The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-10-13
PEAR HARBOR.


wai a friend Of uneXampled genero-
sity and indulgence. But they may
most naturally distrust any respect
being paid to Hawaii in time of war,
however capable and efficient the lit
tie kingdom might prove itself to be
in time of peace. 1t will not be
strange if an early date witnesses a
change of policy when efforts to
secure mere Judgement for naval
supply and security will be exchanged
for more positive action. The present
rapid enlargement of the United
States navy points strongly in that
direction. The same reasons which
call for increase of the navy tend
towards the occupation of strategic
points like Honolulu. America is
not likely to "take any chances" in
so serious matter.
PEARL HARBOR.
In this connection, the value and
availability of Pearl Harbor, as re-
lated to Honolulu, are to be con-
sidered. The adaptedness of Homo
lulu to the commercial needs of the
Pacific depends upon its harbor faci-
lities. The Hawaiian Islands, like
most shores of recent volcanic make,
are pot rich in good harbors, although
good roadsteads abound, safe in the
usual mild weather. Apart from
Honolulu and the adjacent Pearl
Harbor, there is no roomy haven
where large ships might lie at
wharves, or where deep-water
wharves would not be destroyed by
storm-waves. To this, Hilo Bay
might perhaps be rendered an excep-
tion by means of some improvements.
Honolulu possesses very accessi-
BILE and excellent harbor, but of
small dimensions. Fifty thousand
tons of shipping would crowd it in
conveniently, with danger in case of
fire. Its area could not be materially
enlarged except by costly excavations
of reefs dry at low tide. A contract
has just been made for deepening the
entrance from the present twenty
one feet to a depth OF thirty feet.
This will be completed within one
year. The interior harbor is also to
be extensively deepened. Thereafter
the largest class of steamships will
no longer be compelled to lie in the
outer roadstead. This harbor cannot,
however, be made adequate to enter
tain the coming expansion OF Pacific
commerce, although perfect for
much more than present wants. In
the close vicinity of the city, how
ever, is ''Pearl Harbor," which in
security, area, and general conven-
ience belongs to the class of larger
and better havens like New York and
Rio .Janeiro. Its entrance is as yet
unfortunately closed TO large vessels
by coral Instructions in the outer
passage through the barrier reef one
mile from the shore. After passing
this, vessels enter kind of deep
river nearly half mile wide border
ed by low coral bluffs. About two
miles inland, this river opens into
wide reaches or lochs which are
separated by islands and peniDsulas
In these rlverways and lochs are
about 1900 acres of water of from
four to fifteen fathoms, which is il
many places close to the coral bluffs
so that the largest ship might run
plank ashore. In the upper reaches
there is an equal amount of water
shoaling from four fathoms to moth
ing. There is every facility TO
building wharves, at which hun
dreds of the largest steamers coult
lie at one time. The adjacent shore
consist of extended fiat land, suitet
to commercial uses, The pures
fresh water is in copious supply.
Minute surveys of the bar an'
harbor were made in 1887 by Admiro
kimberley's officers, and are on fiji
at Washington. The least depth il
the passage is thirteen feet. To ex
cavate the whole to a depth of thirt
feet, with width of five hundred
for fifteen hundred feet in length
wholly through soft coral or sand,
estimated to cost $500, 900 as
minimum. Once accomplished ther
will be little or no tendency to si
up.
The relation of this harbor
Honolulu is seen upon the accom-
panying map. 1t is already unite
to the city by railway, some of it
best wharfages being only seve
miles from the post office, or twelN
minutes by rail, Honolulu will there
! fore continue to be the bushes
centre. The commencement OF wor
II upon the bar 10y the United STATE
government has been retarded by Il
Il failure to receive from Hawai- a pc
n manent right to exclusive occupant
c as a naval station. 1t may be a
It sumed that this difficulty will fin
{ early adjustment. Pearl llarb'
being the only secure and spacio'
harbor between North America al
; the vicinity oi Asia, it is clear th
its occupancy by the United Stat
will adm. q. 80 delay as the cuttil
of the lsthmu, approaches.
} Some prominent central part OF q
harhor viii doubtless be occupied
the naya. s.p.Au, The eNcayati'
uf the bar aI.u proper 4ppliane
need take los, Than two years. i
prevailing tfadsNInds blow direct