The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-09-09
VERY NARROW ESCAPE.
Another Large Vessel Comes Nearly
Sharing the GainsbOrOugh Fate.
Saved by Clever Manipulation of Mate Trim
Light-ho Badly Needed at
Makapuu Point
[Contributed.l

ing the last dog watch, wheel and look
out relieved, starboard watch going be-
low, port watch on deck, Capt. Tucker
stepped upon the poop deck and thus
addressed our chief officer, Mr.. Trim,
after taking a long look ahead and to
windward:
MIR. Trim, by dead reckoning, we
are just thirty-five miles from the ISL
and of Oahu, bearing, by compass, S.W.
by S., and we should certainly see the
sharp lookout and have all hands ready.
for a call. Warn the watch going be-;
low to turn in with their harness on.
cay, ay, sir!' answered Mr.. Trim,
who Immediately went forward and
gave the captains orders to the men.
They answered our good old mate with
ing the lookout and seeing everything
shipshape around the decks, Mr.. Trim
returned to the poop deck, and after
the usual order to the man at the wheel
to mind his steering, took a long look
ahead, and another look around the
horizon, seeing nothing in sight but a
heavy rain squall to windward; the
weather looking bad, the barometer
falling fast.
Mr.. Trim paced up and down the
poop muttering something to himself
in an undertone which could not be
heard by the man at the wheel. Sud
denly he stopped walking the deck,
shook his hand in the direction of the
Island of Oahu, and almost shouted out
so that he could be heard as far for
ward as the mainmast: Damn that
Island Just think, with the amount
of shipping running there and not one
solitary light to guide or warn us of
its cruel rocks. Why don't they put a
light upon Makapuu Point, another
upon Diamond Head to give us some
thing to go by? Well, thank Heavens
they don't burn false lights to lure us
ashore. That is one consolation.
Strike four bells therer'
cay, ay, sir!'
Relieve the wheel and lookout. |
Heave the log couple of you men
Ready! Ready! Turn! Stop!'
What are we going, Mr.. Trim,'' ask
ed the captain.
Twelve knots, sir" replied the mate
Haul down your flying jib and clew
up the fore main and mizzen royals and |
make them fast. 1 feel anxious about
approaching that COMPOUNDED island
as you must know, Mr. Trim. Strange
as it may seem to you, there is no
lighthouse of any kind this side Of Ho-
1olulu. We must feel our way with
great care, more especially as we have
80 many passengers on board who are
low sleeping, as they suppose, securely
n their hunks without the least knowl-
edge of danger ahead"
Captain, 1 fully understand your
lnXiety in approaching this island with
your valuable ship and cargo, and the
great risk it is, more especially upon
such a night as this. There is not
even star in the heavens, and it is
almost as dark as the very grave it
SELF
Land, Oh! Where, away! Right
ahead sir, and close aboard! Hard a
BORT! Hard a-port! Heave it over
quick! Over with it! That's you my
on! Ease up your jib-sheets. There,
lpon the forecastle, one hand. Call
Ill hands on deck! Port fore-braces!
Haul away, my men, and lay that yard
lpon the backstays! Well done! Port
main braces, Haul away boys! Break
,ff four of you and haul away those
tarboard crossjack braces. Up with
hem sharp men! Delay all! Hoist
he spanker up The starboard watch,
,ort watch forward and trim down theI