The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-03-25
NOTES OF THE WEEK.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.
SUMMARY-Since the sailing of the bark Yankee
on the 9th ult., taking the mail for the U. s., quite
a large portion of the North Pacific whaling feet have
touched Mt the various ports of these islands, and
sailed again for the northern cruising grounds,-the
Ochotsk and Kodiack Seas, and the Arctic Ocean-by
far the largest portion however, having sailed for tire
Ochotsk. Since the LIST of February, up to this date,
80 whalers are reported in our list, against 36 during
the same period in 1857. The ships have also, pretty
generally, been more successful in the between-sea-
sons cruise than last year, both on the New Zealand
ground and on the California coast. Seventeen ves-
sells in Margarita Bay had taken up to March l an
average of 300 barrels each, and on New Zealand We
note two good fares, those of the Gen. Pike, Russell,
and Florida, Fish, each 800 barrels. The business
of whaling on the California coast appears to be pecu-
liarly hazardous to life and limb, owing to the habits
of the whales, which are of the kind known amongst
whalemen as the " California greys,'' and unlike the
great northern whale, give n great deal of trouble in
running, and fighting the boats. 1t is not unusual
to hear of broken limbs among the officers, and this
year is no exception to others in this respect. MIR.
Lane, 1st officer of the Columbus, had a leg broken
by a whale, and is now in the Honolulu hospital.
Mr.. Levi Wells, Sd officer of the brig Frances, of
h1biA ahSAoNo VoS haAA~1
The vessels owned in Honolulu, and fishing on the
California coast have been quite successful-the bark
Frances Palmer, brig .Agafe, and schooner E.. l..
Frost all mailing " full, - the Pretoria, 600 bbls. and
the Oahu, $50 bbls. Of these, the E. L. Frost has
arrived, and having discharged, will sail in a few
days for the Ochotsk, under charge of our fellow
townsman, Capt. r. G. Spencer, to act as tender to
the Italy, while Capt. Comstock, late of the schooner,
takes command of the bark Metropolis, now fitting
for the Arctic by the enterprising firm Of r. Coady
& Co. The success of Sc our whalers'' is regarded by
the community as a public gain. By this mail we
regret to have to announce the loss of two whalers-
the ship Young Hero, of Nantucket, burned ut
Lahaina, on the 14th instant, and the bark WinsloU,
wrecked on the reef at Honolulu, on the 18th inst.
The circumstances connected with the loss of the lat
ter vessel, will, we understand, be officially investi-
gated. The oil saved from the wreck of the Young
Hero, amounting to some 80 barrels. has been libelled
at the suit of the French ship Napoleon III, which
vessel was run into by the Young Hero previous to
the fire and considerably damaged.
Loss OF THE AMERICAN WMALER WINSTON we
regret to have to announce the wreck on the reef op-
posite this port on the evening of the 18th instant Of
the whaling bark Winsiou, Of New Bedford, Capt.
Watson. Having shipped her oil, amounting to about
200 barrels sperm, per the clipper ship Polynesia,
and re6tted for the Ochotsk, the Winslo,c sailed on
the 18th, and shortly after getting outside she was
discovered to be leaking twelve hundred strokes an
hour. The ship lying off and on, a survey was held
on board, by q number Of experienced ship masters,
and acting upon their advice, Capt. Watson deter
mined to bring the ship into port again for the neces-
sary repairs on the following morning, it being too
late to do 50 that evening. The ship accordingly
stood in to within two miles of the passage in order
to land Capt. Thomas Spencer and the surveying
party. and then lacking, stood off shore for the night,
with a leading breeze, which however lasted for only
a half an hour, when the wind died away to a calm,
with thick rain. A heavy swell set in towards the
land, with n strong current running to leeward.
About this time, the captain and officers went down
to supper. On coming up from the cabin they found
the vessel heading in for the land, towards which the
swell was rapidly carrying her. The boats were i'm
mediately lowered and commenced endeavoring to
tow her of. Shortly after the boats got ahead, the
breakers were heard. On heaving the lead, 81
athoms of water were found. upon which one anchor
was Immediately let 90. As soon as a strain came
upon the chain it parted, when the other anchor was
dropped, the chain of which likewise parted at once.
At the same time the ship struck her heel ON the
reef, heading OF shore, and in five minutes bilged.
IL ~ W 0~c - eDO AS ~NN
wrecking the vessel and has saved everything Of
value. At II o'clock ON Tuesday, during the strong
northerly gale which was blowing, the ship became a
complete wreck and was sold yesterday. as she lay
for $500. An auction eale of some of the articles
saved from the wreck took place yesterday, and
will be concluded to-day, at Everett'st There
are rumors of gross Encouragement resulting in the
loss of this vessel. We defer further comment
upon the subject until after the investigation which
the circumstances call for, has been made by the pro-
per authorities.
ACCIDENT 10 Rev. Mn. THuRsroNs-By . recent
arrival from Hawaii, we regret to learn that the
veteran missionary. Rev. Asa Thurston. was thrown
from his horse on the 9th instant, and very seriously
injured. A letter dated the 18th, says: Eve do
not consider him out Of danger. although the pbysi-
clan says he is doing Is well - could be expected.''
reports up to the 18th state that he Vas con-
sidered As little better, and that the injuries we're
quits serious, and would, perhaps. result il peznan-
mt ~paralysis Of the limbs.