The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-05-11
I IF FOR FRISCO.
THE STEAMER OCEANIC LEAVES
THE EARBOR.
Scenes and Incidents at the Wharf
Lii utenant Swinburne Receives an
Oyation-How a Woman Eyaded
the Customs Guards.

=
dawn till the moment the steamer
sailed the Pacific mail wharf pre-
sented gay and busy appearance.
AS the hour neared for the big
liner to steam seaward, the crowd
greatly increased and the rush and
noise of preparation increased in
proportion.
The ship was as clean as a new
pin, and there were many visitors
and sightseers aboard during the
morning. Forward on the lower
deck was collected quite menag-
erie, consisting of "wilde and tame
fowles and beastie," for the ships
use and for sale. The Chinese
keepers offered all kinds of song
and mute birds for sale in wooden
and wicker cages, at prices rang
ing from % cents. to $3.50 each.
There were numerous purchasers,
who dickered with the Celestial
merchants amid the squeaking of
pigs, the clatter of poultry and the
multitudinous chirping of iinnets,
canaries, nightingales and many
brightly-colored Oriental beauties.
The customs officials collected a
handful of half dollars-one for
each bird-as the purchasers left
the wharf. Some kicked, most
paid the tax and passed on. One
lady who had just bought nice
little canary in nice little cage,
heard of the customs tax before
she left the ship. AS woman gen.
orally does she arose to the occa-
sion, put her birdie in her dress
pocket, where none but a detective
could ever find it, threw the wicker
cage overheard, and smiled sweetly
at the grim, gold-laced official at
the gateway.
The Chinese on the stern of the
big vessel spent the morning enter
tanning their Honolulu friends who
had gathered on the wharf outside
Of the shed. It was quite an in
formal sat home" and was kept
up as long as the Celestials could
'jabber Dutch" at one another after
the steamer swung clear of the
wharf
On the upper deck stood Lieu
tenant Swinhurne of the II s. &
Boston, surrounded by crowd of
brother officers and friends gather
ed to deck him with a lei and say
goodbye. AS the ship cleared, the
wardroom officers gave Lieutenant |
Swinburne three hearty cheers and
a joyful tiger. The lieutenant |
waved his handkerchief gaily and |
a score of dainty pieces of cambria
tiuttered in response.
The Provisional government band
was stationed near the upper end
of the wharf Anxious Chinese
were hurrying hither and thither,
some trying to get permits for
friends to come ashore and others
seeking passage for friends going
abroad. A customs house guard
stood at each gangway, much to
the disgust of eager Celestials.
Finally the gong sounded and
the men stood by to let go the
gangway. The last visitor came
ashore the great ship moved and
the native divers appeared almost
like magic between the ship and
wharf, where they picked up scores
of dimes thrown overheard by the
passengers. The usual late pas
senger arrived upon the wharf
only this time there were two of
them, gentleman and his wife.
With the aid of shore boat they
reached the vessel before she
entered the channel.
The great ship swung around
slowly, and at 1920 o'clock her
powerful propeller started her for
ward. Her deep low-toned whistle
sounded the warships dipped
their flags; the Oceanic repeatedly
dipped hers. The band played a
lively farewell, and soon the big
ocean liner sped away like some
great black bird holding its steady
course seward.