The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-08-14
ALONG THE
WATER FRONT.
Troubles of the Tugs
Discussed on the
Front.
MUST GOVERNMENT TUG CEASE +?
THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOT
COMPETE WITH A PRIVATE
CONCERN.
City Of Hankow's Rudder Post
Trip Of the Glenogle-Brave
Engiishmen Honored-
Waterfront Notes

L
to do towing for hire now that there
is a private boat here and ready for
/ business II seems 1t has not yet been
made clear to the board OF public works
K that the government cannot compete
with a private concern in the towing
/ line
/ Now that the Fearless has come here,
the Eleu is in the same position with
I regard to working for hire as is the
Iroquois. As far as saving property
Is concerned. II the Fearless is incapaci-
tated then the EIeu or maybe the
Iroquols might be called upon, out
could not expect pay for services rem
dered
Many years ago, when the services,
| OF a towboat were beginning to be
needed. the old steamer kilauea used
to be called into requisition. She was
not always here for service and il was
| dete rmined TO get tug. No one was
willing, however TO put up the neces-
sary money TO maintain such a boat, as
! il would have been q losing venture
at that time. so the government bought
| the old tug Pele. She did the work
! for a long time, and as she was not
mai ing any money there was no At
tempt at opposition.
ha pal. nnrliuad n
usefulness and the Eleu was purchasa ed
from the Spreckels' by the govern
ment for a fabulous sum at the time
Since her arrival here she has cost
the government almost her weight IN
gold but not until about three years
ago did she begin to pay. Since an
neXltion the trade of the port and ISL
ands has increased to such an extent
that the towing business, pext to the
customs and postal departments. has
paid the government larger returns
than any other branch.
The great profits of the tug were
soon known and an attempt was made
to start q private towboat company.
There was an impression prevailing
here that il would be impossible TO-
the new company to obtain charter
| for towboat company 10 run in oppo-
sition to the government boat. and
news of the intention of the SpreckelS
10 send large and powerful tug here
threw cold water on the scheme. The
lnter-Island Steam Navigation Com
pany amended its charter so that il is
now enabled TO enter into the towing
i-
stood that il was the intention of the
company TO bring 4 towboat here for
work
AS il is it will take all the towing
here to keep boat like the Fearless
running. and ii would be losing
venture for two companies TO try and
fight each other for business This be-
ing the case IL docs not seem right that
the Territorial government should try
and buck a private enterprise that can
give service so much better than the
government has been giving. 1t is true
that the rates for towing have been
very reasonable. but at the same time
il has always been a mooted question
as to the liability of the government
for damages in case of an accident to a
ship.
In no state of the seaboard of the
United States do the government or
state tugs haul private vessels for hire,
and n case is instanced of the discharge
of Chief Wharfinger Boobeer of San
Francisco for sending the state tug
TO do some hauling that should have
been done by one OF the private boats.
fhAr oh ms AZ
for IT,
Said well known Captain yesterday:
Il do not see how the Eleu can continue
hauling vessels now that the Fearless
is here. The people of these Islands
pay taxes every year for the support
of the Eleu. The owners OF the Fear
less are taxpayers here. This being
the case. why should they be compelled
TO pay money towards the boat that
is opposing their vessel. They have a
perfect right TO enter into the business
and the government has no right 10
with them. The Ellen should
be fitted with a fire pump and be held
by the government as protection TO
the shipping. She should attend TO all
the towing for the government. out
should not be allowed to mix up any
longer in private towing. All fees paid
10 her should be paid under protest,
and | am sure that an appeal to the
proper authorities would soon remedy
the matter"
SPARS FOR FUEL.
VICTORIA, b. C.. July 3.--The first |
details of the death of the captain of |
ibe ship Glenogle and the reasons for |
The long passage of that vessel from |
England 10 the South American coast |
are contained in 8 letter which was re
,eived today by ex Mayor Redfern from |
his eldest son, William. who is a pass /
anger on the vessel The letter was
posted at Tocapillo the 18th of June.
shortly after the arrival of the Gleuosie. |
Mr. Rsdfern states that the captain |
lied nj sea number Of days before
port. and that tn add to their /
and troubles the first |
nate and the steward also fell i'll. Then
he water supply ran short and the
rev aud the solitary passenger were
confronted by the most terrible fate
which can befall travellers on the high |
cas-deafh from thirst Pots and
.sns were placed on deck to catch the
ain, and sufficient was secured In this
ray To supplement the scanty supply
a the tanks and to take them TO port.
'uel and oil also ran out, and at last,
o dire were extremeties that the crew
sss forced to cut away the spars Of the
hip with which to cook their meals.
These privafions and attendant anxi-
~ may have had much to do with the
illness and death OF the officer in COM