Sailing, Shipping & Shipwrecks | Page 36

September 28, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Columbia

“The little ship ‘Columbia’ of Boston, only eighty-three feet long, was the first American vessel to circumnavigate the globe, and a few years later was also the first to visit our Northwest Coast.”

“This last voyage was perhaps the most famous one ever undertaken by an American merchant ship, and its consequences were everlasting. A young American seaman first called attention to the importance of the fur trade of the Northwest.”

“The two vessels sailed from Boston on September 30, 1787 … When the expedition arrived on the northwest coast, … Capt. Robert Gray then took command of the Columbia”. (Niles National Register, November 25, 1837)

“The cargo of hardware, tools, toys, beads, etc, brought from Boston was gradually exchanged during the long winter for furs, which were taken to Canton, the two captains then exchanging commands. The proceeds of the skins were used to purchase tea, which was brought back to Boston.” (Old Shipping Days in Boston, 1918)

“On his return (Gray) called at the different clusters of islands in the South seas, and among the rest at the Sandwich, where, as well as in other places, he met with the most friendly attentions from the natives, go at Owyhee, where their king resided.” (Niles National Register, November 25, 1837)

“The ‘Columbia’ … spent three weeks at the Hawaiian Islands, laying in a store of fruits, yams, potatoes, and hogs. They were kindly received there”. (Porter)

“Such was the confidence placed in captain Gray, both by king and people, that they permitted him to bring away with him to Boston their crown prince (Attoo), fully relying on his promise to return him to them.” (Niles National Register, November 25, 1837)

They secured a cargo of furs from the northwest “and, in pursuance of the owners’ plan, was carried to Canton for sale. … From China the ship, loaded with teas, sailed for home by way of the Cape of Good Hope. In August of 1790 she dropped anchor in Boston harbor, the first American vessel to circumnavigate the earth.” (Howe; The Atlantic Monthly, 1903)

“(The) second voyage, on which she sailed September 28, 1790, was destined to write the good ship’s name on the map of the country.”

“It was nearly two years later when, having taken Attoo back to Hawaii in the humble capacity of cabin boy, and having spent a winter on the coast, Captain Gray, cruising to the southward, saw what he took to be the mouth of amighty river.”

“There were breakers to warn him against entering it. To this forbidding aspect of things we may owe the entry in Vancouver’s journal at the same point …”

“‘Not considering this opening worthy of more attention, I continued our pursuit to the northwest.’ For Captain Gray the breakers were an obstacle only to be overcome.”

“After several efforts he drove the ship through them, and found himself in a noble stream of fresh water. Up this river he sailed some twenty-four miles, and having assured himself that he might continue farther if he chose, returned to the sea.”

“The headlands at the mouth of the river he named, like a true son of Boston, Cape Hancock and Point Adams. He raised the American flag, buried some coins of his young country, and named the river after his vessel, the Columbia.”

“Upon this discovery and the explorations of Lewis and Clark in the next decade, the American government based its successful claim to the Oregon country.”

“Yet for the Boston merchants whose enterprise wrought such momentous results, the second voyage, like the first, was but a small success.”

“In spite of the abundant salutes and cheers which greeted the Columbia when she sailed into Boston harbor in July of 1793, the ship and her inventory were sold at once by auction at a Charlestown wharf.”

“It was hers, however, to open the way to an important commerce.”

“In the years immediately following, a lucrative trade, largely in the hands of Boston merchants, was carried on in direct pursuance of the Columbia’s example, even in the matter of circumnavigation with stops at the Sandwich Islands and China.”

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Columbia_on_river

September 23, 2018 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

First Foreigners to the Islands?

“The Pacific, the largest ocean in the world, extending over more than one third of the surface of our globe, was discovered in the year 1513, by Vasco Nugnez de Balboa, a courageous and enterprising Spaniard, governor of the Spanish colony of Santa Maria in the isthmus of Darien.”

“The desire of finding a more direct communication with the East Indies had prompted Columbus to the daring voyage which resulted in the discovery of the new world.”

“In that immense and unexplored region, his followers pursued their career of enterprise, until Balboa, by discovering the great South Sea, accomplished what Columbus, notwithstanding his most splendid achievements, had in vain attempted.”

“Magellan, a Portuguese, despatched by the court of Spain … sailed along the eastern coast of South America, discovered the straits that bear his name; and, passing through them, first launched the ships of Europe in the Southern Sea.”

“Several distinguished Spanish, Dutch, and British navigators followed the adventurous course of Magellan across the waters of the Pacific, and were rewarded by the discoveries they made in that part of the world, which, under the appellation of Polynesia, from a Greek term signifying ‘many islands’”. (Ellis)

“There is no locality in the Hawaiian Islands which has so many associations with its early history as Kealakekua Bay and its surroundings. The two villages on its shore, Ka‘awaloa, and Kakua, now called Napo‘opo‘o, are mentioned in nearly all the books and journals written by explorers and traders, from the death of Captain Cook in 1779 onward, but as far as I know there has been no collection of historic data relating to this district.”

