The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-06-07

tain Gibbons, was abandoned at sea
about 800 miles northwest of Kauai on
May 29 and the entire crew forced to
take to the boats. The ship was COM
pletely on fire and shortly after the
crew were driven to the boats, the gas
ses of the burning coal exploded, driv-
ing the decks high into the air. The
captain, his young son, the second
mate and fourteen members of the
crew arrived safely at MakaweH yes
terday morning, but First officer Long
wood and fifteen other members of the
crew in two boats We're still missing. 1t
is thought that they were heading for
French Frigate Shoals.
News of the disaster was brought
this morning by Captain Tullett of the
steamer James Makee which arrived
from Anahola, Kauai AS the result Of
the news, Admiral Merry Immediately
ordered the L. S. S. Albatross to take
100 tons of coal and sail with all poss-
BILE dispatch in search of the missing
men. The L. S. S. Iroquois was also
ordered to take 70 tons of coal and
stand by, ready to go in further search
of the men if it be found necessary.
All of the men who were saved re-
manned on Kauai, as Captain Tullet Sc
cured his information through tele-
phone from Anahola to Makaweli few
OF the details of the occurrence We're
learned. The Kerr was a fine four
masted vessel of 22S6 tons register and
had 1850 tons of coal aboard for j. J..
Moore & Company of San Francisco.
She left Newcastle on April I. She
was loaded with coal from the North
Extended COlliery, which is consider
ed by many to be an exceedingly dam
gerous variety.
the coal took fire is not now known.
Nor indeed, is it known when the fire
was discovered or how long Captain
| Gibbons and his crew battled with the
| flames. Evidently the fire burst forth
| on May 29 for on that date, when in
latitude 2615 north, longitude 1858 80
| west and about 500 miles west of Ka-
uti, the crew had to seek refuge in the
! boats. Captain Gibbons his young son,
the second mate and fourteen me,ners
of his crew took one boat while Mate
| LongwOod and the balance of the crew
| numbering fifteen men, took 10 two
ether boats. All of the boats were am
ply provided with food and water for
the danger had evidently been realized
days before, and preparation for leav-
ing the ship, had no doubt, been made,
as many stores as possible being plaC-
| ed in the small life boats. Shortly af-
ter the crowd showed away from the
vessel she exploded ana when last seer
| the boat was on fire fore and aft, with
the flames leaping right up the masts.
There We're good trades prevailing
During the first night, evidently, al
! though Captain Tullett did not learn
positively of this point, the three boats
were separated and on the morning OF
the second day, Captain Gibbons bOat
| n az
with a sail and as there was a fail
wind, the little craft made good speed
| Captain Gibbons steered for Kauai. Or
yesterday morning, June 6, he arrived
at Makaweli. The crowd had beer
eight days afioat, but none of them hao
undergone any great amount of suffer
ing.
CAPTAIN Gibbons gave it as his opin-
ion that the mates party had evidently
steered for French Frigate Shoals
Gibbon and his entire crowd We're tax
en- on board the steamer Mikahala by
Captain Gregory, the master of the
vessel Captain Gregory announced
that the crew would be taken to Wal
mea and there remain with Mr. Gay
until the return trip of the Mikahals
| to Honolulu. At the time that Captain
! Tullett telephoned from AnahOla Il
Makaweli, Captain Gibbons was on the
Mikahala having dinner, so the master
of the lost boat did not talk with Cap
tain Tullett. Captain Gibbons sen
word however, that he might take tn,
steamer w. G. Hall to Honolulu which
sails on Saturday, today, and is dut
| tomorrow morning.
Captain Tullett sailed from Anahol5
yesterday afternoon and arrived here
this morning. He at once notified thu
British Consul who in turn appriseC
Admiral Merry of the abandonment o.
the ship and the fact that sixteen o
beE crew were missing. Admiral Mer
ry Immediately ordered Captain Thorn
as of the ship Albatross to take lO
tons of coal with the utmost dispatcl
and sail in search of the missing men
Captain Rodman the commander o
the IroquOis, was also ordered to Goa
without delay and stand by, to be read!
to, go in search of the missing men. l
Captain Gibbons is correct in his sur
mise that the mate steered corpse 70
French Frigate Shoals, Lockwood AM
his fifteen men, if the two boats re
mained together, will probably have
dreary old time Of it if they arrive ther
! safely. French Frigate Shoals cOnsis
of nothing but reefs and a tiny patel