in tow of the companyS steamer National City. The James Eva Is lux uriously fitted out and has all the accom- modations necessary for the comfort of the passengers who WilkNraVel by her.
 The Harbor police hadto be called upon yesterday to preserve order at the sailing of the steamer Bertha She was taking
 
 deckhands to man the Alaska Commer- cial CompanyS new steamers at St, Mi Chael. Every one of this crowd was more or less under the influence of liquor, and as the hour of sailing approached there were several free fights. Sergeant Tom Mahoney and a squad from the Harbor police station went down to the wharf and soon had the men under control Had they delayed putting in an appearance for ten minutes longer there would have been a small-sized riot in progress when they reached MiSSiOn-Street Wharf.
 The new steam schooner Ruth has not begun life auspiciously. She was built at Harbor View but when the launching came she refused to leave the ways Several attempts were made to get her o1t but each failed, so two Of the Ted stack tugs were sent down, and they pulled her off. When the tide went out she settleo on couple of piles, and two holes were stove in her. She had to be put on the ways again and new blanks put in; ana this time she slid into the water without any trouble She had only been anchored a short time, however, when stern wheeler ran into her and stove in another plank When these repairs had been made the vessel was got away rom ttaroor View. and is now having her machinery put in. The Ruth is a sister ship to the Samoa now running on the coast, anu when completed she Will De put HI liie
 The chief ofhcers of the steamers Colon and Starbuck have changed places Mate Mainwaring of the Colon did not relish The idea of going to Manila, So he has been transferred to the Starbuck, which leaves in few days for Panama ana Mate Doris of the Starbuck goes to the
 There was a great hubbub on the Mail dock yesterday about noon une; me me Doric was getting ready to sail TOT the Orient and the China was getting rid or her Chinese crew. As the China has been chartered as a transport the coolies had 10 be got rid of and their places filled by white men. Many of the Chinese were shipped in Hongkong and much to thelr disgust they were transferred from the China to the Doric and sent back home Those who were shipped here were trans ferred to the Starbuck to await the de- cision of the Collector of the Port in re gard to their landing. The work of dis charging the China is being rushed and 1T all goes well she should get away to-
 There was a big crowd of people down to see the Doric off and hundreds of them away to the soldiers who left a few days ago on the Peking, Sydney and Australia for Manila via Honolulu. As the troop ships will probably replenish their bunk CTS at Honolulu the chances are that the Doric will get there at least twenty-four hours before they continue their journey. put on board the troopships when the steamer reaches Honolulu.
 The big British ship Tradewind is to have new master. Captain Ritchie, the popular and able commander who brought her here, has resigned and with his wife will start for England early this week Captain Jones is now on his way here from England and on his arrival win take charge of the Tradewind. The ship is now taking in ballast and will start for Tacoma in a few days to load wheat for Europe.
 The California-Alaska Navigation Com pany's new steamer Dirigo will be about the first of the fleet to get away for St: Michael She has nearly all her berths engaged and is expected to sail on We'd nesday. At St. Michael she will connect with the company's new steamer Queen of the Yukon, a fine new vessel 124 feet long, 2S feet broad and feet deep. She has accommodations for 200 passengers and 200 tons of freight, and is fitted throughout with electric lights and every thing necessary for the comfort of the passengers. The company's other steam CT. Alice Rix, is now being fitted out at the Folsom-street wharf. She is 12O feet long, 2S feet broad, s feet deep and has accommodation for 150 passengers and 15O tons of freight. She will be used on the Yukon river in connection with the steam CT Queen of the Yukon