The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-06-11


Government to purchase a dredge boat
for the harbor, while 1 was to purchase
furniture and fittings, in Boston, for
the Palace.
After completing this purchase l as
sisted Justice Lee in the selection of a
dredge boat. l examined a number in
New York and Boston, and finally con-
Guided TO have the boat built at Troy,
y. 7. The necessary casting We're made.
the oak tlmbers prepared, and these with
a plan of the boat were shipped to Ho-
noiulu, where the boat was put togeth-
er. and the remainder OF the materials,
Of Northwest wood, was purchased here
After we had procured the dredge boat,
the question arose as TO low the mud
brought up by the dredge was to be ta-
ken TO the shore, as il was to be used in
making new land at the Esplanade
/ told Justice Lee that the only thing
to be done was to purchase a tugboat,
as the scows Ioaded with mud would be
too heavy for an ordinary boat to tow.
Mr.. Lee saw that a tug was necessary,
but said that instructions were only
TO purchase the dredge and Palace furni-
ture and fittings, so that he could not
advance the money for anything more.
] then told him that if he would ad-
vance the necessary amount, l would
give him my note, payable on my ar
rival in Honolulu, for sum sufficient to
purchase a tugboat, and also pile-driv-
er, which knew would be needed.
Justice Lee consented TO this PROPOSE
ton, and employed Mr.. +. P. Bond, of
Boston, a former resident at the Islands,
to go on TO Philadelphia to contract for
the engine, as / had found the work
could be done more cheaply there than
anywhere else. From Philadelphia Mr..
Bond went to Troy, where TIE frame of
the hull was to be constructed. The con-
tracts We're made. and the pans sent TO
me in Boston. showed ,aese plans of
the huh 20 ,.-e -,aval Constructor at
the Charlestown Navy lard. He found
that the hull, according to the plan, was
not timhered as it SHOULD be. anu mark
ed where new timbers should be put in.
The contractors Were sw4.-.ng to make
the as-->1ons suggested, ana work was
Immediately begun. When finished, the
frame was shipped TO Boston. and when
the entire cost was known, / gave my
note for the same.
The material for the dredge boat and
tug, together with the furniture for the
Palace. were shipped on board the bark
Raduga. which arrived, at Honolulu
safely. and the dredge and tugboat We're
then put together.
l arrived in Honolulu in September of
1855, and the day I returned I met two
of the pilots Captains howlana and
Luce, and told them of the purchase of
the tugboat. They considered it a wise
purchase, and said that il the Govern
ment did not wish it. they would take it
of me. as 1t would greatly assist them
in taking vessels in and out of the har-
Dor. then called on the Minister of the
Interior. and to- lam what I lad done,
and that I was ready to pay him the
amount of my note He sad he had re-
eeiveds a letter from justice Lee with
my note inclosed. and taking up the
latter said, Mr.. Parke, there is your
note I eae NOT wish 10 sell the tugboat.
at --.e same time thanking me for get
ting it and the piledriver.
The boat was put together and named
the Peie. S-.e did good service for the
Government for a number of years: but
now she 3 worn out. something 4-Ae he,
purchaser. 80. rest 10 the Pele.
VISIT TO THE STATES
| In this chapter 1 desire to make men.
ton of one or two things concerning my
visit to the States. which [ was not able
TO do in my account of the purchase OF
the Pele.
In March of the year 1855 / had obtain,
ed leave of absence foresix months from
Kamehameha W, in order 10 take triI
abroad, as | was much run down ir
health, owing to my hard continuous
work connected with the funeral OF tn.
late Kamehameha III. All this work hat
told on me so much that 1 was reduced
in weight from lie TO 49, pounds.
At the outbreak of the smallpox my
associates or the Royal Health Commas
sion 9rs. G. p Judd and T. C. B
Rookie were OF that age that it was i'm
possible for them TO take the burden OF
the work ard as 1 was young, being
then 90 years of age, and IN good health
| il was agreed that I should attend to tht
outside work Of the Commission, while
they looked after the official part of it
AS to what ! did during those months
of the epidemic. ! leave for some other
person to enlarge upon, and VIII only
refer the reader to the papers OF those
days. will only say that I did all
could 10 alleviate the condition of the
sick and suffering and made journey
around the Island number of times
during the epidemic, 10 see that the sick
were taken care OF as well as was pos
sible. From the people of Honolulu
received public vote of thanks for my
services.
The Polynesian Of March II, 1855. speak
ing of my intended trip, and of the ap-
pointment of H. S. Swinton as Deputy
Marshal during my absence, made the
following remarks about myself:
Neither is it necessary to recapitulate
the good qualities of Mr.. Parke, our es-
teemed Marshal, in order that our Isl
and readers may be informed of his char.
arcter as a pubic servant. whose duties
often involve him in circumstances re-
quiring characteristics of an unusual
nature. He is universally known ano
appreciated al the Islands as a prompt
judicious and efficient public officer, who
has during the past five years discharg-
ed his duties with as much acceptance
and with less offence than one In q
! thousand could have done We wish
| him a pleasant visit to his native land
and speedy return to the country OF
his adoption"
I left Honolulu March 70 for San Fran.
cisco, In company with the late Chiei
Justice Lee, on the bark Frances Pal.
Iner. His Majesty was at the wharf Il
say good-by to Mr.. Lee, who was Ieav.
| ing for the States with the primary OBJ
ject of improving his health. which wa,
| in a feeble condition; he had also re.