Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-12-09


the Pacific, and for thirty yeaTs with
vessels flying the Oceanic house flag,
Thomas c. Smith, veteran purser, OF
lite years with the liner Sierra. SUI.
fered an almost complete mental col.
laTse just before the vessel reached
San Francisco on the last voyage, and
to last accounts the popular and be
loved officer, bereft OF reason is an
inmate OF San Francisco sanitarinm,
with little of no hope OF his ever re-
covering his reason. = ~ !
Purser Smith has been complaining
OF iii health for come months past. On
the last trip to Honolulu he suffered
greatly from the effects OF a siege OF
dengue fever. The affliction left him
in bad shape physically.
IL was but day before the Sierra
was to have reached San FRANCISCO
that his fellow oflcers noticed that the
veteran purser was far from being his
cid self. II Is claimed that before the
liner made port, he became more or
less violent and grave results were
feared. ...s-.s-
At the coast city where Mr.. Smith
has made his home for many years, he
was taken in charge by his wife and
also friends.
With the arrival of the Sierra at
Honolulu this morning it was stated
that the purser's mental trouble was
much aggravated by having fallen
from a street cer. Striking his head,
the former Oceanic officer sustained
serious injuries which resulted in his
mind becoming a blank.
Later the steamship man showed
what was believed unmistakable symp-
IONS of becoming violet and he was
sent before lunacy commission who
ordered that the officer be placed in a
state or private institution.
At the time the Sierra departed for
honolulu, Purser Smith showed no
signs of Improvement. He is alleged
as labored under the hAlucination that
he was a man Of great wealth and
with q private yacht at his disposal
endearored to enlist large company
TO join him on cruise of the world.
While enlisting the best OF medical
skill in behalf of the AFFLICTED man his.
friends fear that there is little hope
for complete recovery.
Thomas C. Smith, has been identi-
fed with the Oceanic Steamship Com
pany practically from tho initial opera.
ton OF steamers in the Pacific. He
was extremely well known to thou
xa1ids q travellers who yoyaged from.
the coast to the islands and into Aus
trslia. OF late years. he served in an
ofhcial capacity with the old Iealan.
ola, then the Australia, followed by
years on the Mariposa and Alameda.
In the Mariposa and Alameda, Purser
Smith became as well known to snif
ping fraternity in the colonies as at
Auckland. Page Pago, Honolulu and.
San Francisco.
Smith was rated, as one OF the hes
liked officers with the Oceanic COM
pany today. When the service to Aus
tralia was resumed about two years
ago. he was offered a billet with a
lirer plying between San Francisco
end Sydney, but expressed his pre-
ference to remain with the Honolulu
ferry service.
or a genial and pleasing disposition,
Smith won large circle of friends
who will receive news of his misfor.
tune with much genuine sorrow and
regret.
The Sierra arrived from San Fran
risco this morning, following fair
trip firm the mainland with $. Nj. vii.
liams, a former Pacific Mail and Togo
Kisen Kaisha man in the pursers of
fee. Williams made his last voyage
from the orient TO the coast in the new
7enyo Maru, serving in the capacity
of Purser. Following some years
spent on shore Williams was finally
induced to again take TO the sea. The
new purser in the Sierra came into
pert this morning only TO reew num-
Der of acquaintance made here years
Ego.
Taking the place made vacant by
tie retirement of DIR. S. e. tLeonhardt
y no figured in dining saloon brawl
on the board the Sierra on the last
voyage TO the coast, DR.. Milton Shut
is now installed as medical officer in
yhe liner. Dr. Shutz is no stranger to
Honolulu having visited the islands
Scme three years ago at which time he
remained here for some weeks. -.
Bringing 90 cabin and II steerage
passengers the Sierra was at the
Oceanic wharf shortly before eight
O'Clock this morning. Captain Houde-
lette reported some rough weather
curing the first few days of the trip.
The Sierra passengers while small
in number were rated as a rather i've
" lot and a pleasing series of enter
tainments were successfully planned
ind carried out.
The Sierra GOULD have easily accom-
nlcdated one hundred and twenty-five
additional passengers in the first cabin
had they applied fov transportation.
Despite the fact that the tourist sea
son in nearing its height steamers are
leaving San Francisco with many
empty cabins.
OF the thirty-five hundred tons cargo
.ar discharge at this port, there is in
ciuded eighteen automobiles.
A large nail was landed from the