davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

unsuspecting their vessel has struck one of
the dreaded terrors of the deep, and that
they are in the midst Of the most extreme
peril that could possibly befall them.
It Is for the special work of hunting and
destroying the deadly wanderers of the sea
that the old collier Lebanon, a 3,OOO-ton
steamer, is being fitted up by the Navy
Department in the shipyards at Portsmouth,
N. H. Heretofore the bureau of naviga-
ton of the Navy Department has assigned
various United States vessels and warships
at different times to search out and de-
stroy reported derelicts, but In the future
this special class of work will be assigned
to the Lebanon, which is being equipped
with torpedo apparatus used in blowing up
the abandoned floating wrecks.
One of the most interesting features Of the
work of the photographic Office, which is
branch of the bureau Of navigation, is
the collection and investigation of reports
relative to wrecks and derelicts. Reports
of these menaces to navigation are received
by the photographic office from every avail
able source. especially from mariners who
traverse the north Atlantic ocean, from
newspapers and from kilograms to mari
time exchanges. The photographic office
issues a weekly bulletin, giving information
relative to the positions of wrecks and dere-
licts according to the latest reports and
these bulletins are distributed among the
shipmasters for their information.
AT short intervals tabulated statements
of the existence of wrecks and derelicts
dangerous to commerce are sent to the bu-
reau of navigation, and II 1t is deemed nee
essary available naval vessel is ordered
to search for and destroy the derelict
Wrecks within three miles, or naval
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18
Deleterious Alloys of Gold.

German papers state that it is a WELL
known fact that the presence of very small
quantities of foreign substances is likely
TO change the qualities of metals and their
alloys materially. Gold is no exception to
this rule. Admixture with foreign sub
stances often makes 1t brittle while other
wise 1t is the most malieable and ductile
among the metals. Even If alloyed with
pure copper, gold shows these undesirable
qualities, and such alloy cannot be used
for the manufacture of jewelry, for the
coming of metals or for other Industrial
purposes.
United States Consul General Guenther
at Frankfort, who has made an official re-
port ON this subject, says that elaborate
experiments in Paris showed that silver
and copper arc much less deleterious to
gold than lead and iron. In some brittle
gold coins only one-fifth of l per cent of
lead or iron was found, but these quanti-
ties were sufficient to impair the malleabil-
ity of the gold. The consul general says
further as disagreeable experiences are had
at the minis from time TO time with brit
tie gold alloys. the subject has again been
taken up by chemists. Tests have con-
,flrmed the fact that lead iron and tellurium
must be avoided, as they act injuriously
upon the properties of gold even in the
smallest quantities.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

