The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-05-24
AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE.
Over Nine Months at Sea in a Sixty
Ton Schooner.
Captain BOhm's Vicissitudes Between
Yokohama and Kauai.

since he left Yokohama In her last August
has met with strange experience. The
schooner was at Waimea when the Cap
tain left and she may be expected to ar
rive here this morning. She is q small
vessel of between sixty and seventy tons.
The schooner left Yokohama August II,
1885, for three month fishing and hunt
ing expedition among the neighbOring
islands. The crew consisted of three Ma
Mia and sixteen japanese sailors. The
Captain took along his wife and four chill
dren for the benefit of their health, and
two japanese nurses. After the islands
had been visited the cruise was extended
eastward so as to reach some of the unin
habited islands. This was in October; but
the schooner was becalmed for many days.
At last a strong westerly gale sprung up
and the little vessel was carried easterly a
long distance out of her intended course.
The supply of water was getting short
and the schooner began to leak. In No
vember last Captain Bohm and party
made Midway Island. On trying to get
into the harbor for water and repairs, the
schooner touched the reef Sails were set
and she was got off a few moments later.
A boat was manned, and sent to find a
/ passage through the reef TO safe anchorage.
| Despite the care taken by the Captain, the
/ vessel again touched the reef, but, as be-
! fore, was got off Immediately afterwards.
| At last safe berth was found. and she
| was hove down for repairs. Five days
were spent i'll repairing the vessel. When
nearly completed a heavy swell came up
and turned her on her beam ends in ten
| feet of water. The Captain ordered the
! mainmast to be cut off, which was done,
and soon after the vessel righted herself,
| though she was pretty full of water. The
| Captain and crew left her and went ashore.
! Next day, the weather having mOder-
ated, preparations were made to get the
schooner into a seaworthy condition, but
the sailors refused duty, saying it was use
less to attempt to save her. The Captain,
knowing she was not badly damaged, used
every exertion to get them to work, without
success. The next day it was found the
schooner had moved to shallower water,
seven feet deep aft and nine feet forward.
All hands went to work at the pumps and
bailing out water, and soon she was free of
water. The vessel was moved to deep
anchorage.
The next day the crew again refused to
work. Captain Bohm gave them a good
lecture. Having been in Japan sixteen
years, he was well acquainted with the
language. He told them if they did not
work he would not supply them with food
when they replied that as the island
abounded with birds and eggs, and there
was plenty of fish, they could live there
three years. At last the three Manila
sailors went to work and rugged up the YES
sci, and commenced to make all necessary
repairs 1t was now the beginning of jan
uary. On the It'll of January one Jap re-
ported for duty, and on the 18th all were
back at work. Up to the Goth good weather
prevailed; then heavy westerly gales SET
| in.
On March eth one of the Japs died and
was buried on shore. The following day
the schooner left Midway Island, and the
Captain decided to cruise among the chain
of islands between there. and Hawaii. Not
knowing the exact condition of the vessel
for the safety of life he deemed this to be
| prudent, more especially as should any
thing happen they would be able to procure
food, water and fire wood. Several islands
were made. At French Frigate shoals q
boat was sent ashore, but only few turtles
were obtained, but plentiful supply were
secured at other places. The sailors were
permitted to eat freely of the turtles, and
were also given small allowance of rice.
At the beginning of this month MAY,
the small island of Lehua was sighted
The Captain endeavOred to make for Mi
/ ho1 Int no am
was not until the 18th that they anchored
off that island at point where they could
see Il house \ boat was sent ashore, and
it was found to be the residence of Mr.
| Gay. This was fortunate, for there was
then only one days provisions remaining
on board. Mr.. Gay went on board the
schooner and told the Captain he was al
the only safe anchorage on that coast. He
| furnished the schooner with provisions anC
water, and Captain Bohm and his mer
will ever remember him with grateful
hearts The schooner remained there two
days.
Learning that the steamer Iwalani left
Kauai for Honolulu on Saturday, Captain
Bohm set sail for that island, but met with
adverse weather, and was not able t.
anchor at Waimea until early on the morn
ing of the eth. On going ashore, Mr.. w
D. Schmidt manager of the Waimea Sugar
Mill, extended the greatest hospitality tC
the Captain and his family by giving then
the use of his house until the steamer
sailed Mr. O. Isenberg also sent a supply
of provisions for the schooner, and the
Captain feels very grateful to these gentle
men. The voyage was a succession o.
hardships from the time they left Yoke
hama until Niihau was reached. During
the whole time only one vessel, the steam
ship Gaelic, was sighted. Signals were
hoisted. but not seen by her, probably Oh
account of the distance. The Captain haC
considerable trouble with his crew, and tC
protect himself had to draw his revolver
several times. One day while off Midway
Island, eight OF them tried to OverpOwel
him. but failed Another time powerful
Jap attempted to push him overheard, but
the Captain knocked him down. The jap
picked up an iron bar and lifted it with the
intention of striking the Captain, but the
latter got hold of the weapon and pre-
vented him using it. The culprit was
dashed to the mast for three days.
At Waimea the crew were examined by
DIR. Borland, the Government Physician
who found them in good health. One OF