Peter T Young

September 30, 2021 by Peter T Young 5 Comments

Brothers Continue The Legacy

For much of the 1800s, sailing ships calling at Honolulu Harbor were serviced using double-hulled canoes or rowboats.

In 1900, three brothers, Jack, Herbert and William, formed Young Brothers and started doing small jobs around the Harbor.

Early in the century, there was only a narrow opening in the reef, so sailing ships anchored outside where they had room to maneuver. They then came ashore in their own boats or used launch services from the harbor.

Jack Young once reminisced about arriving in Honolulu in 1900 with a few cans of fruit, a large trunk and only twenty-five cents in cash – too little to pay to have his trunk brought ashore. So he rustled up a spare rowboat and rowed in his own gear.

In those days, there might be from five to twenty sailing ships off Sand Island. When a ship came in, the anchor line had to be run out to secure the ship; if the ship was coming to the dock, a line had to be carried to the pier.

In the early years of the company, Young Brothers used its first boat, Billy, to service the ships by carrying supplies and sailors to ships at anchor outside the harbor, as well as run lines for anchoring or docking vessels.

They also pulled boats off the reefs, conducted salvage operations and various other harbor-related activities (including harbor tours.)

The company grew over the years into an active interisland freight company.

When original brother Jack’s two sons became old enough, they joined the operation.

Jack Young Jr., joined the company as a regular employee in 1933. He soon captained various boats; in 1936 he became the permanent master of the Mamo (which in 1930 was the first all-steel tugboat in maritime history.)

Jack’s younger brother, Kenny Young, joined Young Brothers in 1946, after a stint in the Navy and graduation from Stanford.

He immediately became superintendent of Young Brothers’ freight department, a position he held until 1952. That same year, Young Brothers merged with Oahu Railway and Land Company (OR&L.)

Jack Jr. resigned from Young Brothers in 1952 (having disagreed with the merger and its resulting changes in management policies.)

However, Jack Jr. continued to broaden his maritime skills, earning a Master Maritime license and becoming a Harbor Pilot for the Territory of Hawai‘i, then Harbor Master for the State. (Jack Jr. passed away in 1994.)

Kenny remained with the company after the merger and served as manager of the land department of OR&L (1952-1961.)

When OR&L merged with Dillingham Corporation, he was manager and vice president at Dillingham until 1968.

He then moved to Kona and started his own real estate company. (Kenny passed away in 2004.)

Jack Young of the original Young Brothers is my grandfather; Jack Young Jr, my uncle; and Kenny Young, my father.

The Young family legacy at Young Brothers continued; for a while, my older brother, David Young, served as a Hawai‘i County Community Advisory Board Member for the Young Brothers Community Gift Giving program.

I am the youngest brother of the youngest brother of the youngest brother of Young Brothers.

Jack Edgar and Will Young 1903

Young_Brothers-first_boat-Billy

Young-Brothers-Captain_Jack_Young_(grandfather)_on_Makaala

Kenny Young

Young_Brothers-Fleet-1915

Young_Brothers_Boathouse-center_structure_with_open_house_for_boats_on_its_left-1910

Young Brothers Launch ‘Sea Scout’ in Honolulu Harbor-Lucas_Tower_in_background-PPWD-9-3-030-1905-400

Young_Brothers_Boathouse-1902

Young Brothers shark hunt

Kapena Jack Young Drawing

September 29, 2021 by Peter T Young 20 Comments

They’re Baaack …

OK, here’s the deal – well, really, there is no ‘deal;’ but, at least for a while, the daily historical posts are back.

I took about a year off from these – well not really, I continue to get questions and comments and try to help where I can. Some may have also noticed periodic posts creeping back in.

Of note, I have been posting what I reference as Mayflower Monday posts for the past few months. These will continue.

I am involved on the Board of the Hawai‘i Chapter of the Mayflower Society and have been learning about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims and sharing what I have learned.

Another thing that will be coming back is Timeline Tuesday. However, in addition to summaries that describe the Islands in various timeframes, I will be adding some comparative timelines noting not only what was happening in Hawai‘i, but also what was happening the same time in other parts of the world.

And then, some summaries on the people, places and events in Hawai‘i’s history, including some ‘revivals’ of information from others (that I have used as source material for my summaries, as well as revisiting some of my favorites from the past).

