Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-30
STEAMER OHIO
EXPECTED TODAY
MAY DROP HER ANCHOR THIS
MORNING
Hawaiian Newspaper Tells of Happy
Time Enjoyed by Members Of
Chamber Of Commerce
Excursion

on the highest point of land on the
magic Catalina island is stationed, field
glass in hand, a representative of the
Los Angeles chamber of commerce
searching the horizon for a glimpse of
the good steamer Ohio, bearing nearly
800 Angelenos returning from their con-
quest of the hearts of the residents Of
the Hawaiian islands.
After an absence of nearly a month
the Homecoming of the excursiontsts is
expected to occur today.
Possibly in the offing at San Pedro
the sun, as it rises above the Santa
Ana mountains, will shine upon the
steamer Ohio, with its Angel city pill
grims, idly waiting the hour of high
tide to enter the harbor
The exact whereabouts of the steam
er is not known, and 1t is possible that
during the night just passed she silent
ly slipped by Catalina island and an
chored just outside the harbor, ready
to venture inside the breakwater be-
tween and 10 a. m, when the tide will
be at its height.
Due to Arrive Today
Unless she is already within sight Of
land it is expected she will arrive this
morning in time to take advantage of
the high tide.
Many friends of those on board will
be at the dock this morning to welcome
the eXcursionists home and also to con-
gratulate them upon their safe return,
especially after having learned that the
life of every one on board was in jeop-
ardy the second day out from San
Pedro, when for five hours fire ragged
in the coal bunkers.
In blissful ignorance of their narrow
oil tho oXN11rGinniqfS with two
exceptions, remained throughout their
journey, and 1t was the announced de-
termination of the captain not to dis
close the fact of the fire until the steam
er nears the coast of California.
That the excursionists enjoyed their
visit to the islands is attested by the
following taken from the Pacific Com
mercial Advertiser Of March 16, describ
ing the arrival of the steamer Ohio at
Honolulu on the day previous and the
generous reception accorded the visi-
tors:
Receive Warm Welcome
The long looked for excursion-"the
largest excursion that ever crossed the
Pacific"-arrived on schedule time yes
terday morning. The S. S. Ohio came
up the harbor dressed as bef1tted the
occasion with flags to her masthead,
and docked about 8 o'clock.
She was sighted at 7:10 o'clock and
her appearance heralded by three whis-
ties of peculiar volume and toyousness.
Even at that, early hour naval wharf
No. 1 was packed, some fifteen hundred
people having assembled, at the request
Of the committee, with leis and alohas
for the arriving strangers. The wish
that had been expressed that those who
would be on hand to welcome the Ohio
should wear leis was generously re-
sponded to-hats, heads, throats were
festooned with the thick garlands of
carnations, pIumaria and MALE, brill
liant to see and fragrant to smell. There
was a brisk shower early in the morn
ing and some Threatening clouds hung
over Tantalus, but these rolled away,
the sun came out, the sky was as blue
as a Hawaiian sky is expected to be,
and the day was as fine as though the
promotion committee had made special
ARRANGEMENTS with the weather clerk.
1t was bright and delightfully."- cool.
Committee Too Late
The committee of reception, who we're
to have accompanied Mr.. Wood in the
launch down the harbor, were too late,
incoming ships being like time and tide,
in that they wait for no man. Mr..
Wood, it is needless to say, was equal
to the occasion. He had with him ton
or so Of MALE leis and the Hawaiian
glee club. A very pretty effect was
produced as the launch headed with
ieis approached the Ohio, the glee club
singing Hawaiian songs, the melody
floating out across the water upon the
soft morning air, an ideal native greet
ing to the islands that are the very
home of flowers and song. They came
on board and as the leis were dis
tributed the glee club continued to
sing until the ship came alongside the
wharf, to the great delight of all the
passengers. OF course the contingent
who dive for coins were all about the
ship, and performed some special feats
for the visitors, who encouraged them
both with nickels and admiration.
Mr.. Berger's band, in the freshest
white duck, were ready for their first
appearance which continued without
much rest all day-about the only rests
they had being marked on their scores
Breakfast was served on board and no
time was lost in getting ashore after
the gangplank was lowered.
The Party Ashore
Both men and women were well
bronzed from the wind and sunshine,
but they all had an air of determine
tion as If they were prepared to go
through the program arranged for their
entertainment here, to the very last
item. They were a remarkably well
dressed, we'll bred prosperous body Of
people,; the sort that it is worth while
to tender the right hand of fellowship,
because they appreciate and merit the
hospitality they have come so far to
receive.
A time was allowed to elapse until
Honolulu was made aware that they
had arrived. Interested groups in twos
and threes walked about the streets
| in the business part of town looking
admiringly into the shop windows,
which they agreed we'll repaid inspec-
tion. Automobiles whirled by, the
hack drivers had such rush Of busi-
ness as they have not known for years.
The electric cars were crowded, the
excursionist resorting to that excel
lent plan universally adopted by the
stranger in a strange land-'riding out
to the end OF the line and back" Small
boys in whom the commercial spirit Is
already strong-future promotion COM
mitteemen--were numerous ON the
street corners and sidewalks. peddline
ferns. calabashes. leis OF Jobs tears