The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-12-14
112 I'm
THE HYACINPH
RETURNS FROM ANNEXlNG the
I'll COOK GROUP.
RESCUE OF TwENTY-FoUR sHIP-wREcK-
ED SAILORS ON MAIDEN ISLAND.

H. B. M. S. Hyacinth, Captain
Edmund Bourke, arrived in port
this morning, eighteen days from
Tahiti, and anchored in the naval
row between the Cormorant and
Alert. She left this port October
Sd, on short cruise. Her destina-
ton was the Cook group of islands
five in number, Rarotonga, Man
gaia, Aitutaki, Maulli and Atiu,
which were annexed to the
British Empire. The Union Jack
was hoisted on each island and
saluted with twenty-one guns. The
natives focked together in large
numbers, and were very pleased
with the idea of being under a
British protectorate, 1t is rumored
that a Governor has been appointed
and will shortly leave for the group.
The Hyacinth fell in with consider
able bad weather during her cruise.
On December 4th, she touched at
Maiden island, and found two ship
NlCSNCu NlCNS, III All -lOul
men. They included the master,
two mates and thirteen of the Ger
man ship Herman, and eight of the
crew of the Swedish bark Virgo,
both vessels having been wrecked
on the island within short distance
of each other. The men were all
brought to Honolulu, and have been
handed over to their respective con-
suls. The Hyacinth had also on
board two distressed British SUBJ
| iects, namely, one Lascar from Raro-
tonga and one Englishman from
Tahiti, and one American from Raro-
tonga. Full particulars of the two
wrecked vessels will be found be-
low. The Hyacinth will probably
remain here two months. Captain
Acland, her new commander, has
been in Honolulu several weeks
awaiting her arrival.
Followingis the statement of Capt.
Binge of the Hermann, one of the
vessels wrecked:-
l arrived at Maiden Island with
the German ship Hermann, on Nov.
oath, from San Diego, CAL. and
found there the Swedish bark Virgo,
loading guano for Europe. She had
about 700 tons of guano on board.
| On my arrival the wind was light
S. E., and shifted the next day
round the west, but this occurs very
often between Novemberand March.
The bark was laying at a buoy
moored with a chain from shore and
a three tons anchor with 60 fathoms
u inch chain.- The Hermann made
fast to buoy, which had only q
chain from shore, and we lowered
down our big anchor to 45 fathoms.
The ship was only a cables length
from shore, and we sounded in
fifty-two fathoms under our bow and
had no bottom with one hundred and
twenty fathoms line at the stern Of
the ship. The first two days we had
light westerly winds and not more
surf on the beach than is generally
the case. Then the weather became
squally and very high swell made
a heavy surf on the beach. The
wind was still from west right on tt
the land, and we were so close on
shore that it was impossible to make
sail. We tried to lay out another
anchor, but without success. In
the evening of the 9th about $3.50
p. M, the Swedish bark commenc
ed to strickland went into the break
ers very fast. Eight of the crew
landed with their effects safely in Q
boat, but unfortunately the SECOND
boat capsized in the surf, and 81,
were drowned, Captain, mate
carpenter, cook, and two seamen.,,
This was about 1880 p. m. At th'
same time we sounded under th,
stern of the Hermann, getting be
tween and IS fathoms as the shiI
swung through ? or 3 points of thu
compass according to the direction
of the squalls, but she was so close
on shore that the rollers commence
to break under her sternpost. A
8p. IN. very heavy squat set il
from west and drifted the ship near
er to the land, and at $3.50 p. IN
she gave the first stroke, some chail
ran out, and she went high up OF
the reef quickly. The ship wa
lying in the middle of the breakers
and to land with a boat was i'm
possible. We hanged to get lin,
on shore and rugged whip TO
landing through the heavy surf
The Hermann was an iron ship will
$50 tons of ballast on board and W,
considered there was danger of he
slipping down the reef, as soon q
she should fill with water. She wa