The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-03-14
NOTES OF THE WEEK.

From THE GUANo IsLANDs-SAD ACCIDENT-We
are under obligations TO Capt. Stone for the full re-
mort furnished tous of his cruise among the guano
Islands. during his absence of three months. He
states that the widest and most terrific surf has been
prevailing at ali the islands for the past few months,
which has ever been known. These swells come in
from the South and 5. W, and probably have some
connection with the monsoons. At Howland's Island
he found tina, two agents of the .. United States Qua
no CO. had been landed, although that island was
at the time and has been for two years, in possession
Of the = American Guano Co" who have laid buoys'
erected buildings. and made other improvements. The
agents of the former were politely notified to be ready
to leave Whenever an opportunity offered. We are
panied to hear OF the death by drowning of one Of
the employees Of the latter Company, at Jarvis
Island, the particulars OF which We give in Capt.
Stones own language
january 10. \. n, was boarded ~ Mr.. Potts and cam- 10 the
buoy. there being the heaviest surf l have ever seen 1T this isl
the surf to atatc, Mr.. Potts, the agent, sir, SeIien Smith, the
former agent tor the Company at this island; ard myself, with a
native crew, LETT the brig to attempt TO land through The surf
which looked terrific.
and the word was given, pull away, pull away strong The
boat had gone hut a few times her length, when the first roller
overlook us, but did no damage excepting to give the boat a
snegTi me Sr,oni cI - n arer q US Is =. . IN 4 Nh my bfs Tast worI ~
lightning, and with the slight sheer it already had, in an instant
an H. contents were buried deep in the boiling. kissing surf-thc
boat went over me, and bruised me much in 50 doing; Mr..
smith did mot succeed in getting ont from under the boat and
probably was stunned 10y a blow from 1t. When | first came 10
the top Of the water | saw the natives going back TO the brig,
and they saved Mr.. Potts, who was a poor swimmer. Mr.. Smith
was "a good swimmer, as l am also; seeing the boat a short dis
tanCe from inc. bottom up. il shore, and coming toward me with
the current setting seward, l struck out for her and got on to
her bottom in the meantime the boat from the brig was quickly
launched. but they could not reach me through the breakers,
bat only those that had started outside for the brig. A boat was
also soon brought from the boat-house on the island to the land
ing, while /. uuriu" the time. had been swept 10y the heavy
rollers from the boat four times, and on 10 and against the rug
gi coral reef three times. cutting and brujSng me severely from
boat several times, and SAW Mr.. Smith under the boat. appa-
renty u corpse. At one time / was kept buried so long beneath
one roller that l forgot all my troubles, and was but gasping IN
death when was thrown upon the coral rocks, Cuttngmy head,
which made me stupid and almost senseles besides being too
far gone to attempt To- reach the shore, Il eight rods dis
taut. Mr.. Jon : quickly sent the nativJ- and three bold
fellows scizui hold Of me aud FASTENED inlanG, aud before they
reached the shore another roller overlook Us that would, had it
not been FOR their timely assistance. have swept me from the
reef into the channel and 10 sea a corpse. Thus miraCul0usly
was my life spared, through the goodness Of an Almighty God.
was the only one that reached the island. Mr.. Potts and the
natives were taken on board the brig, where they remained until
I'll" next day. while poor smith was never seen after / saw him
under the boa; iu Tie surf He was26 years Of age. and belonged
to New London. Conn. His loss will be mourued the most by
those who knew him best. l need not say that much credit ami
many thanks are due to the natives-also to Mr.. Hague and Mr..
Jones on the island. for the kind manner in which l was uursed
and cared for by day and hy night.