The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-01-21
FIRST VICTIM OF THE TERRIBLE
STORM.
Through the Swamping of a Boat al
PapailSou the Kinau Loses Her Pop
ular Freight Clerk.

through Jne OVerturnlng OF u BOAT on
the rocks at Papaikou, last Tuesday
morning, and his lifeless body was
brought down on the Kinau this morn
ing. He had gone ashore on personal
business and was returning to the
ship when the accident happened. The
four native boat pullers escaped by
swimming. and Jim Grow, the boat
steerer, by securing footing in a
cave in the rocks, after the boat had
struck.
- The death of Kennedy has cast
gloom over the ships company, as he
was popular man aboard. No blame
however can be attached to the Off
GERS of the vessel as Kennedy went
ashore of his own free will and against
the advice of Captain Clarke, who told
him that the sea was very rough and
landing extremely dangerous. Long
accustomed to running such risks, the
freight clerk replied that he knew how
to swim and was not afraid, so that
Captain Clark reluctantly gave his per-
mission.
Kennedy remained but half an hour
ashore, and then started back for the
ship in Jim Crows boat. The sea was
so rough that waves broke on the rocks
full forty feet above the sea level.
When about one hundred yards from
the landing, a blind swell of enormous
proportions broke under the boat,
standing it almost on end. Three of
the boat pullers jumped and started
to swim out to sea. \ second great
breaker swept the boat on the rocks,
but as it struck, the fourth oarsman
dove into the sea. Jim Grow leaped
upon the rocks, and his practiced eye
instantly sought out tiny cave where
he found shelter until he was hauled
up to safer ground by means of a
rope half an hour later.
Kennedy for some reason remained
in the boat until he was thrown upon
the rocks. The next roller washed
him back into the sea. The people on
the landing, among them Ernest
| Thrum, shouted to him to swim out
to sea, but he either did not hear
them, or refused to listen. for he kept
on trying to climb upon the slippery
rocks, until it could be seen that he
was rapidly becoming exhausted.
Each succeeding wave dashed him up
against the rocks, and then washed
him seaward, beating the breath out
of his body.
The natives climbed down the rocks
and tried to render him assistance, but
before they could get close enough to
him, Kennedy was seen to throw up
his hands and disappear, about 200
feet from the point on which the boat
struck Kennedy made a gallant fight
/ for his life, and apparently kept his
nerve with him but not being strong
man physically, he was no match fol
7 the elements.
/ In the meantime the boat pullerS
had been picked up by an incoming
! freight boat and Jim Crow had beer
rescued from his perlous position by
the men on shore, who passed him t
rope and dragged him to higher
! ground.
AS soon as Captain Clark was mott
/ fled of the accident he ordered his
men to knock off work. and devote
their efforts to a search for the body
Manager Goodale of the plantation tel
ephoned to Commodore Beckley, whC
was in lIiIo, and the latter Officer
promptly offered his assistance.
Half an hour after Kennedy disap
peared his body was seen on thu
rocks on the Hamakua side, but be
fore it could be reached, it had agaiI
! sunk beneath the waves. II was no
until two hours later. that the body
was finally recovered. The clothing
was torn and there were some bruises
on the body, but nothing TO indicate
that Kennedy. had been in any way In
! iured. 1t was merely that he hat
become exhausted through battling
with the heavy seas.
Commodore Beckley on learning o
the recovery of the body drove owe
to Papaikou, and removed the remain
to lIilo, where they were placed in TN
Engine house and taken in charge b.
the Odd Fellows. Deceased was IA pas
noble guard of the order, and service
were held over the body that same ev
ening. On the following day the bod.
was embalmed and prepared for ship
ment to this city. Sheriff Andrew
waived an inquest. During the tim
the body lay in Hilo, flags were a
half mast throughout the village an,
on the vessels in the harbor.
The remains were accompanied t
this city by p. McKinnon of Harmon
Lodge, and c. Sawyer of EXcelslo
Lodge, /. o. o. +. 1t fell to the lot o
Commodore Beclley to break the sa
news to the widow and daughter o
the deceased. He drove up to the De
reaved home in hack. On being co,
fronted by Mrs, Kennedy, all that h
could say was, "Marll is dead. Her
are the papers" and then he brolS
down completely.
; The remains were taken in charg
by Undertaken f. A. Williams, and tn
funegal will take place under the aus
pices Of the Odd Fellows Lodge, I
which deceased belonged.
Deceased was about 40. years q
age, and had resided in the Islands
off and on. for fifteen years. When h
Continued from Page One.)