Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-17
K.fLAH1T.PS HISTORY is rom Bf
ms T/JJ~STI

ms { ~ NI-f
In TIE wear 1921 the whale ship independence
from New Bedford, Mass, foundered in the Pa
citic Ocean, and all on board persisted, with the
except on of four sailors, who made their escape
in boat, which after tossing many days on the
boundless deep, at last reached the Sandwich Is
lands then in state of semi-barbarism, that be-
ing about the time OF the first appearance Of Chris
tan missionaries there. One of these scamen was
fine-looking, stawart young man from Bain'ta-
BILE, and in the strange land upon which he was
cast up from the waste of waters at once engaged
in such pursuits as vivacious disposition and true
Yankee genius discovered, both for employment
and livelihood. lie soon succeeded, and in year
or two after making his involuntary settlement
among the kanakas had the extraordinary fortune
of marrying the daughter and sole princess of the
monarch then on the throne of the islands. This
royal damsel had fallen in love with the wrecked
mariner, proposed wedlock in right queenly style,
which the young New Highlander accepted for the
reason that the King ordered him to do so, or
have his head chopped off. Being son-in-law, and
recognized as member of the dynasty, our hero
adapted himself to the dignity of prince consort,
and from this remarkable union issued the pres
ent King Of the Sandwich Islands, the only sur
vving son of the Massachusetts, man, out Of a
large family. The name of kalakaua denotes the
origin of the sovereign, and translated, means safe
journey" Or God speed, referring to the escape
Of his immediate ancestor from the pe:ils of the
wave as related above. DEPRESSING from the gen
eral narrative here, will mention that the faith
er OF august visitor, Notwithstanding his Illus
trous alliance, had never forgotten his home IN
the distant republic; but day after day and month
after month looked out from the portico OF his
palace for the friendly canvas and flag Of his ma
tive land, but five and twenty years of weary
| watching were endured before the keel of an
American ship glided into the Island harbors.
When this did take place, the Yankee pince
yearnine for the scenes and associations of youth,
one night deserted rank, wife and children,
jumped into the which quarter of century
| before had cast him up naked to become the pro-
gcnitor Of a kingly line, and sailed away for the
| shores of Narragansett. After long voyage
Barnsable was again visited, but all had changed.
Leaving there in sunny YOUTH the traveller now
fund that the few remaining acquaintance OF the
past had died, departed to other places, o. had
grown gray and forgetful of the time wlen all
| were boys at school together. 1t was a mistake
to return, for the heart could not give up its love
for the wife and children Of more than score OF
years in the far-oif islands Of the Paciic. The
| longngs of the wanderer and his loneliness were
| intolerabe. He then once more looked for the
speedy bark to carry him back to his only home,
and waited three years before an opportunity
| came. Then he sailed away forever. In lS41
the whaler Thomas Jefferson, from New London
Conn, was fishing in the Pacific Meeting
school of leyiahans, the crew prepared for action
and among the parties sent out from the ship tc
operate against the monsters ofthe deep the prince
was of the first to volunteer i'll the hazardous
duty. As has often happened, the boat of the har-
pooners was demolished by wounded and iniu-
rated whale, several of the men, including the
father of kalakaua, perishing i'll the disaster
That was the end of our hero's romanti, career.
| The balance of this interesting story may be
stated briefly. When the New Highlander fled
| from the Sandwich Islands his spouse mourned
for a customary period, but grief did not cause
her to neglect the grave responsibilities OF widow
hood. She gave her children the best education
the islands afforded, and David being the favor
| lite, though not the eldest son. sent to San
Francisco to study politics and finances. His
mother also directed him to visit the home Of his
father and kindred, but the young man, for some
reason satisfactory to himself, did not then 20 to
Barnatable. lie will do so now, however, after
first concluding his official interview with the
President of theU United States. Thus we have an
easy solution of the friendship of this monarch for
our country and institutions.
For this interesting narrative We are indebted
to a cousin of His Majesty, residing in this city,
Major, well known in mining circles, who,
with the exception of being few years older, is
said to resemble the King in remarkable de-
gree. Their fathers were brothers, born AMI
reared in the good old State of Massachusetts,
Sat Like Tribune December 6.