Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-08
BIRD ISLANDS
UNDISTURBED
BY POACHERS
Cutter Thetis Finds Laysan,
LySiansky and Other Isles
Untrod BY Man For Years

The vast number Of sea-birds max
ing Laysan island their home and
nesting place have not recently been
disturbed by parties of poachers, said
officers in the United States coast
guard cutter Thetis which returned
to Honolulu today alter tempestu.
Gus experience in the Pacific to the
westward Of the Hawaiian islands.
One boat was smashed and render
ed useless and another was damaged
in the attempt to make a landing at
Bird and -1ysiansky islands. Captain
James Brown met with heavy wealth
er almost Immediately after leaving
Honolulu on March 16.
The Thetis called at Midway island.
Before leaving the isolated CONNER
cial Pacific Cable Company station,
Mr.. and Mrs. D. Morrison and son
joined the vessel as passengers to
Honolulu. Morrison is the resident
manager and superintendent at Mid
way. He will remain here for about
a week, returning to his station in the
Flaurence Ward, which Is expected to
sail about April Is.
Thousands of aIbatross, gulls, COON.
les and other birds now remain in un-
molested occupation Of Laysan, once
the domain Of Max Schlemmer, the
erstwhile local phosphate and guano
king OF the Pacific. A collection Of
buildings erected for the little colony
Of laborers Is said to be fast falling
prey to violence Of storms which
sweep over the lowlying islands. A
remnant of the lighthouse yet towers
above the surrounding growth OF
brush and bunch grass Vast broods |
of rabbits struggle for existence with
the birds while the surface Of the is |
land is covered with countless num-
Der of eggs. III.
Officers in. the Thetis conducted
thorough search for evidence Of
poachers It is believed that since |
the invasion OF company of Japa-
nese from Toxic concern some
years ago, the islands have not been
visited by oneone in search of bird
feathers or skins.
Some of the smaller buildings ard
warehouses to shelter the equipment
used by the guano gatherers have
been laid low by gales. A portion OF
the light railway line can yet be seen
near the battered little wharf where
once schooners moored to take on
cargo for Honolulu.
Lysiansky island, also resting
place for sea-birds, had every appear
ance Of having remained undisturbed. |
IT IL not believed that man has
set foot on the island since the last
visit of the Thetis.
The coast-guard cutter called at
Hermes reef, French Frigate shoals
and Bird island and passed close to
johnson island.
The visit Of the Thetis proved an
interesting event in the lives of q
Score or more officers and employees
connected with the Commercial Paci-
nc Cable company. The Thetis car
Ned mail and supplies to the maroon
ed inhabitants OF the little sand is
land.
Over on Green island, adjoining the
islet upon which is built the cable
station, thriving colony of jacks are
practically running wild. The animals
represent the progeny Of couple OF
horses taken to the Midway Islands
many years ago. II
Strong gales and heavy seas were
che rule on the Islands, reefs and
rocks incorporated In the Emitted
States bird reservation. The greatest
dificuity and much danger was expe-
rienced In attempting to land at the
various points. While the Thetis lost /
q boat, its officers and crew escaped
serious injury.
In returning TO the ship after call
at French Frigate shoals, the crew
were obliged to swim to waiting
boat II was found to be impossible
to get a small craft through the wild
running surf.