The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-04-08

No ship that sails the seas is looked
upon and pointed out with greater
pride by Americans than the L. r
Oakes that leaves the harbor today
for New York with a cargo of sugar.
Men of the navy have particular
pleasure in calling attention to the
vessel since it represents the efforts of
a man who worked his way to honor
in the United States navy and finally
practically gave up his life in an
attempt to reestablish American ship
ping to its proper position with other
nations. 1t does a Yankees heart
good to examine what might well be
termed a perfect ship, from the eagle
and shield on her bows to the stars
and stripes at the peak.
Henry Fl. Gorange, the builder of
the Oakes, had a varied and remark
able career and although his last
scheme was financial failure, his
energy has given him place in his
tory that will not be forgotten in
many years. Gorange was the son of
a clergyman, who, at the opening of
the Civil war, was settled at the Bar.
BADGES. A short time after the out
break the boy Henry ran away from
home and entered the navy as blue
Jacket. He soon became known
among the officers as a particularly
brave and energetic young fellow and
il was not long before he rose to be
coxswain of Admiral Porter's gig.
After this, on account of bravery and
meritorious conduct, he was promoted
to a volunteer officer of the navy,
from masters mate to master, to lieu
tenant and finally to lieutenant-cOm-
mander, which corresponds to major
in the army. He did efficient work
among the blockade runners and was
put in command of the Margaret and
Jessie, which was captured from the
COnfederacy. When the war closed
this vessel was called the Gettysburg
and GOrange was put in charge and
sent to Europe.
During his travels he conceived the
idea that Cleopatra's needle at Alex
andria might be transferred to the
United States and placed in Central
Park. When he returned home his
ship was put out of commission
and he Immediately began set
ting about to carry out his scheme.
He secured financial aid from w. II.
Vanderbilt and the Reading railroad;
also encouragement from his home
government. Necessary arrangements
having been made with the Khedive,
he proceeded to England, where he
purchased a steamer suited to the pro-
posed task and went to Alexandria for
his prize.
The needle was fiat on the ground
and considerable distance from the
shore, and the mere matter Of loading
was by no means easy of solution.
Gorange, however, was equal to the
emergency and built a canal by which
he foated the needle to the water
front. He backed the steamer up,
took off the stern plates, and forced
the needle into the body of the ship.
He then replaced the plates, sailed for
home, and the needle now stands in
Central Park, New York, a monument
to the activity and engineering skill
of Henry Gorange. In honor of this
magnificent work the steamer which
carried the needle to New York was
put under the American flag by special
act of Congress.
He was not done with the world, how
ever, and his faithful brain conceived
the idea of re-establishing American
merchant marine, which was slowly
but surely dwindling. He said, tNow
I will leave the navy and will build
ships" He got capitalists interested
in his scheme and established ship
building plant on the Eastern coast.
The It. +. Oakes is the first ship
turned out from that plant and an in
spection of the vessel will show with
what mechanical if not financial sue
cess Mr.. GOrange builded. Four YES
sells were built when Gorapge sue
cumbed. He lost his reason and died
in the insane asylum, yet his record
remains one of the most illustrious in
the list of United States naval officers.
During Mr.. Gorange's service as
bluejacket he was a shipmate of
Captain Cochrane of the Philadel-
phia.
The Oakes is 1896 tons burden, new
measurement, and cost $3.50, 900. She
has all the modern improvements
from top to bottom and requires only
fourteen men for the regular crew.
The cabin and officers quarters are
luxuriOusly furnished, being finished
in bird's-eye maple with satin wood
and mahogany trimmings. Captain
Reade who is in command has been
in the vessel for eight years, and a
captain who takes more pride in his
vessel would be hard to find. He is a
native of Haverhill, Mass, and is n
typical good hearted, whole souled