The San Francisco call., 1899-03-10

sailing vessels can be procured at from
% shflIings 6 pence to 25 shillings a ton
the chances are that Uncle Sam will load
some of them. Bids will probably be
called for and then both American and
British owners will be able to make Of
fers. The understanding. is that, all
things being equal. the American ships
will be given the preference.
AT present the following British YES
sells are available: Ships Afon Alaw, 1887
tons; Ben Lee, 2204 tons; F'lintshire, 1926
tons; Leicester Castle, 2009 tons; Ditton,
2699 tons; British General, 1850 tons; and
the bark Cardigan Castle, 112l tons. These
vessels would carry about 5000 tons of
freight, and as Uncle Sam has only
about 1000 tons of supplies TO send to the
Philippines he should be able to choose
among the vessels named. The Ditton
and Ben Lee or Atom Alaw would prob
ably carry all the stores on hand in the
quartermaster's department.
There have been a few changes among
the sergeants OF the Harbor police. Ser
geant Charles Cullom, who has been on
night duty, will be welcomed back "at
the desk in the station to-day. Sergeant
Flanders, who has been on the desk, goes
to the OFarrelI street station, while Ser
geant Brophy of the Central station will
take the night beat on East street, reliev-
ing Sergeant Cullom. The changes go
The troubles Of the Klondike steamer
City of Columbia seem TO be never end
ing. She was purchased in the East and
started for San Francisco via the Straits
of Magellan with a number of gold hunt
terS, among whom were several women
In the Straits of Magellan she ran on
some rocks and the Patagonians came
near to making soup out of the men and
slaves out of the women. At critical
moment the vessel backed off into deep
water and the passengers escaped.
AT Valparaiso the Columbia had to go
on the drydOck for repairs, and when
these were made there was no money to
pay for them. The steamer was Hbeled
and held until money was obtained from
the East, and then the voyage was re
sumed
way to the klondike, and there the party
went to pieces. The ship required more
repairs, and nobody had any money to
pay for them. The passengers claimed
they had been defrauded and lfbeied the
steamer for damages. Suit after suit was
brought against the vessel until there was
not a square inch from keelson to truck
that was not plastered with libel suit.
Eventually the City of Columbia was
sold by the United States Marshal, and
her new owners fixed her up and put her
in the Honolulu trade. She left Seattle
with full cargo and a number or pas
sengers; but misfortune was in her wake.
Captain and passengers did not agree,
and the vessel reached Hawaii with some
of the latter in irons. More libel suits
followed. and for months the steamer was
tied up in Honolulu. At last she got
away, but broke down at sea. After being
patched UP she managed to reach Hilo,
but a few hours later sank at her anchor
age. She was raised again and taken to
Honolulu once more, where litigation
broke out again. The crew had not been
paid since leaving Seattle, and merchants
wanted their money.
once more the City of Columbia was
put up for sale, but owing to some mis-
take in the advertisement there were very
few people present, and she was knocked
down to Captain Evans for $500. This
was not near enough to pay the vessels
debts, and now the Alameda brings the
news that the Judge has refused to con-
firm the sale. A Chinese firm made aff1-
daVit that it was prepared to pay $4,000
had it's representative arrived in time at
the sale. Captain Evans has carried the
matter into the Supreme Court of Hawaii,
and there the City of ColumbiaS fate
rests a present.
most enjoyable treat was given the
children of the Maria Kip Orphanage by
Mrs Henry Peterson last Wednesday af-
ternoon The children, to the number of
home, where they partook of sumptuous
lunch. Then they and their friends and
the friends of the orphanage to the num-
ber of seventy-fve went down to Folsom
street wharf from where Mr.. Peterson's
launches Amy and William D took them
out to the battle-ship Iowa. The party
was shown over the huge fighting ma
chine and all enjoyed themselves thor
turn TO terra firma, three cheers were
given by the children for Mr.. and Mrs.
Peterson.
a. Thier, mate of the National City, met
with a serious accident yesterday. A
sling broke and some planks fell on him,
breaking his nose. He was treated at the
Harbor Hospital, and Dr. Fitzgibbon
thinks Thier is internally injured.
Uncle Sam has changed his mind, and
the City of Puebla will go back to Manila
The vessel was rechartered yesterday and
will be got ready for another voyage as
quickly as possible, Inc lnea Co9femaugh listl
aboard yesterday, and will probably get
away Saturday.