The San Francisco call., 1908-04-10

tributed the officers and crew among
the other bay steamers of the Harri-
man fleet The ThOroughfare and its
companion ferry boat, the Transit, have
carried railroad cars between Oakland
and san Francisco for many years. ana
during their service have been IN more
collisions probably than any two other
boats in the world.
Powerfully built and usually loaded
with heavy cars these Hartman
freiEhters seldom suffered damage
themselves. They have run into big
and little craft, smashed wharves and
more than once. when fortune brought
70 outside victims in their path, they
have run into each other
Their most famous encounter was
with each other. They left Oakland
Together one day, both carrying loaded
freight cars. After discharging these
st the China basin slip the days work
was over for the crews. and as liberty
would come an hour or sooner for
the crew Of the boat first in the slip
great efforts were made on each boat
70 win that so minutes leisure. IL was
dead heat all the way across the bay.
and as the boats approached the slip
each skipper held on expecting the
other 10 give way. They entered the
slip together. 1t was some hours be
fore the mess was disentang gled. Both
captains wen and both lost that hour OF
cihc was concerned they have had moth
ing but leisure ever since.
When tire captains reported to Su-
perintendent Mackenzie he received
them pleasantly and listened patiently
10 their regrets
1t VIII be all right I guess" Mac
kenzie told them. but I viii have 10
give a good reason at headquarters for
not firing you both ] won't IRE you
Tor little thing Ike this. but I want
you 10 get together and think UP some
good, reasonable explanation. and so
thai you VIII have nothing else TO dis
tract YOU I'll give you both a vacation
without pay until you get it ready"
That was some years ago. and the vaca-~
tion is still on
When business warrants it. the com
psny. officials say, the Thoroughfare
viii be placed in service again. Mean
while the chances Of trouble for the
battieship feet while in this harbor are
decreased 80 per cent by the laying up
or the big freight ferry.
u Was Not the Bark GeorgsNCurtis
Captain McInnes OF the ship Lucille
made mistake when he reported the
bark George Curtis as the vessel that
ignored his signals OF distress on April
5, as the George Curtis arrived here
March - and was alongside the wharf
on the day that Captain McInnes
tagged the snip that didn't heed. The
T.. Z. Rithet OF the same lire arrived
here April ana was probably the
vessel TO which Captain McInnes sig
nailed. Captain McInnes in his log
notes that the vessel (the George Cur
It's. his log reads) was about eight
miles sway. Captain Mcdonald of the
Eithet reported upon his arrival here
that he had seen a few days before
vessel which he took 10 be the Lucille
lie saw no signals Of distress. II was
on tile strength OF Captain McDonalc's
report that the rate of reinsurance on
The Lucille was reduced TO 10 per cent.
salmon Fleet Moving
one by one the ships Of the salmon
feet are getting away. The ship
Oriental and the schooner Mizpah
sailed yesterday for Bristol bay
and the Columbia and Star Of
india cleared for the same port.
10 liuuor is allowed now 10 be taken
On board by the fishermen ana cannery
hands who are given passage on the
salmon ships. and tie departure Of one
of these vessels from the wharf is a
ouieter affair than It used to be. II
IS still one Of the sights Of the seq son.
however. and not so peaceful that Cap
fain Michael Joseph Conboy does not
Eend few officers TO the wharf 20
hack Up the special policeman hired
liquor and preserve the peace
VIII BE Drydoclsed TO-DAY
The Oceanic steamship company's
liner Mariposa viii be drydocked to-
dsy ar the shipyard in Oakland OF the
United engineering works On the way
from Tahiti the Mariposa kicked off
propeller blade. While out OF the water
having this fixed the liner viii be
Ecraped and painted and viii be ready
WI Carry Many Passengers
The Pacific Mail liner Mongolia,
which VIII sail Tuesday for the orient,
IS already booked Tor all the passen-
gers If can carry and viii leave here
with every berth occupied The liner
also viii carry full cargo. Captain
Henry Morton the Mongolia's now COM
m3n6rr. has taken charge Of the big
liner.
Reports by Wireless
A wireless message from the steamer
State OF California reports that at 2:I5
p M. yesterday afternoon. nine miles
south Of Pigeon point. the State met
fhe Queen. which left yesterday morn
sng for san Diego. The State OF Cali
fornia from san Diego arrived last
night about FIVE hours behind the wire
less message.
Water Front Notes
Receipts Of lumber yesterday by sea
amounted 10 $4,000 feet
The steamer Greenwood returned
--esterday from Fort Ross with more
gear saved from tho wreck of the
steamer Pomona.
Crowley launch No was given a
trial trip yesterday about the bay. The
new boat is large and speedy and viii
be used for towing.
The cod fishing schooner ". II. Di
mond sailed yesterday on a cruise.
The Kosmos liner Abessinia sailed
April from San Benito for this port.
isthmian Is Credit TO Builder
The trial trip Of the new steamer
Jsthmiau of the American Hawaiian
steamship company was held yesterday
OF FL Campo over the measured course
used By the government The trial
proved the steamer TO be a credit to
fits builder the Union iron works The
specifications called for ten and q half
knots an hour. but the steamers aver
age for six hours yesterday was thir-
teen knots. The 1sthmian is 3S5 feet
long. 50 feet beam and 2S feet inches
iu depth. The steamer is of 5000 tons
displacement, with two masts. fore and