Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1885-03-21
The New Missionary Steam Packet.

The Morning Star was built at Bath, Maine,
aud was launched August g, 1854. She reached
Boston September 10, 1883, was dedicated
October IS and sailed for Honolulu on Nov
ember 9Th Of the same year, accompanied
down the harbor by large number of friends,
photographer, and tow-boat TO return
them to Boston. She was loaded by Brewer
& Co. in Boston with general cargo and
consigned to Brewer & Co, OF Honolulu.
1t was a pleasant and beautiful day that
we sailed, and the bright faces of our
pleasant company, as they gathered in the cabin
to lunch, were in great contrast to the anxions
faces Of the few remaining on board twelve
hours later, as the new and untried Star scud-
ded before the heavy N, w. gale--whch was
blowing at the rate of sixty miles an hour, and
rolling up sea equal to that off Cape Horn.
We were soon under close recfed fore -,opsail
and flooded with water, which required tn,
u'nos, exerton of all hands to keep it from
the engine room the doors and bulkheads oil
which were broken through by the force Of the
water. A trial was made to heavc to, but al
once proved more dangerous position thar
running before the gale, owing to the heav,
load of provisions and coal on the main deck
much Of which was spoiled by sal, water
| After long and tedious job we succeeded il
easing the vessel by throwing overheard severa
tons of coal and thus riding out the remainder
Of the three days gale with case and safety. Il
seems tina, all the wind must have blown ou
in that gale, as we had no severe one after
ward, but very light and variable winds FOL
the entire voyage, even in the trade wind re
gion.
We sighted the Patagonian coast and sale,
down it several days before entering the Strait
Of Magellan, and were one week from the AT
antic to the Paciic-lying at anchor tire,
days Of that time, two Of which were spent il
procuring fresh water. We had found gu
after few weeks sail that nearly all the waite
in our two tanks $4,000 gallons) had dis
appeared, which Obliged US to make the re
mainder Of the voyage on allowance.
The passage through the Straits Of magellan
was for the most part pleasant and interesting
We remained two days a, Sandy Point--.h
only civilized place in the Straits and pro
cured fresh meats and vegetables. We passe,
several steamers during our passage through
the Straits and, as we learned from some O
them, the Morning Star proved source O
wonder and caused much anazement as, usin
hard coal little smoke escaped through tn
long main-mast smoke stack, and no motio
Of the propeller could be observed; we wer
supposed by many 10 have some power q
motion by electricity.
We sighted Hawaii ON Friday, March 9Th
and were soon after becalmed. Fires wer
then started and We steamed agains, southern
wind, a, times blowing hard. Sunday moo
March 18th, having sailed fifteen thousan
one hundred and seventeen miles, and havin
steamed during that time two hundred an
thirty four hours, We came into port.
The fastest time made under steam was 81
miles an hour, and the fastest under sail clever
For twentyfour hours, with an average {
ninety revolutions per minute, il required fou
: tons Of coal.
Not having full days run Of twenty.fou
hours during the voyage, and the vessel bein
three inches by the head and listed to the sta
board. We are not yet able TO tell what h.
sailing qualities win be in our usual ligh, an
; proper trim.
During our stay in Boston, the Mornin
Star was visited by more than fifty thousan
people, mos, Of whom were owners.
She was welcomed by the natives with pa
upon her sides and cordial " Alohas" An,
reh;iing, and preparing, We expect to sail vii
her on voyage To Micronesia in next Ma
ISAIAH BRAY, Master.