The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-11-14

most remarkable rOmanees of the Unit
ed States army transport service. -Four
flags have so far flown over this steam
er, but her career is not likely to con-
elude under the ensign of the Land of
the Chrysanthemum.
Christened on the banks of the Clyde
in the early nineties as the British
tramp steamer Resolve, the vessel later
passed into the hands of an Austrian
corporation at Fiume, and was renamed
the Siam. Fate and charterers sent her
to the Pacific Ocean IN the second year
of the Filipino instruction, and she
was chartered by an American firm of
San Francisco and entered the coal
trade between Nanaimo and the Bay
City.
In the summer of 1899 the United
States War Department assembled at
Jefferson City, Missouri, one of the
finest trains of experienced army mules
and horses ever organized for foreign
service. From Cuba, from the northern
borders of the United States, from
frontier army posts, and, in fact, from
every part of the United States where
the quartermaster insignia were in
evidence, these animals were brought to
the common rendezvous in Missouri.
They were the pick of the army-staid
old mules and horses that had been in
the service for years, and knew almost
as much of military discipline as the
men in blue. Their transhipment to
the Preside at San Francisco followed
in July, and then the war department
cast about for vessel in which to ship
- ral S5
was even then delaying important army
movements in order that these animals
might accompany the troops to ''the
'front.'
The Siam had just returned from
Nanaimo with cargo of coal. She was
a fine, big, ten-knot boat. with Austrian
officers and sailors. The war depart
ment decided, although she few the
flag of the Emperor Joseph, that she
was just the vessel needed. Early in
August, after several weeks of hammer
ing, saving, and building of super
structures, three hundred and seventy
three horses and mules were sent aboard
and placed in separate stalls for the
long voyage to Manila. The loading Of
the animal cargo was a matter of much
concern TO the war department, with
the result that almost the pick of the
packers and teamsters of the army
ffty-six in all-were chosen for the
voyage.
In command of these rough and-ready
plainsmen was Captain J. p O'Neil,
25th Infantry, United States Army
man to deal with the cowboys-no army
L Il i IL
men admired and loved him.
Among the horses was the thorough
bred presented to General "Joe"
Wheeler, United States Army, by the
citizens of Alabama after his return
from the Cuban campaign. Beauty"
he was called by the men. and he was
given place of honor near the officers
cabin. Yet another splendid animal was
the horse belonging to Miss Wheeler,
daughter of the General, who was then
an army nurse in the Philippines.
The officers and crew were all Aus
trians, with the exception of two en-
gineers. The commander was Captain
Semen Raicieh, sailor, gentleman, and
postage-stamp connoisseur. His hobby
was rare stamps, and his cabin was
filed with cases containing valuable
specimens. Every day he went over
his collection, labelling, classifying,
and doeketing the new ones which he
had purchased at the last port. The
collection was valued at about twelve
thousand dollars, and was insured.
Messrs. Xigga and Stepanovich were
his two officers. Captain, mates, and
crew all hailed from the section of Aus
tlia nearest Fiume.
Ten days after leaving San Fran
cisco the Siam reached Honolulu, and
the horses and mules were taken ashore
and sent to the government corrals,
where they reeuperated for two days.
During this time Captain O'Neil spent
much time considering the arrange
ment of the stalls. These were arrang-
ed along the main deck and in the first
hold below. Over the exposed portions
of the main deck superstructures had
been raised to protect the animals from
the elements. The forward deck was
loaded with hay and grain for use dur
ing the voyage, while between decks
was a stock of forage. Over the Off
GERS section a deck house was built,
and used as a sleeping place for the
cowboys
The Honolulaps took great interest
in the horses, and hundreds examined
the stalls, which We're arranged along
the sides of the steamer. the animals
facing inward. Small chains hasped to
the supports on either side led to the
rings of the halters. Cheats were nailed
TO the flooring to give the animals foot
ing during storms. The leisure time of the
cowboys was spent in making canvas
"'slings,' intended TO be placed be-
meath the bellies of the animals during
had weather, the ends fastened to rings
in the deck above, to assist the ami
mails in keeping on their feet should
the vessel roll awkwardly. The trans
port service had much to learn. and the
use of slings was a costly lesson.
For several days the voyage toward
the Philippines was delightful Half
cloudy days and trade winds maintain
ed an even temperature throughout the
ship. Officers. crew, cowboys, the few
passengers, and the animals were on
the best Of terms. Captain O'Neil
cheerfully looked forward to the day
when the Siam should steam into Ma
Mia Bay and he could report the voyage
successfully ended and without the loss
of an animal. Captain O'Neil's en-.
thusiasm was communicated to the cow.
70 a roY,,,