The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-18
W. G. Sears Describes Work on the
Government Wharf.
pAGO-PAGo OPERATIONS
SEA SERPENT TALES TOLD BY A
DIVER.
Shiny Monsters Encountered By the
Man Who Works at the Bottom of
the Sea-Work on the Wharf De-
layed By Many Obstacles-Lazy
Natives.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondeace.)
Apia, Samoa, Dec. 1-For a period of
two weeks l hare been in the immedi-
ate vicinity where the great iron wharf
and coal sheds are being constructed
for Uncle Sam by Mr.. Tibbetts, in the
noted harbor of Pago-Pago. During this
time l have visited the premises twice
and was conducted around the grounds
by Mr.. Hudson, the courteous en-
pioyee of the government. who will be
permanently located at this place.
But the wharf is not yet built. Com
plications are constantly arising, and
in all probability 1900 will have almost
passed before the work is completed.
When it was commenced in June last
the contractors confidently expected to
complete their work by the end of the
present year. The most serious draw
back is the difficulty in locating a sound
bottom on which to rest the mammoth
iron piles. 1t was found after placing
half the wharf in position that the end
fartheSt out to sea was sinking. while
test piles driven down farther out re-
Nealed the fact that for upwards of 100
feet there was no firm bottom. A thin
layer of coral rested on a Shiny, sandy
soil, which would allow the pile to be
driven to an unknown depth The con-
tract work was stopped and the thirty
carpenters. mechanics, etc, packed
their trunks preparatory to an early
trip home, for it was given out that the
wharf could not be built unless other
plans We're adopted by congress, which
action would necessarily take months
of red tape proceedings. The prospect
of an early return to America greatly
pleased the men, who had grown weary
of being isolated down in the tropics.
Nor was the lonesomeness of the coun-
try the only thing to perplex them.
Their work was not steady, while their
board bill had to be paid weekly, so if
they keep even on the job they do well.
But they were doomed to disappoint-
ment, for Captain Tilley of the Aba
renda, who has supervision of the work,
said they came down to build a wharf
and he proposed to see that it was DONE
Experimental work has been carried on
for about ten days under the direction
of the government committee of super
visors, Messrs. Sewell, Chambers and
Hudson, who have caused test piles to
be driven every rod or two in front of
Uncle Sans possession.
1t is probable that they will recon-
mend in their findings, now on the way
to Washington, that the wharf be
placed in a different location from that
originally intended. Meantime the labor
ON the steel coal sheds will be carried
on, work having been ordered COM
menced at once.
A Divers Tales.
Some of the men who have grown
dissatisfied are returning home In
Guided in this number IS the expert
diver, Mr.. Martin, whose experiences
at the bottom of the harbor have been
thrilling. He interestingly tells how on
different occasions large sea serpents
came uncomfortably close to where he
was at work, and how they would stare
at him with steadfast eyes until he re-
turned to the surface. He would stand
no show in resisting an attack of.these
if they decided to make a
meal of him. He has a number of
beautiful curios picked up from the
bottom of the sea.
To Supplant these men who are leay-
ing, native help may be employed, at
least temporarily, although the average
will tax the patience of his
employer to the limit, frequently be-
yond it. When the Cardigon Castle |
arrived in June with the lumber, and
again when the Abarenda steamed in !
With the material for the wharf and |
sheds, the natives Swarmed here from \
all parts of the island. About fifty |
were hired to assist in unloading the |
heavy iron and in digging away the !
side of a hill in order to obtain a level /
place on which to erect a home for Mr.. |
Hudson. During the work a lazy ma !
i've was discharged, but the head chief |
threatened to have every one of his |
subjects quit work unless the man was |
permitted to resume his work To avoid |
ielay, this was done. 1t will be seen
hat union exists among them even /
more than among the unions in civil
zed countries. Until the foreigners be-
anne somewhat acquainted with the |
natives, the latter secured a number /
# excellent meals for entire villages
1t a time. But these happy days are
,ast. w. G. SEARS.