The San Francisco call., 1908-05-02
Shipping News and Gossip
of the Water Front
New Steamer Loaded With Railroad Iron
Almost Founders in Heavy Gale

The steamer George W Fenwick.
Captain Lord. which was built at New
port News for the Hammond lumber
company. arrived yesterday IS days
from Baltimore. after maiden voyage
during which the new steamer was
given at least-one severe test Of its sea
worthiness. II was shortly after leav-
ing Baltimore that the Fenwick ran
into q storm which for a time made all
On board think that they had embarked
on their last voyage.
The Fenwick IS long and narrow and
has q great stretch OF deck that runs
without break from the bridge, which
is well forward 70 the poop. The yes
sci was loaded with railroad iron and.
carrying about l,40o tons Of coal. sat
low in the water AS the storm in
creased in fury, green seas poured over
the rail until hundreds Of tons of water
were added. 70 the Fenwicks already
heavy burden. Unyielding as a rock the
steamer received a fearful lombard
menL Each time the ship sank into a
deep green trough IL seemed as II the
going down was 10 be for all the way
and all hands were prepared for the
end
At the height Of the storm one OF the
blocks on which a IS foot launch was
lashed was knocked out OF place and
for q time it seemed inevitable that
the launch would be torn from its
1asteaings and washed overheard Into
the boiling sea. that filed the decks.
the watch plunged. fought their way
10 the wobbling launch. and after q
hard fight succeeded in resecuring 1t.
With the exception OF that storm
the Fenwick was well treated By the
elements and came into port wearing a
new. coat OF paint and looking smart
- - 81,
The launch that so nearly went over
board is power boat OF about %
tons and is going TO Port Blakeley TO be
used as a yacht by Superintendent
Eddy OF the mill there. The launch is
equipped, with a naphtha engine and
can make about Il knots.
The George W. FeRwick is a sister
ship 70 the Mann Smith and will carry
1.59e. 900 feet OF lumber. The new yes
sci viii be used in the coast trade. The
1880 tons OF railroad iron that consti-
tutes the vessels cargo IS consigned TO
the Northwestern Pacific railroad and
VIII be discharged al Eureka The
Fenwick is 2s6 feet over all. 4s feet
beam and has q feet depth OF hold
Alameda VIII sail Today
The Oceanic steamship company's
liner Alameda, Captain Dowdell. viii
sail at II O'Clock this morning for
Honolulu with q full cargo and about
ninety passengers. Among the latter
vii be:
George Chalmers. Mrs X ". Cooper.
Miss Cooper. Miss Emma Fish. Miss
Mary Fisher. T F. Galligaa, r G. Hen
derson. Miss Violet Hewitt, Allan Nc
KinnOn, J. NJ. McKinnon. ". B. Mather,
Mrs. Mather, F. G. Shepherd. s. Toplitz.
John D. Trenor, II. s Williamson.
Almirante Grau Takes Departure
The Peruvian cruiser Aimirante Grau.
which came here 70 be drydocked and
10 undergo some repairs, sailed yester-
day fer home. After. leaving its an
chOrage IN man-of-Par row the Alni-
rante. Grau spent several hours cruis-
ing about the bay adjusting compasses
and about O'clock headed out through
the Golden gate. leaving behind two
stresmers OF black smoke which curled
around AIcatraz ard hid that military
post from view for about fifteen min
utes- The army missed the Almirante
Grau's arrival despite the. noise of its