The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-09-20

Wolters talked freely though laboriously
of the accident to his vessel, his account
of the stranding being substantially as
follows.
81 attribute the cause of the wreck in
the main to the westerly currents which
flows around Lac ka lilo Point, and
had an extraordinary strong wind pre-
vailed at the time my vessel would have
cleared the Point successfully and been
! saved"
81 had been laying off shore as | did
not want to make Diamond Head until
the next morning, to come into Homo
lulu in daylight. We were hove to, and
when within three miles off shore, con.
cluded it was time to get around.
started to wear ship, but was caught by
the strong current and gradually carried
in shore. / did not anticipate any
trouble in getting around the Point, but
the current proved to strong, and
really before was aware of it the YES
sci struck. She did not remain long,
at the point where she first went on the
rocks, but drifted considerable dis.
lance further do toward the channel.
| fully expected, even then, to save the
vessel, but in few moments she struck
again, this time harder than before and
with bow on. Shortly afterwards
the vessel began to settle listing
heavily to port, the water flowing
over her decks. Hasty prepare
lions were then made for leaving the
bark, as there appeared to be no
chance of saving her. Lowering two
boats and putting in a few provisions,
myself and crew started for Honolulu.
The rest has already been told
Such is part OF the history connected
with the loss of the G.. n. Wilcox; but
there is great deal more to be told.
Varied and many are the reasons as
signed for her loss, other than those
furnished by Captain Wolters. Just
why Captain Wolters found it necessary
to hug the Molokai coast shore so close
will perhaps never be known, but it is
quite evident there can be no excuse
for the loss OF the Wilcox under the
circumstances presented. The fact that
Captain Wolters has made some
twenty-five trips across the Pacific
and into Honolulu, as master OF two
of different vessels, and invariably fol-
lowed the same course as he brought
the Wilcox, and being fortunate enough
not to have had an accident of any kind
before, does not lessen his responsibility,
nor should mitigate the charge of care
lessness displayed by him on the occasion
of the loss of the G. n. Wilcox.
a reasonable solution of the loss of
the vessel, may, however, be found in
the generally accepted theory that
when Captain Wolters found himself
too close in shore, and being unable to
manage his vessel, became ratified and
lost his head. Such statement is in
keeping with the story told the STAR
representative by one of the crew, who
declared that when the Wilcox struck
the captain became excited and certainly
acted without discretion, and deserted
his vessel in a few moments after she
struck, not taking time to save his
chronometer, papers or personal effects.
Owing to the extremely dangerous
position in which the vessel lies, it will
be impossible to save any portion OF the
cargo. Outside OF her iron goods there
is little else OF value worth attempting
to save, excepting a lot of cheap liquors,
which would hardly repay any one for
the attempt.
Unless heavy trades prevail-and at
the point where the Wilcox lies such is
generally the case-the vessel may
remain for some time in her present
position; otherwise she will soon break
up, and wreckage from her cargo will
line the coast of Molokai, gladdening
the hearts OF the natives residing
thereon.