The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-05-04
WERE OUT NINE DAYS
CREW OF THE CE>TAUR NOW AT
THE SAILORS HOME.
The Fire ON Their Bark was speedy The
Voyage Of 800 Miles In Open
ships Boats.

ty-four men of the burned bark
Centaur, arrived in the city by the
Kinau Friday afternoon from Hilo.
The captain and mate at once inter-
viewed British Consul 7. Rain
Walker, and accommodation were
arranged for the men at the Sailors
Home. There they are quartered
and will remain until some time
next week. when they will be re-
turned home. Some Of the men
live in California.
The story Of the burning of the
Centaur is told much alike by all
the men. A lamp knocked over in
the oil room did the business. The
oil was stored between decks, aft.
A steward went down to draw
some for lighting purposes. He
carried lamp. In some inexplic-
able manner the lamp was knocked
over. In a moment the whole
place was in flames. The oil tank
caught FIRE, and Immediately the
flames were spread in every direc-
ton. A vain effort was made to
stop the fire. Nothing could be
done. In short time it was seen
that vessel and cargo were doomed.
Three boats were lowered, pro-
visioned and few traps put in.
The mizzen- mast was reached by
the flames, burned out at the bot
tom and fell Rapidly the fires de-
voured the decks and climbed to-
ward the main. Fearing the vessel
might fill and sink, the boats pulled
away. and soon started for Hilo,
distance of 500 miles. The voyage
took nine days. All the while the
men were drenched through. They
also suffered greatly from the heat
by day and the cold by night. On
the way one boat gave out and her
crew was distributed equally be-
tween the other two.
The sailors speak in glowing
terms of the treatment they received
at Hilo. They say the people
there did everything possible for
their comfort. The two boats, in
which the long voyage was made,
were sold at auction on Thursday.
The sailors differ in their opin-
ions as to the probable fate of the
Centaur. She was an iron vessel
of 500 tons. Her hull doubtless
remained solid. Some think, sfter
she burned out, she shipped seas
and sank. Heavy seas were run
ming at the time she was aband-
oned. If not so, the Centaur is a
derelict and on her way to the
Southern seas to haunt the path of
more fortunate merchantmen. Her
cargo was fully insured. though
the amount cannot be learned at
present. The vessel also carried
some insurance.
Captain Isbester, first mate John
Nelson and second mate Edwin
Roberts of the burned bark wish to
express publicly through THE STAR
their gratitude to the following
gentlemen of Hilo for special kind
nesses shown while in that port:
Sheriff E. G. Hitchcock, Deputy
Sheriff Rufus Lyman, Alexander
Cockburn, J. R. Wilson, DIR.
Hutchinson, c. Furneaux, the
American Consul; Irwin Schoen.
Henry West and large number
of natives whose names they could
not obtain.
During their stay in Hilo the
wrecked crew were invited to a
social at the residence of Mrs. +. S.
Lyman. They accepted the invi-
tation and were given very pleas
ant reception. Mr.. Henry West,
representing a large number of
natives, called upon the party and
presented them with nearly thous-
and pounds of island fruit. An
Hawaiian send-oif, with music and
leis, was planned, but was spoiled
by rain storm which prevailed at
the time of departure.