The National tribune., 1900-02-15
EN- ROUTE TO MANILA.
Experiences of a Paymaster's
Clerk on the Way to the
Philippines.
OUR VISIT To HONOLULU.

seem at the close of each clear Afternoon
to steer directly into the setting sun. This
circumstance resulted in atfordInS us some
unusual and impressive effects, especially
on the two afternoons Immediately pre-
ceding our arrival at Hawaii.
On Dec II the sea, according to the ships
log, was moderate but subsequently
changed to high, with long westerly
swells" while the weather. which was
"cloudy. confused" became fine and clear.
There was nothing in sight save the vast
circle of water bounded by the horizon.
constantly changing, yet ever the same
as its moving center. our S1ip.with few
sea-gulls fitting behind, made its average
II knots per hour.
The western sky was covered with layers
of soft brown, fieecy-edged clouds and
hocculi, which as the sun approached
the horizon, seemed 10 change on either
side into polished. striated, and keenly-
brilliant barriers filling the entire western
heavens, with the central part circular
entrance of blazing light toward which
our vessels prov was directed.
The next evening the clouds in the west
were heavier and darker. the apparent dis
tances 10 this wonderful region greater,
and the contrasts sharper. Standing upon
deck directly in front of the bridge 1t re-
0Ilired little effort of the imagination,
with the foremaSt and bows OF the vessel
directly athwart the sun resting upon the
sea. to think we We're about entering the
gates of glory, Such We're the portents
of our prospective visit to Honolulu:
The next afternoon, though the sun
was as bright. the sky as clear, the sea
as smooth, and the weather quite as far,
appearances of neither sea nor sky were
thought of. for we expected TO land soon.
A mountainous outline had been deserted
afar off on our port bow at an early hour,
which was said 10 include the famous
volcano of Kilauea. Then lower lands.
TO l,a alX-t bo iSlanHS pf Mani
and Molokai, the latter containing the
leper colony came into view, and finally
in our front and on the Starboard bow
Oahu appeared the island on which Homo
lulu is situated.
The volcanic formations, with their eX-
tinct craters and surfaces made up OF
decomposed lava. presenting a barren.
brown appearance. saving few spots OF
verdure. the low-lying coast and cultivated
tracts were closely ScrItiniZed, and the
greatest ca gerneS prevailed to get on shore
and view the points of interest about this
famous place. in order 10 make the most of
the three days time here while the Sher-
man was coaling up.
The battalion of the 18th Vol. Inf. had
received orders TO march some II miles
after disembarking. to Waikiki Beach.
where temporary camp was to he pitched.
Upper-deck passengers had made arrange
ments for various excursions; also for
securing photos and Photographic ma
terial, and hotels were selected. Per-
sonally, had several letters of introduc-
ton to present. and especially to visit an
old army friend.
As narrow pro lection of the coast,
not unlike a saurian's head. came into
view, designated Diamond Head" some
of the sports on board made pool of four
bits each to be awarded to the one who
most nearly predicted the time when the
vessel should anchor or tie to the dock.
40
The harbor was now in plain sight, and
among the shipping the Warren trans
port was discerned. which had left San
Francisco four days before us. She had
evidently coaled, for her hull was low in
the water. but why had she not gone on
her way to Manila? Our pilot signals
fiattered from the fore and mainmasts,
and now the Sherman's whistle gave forth
several hoarse but determined snorts, as
much as to say TO the inmates of a row.
boat approaching: Hurry up!"
We could see something of the city of
hidden largely by shrubbery; also. its
drives and cottages along shore: We
were getting very anxious TO land before
nightfall, and 1t was now past O'Clock.
The Sherman's engines ceased working
and the propellers to revolve; the row-boat
ranged alongside. and voice shouted:
"The bubonic plague has broken out here.
and you will not be allowed to land"
That voice was as a sheet OF iee-water
which chilled the hopes and anticipatlons
of all ON board; "Bubonic plague? How
did you get it?"
by way of Japan" came the answer
ut broke out among some Cinnamon.
Five had it, and three died"
AS result of consultation among the
Sherman's officers. it was decided TO anchor,
until 10 soldiers belonging to a regiment
and some Quartermaster stores for the
II 1l.tlr - Oh
and then start at once for Guam. where
coal enough could be procured to finish
the trip to Manila. The anchor was
accordingly cast at precisely 5:24 p. IN.
Mail for the States. as well as for Hawaii.
was sent ashore in the rowboat. Presently
tug came out, into which troops and
stores were loaded. and then up anchor"
and we start Oh a trip expected TO require
about dozen days for Guam, the largest
of the Ladrones. Much as we had to
regret. We were better off in one respect
than the Warren. with its two battalions
OF troops and officers. compelled To remain
in quarantine for seven days. because il
had coaled, and thus came in contact with
the shore
Bubonic plague had prevented us from
seeing Honolulu, the Paradise of the Pa
cific with its magnificent drives. unsur-
passed scenery, and indescrbabie color
effects; its crater punch-bowls baked and
dry. and its fiery lakes, whose yaporous
emanations. glttering upheavals, sullen
rumbles. and abrupt detonations. suggest
the "bottomless pit" We had missed
the hospitality Of Honolulu, its beaches,
baths, and beauties, but We could at least
proceed without detention on our way
And such was the case; by II p. m. the
Sherman was SteamIng out OF the harbor
with its PROV directed about six degrees
south Of a due westerly course for the island
Of Guam. At the Port of Apra on the west
side OF that island, we should be able to get
sufficient coal to proceed on our way TO
Manila, and so for II mortal days, with
steady throb of the engines and roll Of the
dark smoke athwart the blue of sea and sky,
We plow the rushing waveS.-H. c. KIRK
CROSSING THE lSoth MERIDIAN.
TRANSPORT SHERMAN, Dec. IS, 1899
Yesterday the Sherman made the mod
crate distance of 275 miles. vet the pas
sengers were for the most part conten;ed
AND happy. To-day, so far as the daily
bulletin is concerned. the ship has made
no distance whatever, while the passengers
are in state of great uncertainty and
confusion.
This morning the following notice was
found posted on the boards:
Having reached long. 1902 E., at S
a. m, Dec. Is, the time at ship is advanced
"a hours. G.. III. GRANT, Master"
BY this seemingly harmless yet moment
orus statement, this simple yet tragic shift
ing OF the scenes OF time, this obliteration
Oh to-day and transpoSition of yesterday
over into tomorrow, nearly everybody
on the transport was plunged without a
moments warning into a sea of deep and
foamlng trouble. Army officers, church
dignitares, and ordinary civilians looked