The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-10-28
DELAYED BY
HEAD WINDS
Ships Arthur Fitzgsr and ChristeI
Had Stormy Passages From
Hamburg to Columbia.
---
FITZGER IS A CRACK sAlLER
Holds the Record Between San
Francisco and Germany
Made Good Time
From Astoria.
flTzGER IS A CRACK sAlLER

| Captain Denker entered his vessel,
the German ship Arthur Fitzger, at the
Astoria customs house yesterday. The
Fltzger brings 2ec0 tons Of cement and
coke, all for Portland. It was reported
yesterday that some OF the cargo would
be lightered here. but Captain Denker
says this is mistake.
The Arthur Fitzger is now in Astoria
harbor for me fourth time. For the
past nine years she has been In COM
mand of her present master. The Fitz-
ger was formerly the British ship Brit
ish Merchant, and she has frequently
made record passages. The present
trip was slow one. but this was due TO
adverse weather conditions experienced
on the Horn, 81 days being required
between 80 and 50." The month Of
August was very rough, and both the
Fi,zger and christel had mishaps to
their canvas.
on the Horn the Fitzger sighted the
Christel, but did not speak her. Cap
tain Denker said that he did not sight
another yard OF canvas this side OF the
Horn until he reached the Columbia,
when he dlscerned the Christel off Til
lanldok rock. The two ship had made
the passage from the Horn in exactly
the same time. yet had never been In
sight of each other.
When the Fitzger was the British
Merchant she was commanded by Cap
tain Maloney, who was well known on
the coast. Al San Francisco. one
Fourth of July, dozen years ago or
more, all the British vessels, and ships
Of other nationalities, for that matter.
displayed their flags In honor of the
day. Captain Maloney was particular
Iy enterprising and his ship was award
ed prize for making the best display.
The diploma given him BY the appre-
ciative citizens Of San Francisco is still
hanging in the cabin OF the vessel.
The Fitzger holds the record passage
between San Francisco and Germany
ai DAYS. She has made several crack
passages between Astoria and England.
but has never succeeded in lowering the
record time OF Sc days. made by the
British ship Caitloch.
captain Denker has followed the sea
In the capacity of master for more
than 20 years and is one Of the few
shippers who have visited Christmas
isle. off the coast OF Africa. This is
land is Of coral formation and Is known
10 have risen and fallen. In years gone
by two pairs of cattle and two pairs OF
pigs were placed ashore on this unin-
habited reef. and the animal colony has
increased with such rapidity that it Is
almost impossible to effect landing,
The animals crowd about the only land
ing place on the island in such numbers
as to actually delay the men when they
attempt to go ashore.
Some of Captain Denker's stories
prompted Mr.. Cherry. British vice-con-
sui, TO relate an actual occurrence that
rivals the fiction of the most noted au-
thors. Some 1000 miles from the Cape
OF Good Hope and 1000 miles from the
cost of Australia is small isle called
Crozet, on the coast of which French
vessel was wrecked. The shipwrecked
sailors caught an albatross and made
fast to 1t small piece Of tin bearing
an inscription in French detailing the
disaster and asking that assistance be
sent. A hunter walking along the Aus
tralian coast near Perth shot the alba
tross, but was unable to make out the
French inscription. The singular mes
sage was sent the governor at Perth,
who in turn forwarded 1t to British
official in India. This official read the
message, wired the facts to London
and in turn the matter was communi-
Gated to the Paris government. AS
France had no available vessel in South
Africa, the British sent warship to
the isle, and the entire crew of the
French ship was rescued. This Is one
of the most remarkable rescues ever
effected.