The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-03-29

enson's wharf, and was conducted by
James f. Morgan. There was pref
ty good crowd present to listen to
what the auctioneer had to say, but
the number of bidders was not very
large
The old hulk lay alongside of the
wharf, so that prospective buyers
could take a good look at her and
see what they were getting for their
money. While the vessel is about
thirty EIGHT years old and unsea-
worthy, it was thought that the hull,
minus the sails and boats and other
paraphernalia, would fetch a fair-sized
sum.
The bidding was slow in starting.
however, and the eloquence of the
auctioneer had free rein for some lit
tile time before the first bid was Of
fered.
One thousand dollars" cried a pros
porous, business-like little man IN the
front row of people.
For a moment everybody held their
breath, and then there was considera-
bic 'rubbering" to see who 1t was who
had offered the thousand. They soon
discovered that the guilty. man was
Lloyd Conkling, well known and
popular waterfront character.
There was no use talking, the bust
ness-like attitude of the bidder ratified
the crowd for few minutes, and it
was thought that ConkIing would be-
come the owner of the bark and i'm
mediately take possession and com
mand. People wondered what he
would do with the Topgallant II he
got her. Would he make of her a
private yacht by the addition of a pi-
ano and a few sofa cushions, or would
he turn the old vessel into a boarding
anchor her in the stream and hang out
sign to the effect that furnished
rooms, ocean breeZes and sea bathing
| thrown in, were to let.
Some were of the opinion that Conk-
! ling contemplated going into the immi-
grant importing business, and would
use the bark to bring Porto. Ricans
! from the Coast to these Islands.
! However, after the first excitement
caused by the big offer from the little
capitalist had died away another
| voice was heard and the auct1oneer
! was stopped from bringing down his
hammer on the 81, 900 bid just in time.
Paul Muhlendorf, manager for Allen &.
| Robinson, bid $1,100, and the vessel
was retained for the owners.
Fred Harrison paid 5000 for the
! donkey engine One life boat went for
$40, and another went for s25. The
sails We're purchased by Chinese,
| principally. The bark was ordered
sold by her owners.
The Topgallant was built at East
fBoston, Mass, in 1863. Seattle was her
! home port She is a vessel of about
| 1,200 tons.
After a terrible experience with the
elements the Topgallant arrived in this
port on the morning of February 22d
| in distress, from Manila.
She was not bound for this port
originally. but during the long and
dangerous trip from the Philippine
Islands, her master decided that she
was unseaworthy, and came to the
conclusion that it would be wise tc
though the Topgallant was bound fol
Port Townsend.
The Topgallant went from Port
Townsend to Hongkong in the latter
part Of last year with load OF lum
Der. She arrived at the China por
without any accident. discharged hel
cargo and then, on the oath of Septem
Der, started on the return trip to Por
/ Townsend.
When eighteen days out of Hong
kong she lost her rudder and wa
forced to put back for repairs.
After she had been on the drydock a
Hongkong and had been repaired, sh
started once more for her home port
Misfortune seemed to stay with her
however for when she was only a few
days out she was caught in typhool
in the China sea.
The bark was at the mercy~of tn
typhoon for many hours. She los
many of her sails. and she strained t
an alarming extent
On the oath of November of last yea
the skipper was forced to seek shelte
: from constantly recurring storms, 1
Manila. Besides, the vesseI was I
| such a dangerous condition that tn
crew were not willing TO risk thei
lives in her to Port Townsend.
At Manila the crew demanded
court of inquiry, and it was decide
that the bark was seaworthy enoug
to resume her voyage to Port Town
send after a few slight repairs ha
!, been made.
The crew, being we'll acquainte
with the peculiarities ;of the leak
vessel refused to ship in her, and tn
captain was compelled to ship ne