The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-07-17
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY, JULY II.

~
In THE Ann nal Bill of Appropriations passed by
the Legislature in 1854, was inserted the sum Of
$40, 900, for dredging the harbor of Honolulu and
it's entrance, which work competent naval officers and
engineers declared was absolutely necessary to pre-
serve and improve our harbor, which is continually
receiving large deposits of mud from the valley and
town, and becoming every year less capable of afford
ing facilities for the increasing commerce of the
pert. It is estimated by those who know best,
that the depth of water near the piers is Iessening at
the rate of two feet per annum, and no vessel of
one thousand tons with a full cargo in her, can now
come within ten to fifteen feet of either pier to dis
charge. But although the matter was represented to
tho se-er14lnerrt a. in apsoIute necessity for the mer-
camille interests of the port, it is well known that no
steps were taken for several months to carry out the
will of the Legislature, and at the next session an
of $50. 900 was continued for the same
object.
At length, nearly two years from the time that au-
thority was first given to go on with the work of Inn
proving the harbor, the materials to construct a
dredge machine were landed from the Raduga,''
about the first Of April of the present year, and a
entered into with Mr.. Dougherty, who con-
structed the boat In a very short time, and deserves
credit for his promptness in filling his contract, and
for launching the boat at the time he had set for it.
Two months or less it has been lying idle at the
wharf, while the heavy current expenses attending it
are still going on. It was completed and found to
work we'll, just as our harbor had become vacated by
the spring whaling feet, and at the very best season
to commence operations, when no distractions would
be met in any part of the harbor.
An anxious public now wishes to know why it is,
that after this dredge boat has been procured at a
heavy expense, for the avowed purpose of deep
ening the bar and harbor, it has not been long since
set to work on that most important and much wisi,ed
for en- erprise:
It is alleged that our executive are waiting, with
their usual patience, for the completion cf the pro-
peller, to tow the scows to be used in carrying the
matter lifted by the dredge.
IF it be SO, and the only season of the year when the
work can be properly done, is allowed to pass away
for such a reason, then we say, the authorities have
another to the plumbers which have cost us SO
much already.
We are advised by some of our best and most ex-
authorities that the propeller will be a
clumsy and inefficient machine for the purpose indi-
Gated, and that the work she is intended to perform
could be much better and more effectually done with
less expense, without her aid.
The distance to which the mud is or ought to be
carried In deepening the channel, viz: to leeward of
the middle ground is so short,esome one hun
dred or one hundred and fifty fathoms-that the diff
6culty of turning the propeller, would render her a
clumsy incumbrance whereas, two lines made fast
to anchors where the mud is to be dropped, to haul
the scows back and forward, would be both more con-
venient and ~efectual, and much less expensive.
While within the harbor the working of the propeller
be with still greater disadvantage. We should
be at all surprised if the steamer were altogether
with in dredging after the first weeks
trial.
Are we 10 be compelled to sit by and see another
pass with ss hope deferred, - which has already
made our { hearts sick 90 There must be fault4
somewhere in the management of this department.
The machine is ready-the scows are ready-and the
workmen are ready and waiting only for the word to
be spoken. We very much suspect that the trouble
is In the head of the department /; having too much
On bis hands. To bs Minister Of Foreign Relations