The San Francisco call., 1908-03-06
Shipping News and Gossip
of the Water Front
French Liner Matte, Built ID Next Cradle to
LuSitania, Is Here on Maiden Voyage


The French steamer Malte OF the
Around the World line which arrived
"Wednesday night from the orient,
locked Yesterday morning at pier 10.
where II viii discharge cargo. The
Aalte a new vessel and larger than
any OF the French liners that have
been here before. brought only I'VE
passengers and $500 IONS Of freight.
Part OF the cargo was from Europe
tn6 the remainder from China and
ispsn.
The Malte was built at Newcastle
IN Tyne in cradle alongside the
stocks that held the big Cunard liner
Lusitania. The Malte has cargo space
for more than 5000 tons OF freight and
IN addition has accommodations for
tonle passengers The staterooms are
stted with single beds instead OF the
regulation bunk and are roomy and
comfortable.
on the run from Japan 10 Honolulu
The Matte behaved well. but after dis
rharging the Honolulu freight there
CeEnained only $500 tons on board and
the big liner rolled like a balloon on
the slightest provocation. Among the
Mates passengers was Dr. 7. J. n.
Satrell. a British physician. who has
been located al Peking for 20 years.
He is the personal friend and warm
fdmirer OF Wu Ting Fang. the Chinese
minister 10 Washington. who arrived
here the other day. Dr. Gatren says
that China wants the worlds sympathy
In her efforts 10 secure recognition as
s world power. China is ready 10 as
Bert herself SAYS the doctor. and he
believes that the next FIVE years viii
fnd the empire well on its way to
the front rank OF nations.
DY. Gatrell has been an extensive
ira elcr in the interior OF China and
Mongolia. and declares that the wealth
Of stiil undeVeloped territory IS al
most beyond human comprehension.
The doctor thinks that japanese iniiu-
ence in China is hsndicapping the
Chinese in their fight for recognition.
The other passengers on the Matte
Were. Mr. and Mrs. MaurN, Mr. Elfeldt
and NJ. Ternes.
Thomas Sails
With tie Fourth infantry band play
ing marital airs. in the midst OF
furious doNnpcur Of rain. the transport
Thomas sailed for the Philippines Al
noon Yesterday a great crowd OF
friends Of the departing soldiers stond
upon the dock 10 wish them godspeed.
Both aflny circles and = social world
were largely represented on the wharf.
General Funston and his staff were
goes for q long sojourn in the orient
and social contingent said farewell to
Mrs Tncz Sh0rA White L had been
the sntention % Colonel Beilinger TO
take the army people out in the tug
Slocurl. n escort the Thomas down the
BAY. bgt the eien.snts prevented. SO that
part Of the program was done away
with
Additional excitement TO the sailing
~ 10 f,f
down The dock just after tile steamer
had cast of and was about six feet
from the wharf He made q running
5ump for the boat an6 caught hold Of
p port hole. ii was NIP and tuck for
moment whether H. would maintain
his hold or fan into the sea Soldiers
Oh The deck above rushed To his rescue.
grabbed him by the wrists and the
back or the neck aud amidst tie ap-
plause Of the people on the dock
Sanked him aboard toe snip The band
tflen struck UD America" and followed
81 with tne Wedding March, The
Thomas took the Fourth infantry and
zoo cssuals.
Ferry steamers in Collision
The Key Toute steamer Ycrba Buena
came 10 grief yesterday forenoon ia
Al attempt 10 cross the bow Of the
Southern Pacific ferry steamer New
ark. I'ae boats were starting for oak
lane on the 10 O'Clock trip. 1t takes
the Newark longer TO get under head
way and complies control than it does
the little yellow steamer, ard to cross
tho bow OF the slow moving Southern
Pacific steamer looked easy to the
man IN the Yerba Buena's pilot house
The Ncwark was gaining headway all
tie time. however. and although Cap
tain Leale did everything IN his power
10 stop the Newark's gathering speed
tho boats came together Rit5i a crash
The Newark was unharmed but the
light superstructure Of the yellow boat
csVed in beneath the weight Of the
bigger boat. Fortunately there were
1ew passengers on either boat The
damage to the Yerba Buena was
neither extensive nor serious, and with
canvas patch over the hole the
steamer remained in service.
Rails Into Steamers Hold
Louis West. a member of the crew.
fell into the steamer Nebraska's hold
about o'clock yesterday morning and
II addition 10 sustaining 2 fracture Of
tho hip narrowly escaped ssphyxiatfon
by sulphur fumes The steamer had
been fumigated and West was taking
or the hatch covers TO allow the fumes
20 escape when he lost his balance and
Stit INTO tiit KS NiltH nolQ. When res
cucd he was unconscious He suffered
other injnfies not deemed serious
Wireless Prom South Dakota
4 wireless message was received yes
tc-day from the cruiser South Dakota.
The message was sent at $50 a. IA. from
50 miles OF Point Arguello. The cruis-
er was making from il to y knots
against Il moderate head wind. The
sea was smooth. the machinery work
ing well and Captain Fox expects TO
reach Ms gdalena by Sunday The navy
tug Fortune sailed yesterday for Mag
daiena hay with supplies for the big
feet
Police Boat in the Frame
Captain Michael Joseph Conboy took
81 afternoon off yesterday from his po-
lice duties and navigation studies to
visit the Cryer shipyard in Oakland
10 inspect the frame work Of the new
police patrol boat The frames of the
boat are ali iD place and by May l.
when Admiral Evans arrives with his
feet. Admiral Conboy will be on hand