The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1889-04-16
WHAT The SAMOAN DISASTER MAY
DO FOR PEARL HARBOR,

SAOoOAAS VI q ECOA Ill AS7oAOA APOA
the minds of the American people,
as to their naval necessities. The
Nipsic canard gave the country a
sharp shock, and very annoying
sense of partial impotence in the
presence of a hostile power with
anything like navy. The present
actual wrecking of whole squadron,
Immediately following the former
exciting report, must intensity the
public sense of how necessary it is
to provide an adequate naval force.
There can be no doubt that the al
ready well developed disposition to-
wards liberal expenditure for new
ships will receive a very effectual
impetus from the distressing disaster
at Samoa. It is very notifying for
a great nation in the face of serious
foreign complications, to find itself
almost stripped of available vessels
to send to the point where most
needed. 1t may be regarded as
matter for thankfulness, that this
disability did not occur in actual
war, leaving the country unable
promptly to defend its honor.
In the consciousness of immense
strength and vast resources, the
nation has been unusually
careless of making such adequate
preparations for possible war, as is
one of the chief guarantees of con-
tinued peace. This has been partic-
ularly the case as to naval prepara-
ton. The enormous internal deEel-
opment of the country has diverted
the attention, especially of the West
ern States, from the Importance of
their foreign relations. Western
members have been habitually averse
to large appropriations for the navy.
The late untoward event must do
good service in counteracting this
dangerous Indifference.
Among the points upon which in
5erest will be quickened, Will be that
of foreign harbor improvements
This was shown even before the
Nipsic canard, in the liberal appro-
9riation of S5OO,OOO made by Con
5ress for possible contingencies, and
;or improvements at the harbor of
Pago-pago, ceded to the United
States at Tutuila. Successive Ad-
ninistrations at Washington have
somewhat languidly moved towards |
he improvement of our Pearl Har-
'or, of which they have the exclusive |
for naval purposes. This |
remains useless to the
United States until they deepen the |
'hannel through the soft coral of the
utter bar, so as to admit large ships.
lieut.. Wilson of the Vandalia, with
lis assistants, made minute and
Exhaustive survey of both the harbor
nd bar during 1878, We believe
he cost of opening the channel will
e much less than one million dol
ars. 1t is reported that the losses
f the o. S. Navy at Apia will foot
p over two millions, showing how
mall, in proportion to possible
osses. is the probable cost of needed
improvements to the harbor.
With the opening of the bar at
'uuloa, the Pacific squadron of the
-merican navy will manifestly be in
greatly strengthened position. 1t
ill be in the exclusive possession of
ne only first class harbor in the mid
acitic, and indeed in all respects,
ne of the very best harbors in the
'orld. No destructive waves like
nose at Apia can possibly traverse
le long, river-like channels above
uuloa, even if they could pass in
Ill force over the barrier reef. The
lner reaches of the harbor are safe
sainst even the heaviest earthquake
aves, or of anything short of
rakatoa convulsion, such as drove
le sea five miles inland. We never
ave hurricanes in this region of the
acifc; but even in the fercest
vessels in the Eva lagoons
ould have their anchors in stiff
nd, the best of holding ground. If
riven ashore they would bring up
/ mud banks from which they could
= easily and safely removed.
The defense of Pearl Harbor
ould seem to be matter of great
implicitly. The only approach for
l enemy by water is up straight
lannel, directly commanded by the
Id of the Waipio peninsula, upon
hich search lights and dynamite
ms would form an adequate pro-
ction. So large and secure a har