The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-11-08

Now that the fact is certain that
Hawaii will be represented in the
Transpacific race of 1905, the question
which is disturbing the minds of the
oIdtimers on the waterfront, who take
a great deal of interest in the outcoi l@a
of the contest, is who will command
the new schooner. The necessity of
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 countenanee 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
drill from now on till the race is
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 trip. If those who
are willing to make the trip will start
now and get into training under
suitable captain they should be fit for
any sort of work by the time that the
race comes off. But they must have
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 dis |
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 if 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.
Clarence Macfarlane, who sailed La j
in the last race, is certainly
one to be thought of, as he has had
experience and knows what is to be
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
1ently fitted for the work is Alec Lyle,
vice commodore of the Hawaii Yacht
Club. He has lived on the water ever
since a child and could hardly be i'm
proved on.
Without doubt there are others who
have just as many qualifications as
those mentioned and their names will
be brought up in time, but choice
should be made quickly and who ever
Is selected should be given chance
10 pick out his own crew.
The matter of a navigating officer is
another 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
he needs assistance. Among the Of
1cers OF the local Inter-Island feet
here are MANY men who would be |
suited for this position, and
t seems likely that the company which
employs them would be glad to give
l vacation that they may undertake
he work. There are many other sea-
airing men here who have had expert
ence which makes them fitted for the
position. Their friends should bring
'orward their names that a decision