The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-03-29
HEARINGS
IN COURT
The Case of the
Schooner
Howe.
WANTED BRECKONS
TO STAY OUT
A Story OF Privation at Sea Told
to the U. S. Com
missioner.

The American schooner Frank w.
Howe was seized yesterday by Marshal
Hendry upon a claim of $4,000 dam
ages and s104s wages and short food
allowance made by Edward Woods and
David Hall, two sailors who claim to
have been afflicted with scurvy by rea-
son of such shortage.
The hearing was begun yesterday be-
fore Commissioner Gill. and will be re-
sumed this morning at II o'clock.
The schooner Howe sailed from New
York early in July for Mauritius, the
trip occupying ninety-seven days, and
from the latter port to Honolulu occu-
plying no days. The petitioners allege
that they were on a short allowance
of food for the whole period, the beef
was salty and unfit for eating, and was
poorly prepared, that lime juice was
not served out regularly, and they fall
ed to receive the quantity of food to
which they were entitled. The petition
alleges that instead of coffee or tea
they received an indescribable COM
pound which was unfit for use."
Though the shortage of provisions was
apparent, no additional food was taken
on at Mauritius, and the supply of
fresh water taken aboard fell short,
and they were compelled to drink rain
water scooped up from the decks. Fur
Their, the compliments allege that as
result of this they became i'll and dis
eased and are now afflicted with dis
ease which they believe to be scurvy.
BRECKONS A SAILOR
There was considerable amusement
during the hearing at the mistake
made by w. A. Kinney, who appeared
in behalf of Captain Atkinson of the
Howe. United States Attorney Brock
ons is attorney for the hbellants, but
the two attorneys had never met. AS
Mr.. Breckons came in and took a seat
mistook him for one of the witnesses
and was on his feet in an instant with
the remark.
there any other witnesses in the court
ROOM
Mr.. Dunno turned and looked, then
replied, IT don't think so.''
'Ts this gentleman not witness,
said Mr.. Kinney, indicating the new
United States Attorney
Let me introduce you" said Mr.
Dunno. in reply, Mr.. Kinney, Mr.
Breckons. the new United States Attor-
ney." Then everyone smiled and the
hearing was resumed
VIM. McCallister, the second mate
was the only witness examined during
the afternoon. He told of the amount
Of provisions taken on board and said
that after the Howe left Mauritius the
supply ran short The men lived wholly
upon soup, and rice and Curry, baked
beans and salt beef. The potatoes gave
out within a couple of weeks after
leaving port, and the beef was so salty
that the men refused to eat it. anc
they threw their food overheard. He
testified that they got all the vinegar
they wanted and drank rainwate,
because they thought 1t as good as any
Woods and Hall became sick and were
unable to work. The men In the fore
castle. he said, generally got the leav-
fngs from the cabin, and the bread was
sometimes three or four days old. The
steward was most to blame. accordins
to the mate, though the provisions were
not as good as he had been used TO-
On cross examination the witness ties
| tilted that there had been no discrim'
| ination between the cabin and the rore
! castle. and that the same kind OF sal
| beef was served to all alike. The sea
men always had plenty and there wa
no complaint about the soup. In fact
the trouble appeared to be over tn
cooking, and the witness said that N
had a disagreement with the cook a
| the beginning OF the voyage.
There were two other witnesses 10 b.
examined. but the hNaring was post
poned until interpreters could be Sc
| cured.