The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-02-05
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY s..
Ports Mt Tho Sandwich Islands.-No. 3. y

IN l194 by Capt. Brown OF the EhSlSh snip o"ttef-
tcorth, a northwest trader, and was first entered by
the schooner JckaH, tender to the ButterWorth, on
the list day of January, 1875. The year III which
our harbor was first entered is among the most noted
of its history. Capt. Brown the discoyerer, together
with Capt. Gardner of the Prince LIE Boo were muir
dered by native pirates. The vessels were captured
and taken out of the harbor round to Waikiki roads,
which, till then, was the principal anchorage for YES
sells visiting Oahu, but were both retaken again by
the seamen belonging to them. ~Kalanlkapule, the
King of Oahu, was one of the actors IN this tragedy,
and that too in the murder of his ally, who was prln-
cipally instrumental in defeating Keao at Kalauao,
a fllibustering chief from the Island of Kauai, who
was bent upon subduing Oahu to vassalage. Capt.
Brown, ON return from his war expedition, fired q
salute in honor of the victory; a wad from one of his
guns entered the cabin window of the American sloep
Lady Washington, and killed Capt. Kendrick His
interment under the English burial service, is noted
as the first at the Islands accompanied with Christian
rites. The ceremony was deemed by the natives then
as a solemn sorcery. The grave was rifed the same
night for the sake of the winding sheet. We give
this piece of history as a notable starting point or
&c fixed monument as the professionals say, in our
survey of the harbor. 1t serves, too, in distinguishing
rather wildly, the difference between the antagonism
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the polka reunions of the races at the present day.
The HARBoR is a deep basin in the coral reef,
through which the fresh water from the Nuuanu
stream reaches the sea, capable of accommodating
one hundred and eighty vessels in it's present almost
state. The depth of water varies from
four to six and a BALI fathoms. The bottom is
deep, stiff mud-the best of holding ground. Yes
sells at anchor in the harbor are perfectly secure at all
- IL -oor IT, 4ln cto,oroc4 co,4hor1r oo1oo
when the wind is directly in from the sea the harbor
is well protected by the reef outside of it. About
of the basin or harbor proper, at the north
end, is filled with mud-a deposite from the Nuuanu
Valley stream. This can be converted at pleasure
into a harbor for ships by dredging.
The CHANNEL, which includes the outer harbor, is
about one mile in length, narrow and rather ~tortuous.
Its sides are bold coral reefs and susceptible, when
the wants of commerce demand it, of being converted
into wharf fronts the entire length on both sides to
the bar, making thereby q harbor of the present
channel, which, under the mooring system, could be
made to accommodate a number of vessels, little sus-
pected by persons unacquainted with the real size of
the basin and channel. The depth of water on the
bar is twenty-one and a half feet at low tide, which
rises and falls throughout our group about two feet.
The bottom is sand and about one hundred yards in
Viz jul OS uCOpS1S VIII SLfhA CApSucC1
under competent direction, so as to admit the largest
vessels afoat. The shape of the harbor and channel
is such as to offer as much wharf facilities as any
harbor of it's area in the world. The reefs on both
sides are easy of improvementand with extent enough
of themselves for a first class city.
There are five good wharves, at which vessels of
1900 tons can discharge or take in cargo. These
wharves furnish about six hundred feet wharfage
f.op4 Tho novarpnant ara now cOnStructinp new
piers, and it is probable that, before the end of
twelve months, one thousand feet of additional whar-
fage will be ready for use.
This port is so easy of access, that any sailing
directions for it are almost superfuous. The trade
wind blows over the islands about nine months of the
year, from March to November ; during the winter
months the South and West winds prevail, and bring
usually a great quantity of rain. These months are
generally stormy, and during them it is unsafe to anch-
or in the roads. Most of the marine disasters occur
ring about the islands are in December, January and
February. When the trade wind prevails vessels
should approach the islands and run along to the
north'ard of Hawaii, Maui and Molokai, distant
from the land say fifteen or twenty miles, and
passing through the channel between Molokai and
Oahu, which is about eighteen miles in width, run
along the shore from Coco Head (the most eastern
tBOlkII " L Odl10J W DldAAiOA AAO"NS T. O0AO1
two or three miles distant. The reefs extend only
about half a mile from the shore between these
headlands. Diamond Head is about four miles dis
tant from the anchorage. Vessels wishing a pilot
should hoist the usual pilot signal at the fore as soon as
the town and shipping come in sight. Skillful pilots
are always in readiness, and the port is provided with
a steam tug, adapted to towing vessels in and out the
harbor. Her service is generally needed when the
trade wind is fresh. Vessels not wishing a pilot. can
pass Diamond Head about one mile distant from the
shore, and head for the entrance of the harbor. The
anchorage is indicated by a white iron buoy in twelve
fathoms, and ships not wishing to enter the harbor
can anchor anywhere near the above buoy and
outside the 6 spar buoy at the entrance of the
channel. The trade wind always blows off shore.
The site of Honolulu is good, rising gradually from
the sea to an elevation of about twenty feet. The
ground is volcanic soil, with a coral rock basis-the
very best foundation for building. The surrounding
scenery, as oft told, is made up of everlasting green
mountains and vallies. The immediate vicinity is
diversified with hill and plain, susceptible of much
adornment, as running water is abundant and can
be led to all parts. Much has already been done to
beautify the environs of our town in the shape
of cottages and trees, but it is only the beginning of
what we shall see. The scenery of this island is
picturesque, it is well watered, salubrious and fertile
throughout, and its topography such that a railroad
may be constructed around it at a moderate expense.
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