The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-08-03
THE TRANSPORT HANCOCK.
Eventful Trip From Manila-Ameri
can Troops for Taku.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 25.-The
work of getting the transport HaL-
cock away for China is going on day
and night. Strange to say, the Chinese
who form her crew are the most eager
of all aboard to hurry up the sailing
day. They are anxious to get the
American troops to Taku as quickly as
possible, in order that the Boxers may
receive lesson and peace and order be
restored in China Ii seems an anomaly
to see a Chinese crew on an American
transport that is to sail July rs with
soldiers who may have to wage bit
ter war against the Chinese surround
ing Peking. But such is the case. aud
firemen, coal passers and sailors on the
Hancock are doing everything in their
power to expedite the sailing of the
vessel.
The officers of the Hancock have
nothing but good words to say about
their Monaghan crew The Chinese are
obedient, sober and hard working. and
to be depended upon in an emergency.
On June 10, when the transport was
only short time out of Manila, Pri-
yate J. Gavin jumped overheard. It
was raining hard, and a heavy squall
brought all hands on deck. II was
O'Clock in the evening and so thick
that an object 200 yards away could
not be seen from the bridge. A boat
was lowered, and although it was in
constant danger of being swamped, the
crew of five made diligent search for
the missing man, but no trace of higl
could be found.
Three days after this episode Pri-
vate Joseph Sullivan jumped over
board. This was at 10 o'clock on the
night of the ed. when it was pitcn
dark. There was not star in the sky
and the moon had not risen. As soon
as the, cry "a man overheard was
raised a ''la1s buoy was dropped
from amidshi. by order of Captain
Harry Strive This kind of a buoy e
so constructed at when ii reaches
the water ii ri,. itself and the I'M
pact with the yEtsr ignites two flares
that are fixed e. &c buoy These throw
a glare for ggat distance, and not
only enable the drowning man to see
where he can rea ! i support. but also
guide the beat. .:,st is out on the
search
A few minutes af s the fare buoy
was thrown ever i was nearly a
mile astern of the ship. but in that
n. 4
being rowed back u he scene For
thiTty-fonr minutes the men OF the
Hancock kept up the haunt, while the
searchlight on the bridge followed ,h,
boat in all its wanSlsasngs- Not trace
Of Sullivan could be found. and once
more the Hancock had 20 stand on her
course
On June g Private Gas Morse took
IL into his head TO jump overboari.
and then was seen as smart piece OF
seamanship as has neen recorded in
many day. At @,es n m the signal
was given to the h-isiSe and a second
later the eingnes we're reversed. The
Hancock was going through the water
at the rate of seventeen knots an hour.
yet at 2:Il p. m boat was in the wa
ter. manned and on the way 10 the
rescue. AT lis p. n. Norse was picked
up and secured in iss bottom of the
boat and at .. Is =. ~ the cutter mas
back in the dayiss and the Hancock
was once more going full speed ahesd
This Is . perfornfance that the officers
and crew OF the Hancock have every
reason to be prond Of.
On June Is both wind and weather
were against rescue On June - tie
darkness prevented the rescue % a
man determined 10 die. but on June p
both officers and men could see what
they were doing and the wouii-he sub
eide was rescued The Hancock will
dock AZ Folsom street wharf on SIM
day and will sail for Manila this day
week