The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-12-13
CORRESPONDENTS
Grew and Captain.
ED. The INDEPENDENT:-

|
correct certain statements regard
ing the conduct OF these men, which
appeared in the Star of Dec, 2, un-
der the heading OF "Perilous Time
in Hilo."
The article states that 80 or 60 Of
them surrounded Capt. Minor aud
Mr.. Jacobsen on the street, threat
ening personal violence because the
Hilo supplies were cut off. l want
to fatty deny this; and I've no
doubt Mr.. jacobson will back such
denial. The Hlo people have been
most generous and kind through
out, even to extending invitation to
call on them, and the Columbia's
men have shown their appreciation
Of such kindness by their orderly
walk and conversation.
In the issue OF the Star OF the
date above mentioned, it is said that
"the police we're unable to cope with
them" OF course, reference can be
made to that body; but, let me
frankly assure you, the police have
not yet been called upon to cope
with them. Pm not prepared to say
what would have happened if they
had, but am inclined to think there
would have been "a hot time in the
old town that night" for the most
of this crowd are good specimens.
1t was also set forth in the Star OF
Dec. 2, that "these men have broken
over all discipline" that Capt.
Minor can do nothing with them"
that "the sailors take the ships
boats whenever they want to-" and
that she (the captain) seldom goes
| aboard"
| cannot doubt the second clause
in the statement just quoted; per.
haps it was always so; but affirm
that the sailors, fremen and men
of all departments, never leave the
ship without permission from their
respective heads. One boat with
crew is always at the disposal of the
captain, and be makes from two to
four round trips to shore every day.
Another is controlled by the chief
officer, who grants shore leave to
some of the men OF his department
on y when proper to do so. A third
boat is in like manner under the
charge of the chief engineer, while
a fourth is dedicated to the service
of the chief steward for transporta-
tion Of stores, etc. Strict discipline
is maintained throughout; and a
more orderly lot of men would be
hard to find, especially considering
the dark outlook regarding the pay
ment OF wages. Many OF these men
have wives and little ones depend
ing on them for support, and yet,
they believe it their duty to stand
by their ship to the last.
Surely those in authority will see
that these gallant fellows are paid
every cent of their unusually hard
earned wages, without any unneces-
sary delay. l have been 20 years on
deck myself, and honestly say that
l never in all that time, met such
body of men, who displayed such
patience and obedience under such
trying circumstances.
The nearest approach to "perilous
times in Hilo" that | have seen, hap.
pened on the night OF 9th inst,
when, it is said that the captain,
that great maritime hero, while resting
on his lounge after heavy dinner,
took nightmare. AS soon as the old
mare let him go, he sprung out on
deck, exhibited blue light from
the end OF the bridge, manned a
boat and pulled for the shore. No
body seemed to know what it all
meant; but the suppositon is that
he imagined the ship was sinking,
and that the crew had refused to
stand by her; for some hours later,
he returned with several boats load
ed with natives in policemen's
| IL