Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-03-10
ToWBoAT AND WINDJAMMER.
Bargaining In the Old Days For a Line
Into San Francisco Harbor.

Into San Francisco Harbor.
Towboating out of San Francisco in
the old days, when the white wings OF
lofty ships appeared on the horizon in
a steady procession, was a much more
thrilling and exacting game than 1t is
now.
In addition to exercising judgment
and good seamanship the towboat
skipper was called upon to do some
fine talking, much like the auctioneer.
Freights were good and the shrewd
towboat captain was not modest in
the price he would demand for a tow.
Many a skipper tore his hair and dane
ed In rage on the poopdeck because he
was compelled to give in to the de-
mands of the Shylock on the towboat.
1t was a nasty, thick morning in
February a good many years ago when
the lookout at Point Lo5os reported a
big four masted American ship out
side. BY the time the tug reached the
sailer a heavy fog had closed in and
the lines of the windjammer could only
be discerned phantomlike in the OBJ
scuring mist
DO you want a tow" shouted the
captain Of the tugboat through his
megaphone.
Yes" came the reply from the
windjammer.
"All right; I'll take you in for $780,"
And I'll see you ten fathoms length
on the road to the bottom of the sea
first" roared the blue nose."
The impudent tugboat put about and
steamed away into the fog, which be-
came still more dense. The ships bell
tolled out a warning through the i'm
penetrable pail. The sea gurgled at
the bows as the vessel drifted. After
short time had elapsed the tugboat
came back and the captain of the
windjammer nearly tumbled over the
side as a voice spoke, almost mocking-
ly:
Better change your mind, captain,
and take a tow; you have drifted in
near the rocks. The price is $780,"
The frightened skipper could not see
more than a ships length ahead, but
he fancied he heard the ominous thun-
der Of the breakers. The tugboat was
a dancing imp off his beam. He hes
itated no longer.
Get your hawser aboard in hur-
ry," he shouted entreatingly.
The line grew taut. The tug throb-
bed ahead. A few minutes passed and
then the atmosphere cleared, the sun
shone on the crisping waves. The
windjammer was we'll off shore and
had been in no danger of getting close
In.
anchors on the bar or in fetching up
outside the inexorable tugboaters al
ways fixed a fancy price for a tow, as
the windjammer would be helpless in
the clutches of the currents. This was
a predicament Of the master Of GER
tain square rigger, but he had wits to
match those Of the man on the tugboat.
AS the small craft came in sight the
captain of the ship had the parted ca
bles run out through the hawse pipes
so that the hookless ends were beneath
the waves. The small canvas was so
set that the ship had the appearance
of vessel riding at anchor.
When the towboat came alongside
the skipper was leisurely pacing the
deck smoking his pipe. He replied
carelessly to the query If he wanted a
tow.
Not particular" drawled the skip
per- Hooks holding pretty WELL"
But there's no wind" argued the
tugboater. You can't sail in"
We'll, we can wait for breeze,
guess"
"I'll take you in for an easy price,"
offered the former, naming a moderate
sum.
That's reasonable enough" gave in
the skipper, his eyes twinkling in tri-
umph. Make fast"
Alter the ulcheI Hdu Deeh ColiPieIeu
and the hawser put aboard the master
Of the sailer ordered the chains hauled
up.
What the towboat captain said when
he saw the broken links dangling out
of the hawsepipes was enough to drive
the mermaids blushing to their grot-
tOes.-San Francisco Chronicle.
Proof at last.-During some recent