Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-10-09
PRINCETON NOW
FLOATED BY MEN
!: OF u. 5. navy
Sonoma Brings Report of Great
Success in Removing Gum
boat From Coral Reef

The salvage of the United States
gunboat Princeton, just completed at
Page Page, Samoan islands, under
the direction of a little band of
American naval officers and marines,
will go down in history as a wonder
full achievement considering the ex-
tremely primitive appliances at the
disposal of the salvers.
Foundering on a reef near the en-
trance to the harbor at Page Pago,
the Princeton went down in about
seven fathoms OF water during the
early part of July The vessel was
considered hopeless task until the
American engineers then stationed at
the naval base took, steps toward
raising the vessel.
Divers worked continuously In
short shifts, the gaping hole amid
ships having been covered with can
vass and afterwards sheathed with
planking.
One large coHical rock penetrated
the vessel a short distance from the
boilers. 1t was found impossible to
raise the vessel while the obstruc-
ton remained there Engineers sue
ceeded in separating the rock from
the reef, and it has been cemented in
place and now Is a part of the bot
tom of the Princeton. ~
1 The story of the salvage of the
/ Princeton was brought to Honolulu
by officers in the Oceanic liner Sono-
ma this morning. Captain J. H.
Trask and Purser Charles Pray spent
some time ashore at Page Pago and
were assured that the Princeton
would be taken to San Francisco for
docking. Whether the vessel will be
able to cover the distance under its
own steam has not been determined.
The Sonoma is said to have passed
within so miles Of two Japanese war
vessels or converted cruisers. The
Japanese we're believed to be operat-
ing to the south of Page Pago That
, they have participated in some of the
seizures Of German territory in the
South Pacific was generally believed
on board the American vessel
Two big German freighters are safe
at a neutral port at Page Page where
they put In few days before the
British occupation of German Samoa.
The little German gunboat, which had
been stationed at Apia, has interned
at Page Page This vessel is report
ed to have been the means by which
Germans removed much of the specie
and valuables from the seat of govern.
ment at Apia
| Filled to capacity with passengers
and freight, the Sonoma is declared
to have left sufficient cargo behind to
take up space IN two vessels of siIni;
lar tonnage - - s. s
Seven cabin 8 second class and 2
steerage passengers left the liner at
81 cabin, 81 second class and rs steer
age travellers.
In addition to is sacks of Australi-
an mail left here, the ,Sonoma Is bear
ing the Royal British mail to the mum
Der of more than 1000 sacks destined
for London and the continent
The through cargo amounts to Zoo
tons, while freight for Honolulu in
cluded 325 tons Of Australian prod
ucts. mo refrigerated meat was per-
mitted to be exported, so state Off
GERS in the steamer.
Sixty theatrical performers are re-
turning to the United States In the,
Sonoma, who state that the war has
put decided crimp in the theatrical
business in Australia and New Zeal
and.
A delegation of mainland fighters
under the chaperonage of Eddie Nc
Goorty are en- route to the Pacific
coast following a series of bouts held
at the larger Australian cities.
The Sonoma will be despatched for
San francisco at 5 O'Clock this even
ing, taking a score of passengers from
Honolulu.