The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-04-23
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
I'll APRIL %.

VOL l. . n NIL 80. |
THERE appears how to be very little doubt of the
loss of the Hilo packet Kama4aaIu. She was last
seen by the schooner Maria which passed her in the
early part of the night entering the Hawaii channel,
Immediately after which a squaH or hurricane came
on from the southwest, during which it is probable
that the vessel was capsized while all on board were
asleep. Report says that the captain, who was wholly
inexperienced in navigation, spent all his freight
money at Lahaina for beer, a, considerable quantity
Of which he took on board, probably for ballast, as he
wrote to Mr.. Ii that the vessel wanted ballast! If this
is so, it is more than probable that he, and perhaps
also the seamen, were under its influence, and incapa-
bic of duty. We hear that there are other of our
second rate schooners, under the command of native
captains, who consider Lahaina beer a necessity in
order to cross the Hawaii channel comfortably. F. =,
A meeting of captains took place on Thursday eve
ming last, to inquire into the expediency of taking
steps for searching after the missing schooner. From
the statements presented to the meeting, it was thought
not advisable to send out a vessel or urge the govern
ment to any action in the matter at this late day.
1t is unfortunate that those having an interest in the
vessel did not earlier express their fears for her safety,
for no doubt Capt. Pichon, of the French corvette
Eurydice, would have willingly aided in the search.
The Kamamalu was built or heightened out here
about two years since, and cost y$11 900. She was
ONASO oJ L. ~" - NN 1919 WV " a.
under the charge of John lin
1t is not so much to the loss Of the vessel that we
wish here to allude as to the consequent loss of life.
| As near as can be ascertained, not far from eighty
persons were on board the vessel at the time she is
supposed to have been lost. The kingdom, with its
fast decreasing population can lily afford to lose even
the one-thousandth of its population by the incompe-
tency of the master of a vessel. The placing of in
competent or inexperienced persons in charge Of
coasters is a frequent occurrence, and more easily
commented ON than corrected. In many cases it il
done on the score of misconceived economy; the owner
of the vessel being unwilling to employ a capabl
person, because his services command more. .Tru
economy should always search out and employ tn
best, who, though they may command higher wages
f will give a proportionately increased safety and valu
t to the vessel 49, .
a No vessel should be placed under the command c
4 a person, be he a native or foreigner, who allows him
Il self, while in charge of it, to be overcome by intoxi
eating drinks. And yet it is well known that man
of our native coasters are taken from port to port
: with the captain below, incapable of duty. Nor
this evil of recent date. 1t has been oflong standing
e perhaps as far back as our coasters date. 1t has ha
an influence in checking the pleasure-yoyaging
foreigners among the islands. There is not one-eual
ter the travel here that there would be, were OF
coasters more safe. With the natives it does III
make so great a diference-they are proverbial
reckless of their lives and property, and when tbs
want to 90. it matters to them very little whether the
cross a rough channel in a staunch steamer or in
six ton potato boat.