The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-06-17
The Oceanic Steamship Company.

From de Daily Pacific Commercial Adcertiser.)
1t is with satisfaction that we learn that
the contract for the construction OF two
steamers to be built on account OF the above
named company, specially for the Homo
lulu trade has been definitely placed. The
firm whose tender has been accepted Is
Kramp Il Son of Philadelphia. The cost Of
the two boats will be S900,O0O. An offer from
a Clyde ship-building firm was received at
$500, 900, but IL was deemed best by the Dl-
rectors of the company To place the work
with an American firm even at what APP
pears to be an enhanced price. In view OF
intimate business relations between this
country and the United States their de-
cision appears to be dictated by sound policy.
Other considerations have, no doubt, had
weight with them. A much closer over
sight can be given TO the construction OF
these vessels by their future owners, III built
at Philadelphia than IL the work Were to be
done on the distant banks OF the Clyde.
Moreover, il must be said that In some par
ticulars, of no small moment To the comfort
of passengers on such a route ms that be-
tween San Francisco and Honolulu, the
American ship builders have some sound
ideas which have never taken root ON the
further side of the Atlantic. That every
modern idea calculated to ensure the COM
fort of passengers is to be brought into play
i'm the construction Of these boats is assur-
ed to us by the following letter from the
President of the Oceanic Company, address,
ed to our fellow-townsman Mr.. William q.
Irwin, which we have been permitted to
make public. When these fine boats are
launched we shall all be wishing that the
long talked of Panama Canal were finished
so that they might be saved the tedious
Journey round the Horn. 1t will be seen
that the Directors are %sanguine enough TO
hope that the new steamers will be ready
for service in twelve months from now.
We hope that their expectations In this re-
spect will be realized. 1t will, undoubtedly,
rebound greatly to the credit Of the builders
il the work is efficiently performed In time
to admit of this. Following is the letter
above alluded to;
SAN FRANCISCO, May 80, 1882.
My DEAR MR.. IRWIN Within a few
days after your receipt OF this letter n
British Steamer Suez will arrive in Homo
lulu to your consignment, and Will for the
next twelve months probably run egularly
between this port and Honolulu for freight
purposes principally; but she will also, i
trust add to the present limited mail COM
munication, and thus indirectly benefit the
between the two places.
AS you know, the Oceanic Steamship
Company was formed in this city last De-
cember, for the purpose of placing fine pas
senger and freight steamers upon the Sand
witch Island route, and immediate steps
were taken towards that end. The leading
ship-yards of America were visited, and
they were found full of work, and could not
supply new vessels ready for service under
a wear; an effort was then made to charter
suitable vessels in Europe but without
avail. The supply of fast passenger steam
ers in Europe is exceedingly limited, being
confined almost entirely to the Atlantic
lines these vessels are not suited to our
trade, being too large, and drawing too
much water. The Company was thus reluct-
antly compelled to abandon the idea OF
putting on chartered steamers at once, and
have decided to build without delay.
Plans and specifications have been made
for two irst-class vessels with which TO
the traffic, and we have received
several bids on same. Probably before you
receive this letter, contracts for construc-
ton will have been signed, and work under
way. As soon as the vessels are started we
Will send you copies of plans, that you may
see for yourself that, in the projected
steamers, it is our intention TO leave
nothing undone to make these boats as
complete and comfortable for this island
trade as experience can suggest. One Of
the first desiderata is speed, and our inten-
ton is to make the voyage regularly be-
tween the two ports in six days. The YES
sells are planned for one hundred cabin pas
sengers, giving large staterooms, wide
berths, fine ventilation, and plenty of space
for exercise and promenade. Recognizing
the want of passengers at sea Tor a large
social room, we have provided this also
for the accommodation OF smokers, who,
heretofore, have not been a much favored
class. In fact, everything which could be
thought Of for comfort has been provided
and if the vessels, on completion, equal the
hopes Of the directors, our Hawaiian friends
will have reason TO be proud Of the most
excellent ocean service i'm either the Atlantic
or Pacific Ocean. 1t is the btlief Of the direc-
tors of this company that by furnishing TO
the tourist travel, excellent accommodations
and by catering to its comfort, a very large
proportion Of the visitors to California;, as
well as of our local residents, will be In
duced to visit your lovely Islands, and we
do not doubt, that all such travel VIII tend
to the material benefit of Hawaii.
In conclusion / will say, that the Com
pany cannot hope TO have its passenger
boats ready for service under twelve months
from date, and i'm the meantime, they may
find it to their interest to make use OF
freight steamers like the Suez, in order to
move your produce more rapidly and in
order to give additional mail communica-
ton, such facilities being at times much
needed, particularly during the heighth Of
your crop season. j remain yours truly,
EDWARD J.. G.. STEELE,