The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-11-08
CHOICE Of men
FOR NEW YACHT
Training Of Sailors Should Be
Started in the Near
Future.

| Now that the fact Is certain tnat
Hawaii will be represented in the
Transpacific race of 1908, the question
which is disturbing the minds of the
oldtimers on the waterfront, who take
a great deal of interest in the outcoi l.,
| of the contest, is who will command
| the new schooner. The necessity Of a
captain who has had experience in
sailing vessels on long trips is SO ap-
parent that it limits the field to few
local men, for the general public would
never for a moment countenance the
placing of a stranger to Hawaii in
charge of the new vessel.
The Grief reason that this question
is brought up now is the fact that in
all probability an amateur crew will
be on the boat. They can hardly be
expected to be as good men as profess
SIGNALS, who will be employed by the
owners of the craft against which the
Hawaiian schooner will race, and in
order that they may be in the best
possible shape for such a contest sail
lTOIu llON On lii lliC lave 10
started, should take place. The anna
teur sailor, if he has experience, Is far
better than the professional in such
a race, according to yachtsmen on the
Atlantic, as he is so anxious to win
that he will work day and night and
is only too glad to sacrifice himself for
the good of the boat, while the pro-
fessional sailor, who is working for
wages and nothing else, has not the
enthusiasm which will insure this feel
ing.
But still it must be remembered that
no green and inexperienced men can
be taken on such a trip. If those who
are willing to make the trip will start
suitable captain they should be fit for
any sort of work by the time that the
race comes off. But they must have
experience.
The old seafaring men will be strong
against this, saying that the man who
has been brought up on the sea is the
only man who can be trusted in wet
weather, to make repairs which may
be needed at any time in case of dist
aster from storm. There is truth in
what is said, but for all that the local
boys of the yacht club, if they will put
In time preparing for this work, should
be given a chance and Il they prove |
capable, in the estimation of the men |
under whom they are to work, they |
are the ones to go.
In regard to a. captain, there have |
been several men mentioned already. !
Macfarlane, who sailed La /
in the last race, is certainly |
one to be thought of, as he has had
experience and knows what is to be
expected and the record which he
made was one to be proud of. Tommy
who is one of the best sailors
among the amateurs of this city, has
been spoken of very favorably by
many. He is not in Honolulu at pre-
sent and it is hard to say whether he
would accept the position should it be
offered him. Another man whom the
ocal yachtsmen feel would be emf
lently fitted for the work is Alec Lyle,
rice commodore of the Hawaii Yacht
Club. He has lived on the water ever
since a child and could hardly be inn
proved on.
Without doubt there are others who
lave just as many qualifications as
hose mentioned and their names will
De brought up in time, but choice
hould be made quickly and who ever
s selected should be given chance
o pick out his own crew.
The matter of a navigating officer is
mother of extreme Importance. This
nan must be absolutely reliable, and
must be one whom the captain Of the
raft can refer to at any time when
lie needs assistance. Among the Of
icers of the local Inter-Island fleet
here are many men who would be
suited for this position, and
t seems likely that the company which
mploys them would be glad to give
vacation that they may undertake
he work. There are many other sea-
airing men here who have had expert
nee which makes them fitted for the
osition. Their friends should bring
onward their names that a decision
nav he reached as soon as possible. |