The San Francisco call., 1899-07-19
Only Four Whales
Have Been I aiken.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN BUCKLEY
INSANE WHEN He ACCIDENT
ALLY SHOT HIMSELF.
Captain Balch of the John A. Briggs
Narrowly Escapes Meeting
Death by Drowning in
Delagoa Bay.

The steamer Portland, which arrived
from St Michael yesterday, brought down
the remains of z. Towhill, a young San
Franciscan, who sought d fortune and
found death. He left here two years ago
and died from typhoid fever in Dawson
last February. A. L. Tracy, who returned
on the steamer. is in charge of the body.
The Portland brought considerable news
from the whaling fleet. So far it has been
bad year, as very few whales have been
seen. The Narwhal Belvedere, Bowhead
(the Norwegian steamer purchased and
commanded by Captain CoOk) and Jean
cite have each taken one whale. All the
others are clean Besides these the Jean
ette had 1000 pounds OF trade bone, so her
captain has no kick coming.
The death of Captain Buckley OF the
steam whaler William Baylies was a very
sad affair. He had been under q severe
mental strain for several weeks and his
mind was somewhat unhinged. He could
not sleep at night and became subject to
hallucinations. He thought his crew was
talking about him behind his back and
sometimes he heard voices in the air.
From to a. m. OF May "a he was in
the crows nest watching for a whale.
When he descended 10 the deck ne said he
could hear a band playing in the air.
The William Baylies was fast to the ice
near Diomede Island when the accident
happened. At p. m. on May a Captain
Buckley and Mate Cutie were sitting in
the cabin, when the captain started and
said some one was trying TO force his way
in. and ordered the mate to lock the door.
The mate had nearly all the keys in the
ship on d ring. as he had locked up all
the guns and dangerous things for fear
Buckley might do himself some harm.
To humor the captain, Cutie took the
ring with the keys out Of his pocket and
tried TO find one that would ut the cabin
Fgff 4 4 ir.FrLF
key that would flt, leaving the ring on
the ca bin table This was the captain
opportunity. He was confident some one
was entering the cabin TO XIII hlm, So,
selzing the keys he ntted one 10 the lock
on the lazarette and opening the hatch
lowered himself down.
The letter that brought the particulars
down then goes on 10 say: Captain
Buckley was clean out of his mind by
this time. He still thought he was being
followed, and. seeing gun behind some
stores. he got down on his belly and
grasping it by the muzzle pulled II to-
ward HIM. The gun went OF and blew
the top of his head away. His right hand
was all powderstained through being so
close to the muzzIe. 1t was a gross piece
of carelessness on the part OF whoever
put that gun away loaded. We buried
Captain Buckley on St. Lawrence Island
ana Chief Officer Cutie Will take the
steamer north. The other officers went
up a step and Charley Boyle has been
made fourth mate and Ike Smith d boat
steerer. We are now bound for the Arctic
and l hope We Will make a good catch
Captain BaIch the well-known master
Of the American ship John a. Briggs, had
a very narrow escape from losing his life
in DelaGOa Bay last month. AS 1t was
and all her papers, and is likely to have
some trouble at his next port of call in
consequence.
The John A. Briggs went from here TO
Chemainus last December and there
loaded .216 feet Of lumber for Delagoa
Bay Captain BaIch discharged his cargo
a% 1alaV and then PlaaTp1
his ship for Sydney, n s. w. At the lat
ter port she is to load coal for Honolulu
and from Honolulu will bring sugar 10
After clearing his ship Captain Balch
got into his boat and started TO go aboard.
Four OF his sailors were rowing. but az
ii was blowing very hard they did not
make a great deal of headway. Suddenly
a sQuall struck the boat and over she
went 1t was dark. but by good luck the
captain and four men succeeded in get
ting on the bottom of the boat and then
for an hour they hung on, chilled to the
bone. and thinking each moment would
be their last. Just when they had given
up all hope the boat from a Norwegian
bark came along and picked them up.
Uncle Sam is going to take another Pa
cIfc Mail steamer for transport. As
soon as the City of sydney arrives from
Panama and way ports she will be turned
over to the quartermaS Ster's department.
and will be fitted out for trip to Ma
Mia The San Bias. now in port, will be
held here and will take up the Sydney's
The transport Newport was moved to
the Mail dock yesterday and will be fitted
out and loaded there for her next voyage
to Manila.
The San Juan sailed yesterday for Pan
anna and way ports. She took away fif-
teen cabin passengers and considerabl BILE
freight. Captain Tilton. late chief officer
of the Newport, was passenger. He
goes to Panama to relieve Captain Buck
man. who comes TO San Francisco on a
vacation.
The Spreckels tue Alert has been COM
pletely overhauled and went into COM
mission again yesterday. Mechanics have
and she is now as good as new.
Ole Johnson of the steamer Del Norte
fell overheard from Folsom street wharf
early yesterday morning. He was res
cued by Henry Peterson and taken to