The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-10-05
G|LL'S PAPER
ON MONGOLIA


s. GIL. formerly of Honolulu. in Its Is
sue of September II contains an inter
view with Lieut.. Commander Coontz OF
the navy relative to the wrecking OF
the Mongolia on Midway. The inter-
view contains many errors. First oil
all. the Mongolia did not strike the
reef while at full speed. Furthermore,
the Mongolia was twenty miles OH
her course" because or orders from the
company for her to go to Midway to
land General Manager Ward of the
Commercial Pacific Gable Company. In
stead of there being four marines on
the island there is large detachment.
and Lieut.. Shearer, u. S. M. c., Is not
sin command of the cable Office" as
stated. The United States did not es-
tablish the cable station and 1t Is not
a small station either. The tug lro-
uuois Is not a lighthouse tender. strict
w speaking, but is the naval tug at
tached to the Honolulu Naval Station,
and used on behalf of the lighthouse
inspector, occasionally, pending the sta
tioning of regular tender here The
News interview is as follows:
1.-The Mongolia of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, which struck at
full speed upon Midway Island reef
yesterday, lies In a very dangerous
position, and is at point 1900 miles
from any wrecking apparatus or very
substantial aid"
This statement was made this morn
ing by Lieutenant Commander Robert
e. Coontz, in charge of the construc-
ton of the Nebraska, who visited Mid
way Island two years ago as navigat-
ing officer of the Buffalo. He made
careful survey of the islands at that
time and states that conditions do not
favor the saving of the Mongolia.
Speaking of the wreck of the big Pa
cific liner. he said:
1.-The Mongolia was at least 20 miles
off her course where she struck the
larger of the two Midway Islands.
which is about four miles long by two
miles wide. 1t is less in size at high
tide. The Mongolia struck at the
northeast point of the island, upon
coral reef, which barely projects above
the surface of the ocean at low tide.
The reef in character Is almost as hard
as Jagged rocks, and am afraid would
play havoc with her hull.
CABLE STATION ON ISLAND.
at is one of the most fortunate fac
tors in connection, with the wreck of
the steamship that the United States
had established a small cable station
on the islands, and that a small corps
of marines and one surgeon are To-
Gated at the post. Ample provisions
are upon the small island, and / have
but little doubt that all the passen-
gers will be rescued. Tine surf around
the island is exceptionally heavy and
the season Of trade winds is at hand.
These may cause a sudden breaking
UP of the ship within few hours, ow-
ing to her exposed position.
Second Lieutenant Maurice e.
Shearer is in command Of the naval
station and cable office. and Acting
Assistant Surgeon Reuben A. Camp
bell is the physician in charge. Four
marines are stationed on the island
and upon these men the passengers
and crew must depend for care and
comfort for at least four days. No |
possible help could reach them under
that time. as the islands are 1900
miles from Honolulu, the nearest scene
Of possible succor Wrecking apparatus
would take few additional days to
reach the. scene of the wreck.
~ TENDER MAY BE THERE.
1.-THE island where the Mongolia
struck is in latitude 2S degrees 10 min
utes north and longitude III degrees. 81
minutes east, and is composed of
small area of sand and coarse gravel.
The point where the Mongolia struck
is very shallow and inside the reef is
a miniature pond three or four feet in
depth for a distance of a mile. 1
would not be at all surprised to learn
that she had swept over the reef into
this lagoon.
ut is possible that the United States
lighthouse tender Iroquois may be In
Welles Harbor, a small bay in the
larger island, at work on the survey of
the harbor. If she is She will be able
to render substantial aid to the Mon
golia in her dangerous position.
1T is remarkable that the Mongolia
should have run on Midway Island,
as the government has just established
a light at one southwestern point Of
Welles Harbor, visible for many miles
pm either side of the island. Two big
Windmills are located on the island,
used for pumping water. and these with
he cable station and bunk houses are
The only habitations."