The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-12-24
City Of PGtiHg May be Here
Christmas EVG.
SCHEDULED FOR THE 18TH
One OF the Handsomest of Liners
Veteran and Capable Master.
Capt. Smith-First officer.

lie NiG O FShl1S VIII Dc the
Christmas boat from the Coast this
year. She is due on the 18th. but may
get IN Friday evening. The City Of
Peking Is not 50 fas, as some Of the
other ships in The Pacific Mall line, but
she Is handsome, handy craft, com
tOrtably fitted and well ofhcered. Capt
John Tremain Smith Is master.
Captain smith was born in Cornwall,
England, in 1852, and was educated in
The Naval school a Greenwich. This
IS one Of the most celebrated schools in
England. having been founded by
Queen Anne for the sons Of naval Off
GERS When Il years Of age Captain
smith was apprenuoed 10 the famous
London firm OF George Marshall q
Sons. for their merchant service, and
served for three years on the barb
HavelOck and the ship Berkshire Ne
was then made third officer OF the
Berkshire. leaving her next year 10
Join the Weltshire as second officer,
and transferring the following year 10
the Cambridgeshire. He was then ap-
pointed first officer Of the sailing YES
sci Middlesex. trading between Lon
don, Sydney. San Francisco and Liver
pool, and filed that position for three
years. He went TO San Francisco in
1873 as first officer of the Berkshire,
and resigned his position with her to
join the American merchant service.
From that time up TO 1882 he was first
officer Of several large sailing ships
running 70 New York and other ports.
In 1882 he Joined the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company as third officer of
The Rio de Janeiro. plying between San
Francisco and China ports, and in that
capacity made three voyages. He was
then made second officer OF the City OF
New York. and after one trip was pro-
NOTED 10 first officer OF the City OF
Sydney, which position he successfully
filed for five years. During that Pc
Rod he had command OF the steamship
for one voyage, owing 10 the illness OF
the commander. After leaving the
City fSydney he was first officer OF the
China for one year and in 1892 was
made commander Of the Rio de ia
metro. In October. 1895. he received
his present command Captain Smiths
career in connection with the Pacific
Nail Steamship Company has been one
OF steady advancement, until today, he
commands the largest ship of their
feet He is one of the most thoroughly
posted and able of the eompany's
commanders, and his services are very
highly valued
Captain Smith inherits his love for
the sea. since for generations back his
ancestors have followed this life many
Of them gaining enviable distinction
When Sir Francis Drake sailed from
Dover 10 meet the Spanish Armada one
Of the corvettes or small warships was
in command OF one of Captain Smiths
ancestors. During the memorable
siege Of Seb2stopool, Captain Smiths
father commanded one of the English
frigates. Captain Smith has thor
osghly identified himself with the
United States He is an American citi-
zen and takes an active interest in all
things pertaining 10 the country's well
fare. He has hosts Of friends in Homo
lulu
Chief Officer Trask of the City of Pc
king Is an old master mariner and is
well known in the Pacific. Mr.. Trssk
was born in the State of Maine in the
year 1S47. and there received his early
education. From his youth Mr.. Trask
had loved the sea, and in 1863 his first
voyage was made on a vessel sailing
from New York. In 1874 he was ap-
pointed commander Of the sailing yes
sci Bohemia. which he remained mas
ert Of for Is years. afterwards being
transferred 10 the Northampton, which
he commanded for three years Mr.
Trask remained commander of TWO
sailing ships for the same company for
Is years, during which time he sailed
10 all quarters Of the globe. This ser
vice has been OF especial benefit to
him, in giving him thorough knowl-
edge Of navigation and seamanship Of
q practical nature In 1890 Mr. Trask
journeyed west 70 San Francisco, soon
afterwards entering the service of the
Pacific Mall Steamship Company as
third officer on the steamship Acapul-
co; afterwards was transferred TO the
steamship Colon and appointed chief
officer in 1892, and in 1893 was trans
fer7ed TO the steamship City of Picking
Few officers have seen so varied an ex-
perienoe as Mr. Trask- He has visited
all climes; shipEreck and dangers
have often threatened him. but he al
ways reached port in safety Mr. Trask