Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-07-24

In the golden days of the monarchy
and Kalakaua dynasty, when opium
in more or less steady stream enter
e0 the Hawaiian islands, and served
% enrich the Golfers OF select circle
of importers the rakish appearing
schooner Halcyon, was one of several
vessels always a familiar figure with
the local smuggler clan.
One or more old timers in the
steamship business, and now with the
Oceanic Steamship Sierra, had occa-
sion to rub their eyes before the liner
departed from San Francisco. for
there was the former Halcyon, now
rechristened the Vera, and but recent
Is became the property OF DIR. Smith
OF Cttowa, who is said proposes to
take passage IN the vessel for the
Arctic ocean, there TO seek lost is
land OF much value in the Beaufort
sea.
Old waterfronters here will readily
remember the craft built at Benicia,
California, in 1856 for the late Harry
Treyis, a wealthy resident Of San
Francisco, being used as yacht. She
is "a feet long, n feet beam, and S.5
feet draft, and was originally fitted up
lpxuriously. The owner tired of his
yacht soon and she eventually fell in
to the hands of A. w. Whaliey, who
died few years ago aboard United
States transport while returning from
Manila, being used by him TO smuggle
opium.
When the authorities became too
svigilant the Halcyon would be sent on
ad istant cruise She made frequent
trips to the Orient to bring lopium
from Hongkong. the dope" being hIi
den In mats Of rice or in cunningly
devised receptacles I'm the hull. On
one of these trips the Vera went
ashore on the sandy spit at Sunamaki,
Japan, close to the scene Of the wreck
OF the Empress OF China, and the boat
WAS held by the Japanese authorities.
Whalley managed to secure its return
and floated his boat, arriving at homo
lulu with the opium. On one cruise,
in which a number Of Victorians were
interested, Whalley sold the opium at
Honolulu and decamped with the pro-
ceeds, leaving the vessel to the MEM
hers of the syndicate. which sold her
to the late Captain J. G. Fox, who
changed her name to Vera and used
sher as a ssaIer.
The Vera was being extensively
oyerhauled at tie time the Sierra de-
parted for Honolulu The schooner
was after her withdrawal from the
opium smuggling trade, always rated
as a fast sailer The vessel has al
ways been attended with mucr notoli-
ETY. and even after her going into com
mission In Arctic waters, 1t was alleg.
ed that the vessel frequently returned
to civilization with contraband.
That the Vera Is now to become a
floating home for party of north Pa
cific explorers, Is something that will
occasion more than passing interest.
~
Record Lumber Shipment from
Portland.
With 100000 feet of fir, the sec
ond largest cargo of lumber ever
loaded at Portland. the British steam
ship Robert Dollar. Captain Morton.
has sailed for Shanghai. The cargo is
being shipped by the Robert Dollar
Steamship Company.
The only other cargo larger than
that going. out on the Robert Dollar
left on the British steamship Knight
of the Garter about two years ago. 1t
comprised 100000 feet, record
which never has been duplicated at
Portland or any other Pacific Coast
port.
Pacific Mail SteWardess Now a Bride.
Upon the arrival of the Pacific Man
er Korea from the Orient Monday
the stewardess was still being called
Mrs. Leonora Ward. That was be-
cause the officers and passengers on
the ship were unaware of the fact that
the day before the liner left the other
side she became Mrs. Captain James
ID. Smith. Mrs. Smith had intended
keeping it a secret some time longer,
but secrets will out and now she will
be the recipient of many congratula-
tons and good wishes, for her friends
on the trans-Pacific run are legion.
When Mrs. Smith sails again on the
Korea 1t will be as a passenger. She
and her husband will make their home
In Manila. Captain Smith has been
connected with the United States col
lier service for many years and is well
known in Philippine waters.-Call.
RE
Steamship Company Sued for Damage
SAN FRANGlSC0-Damage suits
aggregating more than 100000 were
filed against the Pacific Coast Steam
ship Company by dozen plaintiffs for
loss and injury alleged 10 have been
sustained by them in the wreck of the
steamship Santa Rosa ON Point Ar.
guello July z, 1911.
Public Administrator NJ ]. Hynes
filed suit in behalf of John Skiic es-
tate and the widow, Amanda Skific,
for S25, 900 damages for Sixties death.
The complaint recites the alleged
carelessness of Captain j. o. Faria as
contributory TO the death of the de.
cedent.
The other plaintiffs and amounts of
damages are;