The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-27
INFANCY OF HONOLULU.
MIR. GILMAN TELLS OF THE RESI-
DENTS OF 1910.
History Makers of Early rimes-Re.
sorts-The Pioneer of Inter
Island Navigation. y



About this time the Polynesian news
paper came out with an account of
"a singular disappearance; stating that
on the morning of the Fourth of July
a young American was seen approach
ing the walls of the old fort, passing
the guarded gates he entered the en-
closure. Those who might have noticed
these circumstances thought it perhaps
this young man trend in this direction,
but from the hour of his entering the
gates, the young American has not been
seen. The circumstance though some
what singular has net attracted general
attention" The solution of this mystery
proved to be that of Mr.. James J.
Jarvis. afterwards the well known
author, took the opportunity of the 4th
of July to declare his allegiance to
Kamehameha III. and renouncing his
own to his native country. Such an
act could but call forth some very
strong expressions of Indignation, and
this and other circumstances about
these years caused no end of prejudice.
Among other quite prominent men of
the times were two who had strong
democratic possibilities, and to Charles
Vincent and the late j. H. Brown, Hon
olulu was indebted for its first theatri-
cal exhibitions. That the performers of
| oh 4 of
talent in the pursuit of pleasure and
amusement under the greatest difficult
culties. every one who knew the cir
cumstances would acknowledge.
wish that if the latter gentleman is
still living in Honolulu he would he
willing to write his "reminiscences of
those days and times for they would
form quite an interesting chapter in the
life of the city.
1t was in the early fifties that the
first steamer to ply between the islands
arrived faom San Francisco. She was
formerly Boston harbor boat called
THE Wheeler" The natives expressed
their wonder at this new style of craft
by calling her the akamae (skillfuD, re.
ferring to the peculiar construction and
use of steam as propelling power. Her
frail and peculiar side wheel build
made her ill fitted to contend with the
strong trade winds that blew in
the channels between the islands,
and many stories OF hair-breadth es-
!
capes could be told OF her trips. One in
particular may be worth noting, as she
had on board as passengers at that time
Education and Interior, Mr.. Armstl ong,
with the usual number of natives aud
some other passengers of less note,
l. ,aving the anchorage at Lahaina she
was found to be heavily laden with a
cargo of sugar. On her passage to Hon
olulu she encountered very severe
southerly gale OF wind. She was the
entire day in making this passage, which
is usually made in few hours. As
night drew on the situation became
critical. The order was passed by the
pump or sink. As we drew near the en-
trance to the harbor we. could see {
, stranded ship that had been forced by
the gale upon the reef. Darkness soor
shut out all hope OF being able to clearl!
discern the entrance. The waves wer,
breaking with great force along the reef
almost hiding the narrow passage to thu
channel. A council was held as t,
, whether the steamer should be turne,
head to sea and an attempt made to rid
out the gale or whether an effort shoul'
be made to reach the land. Fortunatel.
an old and experienced pilot was OIL
board, who took the helm from one VIII
refused to be further responsible for tn
guidance of the boat in the darkness
At this juncture a stronger blast of wine
than usual swept over the boat and tn
harbor, and lifted the heavy clouc
veil so that the outline O
the valley could be discovere,
beyond. The practiced eye OF the oil
. pilot saw til, opportunity and turnin
the wheel quickly, headed the steame
towards the entrance and we wer
soon riding upon the crest of the wave
that were bearing us upon the shore
whether to strike upon the reef or Gid
A into the still water was for fey
moments a most anxious question. Fol-
tunately for us and for the country
sake, in the persons of the illustriou
officers of the government that wer
{ with us, good p ovid ,Dce seemed t
e guide our way and with few tremer
: dous surges of the waves curvin
around us we were slid into the sui
water of the harbor, AS our escape bt
came evident, hand grasped hand, an
> unbidden tears rolled down the cheeks
r while voices We're silent, incapable c
Y speech, but unuttered prayers We're SCI
a heavenward in thanks for our deliver
: ance. A few moments later, friend
g who had been anxiously watching fo
s the boat, having heard our signals +,
distress from beyond the reef, yer
surrounding us and ere long we WI
n enjoying the hospitality of warmhear
Is ed friends in the quiet and pleasar
: homes beyond the reach of the storm.
Y The Belgic will sail for San FrancisC
d at 3 O'Clock tomorrow; the mail wi
close at 2 o'clock.