The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-10-27
The Morning Star.

| The American Missionary steam barkentine
Morning STIR arrived in port here on the evening
of the 18th inst, from her cruise among the islands
of the Southern Seas. Following is report of the
voyage, as given by Captain Isaiah Bray:
Sailed from Honolulu May 2. 1886 Had light
n. L. trades twelve days. 10 lat 4 n. and Ion. l6S
W. Began to steam May 10th, and arrived at Ia
pitnea, Gilbert Islands, May 23d, after steaming
200 miles. Steamed north through the Gilbert
Group in a calm, IN ten days, and used but seven
tons of coal TO do it, stopping at each island to
gather up missionaries and teachers for general
meeting at Kusaie. We lsft Ponape on our return
trip east June I'D, heavng to at Pingelap June
26th, and anchoring again at kusaie, June 28th
The general meeting of the Gilbert Islands at
Kuslic being over. sailed from there July LIST,
to return the missionaries and teachers. Arrived
at BItaritar Gilbert Islands again July 7th, stop
ped It Mar lkei on the 10th; at Apaiang on the
lin 18th and 18th; at Tarawa on the 18th 18th
10th; ut Maian on the 18th 18th 18th; at Apema-
ma on the 10Th list g2nd, I'D; at Nanouti on the
2ith 18th and 10Th; and rapitauea on the 9th
18th and 18th. On July 30th sailed for the west
TO visit for the first time Ocean Islands 800 miles
west, and Pleasant Islands 475 miles west of Ia
pIteuea. we stopped at Ocean Islands August 4.
One island called PddROpa in native, Is forty
eight miles south Of the equator in 1863 AZ min. L.
lat. 1t seems about two hundred feet high, cover
ed more or less with trees and shrubs, but has few
cOcOanut trees. There is no anchorage, and no
dangers outside the reef 1t is pleasant in appear
ance; about eight miles in circumference, sur
rounded partly by rocks probably limestonel and
in other places by a sand beach. We found about
two hundred natives the widest looking savageS
we ever saw. We left Gilbert Islands teacher
with them, the language is about the same.
August 9th, one year fom the day our vessel was
launched, we stopped at Pleasant or Nanaro Isl
ands. Seven white traders came on board, think
ing US a man f-war. We found twelve hundred
natives divided into twelve tribes, all at war with
each other Some of the interior tribes had never
yentured to the beach. The people are above the
average both in size and appearance. In fact they
were tue best looking natives we have seen IN Mi
cronesia. The women appeared to be charmed
with the appearance of MIR. Walkups students,
and began TO embrace them, proposing dance
with them at once. Pleasant Island is in lat o. 81
s., lon. 1G7 T. 1t deserves its name. 1t is prob
ably fifteen miles in circumference, about one
hundred feet in height, well covered with cOcOanut
and other trees but like Ocean Island, they are
troubled for fresh water, and often suffer from
drought The language differs from that of the
Gilbert Islands, but has probably been the same.
We had no teacher to leave, although they were
disposed TO receive one. Mr.. Walkup could not
persuade any of the boys to go to his Kusaie school,
There IL no anchorage.
On August 3rd arrived at Kusaie the third time
On August 10Th sailed from Kusaie and did not
reach Ponape till the 3lst. The calm weather
changed TO westerly squalls and gales. On our
rival at POnape, we found Rev. Mr.. Sturges laid
aside by stroke Of paralysis, and received orders
from that mission to proceed with him to Honolulu
via Ruk, and then return to finish the work in the
Marshall and Caroline Islands.
Left Ponape September 9Th and steamed to Ruk
and anchored there September 10th. After land
ing Arthur Logan, Mr.. Worth and wife two Ponape
teachers, and sailed from Ruk September 18th
Running before the breeze, in two days we passed
PUnape, and in two days more we were off kusaie
On September 2lst, the wind and weather were
gone and we began 10 steam north in search of N.
L. trades. September 22nd, ran into Jaluit lagoon
ANA anchored for the night, and received late
mail from Honolulu, per he 4HhoH. Sailed for
Honolulu, September 23rd. Had light airs and
caIms steaming and sailing at al! times to Lati-
tude IL deg. 30 min. NJ and Longitude III deg
10 min. T., where we took fresh N. L. trades which
continued to the Latitude Of Honolulu, since when
we had light winds from east TO northeast with
strong westerly currents. Arriving in port on the
evening of the 18th inst.