The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-02-20
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY %.

IhLhDSDA }. FEbRCARI ~
NEARLY two hundred years have elapsed since
these islands were first visited by the rich
galleons which voyaged between the Spanish
main and the Manilas. But the Spanish adven-
turer Quiros. who was among the first, sought
them more as a stopping place for recruits than
Tor trade-the golden mountains Of Mexico and
the spicy shores of Manila, ~afording all that the
cupidIty of those early nayigators could cOvet in
their foreign commerce. Two centuries have
passed by, and these islands to-day are chiefly
looked at as u stopping place, q recruiting sta
ton for passers by-and serve now as when
Quiros and Mendoza first sighted the lofty dome
Of La Mesa"-our Mauna Loa. The trans
oceanic trade Of China, California, Australia,
Mexico, Peru, and Chile, mostly passes by our
open doors, except the little that is forced on us
by stress Of weather or accident. Even the
hardy fishermen Of the Arctic and Ochotsk use
US mainly as their tavern where they can procure
refreshments, not excepting liquors, after their
hard work is over. We remain to-day in this
respect nearly what we were two hundred years
agO-the travellers inn, and even as such, fur
nishing only the most ordinary comforts. Though
possessed of harbors which afford unriyaled facil-
tiles for transit commerce, and 4 soil capable of
yielding as rich and golden returns to the laborer,
US the richest placers of FL Dorado, the Sierras
or Fraser, and of sustaining a population of not
less than n million,-our harbors are almost
empty and deserted, our commerce on the wane,
our population dying of from want mainly of
some stimulus, some incentives to industry, and
we too truthfully occupy the position assigned
70 US by the pioneer adventures of the 18th
century.
But bark, the click of the overland telegraph
sounds, and brings good news the Pacific
mail steamship bill has passed Congress, through
the efforts of Senator Latham" Such is the
latest telegraphic report brought by the Storm
King. and we devoutly pray it may prove true.
What the exact tenor of the bill passed by Con-
gress was, we do not know, but it probably pro-
yides a subsidy of $250,000 n year OF more for
mail service, and requires at least four steamers
to be put on the route at once. For years the
press of California and her statesmen have been
urging forward this great measure ; but at each
session of Congress it has failed to become u
law, owing to some little points of dispute, till
now, in the m list of war, the Importance of the
has been seen, and the line is to be
established.
We have before advocated a m across
this ocean, and spoken of the good influence it
would exert on our group, provided our govern
nent wake up to improve the opportunity of
being benefited by it. Assuming that the tele-
graphic report referred to is correct, we will
point out some of the leading features of this
team-enterprise as entertained by the capitalists
If San Francisco and New York, who are most
in it. I.
The termini of the line of steamers would be
AN Francisco and Hongkong or Shanghae. The .
coaling depots on the westward ,
'assage would be Honolulu, and Port Lloyd at :
ne BONN Islands. The distances are as follows 4;
an Er1neisee to Hgnolnlu.- miles. ,
Islands to Hoagkong,. ECO " v
Total from San Francisco to HongkOng, ........s O6o v
The AhG advocates Chusan in China, as the n
terminus, but experience must decide q
hitch is the best port there. At present Hong Z
ong unquestionably offers the largest benefits.
he same paper has the following remarks bear 81
q on this subject: :,
TRACK OF STEAMERS on THE NORTH PAcIFc.-The .
Of Chusan as the China terminus Of a steam :"
ne, would be the means Of securing to the freight o.
st the business Of all the other ports Of China, and, VI
ar in and out. could be reached, without the risk m
loss to the steamer, in one and a-half days less =
,ssage time. each way, than could be made from IL
ianghae. But n short time will elapse before the sc
st available port, for steamer stoppage, will be man. r,
ut Japan; for the present. we speak Of Nagasaki n
the best known. Port Lloyd, at the BONN Islands, n
q safe harbOr, Of easy access. and frequently used b,
a port Of re6t for whale ships. These islands are u.
aimed by the British Government. The Fox
CUP. far to the northward, has been spoken of as a
al depot, but which would only be OF service in hi
Sc Of accident to spars. for SO long as q propeller nc
her sails, the steam is only auxiliary. The trade
nds usually extend as far north as latitude % de- De
ees, varying with the seasons and other causes. in
tween the trades and the west winds there is q belt wi
variable winds. generally light, with pleasant
This belt could be easily reached by the WI
stern-bound steamers, if troubled, as is sometimes 60
E case, by a succession Of heavy ensterly gales. 4 SUI
of a few degrees Of latitude, each way, Civ g,
: easterly trade winds, moderate variable winds, -
strong westerly winds, it is possible for the COM ma
inder TO choose without much deviation from a ca
'et route. The trade winds blow freshest generally -.
'Teen the latitude Of II , and 22o. In steaming "
'tward, the great circle route can be followed to GU
shortening the distance some three hun fol
ID miles. 1t is not desirable that the steamer ad
md eastward should stop at the Sandwich Islands, -.
IS too far cut OF the way, and would consume too WI
ch time and coal. Nor is it desirable that the oul
amer bound westward should stop at Nagasaki Tor wb
nagawa,l as it would make delay. without ade-
ate compensation. The steamer leaving San Fran we
20 for Chusan should stop at the Sandwich Islands, are
ltude 2O-she could there add TO her coal If neces-
y; leaving there, she should not 90 north Of % .
as to hold the strength OF the trade winds, and u
e coal, until near the BONN Islands-latitude tim
, ; she would then head direct for Ghnsan-lati- 10
e SOo. Leaving Chusan for San Francisco, she
Md touch at Nsgasaki Tor Kanagawa,l and fill all cy'
spare room with coal; thence up the Japan Sea. sho
ough the Straits Of Matsmai. into the Pacific Ocean. to
far wind : Up |" = anas Jays ., tina
on each passage that will require but little help cru
n steam. A favorable current could be had will
ough the Japan Sea. and part Of the passage CO..
'ss the same in the trade winds, the swell Of '
sea is in favor of the vessel both ways. pol
IL crippled by t%yphoons. Hongkong, Manila, or mer
I'm, could be reached for repairs but there are ou-
Iern science points out the method 20 aydid sncb wit
nifty Chusan harbOr has several entrances the the
which would probably be used by steamers is r
" be reached bv a steamer runnino be1aen ,bs new
settlements and Navasaki The Manila of q