The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-07-18
CHAMPION WAS THERE.
uER MAJrsry's wAR-suir VISITED
SECKAR ISLAND.


1dpl. hlnbi MluiStSi VI ihtNiioi
Surveyor +. S. Dodge, Prof. w.
T. Brigham and all hands returned
home this morning on the revenue
cutter Lehua. The expedited
visited Neckar Island, taken by
Hawaii last year and annexed
French Frigate Shoals. Pleasant
voyage, without the slightest mis-
hap.
On Neckar Island the Hawaiian
flag was gone. The staff was
down, and the copper tube
opened. Capt. King blames
the weather entirely. A fierce gale
swept over that region i'll Decem-
Der last. Birds used part Of the flag
for nest making. Among the
stones about the base of the staff
was found the Hawaiian annexa-
ton proclamation Of Nay, 1894. 1t
was wrapped within another paper.
On the back of the proclamation
was memorandum left by officers
of II. B. NJ. S. Champion, Sept.
"a, 1894. The only name that
could be made out was that
of Lieutenant Nugent. The state
ment was to the effect that the
officers had landed there and sur
veyed the island. They made
soundings IS miles south east, IS
miles northeast and 10 miles in all
other directions. They found not
less than IS fathoms Of water with
in a mile of shore. No territorial
claim was laid. They doubtless
left the flagstaff standing and the
papers in the copper tube in Sep
TENDER. The Champion men car
ried away all the idols. Professor
Brigham found not one.
Mr.. Dodge occupied nearly full
day in making a survey of Neckar
Island.
Three landings were made on the
Shoals. The first was on about
two acres of rock 40 feet high.
Next they tried smaller rock.
This was not suitable for the flag.
The banner was foated and the
proclamation read and planted on a
coral sand spit 500 yards long, 100
yards wide and to 10 feet above
the sea. There was little grass,
plenty of birds, shells and turtles
and the water swarmed with
sharks. Photographs were made
by Professor Brigham.
Following is the log of the
voyage.
Honolulu, H. 1. July IS, 1895.
The revenue cutter Lehua, Cap
tain Berry, arrived from French
Frigate Shoals at 6 o'clock this
morning. The Lehua left this port
at 5:53 p. III. on July 9th. AT 3 a.
m. on the nth Bird Island was
sighted. On the 18th at p. III.
Neckar Island came into view, and
at $50 p. III. came to anchor in IS
fathoms of water. Captain King
and party landed OH the island at
$40 p. III. the same day. On the
I2th, at 6:Io p. III. proceed to
French Frigate Shoals. At 5 p. M.
on the 18th made French Frigate
Shoals, bearing w. S. w. 8 miles
distant; 9 a. III. came to anchor i'll
lis fathoms Of water; islet bearing
N. q mile. Captain King and
party landed on the islet and took
possession Of the same; 1890 a. nj.
party returned on board; at IL
noon hove up anchor and steamed
in towards the reef; at 1850 p. M.
came to anchor ~ miles off a sand
spit in IS fathoms of water. Cap
tain King and party here landed
and hoisted the Hawaiian flag on
the sand spit; at S p. III. they re-
turned on board and the Lehar
made for Honolulu. On the re-
turn trip Neckar Island was agar
sighted at II a. IN. on the I4th
bearing S. w. distant I6 miles
: Made Oahu at II p. m. yesterday
!, and arrived at Honolulu, July
18th, 6 a. m.