The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-02-12
DUST TO DUST
Crematory at MauIiOla
Described.
Complete Incarceration Of Plague Vic
tins Effected Argument in
Favor of CrematOries.

fabifshpd on Quarantine Island by the |
Bo1rd of Health. In fact. cremation
has been successful far beyond the an
ticinations of those who were RESPONSE !
bic for the erection OF the establish
ment. and President Wood believes
that a solution of the disposal of Ho-
polulu's dead has been practically de-
monstrated. The much discussed ques-
tion OF "crematories or cemeteries" as
far as Honolulu is concerned is fully
answered by the splendid workings of
the new arrangement at Mauliola,
which has already reduced to ashes the
remains of over fifty persons.
The crematory is the latest addition
10 the islands group of quarantine
buildings, and stands on the extreme
Eva side, close to the old cholera and
smallpox cemetery. From a distance
the iron smokestack, rising to height
OF eighty feet. is the most noticeable
feature OF the establishment. The
whole structure. crematory-furnace
and corrugated iron roof covering, is
not very large, and there is little pre-
apparent. 1t has more the appearance
Of lime kiln or a water pumping sta
ton than n crematOry for plague
stricken victims.
The crematory proper. which con-
tains the fire box. incinerator, draft
channel and ash receptacle. is con-
structed of hard, fire-burnt bricks,
merely box-like affair, twelve feet in
length, seven feet in height. and seven
feet wide. Heavy iron braces fastened
on every side renders the structure
solid enough 20 withstand the action of
the terrific heat under forced draft,
necessary to incinerate body.
How Bodies are Burned.
On the side facing the quarantine
barracks is the opening to- the fire box.
When the flames are forced by the
heavy draft from this compartment, it
sweeps with a roar through the in
GENERATING chamber. thence to the open
ing leading to the bone and ash re-
ceptacle. The draft from this chamber
i'm turn forces the flames upward into
the smokestack.
heavy double iron door closes the
opening through which the coffin con-
tanning the body is passed into the in
Generator. This door faces toward the
city and occupies a space about four
feet square, half way between the base
and TOD OF the structure. A small fiat
ear placed on an elevated railroad
track. leads directly up To the door, so
that she coffin can be easily passed in
side quickly and without danger to the
employees. The car itself has two l.
.sE Let TO-
parallel with the car rails. These ex-
tend seven feet beyond the car, and the
coffin Is laid directly on them. The car,
weighted with heavy stones to prevent
Il being tipped up by the weight of the
coffin and remains, is run rapidly down
the track: the car itself is stopped just
at the door, the coffin Is properly laid
ON the floor OF the incinerator chamber,
an employee draws the car quickly back
to its original position, and the door
is closed to with a clang. Before the
ear Is withdrawn. the coffin is en-
wrapped in fire and the roar and rush
Ol the flames causes the smokestack to
tremble.
II Is an interesting scene from the
comm cncement OF this scientific dis
position OF mortal remains until the
ashes are removed from the receptacle
provided for that purpose. The car
aptly termed n funeral car" Is placed
In such a position that the coffin can
be transferred quickly and easily from
the hsarse upon the two long iron
arms. the door Is opened and within
the space OF two minutes the coffin has
been removed from sight. There are
eye-hOles in the double iron door
through which one can gaze upon the
fiery scene inside. Seldom is the coffin
To be seen as the flames and smoke en-
velop 1t completely; an occasional
fierce gust blows away the fiery mass
for az instant, disclosing the coffiT
gradually crumbling away in ashes.
Collecting the Ashes.
For hfty-fve minutes the roaring
flames sweep over the body. the smoke
stack tugs at its supports from the on
slauant OF the draft driven fire ant
smoke. and then the incarceration is de
clarCd complete. After the furnace 1!
cooled of. the ashes and small frag
ments OF bones are carefully gathered
into On open receptacle. and takeI
thence 20 a special room, where tn,
nails from tho coffin. and extraneoui
substances are removed. An urn mex
receives these last remains OF what wa
a mortal body few hours before.
What could be more simple upor
the death OF a person" said DR.. Wood
than he cremation of the body. Tn
next day the relatives can again hav,
with them in their household all tina
remains OF the one dear to them.
does way too. with the trying ant
hoartbrenking scenes around an opel
grave. Mourners can stand the churcl
services. but at the grave, when tn
coffin is about to be lowered into It, tn
scene is usually an agonizing one 70
all present.
In q crematory surely me incinera
zion OF bodies ought To appeal to
large population, situated in such ;
city as Honolulu. OF course. this ere
matory Is rough in its construction
but 90 answers the purposes for whicl
IL was Intended. In the East chapel
are constructed I'm connection with TIL
crematOry; when the church service
are finished the coffin sinks through