The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-04-30
CHOOSING A CAPTAIN.
A Curious Custom of Japanese Fish
ermen In Hawaii.

ermen In Hawaii.
Where several years ago the fishing for
the supplying of the Honolulu market
was done almost exclusively by the ma
tives in their canoes and few China
men now the bulk Of the work is done
by the Japanese, who are at it in great
numbers.
The boats which they use are built
here after patterns used in Japan, and
once in awhile an oriental steamer arriv-
ing from the west brings an imported
fishing boat, which the fishermen think Is
superior to those of local manufacture.
The boats are of peculiar shape and
are of different sizes, some able to accom-
modate but three men, which is an ordi-
nary crew, and others are large enough
for seven or eight men.
Notwithstanding the frail appearance
of the boats they are strongly construct
ed and good sea boats and as a usual
thing are fast sailers.
On Punchbowl street, in Kakaako, a
great many of the boats are built, and
the launching Of one of the larger kind
is always an event of great deal Of in
terest to an onlooker and Of great tmpor-
lance to the men who are to operate the
w ueu Int DOdI ID SOAhPANeSN5 N@
owners and builders and their friends
decorate her with japanese flags, Ian
terms and flowers. Then they take her to
the water, into which she glides amid
great shouting and halloing by the crowd.
Up to the time that the vessel is launch
ed there is no captain selected for the
boat. The choosing Of this important
factor in every case is left until the boat
IL T. n
members of the crew are, and from them
the captain is selected. A knowledge OF
seafaring is not apparently necessary for
a man to be captain of japanese Esh-
ing boat, as the following will show;
When the boat is in the water and
moored securely, the members OF the
crew, who are generally the owners OF
the boat, strip themselves and get into
the boat Then the fun of making the Sc
lection of the commander begins Ihere
is no voting or drawing of lots to settle
the matter. AT given signal from one
of the crowd on shore, who are watching,
the men in the boat begin with all their
might to try to throw each other out INTO
the water. Each man is against the otn-
er, and so the struggle, as a usual thlng'
lasts long time and is remarkably ex-
citing. All the Time the pay CUES OH tuo
friends of the contestants yell words OF
cheer to the struggling men in the boat
and throw buckets of water on them and
into the boat, seemingly with the idea Of
making the battle-ground more slippery as
well as refreshing to the men at work.
As soon as a man is thrown out Of the
boat he must stay out, but may assist
with water if he so desires. The man
who stays in the boat longest, or, rather,
who is able to put all the others out OF
the boat, has by his prowess shown him
self competent to be captain, and 50 he
is greeted with much applause and show
cred with congratulations at the termina-
ton of the scuffie. There is no appeal
from the selection so made, and the man
so chosen continues to be captain until
he voluntarily retires or sells out his
share in the boat.
The novel way of getting a skipper
seems very satisfactory to the fishermen,
and it certainly affords great deal OF
amusement to strangers who happen to
be about during the selection Of q COM
mander.-Honolulu Republican.