The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1869-04-07

Mr.. EDIToR,-A desire to correct wrong
impression, and to relieve any person inter
ested in the ship King Philip, from the ne
cessity of "hawking" certain bill against
the aforesaid ship around the streets, is my
apology for asking you to give space for the
following bill and statement of facts.
1t is usually understood that the duties of
firemen are ended when the fire is extin-
guished, and their apparatus returned to the
house. In the case of the King Philip it
was deemed necessary to pump the water
out of her hold, after the fire was out con-
sequently one of the engines was left for that
purpose, by the Chief Engineer, under the
superintendent of two fremeu, with the
understanding that all expenses, connected
with this work, would be borne by the ship.
During the progress of the fire, which lasted
about eleven hours, an effort was made to
get some refreshments for the fremen, which
resulted in a few bottles of gin, said to have
come from the cabin of the ship-but,
those of the firemen who had the pleasure
ola smile at it, testified that it strongly resem-
bled aquafortis, kerosene or some other de-
coction known only to the trade. The efforts
in this direction not being very satisfactory,
orders were sent up town with better success
A few days after, when the apparatus, dam
aged lchite pumping ont the ship after the fire,
had been repaired, the Chief Engineer direct
ed the Secretary to put all the bills, including
those for refreshments, into one account, and
present the same, with the vouchers if neces-
sary, to the agent of the ship, thinking that,
as usual in such cases, those interested in
the vessel would pay any expense that the
hremen were subjected to while laborjup for
their benefit. The bill was presented to-
gether with the vouchers by the secretary of
the department, and as he was told that the
bill alone was sufficient, he retained the
vouchers. At meeting of the Board of
Representatives of the Department, a copy
OF the bill was read, and it was reported that
the captain and agent of the ship had indus
triously hawked the bill among the business
community as curiosity, and misrepresent-
ing 1t in such a manner, that, at last, some
well meaning individuals had begun to re-
gard it as they would one of Pref Miller's
archaeological specimens, whose purpose
and destiny was known only TO the maker
Notwithstanding the assurance in the first
place that the vouchers or any explanation
were unnecessary. 1t was likewise reported
that the curiousity was considered sufficient
ly singular to warrant its exhibition TO the
American Consul, but he, not apparently
approaching it as highly as they had fiattered
themselves its merits demanded, they carried
it to the Attorney General, and still falling
to awaken official curiosity, but convinced.
nevertheless, that they had found mares
nest of no mean proportions, they backed it
of to the Minister of Interior, and in all
probability would have sent it by telegraph
to the United States, if there had only been
a branch wire here. OF the loss sustained by
the ship, estimated at $50, 600. we heard lii
tie or nothing, but the disappearance of two
Goldfish and five bottles of aquafortis, marked
gin, from the ships locker was deeply de-
plored. After hearing the various reports on
the subject, the department unanimously
adopted resolutions sustaining the Chief in
his action in tine matter, and ordered the bill
TO be published, that all might know of it,
and Of the difficulties and objections to nav
ing it-and that it is expected by the liberal
gentleman, in charge of the ship, that men
should work all night for their benefit and
ind themselves
Ship King Philip to he Honolulu Fire Department
For repairs Fire Apparatus damaged while pump
ing out ship after the Fire
Amt Of bill Honolulu Iron Works c.. s3I so
Amount Of John Mott & Coz. 100
Amount Of J Hughes II 80
$50 90
For refreshments for Firemen during the Fire
Amt Of bill Mechanic No 2 ......... s2f rs
Amt oil bal Royal Hotel -.-.-....-.- q 90
For amt paid for boat hire ...... 10 "a
For amt Of T chayter's bill for super
intending pumping ship AMI returning
apparatus 49, ---------t..------.--- Is %
Iotai-.- S1E .
Yours respectfully,
CT. GuLrcx.