The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-05-02

In times of adversely, woman's forti-
tude always responds to the trial and
in many instances, she shows herself to
be better man" of affairs than her
male predecessor Mrs Frank j, Turk
the wife of the well known shipping
master, is just now demonstrating the
fact that she is a woman of energy
and is capable of conducting her hus-
bands affairs, during the present ad-
versity which prevents his being in per-
son to assist in the management of the
business of himself and his partner
Oscar G.. Lewis
Taken at the best the life of a ship
ping master is a difficult and graceless
enough, even to a man hardened to a
seafaring career, but when a woman
steps into the breach, and ESSAYS to
operate the business, she has to face
work that is seemingly unsuited to her.
When her husband was ordered in
generated in the oahu Prison, in, COM
pany with his partner Oscar Lewis, for
boarding the American ship Arthur Sc
wall before the ship had been passed by
the customs official. it looked as if the
profitable shipping business which the
pair had established was to go to rack
and ruin for lack of some one to man
age affairs during their absence. 1T
was then that the energetic character
of Mrs. Turk was demonstrated
She went to the office of the shipping
concern and there took charge of af-
fairs. She announced that she had
come to conduct the business during the
absence of her husband apd Mr. Lewis
People laughed; even the sailors were
80 overcome with surprise that they
gaped with wide open eyes and forgot
about taking another drink. In vain
did her friends plead Mrs. Turk de-
clared that she proposed to run things
as best she could, and she would not
strike her guns. Mrs. Lewis also APP
peared and experienced short career
as a shipping master" She soon de-
cided that the water front was no place
for woman, and retired, leaving Mrs.
Turk in command.
The most startling warnings were
given Mrs Turk to depart. She would
be insulted by the drunken sailors, de-
clared her friends. All of the admoni-
tions and advice proved as water on a
ducks back. Mrs. Turk determined to
FISK the insults and annoyance, and she
can be fairly said now to have won out.
Every morning she drives down to the
office on Queen street and is at the
desk before 9 o'clock. She passes sew
eral hours in the office. transacting the
business connected with the shipment
of the crews. When there is no more
business to be done in the office, she
cues OUTSIDE ana IN person, visits the
shippers of the various vessels and So
licits their shipping business. In every
instance she is treated with consdera-
ton and kindness, even though the
masters may not care to transact their
shipping through her firm.
She is authority for the statement
that she can secure practically all of
| the vessels in port That she has agree
ments to provide them with crews, is
evinced by her energy. She has sew
eral aides e-camp in the persons q
some old salts, who are waiting about
the shipping office for an opportunity
of signing with some deep water vessel.
The men are all loyal to their now
boss" She is liberal with advance
money, they say and is a friend of the
sailor.
Mrs. Turk will shortly ship about Is
more men on the ship Arthur Sewall,
the vessel which caused her husband
all the trouble. 1t is understood that
she will also put about the same num-
| Der aboard the British ship Ellen A.
/ Read, and also is to supply a boatswain
and several men to the German bark,
Paul Isenberg. Mrs. Turk will probably
/ have the run of the ship Acme, and will
no doubt, supply the bark Nuuanu with
a partial crew. From present indica-
| tons 1t looks as if the business of Turk
and Lewis is not to suffer so much
after all. Mrs. Turk pays daily visits
to her husband and, no doubt reports
to him and his partner Lewis regarding
/ the progress of the shipping business
under her administration. She certain
| ly appears to be a success as a ship
| ping master"