to them after their tenancy are charges for
quaint and out-of-date services which
haven't been performed. Owing to the
length of time they date back, Mayfair
leases are full of odd, anachronistic clauses.
which are enforced with a tenacity truly
British.
Last year. for instance, a rich Irish
American contractor. on giving up noble
mans house he had taken in Mayfair,
found himself charged 6S cents for Chin
ney sweep" The chimney hadn't been
swept during his occupancy. for the Ameri-
can kicked" He had to pay. however, for
it turned out that that particular lease was
given originally by Queen Elizabeth, who,
in her generosity, had entailed the chimney
sweeping perquisite to a small retainer OF
hers, whose family still collect it, whether
the work is actually done or not.
Another American tenant found that she
was bound by the terms of her lease to
feed and water three cows" though. need
less to say there were no cattle on the
premises and hadn't been for hundreds of
years.
Another Mayfair house sometimes taken
by folk from the United States imposes
upon tenants the obligation to award
glitch of bacon to any couple in the neigh
borhood who swear before magistrate
that for year and day they have had
no quarrel or difference of opinion"
Occasionally the arrangement of the dec
GRAFTON of their Mayfair mansion doesn't
part of the young Duchess of Roxburghe
they undertake to alter Ii and get into
trouble. A proceeding of this kind on the
part of the young Duchess of Roxburge
recently brought about quite sharp little
tiff between her grace and the Countess OF
Dudley, whose house in Carlton Gardens
the duchess Is occupying for the season. 1t
seems that the former May Goelet consid-
cred several little improvements necessary
before she moved into the mansion. She
had some panels in the drawing room re-
painted and some of the furniture reup-
holstered, while, as the dining room struck
her as rather bare, she moved in several
ormolu ornaments from other rooms to
make it more cheerful
To make matters worse, 1t was reported
to Lady Dudley, who, Of course. is the,
vicereine of ireland, that the Duchess of
Roxburghe had criticised her taste. Where
rpon the countess sent a tart note. in which
she asked II it were true that the duchess
was making alterations without permission
In a house rented for only three months.
and declared that at the end Of the tenancy
everything would have to be restored or
made good exactly as at the beginning
Then 1t was the duchess turn. She re-
piled in a somewhat naughty letter that she
could not understand the countess tone, as
any alterations which she had made were
obviously needed. The thing went no iur-
Their, however, for then the duke took
hand and sent a conciiiatory note explain
ing that little really had been done except
some painting and fresh chintzes The Earl
of Dudley replied In cordial VEIN, ana SO
the breach was healed.
Mrs John Jacob Aston is not likely to
make any alterations in Sir Archibald 30
monstone,s house in Portland place. which
she is occupying for the season, for 1t Is
90, 10 fbe hest arranged and most luxuri-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18
league, of the shore are destroyed by the
army engineers.

league, Of the shore are destroyed by the
army engineers.
The latest and most desirable method of
destroying the abandoned hulks is by blow
ing them up with torpedoes. In former
years attempts were made to destroy the
derelicts with fire. but this method was not
found successful owing to the fact that the
cargoes became waterlogged and after the
fire had burned to the waters edge 1t be-
came extinguished. Big naval vessels have
also endeavored to break up the wrecks by
ramming, but this process in most cases re-
suited disastrously to the naval vessel, es-
pecially when the derelict had a cargo of
lumber, and this plan has been abandoned.
Derelicts are most prevalent in the north
Atlantic ocean, off the New England coast.
An average of nearly 300 abandoned YES
sells start on their aimless wanderings every
year, and 1t Is estimated that there are
never less than twenty derelicts afloat In
the north Atlantic ocean at one time.
Derelicts are made in several ways Some
vessels leave port too heavily loaded and
upon encountering rough seas have to be
abandoned because of the washing of the
waters over the decks and the subsequent
submerging of the ship. Fire breaking out
on board the ship occasionally necesstates
the abandonment of the vessel. Collisions
with icebergs with derelictS are also re-
sponsible for the abandonment of vessels,
and in some cases derelicts are made by
serious leak in the live vessel.
In the past too, vessels were sometimes
abandoned by INSCRIPTIONS owners for no
reason whatever except to get the insurance
on the cargo. which had been insured at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18
Japanese Goldfish Farms.

From the National Geographic Magazine.
Although the goldfish occurs in a wild
state in Japan. 1t is probable that China
some four hundred years ago furnished
the stock from which the wonderful varie-
ties of Japanese goldfish have been bred.
1t is reported that in feudal days. even
when famine was abroad in the land and
many people were starving. the trade in
goldfish was fourishing. The demand at
present appears to be without limit, and
the output shows a substantial increase
each year. Many thousand people make q
living by growing goldfish fer market and
hundreds Of peddlers carry the fish through
the streets and along the country roads In
wooden tubs suspended from a shoulder
bar.
The leading goldfish center is Korlyama.
near the ancient capital of Nara. Here
are $50 independent breeding establish
ments whose yearly product runs far into
the millions One firm which I visited
was started 40 years ago. At first 1t was
conducted mercy for the pleasure of the
owner but it eventually became COM
mercial enterprise and is now very prof.
able
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

