The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-02-28
Big Quantity Of Freight Hauled
Back to City.
Boston Tow Boat Fleet
Arrives.
Attempt viii Be Made to Full
Off Ship Today.

The first work Of removing the cargo
from the wrecked steamer Californian
Was begun early yesterday morning by
the crews Of the soows Atlas and Ajax.
which had been towsd out to the wreck
Monday. The weather was intensely cold,
the most bitter day Of the winter. but
the dfty odd men kept bravely at their
work. IL was decided to load the Atlas
tirst, and from daylight until noon yes
terday this plan was carried out. The
Atlas Is Of good proportions and several
thousands OF boxes Of cheese and about 20
csses Of meats vera loaded on TO the
soow. When the loading had been COM
plsted the tug l.. A. Belknap which had
the barber. The cargo was big one and
rs the seas were rather heavy the tug
Bslknap had no small task on ner hands.
But she proved equal to the duty and af-
ter two hours work the tug drew up at
Custom House wharf. On this wharf is
large shed which was built by Pelsg
Barker, Esq, In the autumn Of 'es to ao-
commodste the Manhattan Steamship
company. which at that time intended to
run q fleet of steamers between this city
aud New York. But this company never
came 60 time In its plans and as result
the commodious sheds have since been
entirely empty. They are finely fitted for
just such purpose as storing goods from
the disabled Californian and the officials
OF the Allan line lost no time In making
arr an Sements with Mr.. Barker to that
end. The Beltnap left the Atlas at
Custom House wharf at a few minutes
before three o'clock. 1hen the scow was
firmly tied up ut the wharf and the work
ct ores begun of taking on the large
quantity Of cheese and provisions and
storing them In the shed. The scene was
busy one while the gang Of men were at
work In unloading this part Of the cargo
They were busy ut the task during the
whole afternoon. Captain Charles G.
had charge Of the work OF unloading. The
inspectors Will be kept busy during the
next few days for they will DO obliged to
again check of all articles In the cargo
which had been shipped through from
points In Canada to this port These
goods make up the foreign portion Of the
cargo which Is valued at Si75, 600. The
value Of the domestic cargo, none Of
which will DO again checked. is $40, GOO.
The foreign cargo Is compossu Of tbs fol-
lowing articles: 1851 boxes Of meats, 9S62
boxes of cheese, 1884 barrels Of apples, 100
tisroes Of lard, 90 packages Of butter. e5s
pieces Of deals. 20 packages Of furniture,
40 pack ages Of supdries, 3i7 cases OF eggs,
IA packages OF leather and 40 bushels Of
peas.
The domesdc cargo consists Ct the fol-
lowing goods: l6oa5 boxes of meats, lc04
boxes nf fresh meats, so tisroes of lard, IS
there's Of oil and g, $50 bushels Of meats.
The cheese and meats which were
brought 10 by the scow Atlas we're In .
good state Of preservation, being damaged
little II any.
The revenue cutter Woodbury. which
had arrived In the harbor late Monday af-
tsrnoon. went out to the Californian yes
terday morning and remained all day.
to do police duty to prevent
attempts to steal parts of the cargo.
Inspector Hsssltine who went to the
steamer Monday, Is still aboard and
will remain until recalled. II 10 his duty
to see that erything Ia carried out In
conformity with the orders Of the govern
ment.
Captain Barclay sent out four stoves
to the steamer Monday. but these were
not enough to come anywhere near to
keeping mp a sufficient beat and yester-
day he purchased six more which were al
so ssnt out to the ship.
The steamer Aucocisco Of the Harpswell
line ran an excursion to the steamer yes
terday during the forenoon. but the cold
weather was so sharp that not more than
swenty persons awaited themselves of the
opportunity to visit the scene.
1t Is probable that nearly all OF the pas
sengers who were booked TO go on the
Californian win sail on the Dominion
which 10 expected to leave tnis port on
Saturday.
British Consul Heating says that 1t is
possible that an Investigation into the
causes of the accident Will be held on
either Thursday or Friday OF the present
week. The rule Of procedure. SO Consul
Heating states, concerning British ships
is that when public interest demands an
Inquiry, the consul Is empowered by an
act Of Parliament to summon q naval
court which IL to consist Of tbs consul
and Of not more than five and of not less
than two csrtifioAted masters Of the
British merchant marine The consul
has the power to summon all Of the neces-
sary witnesses % properly come under his
direction. This court has the power to
determine whether or not the officers are
10 fault. II ths officers are In fault their
certificates are 10 DO cancelled or sus.
pended. The consul will not have the
power to summon Pilot Parsons.