The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-10-22
Observation-Disclosures
MARINE


| SAN FRANCISCO, October 7--Su-
| perstitious sailors of the crew of the
Oceanic liner Alameda, which was got
off Fort Point rocks yesterday and tow
ed into port, claim that pet dove
warned the vessel of it's danger.
The Alameda has on board pair of
doves, and these doves have acted as
signal givers to the crew of the Ala
media. Especially has this been the
case with Spots" one of the pair. On
the day of the disaster to the liner
Spots" which has been the ships
mascot for the past six months, ever
since it came aboard at Honolulu, ex-
cited the surprise and stirred the SUI
perstitious of the sailors by deliberately
leaving the vessel when it was casting
off from the pier.
spots" has always been allowed full
liberty on shipboard, coming and going
as it willed, and it had never before
tried to absent itself from any voyage.
Indeed, the contrary condition was the
case. Spots always seemed glad
when the vessel went to sea, and
thoroughly enjoyed the hustle of depar-
ture. On that ill-omened day, however,
when the Alameda piled up on the
rocks at Fort Point, the dove did not
want to sail with the ship.
When it was seen to fly from its perch
on the forecastle rigging to the dock,
some of the sailors followed it and fl
nally coaxed it back. The incident was
commented upon at the time, and many
of the sailors considered it a bad sign
and compared the birds action with
many recorded instances of rats leav-
ing vessel on the eve of its wreck,
urged by some mysterious instinct.
Half an hour or so later the Alameda
crashed headlong on the rocks and the
doves instinct seemed justified, and al
so the sailors superstitious fears. An
other action of spots" however, was
a cheering one. Although it flew from
the ship when the Alameda had come
to standstill and disappeared in the
wreathing fog, it almost Immediately
flew back again, after seeing land so
near, and settled calmly in it's favorite
perch on the forecastle, with not q
feather of it's snow-white plumage I'M
duly ruffled. Some of the sailors gave
it cheer, and went about their work
of getting the boats ready to take off
the passengers, encouraged.
SHIPPING NOTES.
The steamer w. G. Hall is due this
morning from Kauai ports.
The Kinau, arriving yesterday morn
ing from Hilo and way ports, brought
small cargo of koa lumber.
The steamer he Au Hou arrived yes
terday morning from Kauai with 750
bags rice and 240 bags rice bran.
Yesterday being the centenary an
niversary of Nelson's victory at Trafal-
gar, the cable steamer Restorer dressed
ship.
It is said that local planters are in
terested in the project to purchase a
steamer for the Honolulu-San Francis
co run.
Early yesterday morning the Canadi-
an-Australian steamship Miowera ar
rived in port from Victoria and Van
couver, after somewhat stormy voy-
age. Strong trade winds and very
rough weather were experienced near
the islands. The vessel brought sew
eral passengers for Honolulu. Among
those departing for the Colonies was
Prof. T. Muir, who goes to Australia
for the Hawaiian Planters Association
to hunt for bugs harmful to insects
that prey on sugar cane.