three-masted vessel laden with lumber
The White was abandoned OF Delaware bay
curing the great blizzard OF March ID, 1885,
and after q long and erratio transatlantic
voyage was stranded upon Haskeir Island,
one Of the Hebrdes, In January. 1889 This
schooner after being abandoned started or
TO the southwark with masts and portions
OF her sails still standing and ensign set
with union down. Upon reaching the gulf
stream she turned to the eastward and
commenced her long cruise toward Europe
drifting bhndly about at the mercy of wind
and current, directly In the track of thou
sands OF vessels engaged in transatlantic
commerce One of the most remarkable
features Of the Whites voyage was the
zigzag track she followed In midocean
from the beginning of May, 1885, until the
end of October Of the same year, during
which period she drifted back and forth
within a comparatively small under
the influence of the gulf stream and the
Labrador current, and tossed about by the
varying winds, a constant menace to navi-
cation along the greatest highway of ocean
commerce in the world.
During the six months when the White
was executing her ZfgZag movements in
midocean she was reported by thirty-six
vessels. In her whole cruise Of ten months
and ten days she traversed a distance of
more than 5000 miles. was reported forty
five times, and 1t Is impossible to estimate
how many passenger-laden vessels passed
dangerously near the abandoned ship dur
ing the night and almost miraculously es-
capeQ destruction.
X X
Most remarkable in the annals of dere-
licts are the cases reported of the finding Of
a vessel, with all sails set, all the ma
chinery intact. and everything apparently
in proper order. but the ship entirely de-
serted for some reason which cannot be
ascertained. One of the greatest mysteries
of this kind Is found in the case of the
Marie Celeste In connection with this
mystery the superstitious will probably find
material in support of their belief In the
direful influence of the number "13." The
Marie Celeste sailed from New York for
Europe in 1887, having on board thirteen
persons, including the captains wife and
child. About fifteen days after the vessel
left New York British ship sighted the
Marie Celeste abroad in the Atlantic with
out soul on board.
From distance everything about the
vessel bore the aspect Of occupancy, but
close examination by boats crew revealed
the fact that though the boats were in
their proper places, the crews weekly wash
hung from the line, all sails were set. the
hull unchanged and everything in ship
shape" yet the vessel was absolutely de-
serted by human beings, the thirteen per-
sons who had sailed on her having disap-
peared as though spirited away by some
unnatural agency. Under the needle of a
sewing machine in the cabin of the Marie
Celeste was a half-hnished child's garment
and the table was a half-eaten meal.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

1LENT and awesome as a floating
tomb OF the dead, oftentimes invis-
ible above the surface of the water
~ and always menace and dread to
mariners, are the fateful derelicts,
weird, wandering wrecks of abandoned YES
sels, which haunt the trackless deep and
)eem to stealthily lie in wait in the COM
Pass-marked path of some ocean liner to
demand tragic toll as If in revenge for their
swn disastrous fate. The sea holds no
peril more dreaded by seafarers than these
wrecked and abandoned hulks of erstwhile
faunch vessels, whose histories in most
cases contain chapters of great suffering,
tragic death and deeds of heroism.
The Storm King in his widest and fierc-
est moods is not more feared by seamen
than these crewless and menacing wander
ers, which, like preying tramps of the sea.
are drifting in the great ocean lanes.
Against the derelict no safeguards can be
taken by the steamer crews, and the vigil
lance and skill of the seamen count for
nothing.
A great floating palace, filled with hun
dreds or precious human souls Is ploughing
through the waves at night, driven by DOW
erful engines. The spray is dashing high
above the Prov. the sea is calm and sill
yer moon is shining from clear sky There
is no sign of storm or other danger, and
the passengers are on deck enjoying the
beauties OF a moonlit night at sea, with
thoughts of everything but accident and
disaster filing their minds. Suddenly there
is terrific crash, a sickening ripping of
the steamers sides, the great steamship
rocks and Quivers as though in the grasp
OF some gigantic monster, the laughter of
the passengers is changed to shrieks of ter
ror, and the recent peaceful scene aboard
ship is transformed to panic.
The cause of the sudden disaster is I'M
known to the passengers, but the white
faced captain and the crew who have been
reared in the face of danger, know that all
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

