The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-06-02
ACCOUNT BY THE MARIPosA.

ACCOUNT BY THE MARIPOSA.
The following account has been kindly
furnished by Purser Smith of the
Mariposa:
While lying off Tutuila, Captain Hay
ward received private letter from Lieut..
Cressap of the U. S. steamer Mohican
stating that a boat had arrived at Apia,
containing the first officer and four men
of the British bark Henry James, and
reported the loss of that vessel on reef
about thirty-siX miles northwest of Pal
myra island. They also stated that the
rest of the crew and passengers had
taken refuge on the island. A schooner
had been chartered to proceed to their
relief, but upon maturely considering
the situation, the distance that the yes
sci must cover (abOut 400 miles), the
adverse winds and currents, which she
would probably meet, and lastly, the
destitute and suffering condition OF the
castaways, Captain Hayward deemed it
his duty to proceed to their rescue. The
island was reached at 3 :05 p. m, May
29th, and the shipwrecked crew were
soon recognized launching their boat. A
boat was Immediately lowered from the
MaripOsa, under charge of the chief Of
boat from the shore, relieved them of a
portion of their load and returned to the
ship, the other boat returning to the
shore for the rest of the ships company
who were out of call on the other side of
the island. By 6 15 p. m. all were safely
on board and the MaripOsa proceeded
ON her course. Liberal donations of
clothes and money flowed in on the out
casts, and they were soon made comfort
able. No serious sickness had occurred
amongst them, although the women and
children were beginning to suffer from
lack OF food and the necessaries of life.
LOSS OF THE HENRY JAMES"
Captain baltimore reports as follows
The Henry James was an iron bark, of
945 tons register, built at Glasgow in
1882, bound from Newcastle. n S. w,
with a cargo OF coal consigned to Balfour,
Guthrie q Co., San Francisco, and
owned by the North British Ship Co. of
Glasgow. She ran on a reef So miles
northwest Of Palmyra at 10 D. M, April
10Th, last, while going about five knots,
in a smooth sea. Two boats were got
ready as soon as possible, and ladies and
children lowered first over the stern, as
the sea was breaking along the main
deck. All hands and some few proyi-
sions being safely in the boats, they
stood by the ship until daylight. The
captain in leaving the ship last, had
narrow escape from drowning through
falling into the sea. Finding It impos-
sible to get on board the ship again, ow-
ing to the heavy surf making a clean
breach fore and aft, sail was made on
the boats at seven a. m. and PALMYRA
Island reached at p. M, a landing be-
ing effected at pm, having had heavy
showers, and shipping many seas in the
interim. They found on the island the
remains of six huts, but no inhabitants:
also a quantity of fire wood, which had
been cut and piled probably by some
previously shipwrecked crew. The ladies'
and children were made as comfortable
as possible; a fire lighted, and some
mutton and biscuits formed the first
meal. No clothing or other effects were
saved, except pair of blankets, and
they We're thoroughly drenched. On
Saturday, April 2lst, q boat in charge of
the first mate with the bUatswain and
three seamen, who volunteered, left the
island at noon for Samoa, a distance of
1900 miles, which was safely completed
in 10 days. Their provisions were seven
pounds of bread Zone half of the entire
stock, one six-pound tin of mutton. two
bottles OF Whiskey, one pound of cheese.
two hundred and sixty cocoanuts. and |
ten gallons of water. On the 9th of
April at a. m. the remaining boat was |
launched from the beach, and headed |
Tor the wreck, which was reached at 10 |
a. m. The ship was settling down and |
as the sea was breaking over her. fore |
and aft, it was impossible to board her,
and the attempt was abandoned for good |
The boat returned to the island at ten
he following morning. During the six
weeks stay on the island, with the ex-
;eption OF diarrh9a, all hands enioved
alrly good health. Water was foHnd |
On small island about two miles away
rom camp. Cocoanuts were found in
abundance, and these, with cells. birds
and crabs and pepper grass formed their
ilet. On May 18th at D. m. a steamer
vas sighted which proved to he the
}. >; 3. Co. s steamer Mariposa. A boat
vas lowered from the steamer in CHARGE
If the first officer, and by D. M. thew
we're all safely on board.
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN BALTIMORE
HONOLULU, June l, 1888.