The San Francisco call., 1906-12-05
Shipping News and Gossip
of the Water Front
New Cruiser Milwaukee Is Delivered by
Union Iron Works at Mare Island

Tie United States cruiser Milwaukee
was towed yesterday from the Union
Iron Works TO Mare Island navy
yard by the Spreckels tug Reliance
and the Hartman tug Arabs. At the
navy-yard the Milwaukee will have
such work done on her as the depart
ment may desire and that was not
provided for in the specifications.
When this work is completed the new
cruiser viii be put into commission.
The new cruiser South Dakota,
which is being made ready for her
official trial trip. is on Hunters Point
drydock. She was taken to the big
basin Monday by the tugs Reliance
and Alert. The cruiser California,
which has been anchored in Mission
Bay since the successful completion of
her Government trials, win be docked
today at the Union Iron Works for
completion before being turned over
10 the Navy Department.
The Boston came down yesterday
from Mare Island and Joined the fleet
at anchor in man-of-war row.
Renews Old Acquaintance
Captain J. NJ. Lane. master Of the oil
steamer Santa Maria, which arrived
here recently from the Atlantic and is
now lying at Oakland long wharf, was
along the water front yesterday
renewing old acquaintances. A few
years ago Captain Lane was one of
the best-known shipmasters sailing
out Of this port He has commanded
clipper ships and ocean liners hailing
from San Francisco. During the Span
ish-American war he was master of
the transport Valencia. He left here
some years ago in command Of the
ship kennebec, in which he was a
considerable owner. The Kennebec
reached Hampton Roads after a long
A,N
tered that it was deemed cheaper to
turn her into a coal hulk than to re-
store her to seagoing condition. Cap
tain Lane abandoned the sea and
bought a pigeon farm in New Jersey.
The pigeons are thriving and multiply
ing. but the call of the sea was louder
than the COO Of his doves. and when
Captain Lane was offered the Santa
Maria he surrendered command of the
pigeon farm to his wife and became a
sailOrman again.
Collection Irregular
Thomas c. Christensen, a member of
the crew Of the army transport Bufocd
bought a gilt watch on Monday from
F. f. Neubaur. The price was S25, of
which Christensen paid IS on account
The men met yesterday and Neubaur
demanded the balance of the purchase
money. Christensen explained that he
he agreed TO buy the watch and that
he had decided TO return it. Neubaur
protested that a bargain was a bar
gain. Dipping his hand in the sailors
pocket he drew forth Christensen's
purse. extracted $50 therefrom and re-
turned the lightened wallet to the
owner. Christensen told his troubles
70 Policeman Dover, who arrested
,leubaur on a charge of grand larceny.
The police value the timepiece at 81.
Burglars Ransack Office
Burglars broke into the office of the
Shipowners Association in the ferry
depot postofice building on Monday
night, but as far as has been discov-
cred. took nothing of value. They
cur their way in through the panel of
2 door bearing the tempting legend
PAY Office" Although they ransacked
desks and drawers. the burglars found
nothing to bear out the promise on
the door and beyond the Inconvenience
CO -sed by the disarrangegment OF rec
ords the Shipowners' Association lost
nothing by the midnight visit. Will
liam Cousins. janitor of the building,
who sleeps in the rear. slumbered un-
disturbed while the burglars worked.
To Take San Juan's PIsee
Captain William Kidston has been
appointed master of the steamer In
diana which is now under charter to
the Pacific Mail Company and will sail
tomorrow in ballast for Ancon. She
viii return from Ancon on the run of
the steamer San Juan, which will re
main on the coast. tramping coffee.
The Barracuda, Captain Morton, viii
sail today for Panama and way ports.
The freighter Aztec Captain Frazier,
cleared yesterday for Portland.
Umafina Wins Race
The Umatilla of the Pacific Coast
Steamship Company's fleet is not noted
for her speed, but she won race yes
terday by beating the rival steamer
Watson into port from Puget Sound.
Neither boat took any risks, but each
made the best speed possible, and the
officers of the Umatilla wore broad
smiles yesterday when the steamer
tied UP 10 the wharf.
WATER Front Notes
The army transport Thomas, Captain
Lyman, viii sail at noon today for
Manila by way Of Honolulu and Guam.
The Sheridan will be taken off Hunters
Point drydock on Friday. Arrange
rneuts for repairs will be made later.
The British steamers Kirklee and
Willesden. at Honolulu, have been or
dered TO proceed in ballast to New
castle, Australia.
The steamer Oregonian cleared yes
terday for New York.
Yesterdays receipts of lumber were
only about SO0,oO feet.
COAST SHIPPING NEWS