I started posting historical September 30, 2011 – my father’s birthday. The posts will be back tomorrow, September 30, 2021.

I hope you enjoy them … and learn something. I have certainly learned a lot.

Thanks,
Peter.

August 23, 2021 by Peter T Young 5 Comments

Thanks for Subscribing

I realize some of you have subscribed and have not yet received any message or posts.

Things are changing …

I previously posted daily summaries related to people, places and events in Hawaiian history. Those daily posts stopped a little over a year ago.

I am sending you this message, as there are plans underway to reinstitute the posts.

I will keep you up to date as the scheduling is finalized. I just wanted to let you know, something will happen … soon.

Again, thanks for subscribing and for following these posts.

Peter.

May 12, 2021 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

The Voyage of the Thaddeus

This is a series that chronicles the voyage of the Thaddeus – the trip in 1819 – 1820 by the first American Protestant missionaries to Hawai’i.

In the subsequent posts, you will see a map noting its daily progress, and text from journals of the passengers. The image here shows the overall route (deciphered from daily entries from the journals).

“We know of no Mission that has hitherto left this country, which has excited such general interest and prompted so many prayers as that to the Sandwich Islands.”

“It owes its origin to the fact that two lads, natives of Owhyhee, about 9 years since were providentially brought to our shores, by Capt. Brintnall, of New-Haven, and that in that town two young gentlemen faithfully instructed them in the great truths of the Christian religion.”

“One of the lads, Henry Obookiah, early became a convert to Christianity, and gave the most satisfactory evidence of personal piety. He and one of his teachers, the much lamented Mills, who, if he had lived, was to have led the Mission to Owhyhee, have been summoned to a nobler service.”

“The other, Thomas Hopoo, has been a member of the church of Christ about five years. In his whole deportment, the observer discovers evidence of piety, which leaves the mind at rest. His other teacher, Rev. Edwin W. Dwight, of Richmond, the author of the ” Life of Obookiah,” has a right to rejoice in witnessing tire fruit of his labours.”

“He and his friend continued their benevolent exertions towards the two youths from time to time, until they were placed at “The Foreign Mission School” in Cornwall. There Mr. Dwight was their official instructor until a short time before the death of Obookiah.”

“What encouragement is here given to the Christian to obey every impulse of benevolent feeling, and to ‘do good unto all men as he has opportunity.’”

“The individuals connected with the Mission assembled in this town during the last week. They consist of nineteen natives of America; seven gentlemen with their wives, and five children; and four natives of the Sandwich Islands. Their names, places of residence, and occupations, are as follows:

Rev. Hiram Bingham, Bennington, Vt. Missionary.
Rev. Asa Thurston, Fitchburg, Mass. Missionary.
Daniel Chamberlain, Brookfield, Mass. Farmer.
Thomas Holman, Cooperstown, N.Y. Physician.
Samuel Whitney, Branford, Connecticut, Teacher.
Samuel Ruggles, Brookfield, Con. Teacher.
Elisha Loomis, Utica, N. Y. Printer
John Honoree, Owhyhee, Teacher.
Thomas Hopoo, Owhyhee, Teacher.
William Tennooe, Woalioo, Teacher.
George Tamoree, Atooi.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain take out with them a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. Most of the gentlemen have learned some one of the mechanic arts.”

“On Friday afternoon of last week, the Missionaries to the number of seventeen, the seven gentlemen and ladies, with Honoree, Hopoo, and Tennooe, were formed into a church of Christ. The religious solemnities on that occasion were performed in the Vestry of Park-street Church, by Rev. Drs. Morse and Worcester, and the Pastor.”

“On the same evening, Rev. Mr. Bingham preached in that church to a very numerous and attentive audience, from 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. The doctrine derived from the text, and supported in a very ingenious and convincing manner by the preacher, was, ‘It is the great end of the Bible to promote benevolent action.’ After the sermon a Charge was delivered to all the members of the Mission, by Rev. Dr. Worcester.”

“On Saturday morning, at 10 o’clock, the same church was again opened. After a prayer by Mr. Bingham, Rev. Mr. Thurston delivered, to a crowded house, the farewell of the Missionaries to their friends and brethren in this country. When this was concluded, Thomas Hopoo addressed the audience.”

