The San Francisco call., 1908-09-12
Shipping News and Gossip
of the Water Front
Standard OilTankerCu Brings
Dangerous Cargo Across Pacific

The British steamer Cuyahoga, Cap
tain James. OF the Standard oil COM
pany's fleet arrived yesterday. deeply
laden with what is probably the most
dangerous cargo of explosives in the
world. The Cuyahoga is a tank steamer
and brought from Singapore 5000 tons
OF naphtha, which is the British name
for gasoline.
When the tanks of an oil ship are
filed with naphtha number OF very
strictly enforced relies are put into ef-
feet. Smoking is prohibited and the use
of naked lights barred in all parts of
the ship. The vents through which the
accommodating gas escapes are exam
ined hourly and with solicitous care
Close watch is kept on the temperature
gauges. Nobody on the ship is allowed
for 2 moment TO forget that he is liv-
ing over a loaded mine and that a very
slight indiscretiOn may scatter ship and
all on board in diminutive morsels over
wide surface OF the Pacific ocean.
Familiarity ia this case does not
breed contempt. When the Cuyahoga
reached this port yesterday officers and
men We're walking on tiptoes and talk
ing in whispers The quarantine
steamer General George Z. Sternberg
went alongside the naphtha loaded
tanker yesterday morning putting
clouds of smoke from its yellow stack
Captain James, at the tanker's rail-
watched the federal smoke with undis-
guised alarm and in a stage whisper
begged the pilot of the Sternberg to
stand off and have the engineer rig
spark muffiers before bringing the tug
alongside. The captain was assured
that the Sternberg was guaranteed not
10 spit fire, but he was very uneasy
until the quarantine Inspection was
over and the smoking tug had steamed
away
The Cuyahoga proceeded TO Port Ori-
ent, where il viii discharge its naphtha-
This is the Cuyahogas first appearance
at this port
Arrested q Deserter
Chris Christensen. a fireman on the
United States quarantine steamer Cen
eral George +. Sternberg. was arrested
yesterday as deserter from the reve-
nue. cutter service and was placed on
board the cutter Daniel Manning at
Sausalltp TO await trial By court mar
tai The arrest was made by Captain
Berry OF the revenue cutter Golden
Gate. who acted on telegraphic orders
received from the treasury department.
Christensen left the Golden Gate near
ly two years ago. He said yesterday
that he mad the permission OF the cap
tain and chief engineer to quit. Since
leaving he has made no effort TO hide
himself. He worked for q time on
one of the pilot boats; he was employed
later by the marine exchange at
Meiggs wharf and about a year ago
Joined the SUernberg. The Sternberg
and the Golden Gate occupy adjoining
berths and Christensen, who had no
idea that he had committed any Of
fense. was a frequent visitor on board
the Golden Gate. His arrest is thought
10 have been brought about as a piece
OF splteWork. Until two years ago the
revenue cutter service had no au-
thorlty 10 enforce the obligations of
enlistment. and men left at their own
sweet will This has been changed.
and IL convicted Christensen may be
imprisoned for one year on Alcatraz
and dishOnorably discharged from the
service he quit nearly two years ago.
Governor Carries Many Passengers
The Pacific Coast steamship company's
liner Governor, Captain Jepsen. sailed
yesterday for Puget sound with a
heavy cargo and ESQ passengers.
Among the passengers were F. A and
Tonopah. l. Peig, a merchant of
Nome. also was a passenger. He is on
his way 10 his far northern home. j.
Mccall and wife, who were passengers
on the Governor. are on their way TO
Australia. Another passenger on the
liner was c. A Bunann, general pas
senger agent for the company. He is
going north TO attend the convention
Of travelling passenger agents in Seat
tie. September 1e the Governor will be
turned over TO the travelling passen-
ger agents Tor a days excursion on the
sound.
Returns to Port Disabled
The steamer Westport. which left
here September s for Crescent CITY
came creeping back to port yesterday
ar three knot gait-the best il could
do on account OF having broken its
high pressure crOsshead- The steamer
Rayali spoke the Westport at $40 yes
terday morning off Point Reyes and
offered assistance. which was declined.
RescueS Corpse, But Loses Coat
While standing on the Steuart street
wharf yesterday morning Antonio Mel
Zios. an Italian labOrer, saw the body of
Chinese floating in the water. He
stripped off his coat and, jumping into
the bay. rescued the remains and
brought them ashore. They were later