The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-04-18
s~rrnndiug orthc w hnIe.hip ~speedweir.

CoASr or LOWER CALToENIs. Feb. e, 1861.
EDITOE OF TIE HERALD II take the liberty TO send
you an account of the s~tranding Of the ship Speed
trcY, of Fairhaven, on the night Of Feb. lst, in Scam
mons Lagoon
| entered the Lagoon for the purpose Of whaling,
and 1t being about done for the season, / started on
the morning Of February LIST, to work down to the
bar. with "a fair tide; at ii y, NJ, the flood tide made.
and | anchored in five fathoms Of water; at 6 P. NJ,
wind freshened; reared cham to G5 hthOms; at :
=. NJ, felt u shock, but supposed 1t 10 be the chain
%rumblIng across the fOre-foot; not experimenting any
danger, set the watch for the night; at 10 O'Clock,
p. NJ, the officer Of the deck came below, and report
ed the ship sinking; called all hands, and started the
pumps, and also sent for assistance from the ship
Sharon and barques Cynthia and .HlTtiG; we then
commenced baIling from all three hatchways, but
found the water gaining fast; ut IL p. NJ, two feet
Of water between decks; ut u midnight gave up
pumping and bailiug, As the water had gained on Us
two feet the last hour; We then commenced TO strip the
ship. and also sent hands 10 sound about the vessel !;
found D flthoms all around, with the exception of a
small ledge Of rocks under the stern, on which the
ship had grounded; it being falling water at the time.
a spur Of the rock went through her bottom some
where abreast of the m-IZZeu-mISt; we then endeav-
ored. with the assistance of the other ships crews,
10 heave the ship of but could not start her as the
anchor came home.
At . \. NJ, ~ of FEBRUARY, the ship fell over on
her side. We then housed the topmast and endeav-
orel To save some provisions. Succeeded in saving a
few but found all the fresh water spoiled by the salt.
On the Sd and 4th again endeayored TO get the ship
OF had the assistance OF three ships crews, but
found our labor in vain.
/ now found myself under peculiar circumstances;
no water of my own, md none 10 be had but from
other ships, and they short the ship stranded,
hceled over on her side. and full Of water; no flciii-
ties Of my own, and altogether dependent on other
people, and they Just leaving the Lagoon for other
whaling grounds. My cargo consisted of 800 bar
rels of oil, and | endeavored to make some arrange
meut with the masters Of the vessels there to save the
oil and ship.
The bar AT the entrance Of the Lagoon Is a danger
Gus one. No master, with his ship drawing more
than eleven feet Of water, would be willing to attempt
its passage. The masters there were fearful Of tax
ing my oil. in addition to their own catchings, with
out compensation altogether disproportionate to the
actual value Of the ship and cargo.
Under these circumstances, | concluded to sell the
vessel aud cargo to the highest bidder. tor the bene-
fit Of whom It might concern. On the 9th. the mas
tiers Of six ships being present the ship and cargo
were sold 10 Cap;s. Fish and Cornell, Of the banks
Me and .Ngriha, for $500; myself and wife going
on board the ship Sharon, Capt. Swift. he being
bound for Turtle Bay. where | took passage on board
the bark COrai, Capt. Sisson, for this port.
And in conclusion, | wish to thank. for their kind
ness and assistance toward Mrs. Gibbs and myself,
Capts. Swift OF the Sharon Fish of the Nile Cor
nell, of the .ulrha Whitney. Kelly, and Smith. Of
the bIrhs Cynhia, Henry RHeciand, and c. II.
Morgan, and also their respective officers and crews.
b. +. GIBB-,
Late Master Of ship SpseiJrlX
Francisco Hrraif.