New-York tribune., 1900-07-15
OLD LINERS IN TIE PACIFIC.
HOW VESSELS TRANSFERRED FROM
THE ATLANTIC HAVE FOUND
STEADY OCCUPATION.

When Eastern shipowners at the end of the first
stampede to the KlOndke rushed their disengaged
passenger vessels to the Pacific Coast the con-
servatira companies predicted heavy losses. For
time it looked if the conservative element was
right for while the vessels the last lap of
the long voyage around Cape Horn the Klondke
boom burst. Discouraging reports from the
North, and above all the prospect of war with
Spain caused the expected army OF gold seekers to
remain at home
Though the Spanish killed the business
which the boats sent around to do, it gave
them more profitable work. After Deweys victory
in Manila It necessary TO send thousands Of
troops and many cargoes Of supplies to the far off
Philippines. There were few vessels on the Pacific
Coast available. and the Government had to wait
for the incoming Klondikc fleet.
Many Of the big steamers did not beyond San
Francisco. Those which sailed directly TO Seattle
turned back. 1t San Francisco they were
quickly fitted with hunks and hurried to Manila.
The owners took fun advantage Of the difficulty in
which the Government found itself and secured
enormous charter rates. For nearly two years the
big steamers made trip after trip under Govern
ment charter. Some of them are still in the ser
vice.
But meanwhile new discoveries had turned
Alaska into more powerful magnet than the
Canadian Klondike had ever been. The beach dig
gings at Cape Nome. on Norton Sound, showed
fabulous wealth. and thousands prepared to make
the long voyage There was short cut to Nome
TO Kondike. and the entire business fell to the
steamship companies.
Since May l fifteen thousand people have sailed
from Seattle alone. They each paid from S125 TO
$50 in fare, and freight rates high. Every
steamer that sailed carried every passenger the
navigation laws would allow. and some were even
dangerously loaded with freight. Nor is there any
sign OF the rush abatlng. The steamers are just
beginning arrive at Seattle their trips
and they well loaded with miners who spent the
winter in the new camp. They Will be able to
make two more trips before navigation closes.
During the winter the boats will not be
in Pacific Coast warehouses awaiting transporta-
tiOn Manila. Trade with Hawaii will also en-
gage some of the vessels. This tranSpaCfC trade
may be made permanent If the Alaskan business
should not warrant the withdrawal of the vessels
next spring
The larger steamships which transferred their
home from the Atlantic to the Pacific in
their day among the finest and fastest of the
atlantic fleet. With the Introduction of the modern
liner these steamers were forced into the back
IN the Alaskan trade. They the Pennsylvania.
the Ohio the Illinois. the Indiana and the Come
maugh. The steamer Morgan City. which for
years out of New-Nork Harbor. is plOUghng
through the stormy North Pacific with a gold pick
on her funnel. The old Haytan Republic. of fill
clustering fame gained the fire KIon-
dixie treasure ship under the Portland.
The Roanoke. which once fine passenger
vessel plying between New-York and Southern
ports, carried more klondike treasure last year
BriXham, once New-York fruit steamer. came to
grief as a passenger carrier the Pacific and
lies on one OF the many islands off the Alaskan
coast. a rusty wreck. She the only of
the eastern fleet to meet with serious accident.
More steamships. crowded out by the newer.
faster and larger vessels demanded by the Atlantic
trade. will probably be sent around the Horn at
the close of this season.