The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-12-10
NOTES OF THE WEEK.

The VoLcASo AGAIS.-As all information relating
to Kilauea will be read with interest, We insert the
following received from Mr.. Coan. The submerging
and uprising Of the island in the burning crater re-
ferrei TO. is u rare and grand spectacle. The same
phenomenon occurred in June last. with this differ
ence, that the island disappeared entirely for several
days, but was gradually restored by the spOusipg
liquid lava.
81 was ut Kilauea OF the 9th ard 10Th inst. There
was much action in the great cauldron Of Halemau-
mau. Mother Pele was boiling up her rock-soup
with vehemence, as if preparing for a rain OF young
volcanoes. Besides this raging lake, | saw seven
other fires at different points in the crater. One lake
was boiling most intensely, about q mile from the
fountain-lake in n northwesterly direction. The ma
tyes told me that. a day or two previous TO my
arrival at kilauea, q jagged cone, Of the size of g
church. and forming an elevated island near the cen
tire OF the igneous lake, became so undermined by
the intense boiling Of the fusion along its apparent
ba e. that it fell over, and was submerged in the
merry abyss; but that, after q little time, it rose again,
Ike a whale from the deep, and shook cataracts OF
molten minerals from it, burning brow. IN visiting
a pu!u station on tie highlands, some Is miles from
hlIauea, | passed many large pit and cone craters,
most OF them ancient and densely wooded. from 800
10 500 feet IN height and depth. | spent q night
near = beautiful pit-crater called .NapaU, nearly cir
euiar, about 300 feet deep, u mile, perhaps, in diane
ter, aud with q bottom OF sand, so smooth and hard,
that a regiment Of cavalry might be reviewed there.
One-eighth of a Inile from this crater, assures are
opened in the earth, out of which scalding steam and
smoke have issued from time immemorial, and afford
ing heat enough t. cook for an army.''
SAN Francisco AS a WHALING PoRr-We clip
the following items from the Morning Cal -
WHALERs IN a TANGLE-On Tuesday afternoon n
stiff breeze sprung up on the Bay, which lasted about
two hours. During that period q number of the
whaiers anchored of Riucon Point got up 4 cotillon,
ana chasseed about their mooring grounds. without
seriously considering what they had anchors for.
There was u - forward two" movement by the Cali
fornia and Vineyard Then Jireh Swift crossed
over. y and the three undertook the ''ladies' chain"
but blundered into u 50 promenade all. and got into
q terrible tangle. carrying away the California's jib-
boom and setting all hands to work to break up the
ball. The old whale slayer who reported the facts,
entirely overcome by his feelings. wiped the perspi-
ration from his rugged cheek, and closed the story
with Dear, oh dear such times-such times as
there was. 1t did beat the ID"
SAILORS DEsERTING.-The whaling feet living in
the harbor is rapidly losing men by desertion. Every
day the list of absentees increases. Now and then
one is picked up and returned, but the majority man
age TO evade search. Last evening one was discover
ed enjoying the cll ssic shades of the Bella Union.
lie belonged to the whaleship John Thompson. The
Mate set to work to have him arrested. At last ac-
counts he was still at work the man had lodged.
For BAKERS IsLAND-We learn that Captain
William Babcock, who for several years has been
pilot at this port. has been appointed agent to reside
on Bakers Island, and to attend to the shipping of
guano there. He takes passage to day or Monday in
the clipper ship SeGmaR'S Bride. We consider the
American Guano Company as very fortunate in secur-
ing the services of q gentleman so competent as
Captain B. to manage their affairs at the island,
where n person of considerable energy, IL not a
practical seaman, is required. Having been a ship
master and pilot he appears admirably qualified
A. -. f. Il
the ships visiting there for cargoes; and had there
been such n person stationed there, some Of the acct
dents which We have recorded, would uuquestion-
ably have been avoided. None Of the guano islands
have safe anchorages, and most of them none at ALL;
rn,cn ncJ makes 1t all the more Important thar there
should be q competent pilot residing on them.
NAvAL-His Imperial Russian Majesty's corvette
Variag, II guns, arrived last tuesday from New
York direct. She will remain with US for about a
week, and will then proceed to Japan. The follow
ing is a list Of her officers, for which we are iudebt-
ed TO Mr. J. C. Phuger:
CaDtain-Robert Lnndh.
COURqnder-ShatroH.
Lte~teHants-Bol Bologavaskoy and Fatarnoff
BGrOR-GruneYald.
SUP. L1eutenants -Rauer, GFoundstroem and MniukoG.
lIIstey-EemsnoT
Chlef Engineers-Kmita and Kauznezod.
,BInSter Of irtiHe| y-Kaugaultof.
nd ship5nen-Bkof, Alexeief, Miavinine, Ruuiauzof, Gold
bach, Gehanugeky, Lomeu, Armfett, Shafrod.
Masters ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EHgineezs' Acknowledgement. --
SE y Ball was given at the City Hall last Thurs
lay evening. but owing tn the inclemency of the
weather, there was not the usual attendance. 1t
passed off very pleasantly, however. The brass
ulnl of the Russian corvette FnriQg, kindly con-
sentel TO favor the recherche entertainment with
he m~elifuons strains Of their Instruments, which
helped to promote the hilarity and cheerful
Of those present. After the Ball they seren-
several private residences and descanted some
f the most agreeable music that Honolulu has
listened to for some time. -
4 STEAMER RATES -Parties intending visiting East
en- States from these islands will no doubt feel inter
asted in the following concerning rates of passage.
BRINGING Down THE RATEs.-The steamship op--t
position to New York is having the effect OF bringing .
Town rates of fare to the lowest possible 6gure-so i
ow, i'll fact, that II is doubtful if either company can
make 4 living profit Oh the business. The .4mericG, |
f the Nicaragua line, will carry passengers, on
at S43, in the Storage SO in the second
,abin Sl26, first cabin and $50, first cabin
after saloon. The Golden -7ge. of the Panama line,
will carry at S46, SO. Sl35, and S212. Nearly
III the passages thus far engaged are in the steeTage
II second cabin. ~
- We are indebted to Messrs. McRuer & Mer-
ill, C. W. Brooks & Co, and Mr.. ". L.. Ingolls, for
ate favors in the newspaper line.
HONOLULU, DECEMBER 9rH, 1854.
UNDERSIGNED TAKES THIS OP-
y portuuitv Of publicly returning his thanks 10 the citizens
litv shown him and his family under the recent distressing
alamity which has beflllen him.