The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-01-06
A SEA FIRE.
Total Destruction Of the Whaling
Bark John p. West.
THE CREW PICKED UP BY
THE w. G. HALL.
An Interview With Captain HuntIey, of
the Ill-fats d Vessel.

About daylight yesterday morning
telephone communication from
Diamond Head imported the inform
alton that vessel was on fire som,
distance off the island of Molokai
Nothing definite was leurned abou
the sea confagration until abou
$50 O'Clock, when the captain of The
Inflated vessel and his crew arrived
on shore. It proved to be the bark
John Z. West, a whaler that arrived
here about a week ago, and was
cruising around the islands in search
of whales. The particulars are as
follows: About daylight smoke was
discovered coming from the hold of
the vessel and the fire alarm was
rung, everybody responding at once.
From excitement and confusion it
took about ten minutes to get the
pumps in motion. The water poured
on was of little use, as the flames
burst through the hatchways causing
everybody to retreat. After work
ing faithfully for half an hour and
no Roadway being gained, the cap
tain gave orders to lower the boats.
The officers and crew drifted around
for some time, and were finally
picked up by the steamer w. G..
Hall, which was returning to this
port from Hawaii.
Captain Freeman of the Hall
: stated to a reporter of the ADvER-
TIsER, that he was off this port when
he was informed of a fire at sea. He
Immediately headed his vessel for
the blazing light. Within a short
distance of the burning wreck he
saw four boatloads of men, and real
lied they were from the burning
vessel and took them on board. He
further stated that the masts of the
vessel went by the boards, and that
she was burned to the waters edge.
He learned that no cargo was aboard
and that it was useless to tow the
burning hulk to port.
INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN.
Captain Huntley, master of the
ill-fated vessel, was interviewed by
reporter of the ADVERTISER and gave
his version as follows:
II was awakened about quarter
past o'clock yesterday morning by
the officer of the deck crying out,
fire! all hands on deckP l rushed
out as soon as possible and on reach
ing the deck, saw smoke emerging
from the fore and main matches. [
called all hands together and rugged
the pumps; it took some time to
accomplish this owing to the excite
ment and confusion, and when we
had the pumps working l found
they were of little avail. The flames
came from both matches in terrific
manner causing everybody to re-
treat.
CT ordered my men to lower the
boats we remained on board until
a quarter of 5 o'clock, and then de-
serted the ship, realizing that it
would be fatal not to go.
''The officers and crew filled four
boats and set sail for Honolulu.
After drifting around for some time,
we were finally picked up by the
steamer w. G.. Hail."
REGARDING RUMoRs.
When told about the rumor that
one of the crew caused the fire that
caused the vessels destruction, the
captain stated that he had treated
his men very humanely, and did not
know of one dissatisfied man, and,
in his opinion, the rumor was IN
founded.
The Inflated vessel was over 35
years old.
James McKenna, of San Fran
cisco, is the sole owner.
Capt. Huntley, although a young
man, is thorough seaman.
The John P West was valued at
$4,000, and was insured for $4,000
In San Francisco agencies.
The vessel was about eighteen
miles off Diamond Head when the
fire was discovered.
Vice-Consul Arthur Richardson
has taken care of the orphans; he
furnished them with complete out
fits yesterday.
The sailors will be sent home on
the Rio Janeiro, which is expected
here shortly from the Orient.
Oscar White, of E. 0. Hall & Son,
gave the hungry sailors good feed
after they landed. The seamen
think he is a nice young fellow.
No lives were lost. One sailor was
nearly suffocated in the forecastle,
but was revived.
The northeast trade winds will
carry the burning hulk away from
the track of the island vessels.
Native Sons of Hawaii.
The regular meeting of the Native