The San Francisco call., 1904-02-25
SIGNS OF War
AT THE FERRY
Manager Rank of North Shore
Railway Objects to Land
ing of Steamers at New Slip
DANGER OF THE POSITION
Steam boat Captains Sign State
ment That Life, Property and
Reputation Would Be in Peril

There are signs OF war on the water
front. w. NJ. Rank, general manager
of the North Shore Railway Company.
refuses 10 comply with the order Of
the State Board Of Harbor Commits
sioners. assigning the steamers Of his
company 10 the new slip A, which was
recently constructed by the board. The
manager holds that it would be eX-
ceedingly difficult under. conditions Of
wind and tide for a large sidewheel
steamer to make a landing there. His
judgment in this respect is sustained
by a statement signed by quite num-
Der Of steamboat captains.
The following communication was
presented 10 the Harbor Commission
at the session yesterday afternoon:
SAN FRANCISCO. Feb. 80. 1904
TO the Honorable Board Of Harbor Comnis
sioners- We the undersigned, captains OF the
Southern Pacific California Northwestern,
North shore. santa Fe and Oakland Transit
ferry systems are informed that the recently
constructed slip west OF No. / is to be assigned
10 the ferry system We respectfully protest.
against the above assignment. and we submit
our reasons for doing so 10 your honorable
board.
owing 10 the proximity Of the slip TO the
pier adjacent. under certain conditions OF the
wind and tide IL viii be exceedingly difficult
and hazardous 10 make a landing. For in
stance. assuming a scuthery or southeasterly
wind and strong ebb tide. IL must be plain 70
you that it will be very hard 10 clear the pier
adjacent and failure 10 do 50 would result in
injury 70 lie and property and TO our reputa-
tions. With either a strong ebb or flood tide
il viii be no easy matter 10 get in OF out. in
fcggy weather the situation VIII also ne very
dangerous. Going al slow speed the chances
are very strong against our making a landing.
We have heard the opinions Of many cap
unanimous in condemning the slip as being to-
tally inadequate for large side wheel
steamer. II four dOlphins were driven beyond
the end Of the short side OF the slip they
might relieve the situation somewhat. As IL
is. We protest against being compelled 10 use
a slip which in our opinion and the opinion
of other experts is unsafe owing 10 its position
and shape and expose ourselves TO the risk OF
injuring life and property and being held re-
sponsible for il.
The communication is signed by c.
4 Johnson, John \. Mathieson, Will
liam Disco, Charles Bagge, a. POllson,
J. J. Jones, William Fredrickson, c. p.
Lauritzen. W. W. Rogers. John Leale,
II. A. Hyde. John Lewis. c. J. Ander-
son and Richard Bradley.
Chief Engineer Norton advised the
board that the occupancy Of the new
slip was necessary in order 10 carry
out the work OF repairing other slips.
Slip No. I, occupied by the Santa Fe,
was greatly in need Of repair. The pro-
posed assignment of the North Shore
was only temporary. The statement
that the position was unsafe for side
wheel steamers was not considered
sound, as stern -wheelers had no
trouble in making a landing there.
The Commissioners considered that
the expenditure Of $500 to put in a dol
phin was not required. 1t was re-
marked in the discussion that the cap
tains OF the ferry systems would sign
anything. The assertion was made
that the North Shore, not desiring TO
occupy the slip. was causing all the
trouble The chief wharfinger was di-
rected TO carry out the orders Of the
board in making the temporary assign
ment, so that the work OF repairing
other slips could proceed at once.
The Commissioners authorized the
renewal Of insurance on State prop
erty. The whole amount Of insurance
carried is s675. 900 The policies now
expiring were written three years ago.
and the renewals viii cover the same
length OF time. Under the law the
State is to receive the commission or
dinarily allowed TO brokers.
Commissioners Spear, Kirkpatrick
and Mackenzie attended the session Of
the board yesterday. There were no
fresh developments in the news stand
controversy. Steps were taken to clear
the way 10 the approaches Of the new
santa Fe bridge across Channel street
at Third. Occupants of that por-
ton Of the street which is under
the jurisdiction Of the Harbor Com
mission pay no attention to the city
Board Of Public Works. They simply
smile and say nothing when Casey and
Schmitz tell them 10 move on.