The San Francisco call., 1908-12-17
Twelve Once Famous Clipper Ships End
Days as Freight Barees
Steamer j. S. Higgins Knocked on Beam
Ends by Sea in North Channel

barges. When the conversion has been
made Griffiths viii have 2. feet of II
harges every one of which began life
as Yankee clipper. If these old wind
TANNERS could talk they could spin
yarns salty and thrilling of the Ameri-
can merchant marine in the days OF
its prime. Condemned for the rest of
their days TO creak and groan at the
end of a tow line, there is not one OF
the feet but could tell of flash passa ges
made on the strain of their own canvas
wings.
In addition to the vessels named the
clippers now doing duty as barges are
the America, Melanope, Charger, Haydn
Brown, Argus and Quatsino. The Quat-
sino was. the famous ship British Gen
eral. Some of them are carrying COAL
others ore between Alaska and Seattle
The Carondelet and Palmyra will be
used to carry rock for the construc-
ton of the new brealxwater at Grays
Harbor They all were built in the
days when ships were put together for
keeps, and, barring accidents, their
lives as barges willnbe as long. if not
as exciting. as their sailing days. In
cidentally, as they pass back and forth
with their ore and coal and rock, they
Will furnish many an old shellback
with texts for sermons on the glory of
the days that are no more.
struck by Heavy Sea
The steamer ]. S. Higgins while COM
ing into port yesterday morning
through the north channel was struck
by heavy sea. which threw the
coaster on its beam ends and shifted
the cargo to starboard. There were
some passeng gers on board, but nobody
was injured, and although the Higgins
came into the harbor with a heavy
list. no damage was done to the ves-
sci and the cargo was intact. The
cargo win be trimmed and the steam
er set on an even keel before its de-
parture for San Pedro.
sperm WhaIer Goes 10 Sea
The whaling bark John and VIM
throp sailed yesterday on an eight
months cruise in search of sperm
whales; The John and Winthrop is
the sole representative of the whal-
ing feet that win leave port this
season. The arctic fleet now laid up
IN Oakland creek will not go into COM
mission again until the stock of bone
held by the whalebone trust has
diminished To the point where prices
can be raised. Captain Shorey who
was ma ster OF the John and Winthrop
whaler came home with a poor catch
Captain Josephs, the new master. is an
experienced whatenlan nd has such
confidence in his ability to get whales
that ne has taken along about twice
as many oil barrels as were on the
John and Winthrop fast cruise. The
DaTk VIII DO its whaling in the South
seas and along the coast of Japan.
Cavalry for Honolulu
The army transport Thomas the next
OF the army fleet to sail will carry
200 men OF the Fifth cavalry. including
ne @1eadquarters and band, TO Honolulu.
4 ms VIII be the first organization to
nave It's headquarters at the island
port and the arrival of the Thomas will
mark the beginning of Honolulu as an
llnp3 rtant army post The transport
Z Hoc .
commission. was alongside the Thomas
yesterday discharging its surplus coal.
Wind Blows a Mile Minute
- The steamer Gualala. which left here
tuesday evening for Fishermans bay.
found the wind off Point Reeves blow
ing from the north at the rate of SO
miles an hour. Being unable to cone
with the combined opposition of such
Gualala turned tail and spent yester-
day IN the shelter of brakes bay.
Ferry Captain ExOnerated
e. a. johnson, captain of the ferry
poSt Berkeley. which collided with the
0akland pier during heavy weather
from all blame by Inspectors of HuIIs
and Boilers O. +. Bolles and J. X
Buigef. Captain Johnson had been
charged with negligence.
Barbound Fleet Sails
The feet of steam schooners barbound
after several days detention In the
neet for this port are the Coronado
1ne4ans, m rs Saginaw. j: B.. Stetson and
santa Barbara and Carmel
Is Bringing Big Cargo
The Pacific Mail liner Siberia. Can
IAN Andrew Dixon, sailed yesterday
from yokohama, homeward bound. with
- cabln passengers and 5000 tons of
Water Front Notes
Receipts of lumber yesterday by sea
amounted 10 1896. 900 feet
The schooner Curacao, from this port
arrived tuesday morning at Mazatfan
ana @ IN the afternoon, sailed for Quay
The Japanese liner Hongkong Maru.
Wnlch left here November II, arrived
Iuesday at Hongkong.
according to a wireless message ra
ceiyed yesterday the Matson naviea
llon company's steamer Hilonian which
lett here December IA for Honolulu.
was $50 miles out at IL O'clock Tiles
day night.
Wreckage Is sighted
VICTORIA. B. c. Dec IA ouan
tity or wreckage has been sighted off
19e lrba west coast of Vancouver island.
last night. reported passing some l,;nn-
Der and spars near Cape Flattery.
Small Boats Capsixed
santa MONICA. Dec. I6-Under the
nnuences of a stiff northwest breeze
ana turbulent sea. several small boats
were capslZed along the beach this aft
srnoon and IN several instances great
LHculty was experienced in resciIinc
Iheir occupants from the waves.
-Four Japanese fishermen from the
FORT Los Angeles colony We're carried
Town 10 Bristol pier in small row
ooat, Which was capsized They We're
beyond help as the sea was too rough
10 launch a lifeboat, but to the sur
Prise OF a large crowd they swan i'm
through the breakers.
IhTee crews Of Japanese fishermen
from The same colony were blown
loWn 10 Venice and carried in toward
-ne break water. Four of the men
were Iescued by the Venice life saving
rev. The others We're towed by lines
thrown TO them and carried out bv
swimmers. launch was also wrecked
out the occupants swan ashore.
Stranded Schooner FIoated
OAKLAND. Dec. 16.-The steam
schooner G. c. Lindauer which
grounded Monday night at-the foot of
5roVe street and careened, has been
ioated.
Ccnsures Careless Shippers
Supervising Inspector John Berming-
lam took occasion yesterday in denyiRg
he appeal of George E. Bridget and
= Larsen. master and chief mate of
he steamer Asuncion. from the decision
u the inspectors which suspended their
licenses for 60 days. to censure navi-