The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-03-08
GROWING VICTORY.
The Oceanic Steamship Company
Buys the zealandia and Aus
tralia.
They VIII sail Under the Hawaiian
flag IN Future.


1t transpired yesterday that the Oceanic !
Steamship Company had purchased the |
steamers Zealandia and Australia from the
firm of John Elder & Co., of Glasgow. The
purchase was only concluded yesterday,
though negotiations had been in progress
for some days past by cable between the rep
resentatiyes of the Oce .nic Company here
and Mr.. Pearce in Lon ION, he constituting
in reality the firm OF J. Elder & Co. John
d. Spreckels, Vice President of the Oceanic
Steamship Company, who went East some
weeks ago, did so with the object OF ar
ranging for the construction OF another
steamer to be added to his company's line,
and received a number of bids from promi-
nent Eastern shipbuilders, as well as one
from the Union Iron Works in this city.
These negotiations were, of course, imme-
diately dropped when it became evident
that a purchase of the two Pearce steamers
was likely to be consummated.
\ Call" reporter last evening received
from William Center OF the Oceanic Com
pany full particulars in regard to the cir
cumstances of the important purchase
which has just been made. Mr.. Center
1
sire and intention to build an American
ship to sail under the American flag, and
| any ordinary extra expense would not
| have influenced his associates and himself
| to do otherwise But when to the enor-
| nous difference between the cost of so con-
! structing a new vessel and the amount
! necessary to purchase the English vessels
! was added the fact that the new ship, as a
| mail carrier, was to be practically under
! the control of Postmaster General Villas,
| who would fix the remuneration to be al
lowed for the mail service at any figure he
might choose, it became evident to the
members of the company that as men OF
business there was only one course open
to them The negotiations within Pearce
were, therefore, pushed forward with
earnestness, and the purchase of the tive
steamships concluded. The entire bust
ness was managed by cable.
Mr.. Center was not willing to give the
exact figures paid for the two steamships
but stated that they had cost considerably
less than the new vessel could have beer
built for, and as the bids for the construc
ton of the latter ranged around the sun
of half million, it follows that the price
paid for the steamers was probably some
thing over $500 900.
Mr.. Center spoke with much feeling il
regard to the position which has been as
sumed by the Postmaster General in tn
matter of ocean mail carrying, character
izing Mr. Villas policy as suicidal and Diet
; rimental in the highest degree to Amer
lean shipbuilding interests.
The Oceanic Company will receive pos
session of the ships Immediately upon thei
arrival at this port, which in the case c
: the Australia will occur in few days
The Zealandia may not come for som
weeks later. The Oceanic Company Ia
already assumed charge of the local offic
of the Elder line, and kilograms have bee
: sent to the agents at New York and else
where to cease making contracts or advel
Using for business.
AS the Board of Directors of the ocean,
Company has not yet met, no definite cor
clusion has been arrived at as to tn
I changes which will be made in the serviC
; between this port and the South Paclh
There is no doubt, however, that the Mar
posa and Alameda will continue to MAX
through trips to Auckland and Sydney, {
these two magnificent vessels have won
i, most remarkable degree of popularity wit
the residents of Australia and New Ze
, land. Just what disposition will be mad
; of the new acquisitions cannot at presel
be stated, but arrangements will be mao
> to increase the present service conside
ably, as, with five such vessels as the Al
media, Mariposa MararOa, Australia an
: Zealandia at its command, the cOmpan
. will be well able to do
: Mr.. Center stated that the fact of Il
> company having purchased the We
e sells in question in preference to building
: new one is no indication of any dissati
: faction on the part of the stockholde
with their previous experience in shi
5 building. Americans he believed to be fl
/ ahead of the English in building passeng
) steamships, and while the staunch ar
; sterling qualities of the Zealandia and Au
: tralia are not to be disputed, he had I
= doubt that the Mariposa and Alameda W
continue to be prime fayorites with Il
:. travelling public
Mr.. Center stated, in conclusion, that
was the desire of the company that the
new vessels should carry the Hawaiia
flag, and he had no doubt that it would
;, so arranged.