The United States government made every
effort to solve this mystery, but to this day
1t remains unraveled.
r
In August, 1884. the British warship Nal.
lard picked up the brig Resolven of the
coast Of Newfoundland with sails set.
lights burning and everything apparently in
order, but not soul on board. In lock-
er on board the deserted vessel was bag
of gold. The brig was towed into port and
ttdings OF her crew were awaited, but not
one Of the eleven men who manned the
brig ever returned.
Equally mysterious as the instances cited
are the stories Of other vessels picked up
on the sea, which have been entirely de-
serted by crews and passengers.
Unique is the story Of the Fred B. Taylor.
which was adrift more than three months
during the summer of 1892. This derelict
was struck amidships by the Trave. the
sharp prov Of the latter vessel cutting the
derelict completely In two. The collision
occurred southeast Of Nantucket Accord
ing to all rules of marine precedent the cut
ting OF the hulk In two should have sent
the derelict to the bottom. but such was
not the case. Instead, the two halves Of
the Taylor remained afioat. the bow drift
ing northward and the stern drifting south
ward. The bow was finally beached on
the New England coast, while the other
half of the derelict was washed ashore on
the Carolina coast. Each half was sighted
many times by passenger and freight ves>
sells.
On at least two occasions captains Of yes.
sells have reported the sighting of derelicts
frozen into icebergs. and there is one In
stance on record in which the captain Of O
whaler reported the finding of dereliot
steered by dead mans hand. The pilot
had dashed himself to his post when the
stofm came and In that position had died,
while the rest of the crew had either
taken to the boats OF had been washed
overheard to unmarked graves
Many derelicts. it is believed by some
mariners. find their way into the Sarrossa
sea. sea Of weeds. located south Of the
Azores. 1t Is thought that many aban.
doned vessels are driven by winds and cur.
rents into this weed-covered sea and there
remain utl they become dismantled and
decay This circumstance has given the
Sargossa sea the name of Graveyard OF
Derelfcts." More strange than fiction would
be the true story Of the voyages of the old
weather-beaten hulks that have drtfted
aim!essiy about, tramps of the sea- and
nnally have been led into this haven OF
derellcts Stories of suffering there would
De without doubt and of wonderful heroism
and sacrifice. But these true stories will
never be told In thousands of instances for
there is none left of the crews that sailed
to relate them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

All this, of course, is outside the actual
entertaining, which Is the thing that eats
up money fastest. But perhaps the expend-
iture that comes as the greatest shock to
Americans who rent London houses is the
amount of money 1t takes to get ones So
cial activities noticed" in the newspapers.
The papers at home print that sort Of thing
gratis, like any other news, but the London
ones DON'T And. of course. there's little
satisfaction In taking house and giving
swagger functions II nothing about It gets
into the papers. To get the announcement
that Mrs. Rocks Of New York has taken
season" into the chief London daily and
weekly Journals costs little over $500. The
fashionable Morning Post alone charges S25.
This preliminary announcement generally
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

