Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-05

The Demand for Oil Tank Steamers.
One of the most interesting sec
tons in the neWly-issued volume Of
Lloyd'S Register, says the Times
writer on Marine Insurance, is that
dealing with oil-tank steamers, be.
cause, though in almost every direC
ton the demand for tonnage is now
in, excess of the supply, these are the
vessels that are in the greatest re-
quest. Within two years oil .freights
have on the average practically in
creased four-fold. There are now 259
oI-tank steamers in the Register as
compared with 236 year ago and so
sailing ships as against II year
ago, so that there was a net increase
during the year of % vessels. The
increase would have been very much
more marked but for the labor dis
turbanceS in 1911 and the past half
year, for in many cases the delivery
of vessels has been delayed for sew.
eral months. Steamers. for instance.
which were due to be delivered in
January and February, of this year
have not yet been completed. An
other reason for the delays is no
doubt the tendency of shipyard en-
ployees to work for fewer hours per
week than formerly. Forty oil-tank
steamers are believed to be under
construction at the present time.
During the year there were three
notable losses of oil-tank steamers.
The Edward Dawson, a vessel of
1907 tons, went ashore near Flush
iPo I'd hn
Chesapeake, of 4,521 tons, was aban-
doned on fire while bound from New
York for the Mediterranean, and in
January of this year the Spondilus,
of 1921 tons, was abandoned on fire
in the Bay of Biscay, while home
ward bound from Singapore with ben
zine. The Hermione, of over 5000
tons, damaged through collision off
the Japanese coast, was out of COM
mission for some time.
Fire is, of course, the peculiar risk
attaching to oil-tank steamers, risk
which is reflected in the higher rates
quoted as compared with those paid
for ordinary steamers. But this dan
ger is reduced to a minimum by the
method of design and the great care
taken in loading the vessels and
when at sea. And underwriters have
the satisfaction Of knowing that for
long time to come tank steamers
will, as a rule, be far more precious
to their owners afloat than they
could be possibly if abandoned on
fire.
-
Two InterisIand Steamers Make Port.
Two Interisland steamers have
reached port today. The Helene is an
arrival from Kawaihae with 905S sacks
sugar, - head cattle, number of
empty gasoline drums and II pack
ages sundries. The Helene met with
moderate trades and seas on the home
ward voyage. According to report re-
ceived from the officers in the steamer
considerable rainy weather was eX-
perienced along the Hamakua coast.
-
WireIessed Long Distance.
VALLEJO. Aug. 26.-The first di-
rect communication between the Mare
Island Navy Yard and the recently
completed Pribylov wireless station in
Alaska was established today. The
operators cOnversed freely over the
distance OF 300 miles The Alaska
station recently was overhauIed by
wireless experts from Mare Island I'M
der command of Lieut.. Edwin H. Dodd.
The party has been in Alaska three
months
Norwegian Freiehter Now Due.
The Norwegian steamship Promise.
with a full shipment of phosphate
rock from Makateo. in due to arrive
al Honolulu daily according to adj
vices received at the agency of T. H.
Davies and Company the local repre-
sentatives TOR the vessel The Promise
has been substituted in place OF the
Prometheus. which vessel was Obliged
To return to Sydney y. S. w. for dock
ing and cleaning.
Logan To Sail For The Coast This
Evening.
Preparations are being made for the