The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-01-18

MARINE DIsAsrEIs.-The arrival Of two vessels
from the Guano Islands the past week, furnishes us
with the particulars of the loss of three fne American
hips-one upon each island-Howlands', Bakers
and Mckean's. The full reports as furnished by
Cspts. Stone and Tengstrom, are given in our marine
columns 1t would appear from these tatement
that the ship Li--ie OaJor9, Capt. Roco. ran on to
Howland's Island on the night of s. 10Th, while iy-
ing off and on in a ~southerly gale 1t is thought that
she was carried ashore by the strong tide setting in
an opposite direction from the wind. The ships
broke up in two days and became a total loss few
stores, snd provisions were saved, as also a quantity
OF her copper and composition. The latter were
brought to this port and sold at auction, and a formal
sale was made of the wreck for So. She had 1900
tons Of guano on board when lost.
The ship Washington, Capt Berry, went on
Mckean's Island, in a gale on the night of December
4th, which came up suddenly from the West, allowing
no opportunity for the vessel to put to sea She had
ON board some $50 tons of guano, which as well as
the vessel became a total loss.
The third wreck is that of the ship .Minnehaha,
Bursley, whose arrival here from Japan three months
ago VIII be remembered. She was lost at Bakers
Island in the same gale as the Washington. Capt.
johnson the worthy superintendent of that island.
has sent US the full particulars, which we insert in
his own words.
BAKERS ISLAND, Dec Z, 1867.
Editor Pacific Commercial Adrertiser:
SIR As many different accounts will reach you
concerning the loss of the American ship -Minneh1ho,
/ deem it not out of place to state the following, trust
ing you will give it a place in your columns
This ship arrived here November Goth, and was
brought to the mornings by MIR. Lake in the finest
style. During the night it fell calm, and continued
so until the 30th, when a heavy squall came up from
the westward. By the untiring energy of Capt. Burs-
ley and Mr.. Lake, together with the officers and crew
of the ship, in putting out anchors, running lines,
&C., &C., she was saved for a future occasion. After
this squall the weather fell calm again, and continued
so until December Sd. In the early part of this day
sauall clouds were to be seen in all directions, and
finally came up from the westward, breaking with
unusual violence. The ship was made well fast to
mornings fore and aft, and her own anchors out. but
the squall came with such force as to carry away her
head mooring, and her bow swung on the reef. The
stern mooring gradually hauled in, so that she soon
lay broadside on. There was little time for saving
anything, though all hands worked with a will. Soon
she commenced rolling so bad that the spars were in
danger of coming about our heads, and We had to
leave her for the time being. The wind and storm
increased. and in less than twenty-four hours not o
stick forty feet long WAS to be seen. The gale, &C
companied by very heavy falls of rain, continued for
sixty hours. Never probably in the history of this
island has there been so strong a wind from any direc-
ton.
The bark Garsiang rode it out. She had an extra
bow anchor down, besides being fast to her mornings.
Although so small and light, she carried away her
hawse-pipe, and would have soon cut herself down.
1t may be asked why these ships did not go to sea.
There was not a moment after the first day of their
arrival when this could be accomplished.
The loss of this ship was unavoidable. Everything
was done foi her within human power, but to no pur-
pose ; there can be no blame attached to any one. If
anything could have saved her, she would not have
been lost. Yours in haste, -o
W. L. r. JOHNSON, Supt.
All the officers and crew of the three vessels were
brought to this port by the brig Kamehameha y and
San Diego. And as far as We can learn
there has been no loss of life in connection with these
disasters. 1t is not certain what insur-
ance there was on these vessels, but it is thought that
two of these were uninsured.