“The address was extemporaneous only because he had had no time to write one. He appeared throughout calm and self-possessed, and did not hesitate, except when owlng to his imperfect utterance of our language. His delivery was manly and impressive. The thoughts were striking and solemn. It was a most affecting spectacle to see a native of Owhyhee preaching the gospel to the citizens of Boston, and calling on them to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.”

“At the close of his address to the audience, Hopoo in a very happy manner begged leave to say a few words to five of his countrymen just arrived from Owhyhee, who were sitting in one of the pews immediately below him. The address was in the language of his country, and occupied 10 or 12 minutes. It was delivered with great freedom and energy.”

“After a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Fisk, (one of the Missionaries to Jerusalem,) the exercises were concluded with the Anthem entitled Melton Mowbray, performed in a superior style. The contributions on Friday evening and Saturday morning amounted to upwards of two hundred dollars.”

“On the Sabbath, at 4 P. M. after the close of Divine service, at the request of the newly constituted Church, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered in Park-street Church.”

“The members of that Church, of the Old South Church, of the Church in Essex street, and many members of other Churches in and out of town, united with their brethren and sisters of the Missionary Church in commemorating the dying love of their common Lord and Saviour, for the last time on this side of the grave.”

“The number of communicants was thought to be between five and six hundred. Rev. Dr. Worcester led in the services, and was assisted by Rev. Messrs. Jenks, Sabine, Bingham and Dwight, and Rev. Professor Porter.”

The occasion was peculiarly interesting and solemn; and will be long remembered with gratitude and joy by those who were present.”

”The Mission Family expected to have embarked in the brig Thaddeus, Capt. Blanchard, on Saturday last; but the arrangements of the vessel not being completed, departure has been delayed to the present time. They expect to sail in the course of this day, (Saturday.)” (Religious Intelligencer, October 30, 1819)

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May 11, 2021 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 001 – October 23, 1819

October 23, 1819 – Mr. Evarts, the treasurer, having engaged a passage for the mission on board the brig Thaddeus, Captain Blanchard, for $2,500, exclusive of provisions for a long voyage, she was made ready for sea, by the 23d of October. In the forenoon of that day, Mr. Thurston gave the parting address of the mission to its friends, at Park St. Church, that monthly concert temple dear to many a missionary heart.

They repaired together to the wharf, where they united in a parting hymn, pledging a close and permanent union though far and long separated;-

‘When shall we all meet again?
When shall we all meet again?
Oft shall wearied love retire;
Oft shall glowing hope expire;
Oft shall death and sorrow reign,
Ere we all shall meet again.

‘Though in distant lands we sigh,
Parched beneath a hostile sky;
Though the deep between us rolls,
Friendship shall unite our souls;
And in fancy’s wide domain,
We shall often meet again.

‘When the dreams of life have fled;
When its wasted lamps are dead;
When in cold oblivion’s shade,
Beauty, power, and fame are laid’
Where immortal spirits reign,
There may we all meet again.

Oct. 23, 1819 – This day in the good providence of God, we have been allowed to leave our dear native shores on an embassy of mercy, having been set apart to the work of propagating the gospel in the Sandwich Isles. Having been commended to God and to the word of his grace by the Rev. Dr. Worcester, and attended on board by many dear friends to whom with tears we gave the parting hand, we left Boston harbor with a prosperous gale, and with peculiar smiles of heaven. The little mission family containing 22 souls attended by G.P. Tamoree is this evening blessed with universal health.

He who has called us is faithful, and though we go out to a foreign land not knowing the things that shall befal us there, we cheerfully commit ourselves to his guidance and protection and endeavor to give up ourselves and all we have, to be forever employed in his service. (Thaddeus Journal)

Oct. 23, 1819. – This day by the good providence of God, I have embarked on board the brig Thaddeus (Blanchard master) for the Sandwich Islands to spread the gospel of Christ among the heathens. At 8 oclock took breakfast with the good Mr. Homer; at 11, gave the parting hand toward our dear friends on shore, & came on board accompanied by the Prudential Com. Mr. and Mrs. Dwight and some others. At 1 the sails were hoisted & we soon left sight of a multitude of friends who were lifting up holy hands in their behalf. This evening we came to anchor off Boston light. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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