the duchess of Roxburghe and Lady Bate
mantle former Mrs. Knapp-probably will
get OFF for something like 100000
Ihere is no stigma attached to renting a
mouse Tor the London season, rather than
owning one, for the good reason that fully
two-thlrds OF the mansions in Mayfair are
unpurchasable through being .'entailed"-
whlch means that the estate of which they
are part passes on from heir to heir and
can't be sold. About the lowest price at
which one can get fashionable house for
the season is $500. Mrs. Glasgow, to be
sure Is paying the Earl of Scarborough
$4,000 for his comparatively small place.
Nominally one can secure for $1,000 a
mansion containing, say, ten bed rooms
three reception rooms, a ball room and
stabling for five or six horses. The word
"nominally," however, Is especially good in
this connection. for the sum mentioned an
plies to the house just as it stands-witb
furniture, of course-and doesn't inc,,aa
either linen, plate, servants or horses and
carriages. All of these are costly, and to
possess them and do anything like the sort
OF entertaining that is expected from Amer
leans In the west end will make the cost of
keeping, up an establishment of the size
mentioned not less than $4,000 a month
That foots up $4,000 for a modest season. .
Mrs Potter Palmer starts off by paying
his house mot including plate and linen).
but In return for her money she has the
satisfaction Of possessing one of the most
historic mansions In Mayfair-and one of
the ugliest! "Hampden House." as II is
called, was built In 172S, and derives its
name from the late viscount Hampden. who
for many years inhabited It. Viewed from
outside, 1t is low and rambling and none the
more impressive for being built of ugly red
brick. 1t is spacious place, however, and
with its gardens occupies nearly an acre of
ground. Its bed rooms number twenty-five
and there are ten sitting rooms, state
drawing room and ball room.
Hampden House contains also the finest in
dividual collection of paintings in London.
Many of the works of art are priceless and
they will remain In the mansion during Mrs.
Palmer's occupancy The house Is famous,
too. for the beauty of its art panelings
From the figures given to me 1t is easy to
see how s100.o00 can be spentHn running
London house for the season. As already
explained. the business is likely to cost Mrs.
Frank Mackey, as well as Mrs. Potter
Palmer. twice that sum. The former, whose
first assault on London society last year
proved SO uncommonly successful has made
a good start this season by getting Mrs.
Adair's house, for 1t Is one of the largest
rentable places tn Mayfair. Like Mrs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

acter, by Adams who hundred years ago
rather popularized this severe style.
Lady Cunard, who was Miss Burke of
Chlcago before she married the son of the
founder of the famous steamship line hes
taken for the London season No Is Mans
held street, which is owned by one of Eng
lands wealthiest provincial bankers, Mr.
Gurney of Norwich. The distinguished fea-
ture of this mansion is its ceiling decora-
tons by Angelica Kaufman, which are said
to represent that artists finest work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18
Poor Fellow.
From the Philadelphia Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
Weary WILHELM victim o. police per-
secution. lady, dat's what am. Why do
first time / was arrested I wasn't doins
nothin' at alt
Mrs Goodart-Poor fellow Here's dime
for you. And what charge did they trump
up against you?
Weary Willie-vagrancy.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

Palmer's house. it is an old Georgian man
sion undermined Places of this kind are
most esteemed for the season, as they COM
bine historical associations with twentieth
century comforts. Mrs. Mackey's house
contains twenty-five bed rooms, a splendid
ball room, eight reception rooms and espe-
ciaily commodious quarters for the serv-
ants. There is stabling for nineteen horHes
The house and furniture alone, am told,
are costing Mrs. Mackey $4,000. She sup
plies her own plate, linen, servants and
horses and carriages. The following esti-
mate of the cost of these appurtenances Is
probably much below the mark, so far as
this lavish handed American hostess Is con-
cerned, but it gives a fairly accurate idea
of how much 1t takes to run London house
during the season and do the thing well.
Why the plate the linen, the servants ana
the horses are never let with London
house Is not altogether clear. In the case OF
the domestics, however, 1t Is probably be-
cause, when first Americans began to take
houses for the season, several lots of care
fully trained servants liked their trans
atlantic employers so well that they de-
parted with them and left their original
masters to mourn their loss. Nowadays the
American hostess in Mayfair usually solves
the help difficulty by engaging butler of
experience and making him responsible for
getting the others The correct number Is
the buffers, will be $1,000 for the three
months.
Plate and linen can be rented for the sea-
son for $500. but it's more swagger to buy
them outright. SO most Americans do 10,
and spend $4,000 In the process. You ca.a't
have less than five pairs of horses and as
many vehicles but II ia quite the thing to
rent these. The cost for the season, inciud-
Ing the maintenance and services Of coach
man will he 81 Zoo Then only an electric
auto is good form; the other kinds are too
noisy and not clean enough for exclusive
Mayfair. Moreover, 1t is not correct to rent
Q car, although 1t u all right in tbs case Of