The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1886-01-19
A Dimcult Landing

EDrroR GAZETTE There are few persons who
have any idea Of the difficulty experienced ut some
of our landings particularly when the great north
eEiy svels are running high. and the breakers ex-
tend far out from shore. As the distance OF these
breakers increases from the shore 50 does the vol
TINE and velocity Of the water increase until the
sea runs mountains high, and the pillows come
rushing surging. lashing and leaping with ghiten.
ing cres, and mighty roar, and shake the rocks to
their foundation
1t was such weather as this when schooner ar
rived here lately, with machinery for the maeera-
ton mill at this place Of course they were unable
to do any thing, the longer they waited the worse
it grew until at last it blew great guns as the
sailors say, and the sea was something terrible TO
look at.
simultaneously with this great wind storm at
sea, there was another fearful storm in the noun
tains, rain coming down IN torrents. and il ! fev
hours the water had risen II the kawaildhIlAhl
gulch twenty feet. This gulch increases IN width
il nsars the sea, and at the falls Is about 200
feet wide with fall of 80 feet. This night the
water extended across nearly the whole distance,
and looked most grand and threatening, ressm-
bling to extent the great falls of Niagara. About
400 feet above these falls Is the celebrated haiwi-
lahilahi bridge and almost under it is the landing
This landing is of solid rock and varies in width
from ten to fifty feet, In height from fifteen to
twenty feet, and Is about one hundred and nifty
feet IN length. Standing IN the middle of this
rock Is immense crane that VIII lift seven tons
with ease, and would probably move twice that
weight. From the foot of this crane to the hoist
ing engine above, six inch steel wire cable is
stretched and attached to the drum Of the hosting
engine Is another three inch steel running rope for
hosting the machinery to the top Of the bluff.
As 1t IS almost impossible to ship sugar from this
landing IsaupahOehoeJ two steel wire cables are
stretched from the extreme point of this rock TO
convenient place above, and a cage Is placed on
each rope, having running rope for both cages.
The lowering apparatus Is nothing but grlp pulley
and brake. The principle which this works Is
that Of gravity, that is the extra weight Of the
loaded cage going down, brings the empty one up.
This works very we'll when it Is not too rough, but
in very bad weather it IS Of little use, neither Is
always positively safe, but II the only practical
method by which anything can be shipped from
this mill As II Is risks have TO be taken both IN
shipping and receiving freight, or nothing would
be done. Sometimes too, great waves come up
suddenly and Unexpectedly, and If the load docs
not get beyond the range of the breakers It Is IN
stantly sent to the bottom, natives, sugar, boat,
and al.
The schooner did not stop here during the great
storm above described; but quietly slipped the
anchor and made for the open sea, and the captain
was only too glad to get safely away.
These great nOrthers are the most disagreed bic
winds We have, we'll as the most dangerous; they
are icy cold, and always blow directly on shore,
the waves increase IN size, and as consequence,
the breakers and surf IN intensity, they often do
serious damage 70 property, and sometimes cause
loss of life.
Fortunately this storm did not last very long.
the more welcome trade wind blew up again and
the schooner came back with 1t, but the sea was
still running very high, and the breakers were
dash1ng against the landing, and the foamy surf
was surging and bursting this rock bound coast,
bot this the usual weather on this coast it was
decided to Try and land the machinery.
The raft was got ready and loaded, but thas put
50 much II thought 1t would certainly sink be
it got shore, bat it safely along until IN
SIDE of the breaker, then | witnessed one Of the
widest scenes that it Is possible TO imagine The
breakers came in fast and furious and seemed
bent destruction; the raft would no sooner
smergs from one Of these breakers than another
would take 1t, and then another, and at times nei
Their raft or anything else could be seen. The IA
/ tIves meanwhile, we're working like beavers, and
never even thought of letting it 90, but how they
managed to hold on at all was 4 marvel TO the
spectators At last, after great eIsrtiOu, difficulty
and danger they got the things II the sings
/ Just at this moment a tremendous wave came IL
which seemed determined to do what the other had
failed 70 do Most of the men on the raft saw It
IN time and took header, but one poor fellow vas
little too late, he tried to take spring but slip
ped back and the whole force Of the breaker burst
right on top of him; then for moment all that Is
seen is the terrible surf, the raft. machinery and
ksnaka, all mixed up together under the sea.
| Som however, We are delighted 70 see the ma
| chInery nearly on top of the landing and the IA
tives all safe on the raft If your valuable space
vU1id permit, would ike tOCIve description Of
the rest of the RATS but this will sufnce show
/ have to be met and overcome, and not here alOuss
| bot at many other places on Hawaii.
The sole credit for the successful landing of tie
| machinery is due to Mr.. John Hiram i native Hn-
! especially adapted fo- this kind of work. being
/ quite fearless, q good swimmer, Is energetic and
active; be Is everywhere and always Just where he
| Is wanted, be has had much eXpereuce IL handling
| heavy machinery and does all Of the most iupor-
/ tant and dangerous work himself, and BY his e1-
| ample gives courage and confidence to the other
natives NAOMI.
| Laupahoehos. Hawai-, Jan. 9Th, 1855