The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-11-24


statement from the captain Of the
Lena:
In response to request made by The
Star and for the purpose of setting at
rest the many unfounded rumors and
wild theories that have arisen and been
circulated regarding the Russian cruis-i
er Lena, and the reasons for her coming
hither. Captain Ginter this morning
authorized the following statement. In
answer TO a letter asking for such
statement and offering the columns of
The Star for it's publication, Captain
Ginter commissioned Joseph Lugebil,
his brother-in-law. and his guest on
this voyage TO fully state the reasons
for putting into this port.
THE Lena sailed from San Francisco
the last OF October said Mr.. Lugebil,
Sbound for Vladivostok II was expect
ed that the voyage would occupy about
twenty days, considering the weather
rea sonably to be expected at this time
of the year on the course taken. The
supply of coal and water taken would
under ordinary circumstances have
been sufficient for that voyage. But
the Lena Is not vessel suited for long
cruises. except under favorable circum-
stances. Her boilers are of the French
tubular type, which will not permit of
the use of salt water, nor are they suit
ed for use with any but the best coal,
that is Of coal of the Cardiff quality.
Inferior coal so clogs up the flues with
SCOT as to create danger of explosion
by the irregular and superheating of
the tubes.
For the first week out from San
Francisco the Lena had very good
weather, but at the end of that time
she began to meet exceedingly severe
weather. There were heavy head
winds and head seas, fierce snow
storms and tremendous gales. The
Lena is very light. and SO presented
the greatest surface to these head
winds and head seas, and there were
days when she was unable, with the
quality of coal she had, to make an
average OF more than three or four
knots an hour. Under these baffling
circumstances, her supply. both OF coal
and of fresh water for the boilers, was
rapidly exhausted without being able
10 make much progress toward her des-
tination.
FINALLY, on October II, when the Le-
ma was about 500 miles to the west
ward OF Unalaska, 1t became evident
that even with as good weather as
could be counted on in that latitude
she would not be able to make Vladi-
vostok with her coal and water sup
ply. 1t was then question of whether
the course should be changed to Una.
laska or to Honolulu, the nearest points
at which supplies could be obtained.
''It was uncertain whether, If the Le-
ma went to Unalaska, she would be able
at this season of the year to get suffi-
eient supply of coal. In the summer
there would be little reason to expect
disappointment, but at this season OF
the year it was not by any means SC
certain. and as that region is practically
deserted by shipping for the winter, II
she We're not able to get supply there
she would have to remain at Unalaska
until next April. Aside from the dismal
prospect of such wait for all or
board, including the officers wives, nc
valid reason for going there, when &
more promising port was attainable
could be given the Russian Admiralty
mined to sail for Honolulu, where ther,
was every prospect of being able tC
secure supplies both of coal and water
He also felt that if weather condi-
tions should be worse on this voyag,
than he expected, and his supply of Goa
should give out before reaching Homo
lulu, he would not be altogether out o.
the track of steamships, and thus
might he able to secure enough Goa
to enable him to reach Honolulu.
THUS. though the distance from th'
point where the course was changed t.
vladivostok, and the distance to Homo
lulu, We're not materially different, thu
difference was in favor of Honolulu
while the weather conditions were sucl
as to make il practically certain tina
Vladivostok, or even a japanese port
could not be reached. Toward Honolu
lu the weather conditions might be ex
pected to be favorable, and so the sup
ply of coal and water might be re
newed.
"These are the reasons, and the onl
reasons, for the Lena coming to tn
port. There was no trouble among oi
ficers or men. Simply, weather cond
tions exhausted supply Of coal thi
was not of the quality suitable for Il
Lena and her boilers. and made II in
possible to make Vladivostok will
out additional supplies. For tho
supplies, We came here. We shall CO
as soon as we can and then proce'
at once. and direct to Vladivostok. "
shall not be able to coal as soon as v
hoped, and hence will not be able
proceed as soon as We expected. 81
we shall go as soon as we have coale
THAT is the whole mystery of Il
Lena.
Captain Ginter wishes me to e
press his qualification at being afford
this opportunity of setting forth full
the reasons why the Lena came he
and OF setting at rest, as he hopes,
rumors and theories of mystery
THE LENA'S COAL QUESTION
The coal question is one of absol
ing interest Just now with the Lei
A local Craftsmanship captain. speaki
of the matter. said yesterday: ~
warships do not use the same coal
freight steamers. The hard coal, VIII
is. OF course. more expensive, is Vi