“The first circumstance, which I believe to be authentic, is connected with the landing of seven men at Kealakekua Bay at a period less remote in point of time, than the reputed landing of other foreigners.”

“The Rev. William Ellis, who came to Hawaii in 1822, and remained here over two years, was soon proficient in the Hawaiian language, as he had lived in Tahiti for six years, where a variation of the Polynesian dialect is spoken.”

“He heard as he journeyed about the Hawaiian group, several stories of the landing of foreigners, but they varied greatly as to the place and details. One story he heard from different men, on many occasions, and all who told it agreed as to the number of men, the description of the boat in which they came, the clothes they wore, etc.”

“Shortly before Liholiho left for England he gave Mr. Ellis a detailed account of the occurrence, which is as follows:”

“‘In the days of Kahoukapu, King of Kaawaloa, seven foreigners arrived at Kealakekua Bay. They came in a painted boat, with an awning over the stern, but without mast or sails.”’”

“‘They were all dressed, the color of their clothes was white or yellow, and one of them had a pahi (that is a long knife, or sword) by his side, and had a feather in his hat.’”

“‘The natives treated them kindly. They married native women, were made chiefs, and ultimately became very powerful in the Island of Hawaii’”.

“Liholiho had no idea whence they came. I am inclined to believe that they may have been deserters from the Dutch ship Hope.” (Restarick)

“June 27, 1598, a fleet, consisting of the Hope, 500 tons; Faith, 320 tons; Charity, 300 tons; Fidelity, 220 tons and the yacht Merry Messenger, 150 tons, sailed from Rotterdam, under command of Admiral De Weert, ‘being provided with all manner of provisions and ammunition, with cannon, money, merchandise and all necessaries whatever for a long voyage.’”

“It proceeded through the Straits of Magellan, thence across the Pacific, and home by way of the Cape of Good Hope, arriving at Rotterdam May 13, 1600.” (Clark)

“(The Hope) in company with the Charity, sailed from Chili taking a north-west course until they reached 27 degrees north. When about 16 degrees north they passed an island, and seven men took the ship’s pinnace and made for the land, and were not seen again.”

“The course of the Hope would have taken her near Hawaii, and according to the log of the pilot Will Adams, they would have been here in February, 1600.” (Restarick)

“The first Dutch ships to cross the Pacific east-west were the Hope, Charity and Faith (the Hoop, Liefde and Trouw) the surviving vessels of an expedition of five ships led by Jacques Mahu in 1598.”

The Hope and Charity intended to sail from Peru to the Moloccas … In 1600, the Charity disappeared north of Hawai‘i. The Hope sighted several islands, probably Johnston Atoll and the Marianas, before reaching Japan in April 1600, where the surviving crew were imprisoned.”

“The expedition was a failure, (lead merchant) died before rounding Cape Horn … and the Hoop (Hope) (was) lost off Hawai‘i.” (Quanchi & Robson)

“It was late November 1599 when the (Hope and Faith) sailed westwardly for Japan. On their way, the two ships made landfall in ‘certain islands’ (possibly the islands of Hawai‘i) where eight sailors deserted the ships. Later during the voyage, a typhoon claimed the Hoop with all hands, in late February 1600. (Luscombe)

“I am aware that this is only a theory, but I have seen no refutation of it which has been satisfactory to me. From the description, the men would seem to have been Europeans. In any event this is the first chronicled event connected with Kealakekua Bay.” (Restarick)

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Dutch Fleet to Japan

September 18, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

USS Shaw

“John Shaw was born at Mt. Mellick, Queens County, Ireland, in 1773. In 1790, he came to the United States, settled in Philadelphia and entered the merchant marine.”

“Appointed lieutenant in the United States Navy in 1798, he (later) assumed command of the schooner Enterprise in which, during the next year, he captured seven armed French vessels and recaptured several American merchantmen.”

“During the Barbary Wars, Shaw commanded the frigate John Adams in the Mediterranean under Commodore Rodgers from May to November 1804. During the War of 1812, he also commanded the frigate United States. Captain Shaw died at Philadelphia 17 September 1823.” (Destroyer History)

An iconic image of the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, shows the USS Shaw, named after John Shaw. “Shaw (DD-373) was laid down on 1 October 1934 at the United States Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa.; launched on 28 October 1935; sponsored by Miss Dorothy L. Tinker; and commissioned on 18 September 1936, Lt. Comdr. E.A. Mitchell in command.”

“Following commissioning, Shaw remained at Philadelphia until April 1937 when she crossed the Atlantic on her shakedown cruise. … Shaw conducted training exercises in the Atlantic for the remainder of the year. She then transited to the Pacific and underwent overhaul at Mare Island from 8 January to 4 April 1939.”

“Shaw remained on the west coast until April 1940 participating in various exercises and providing services to carriers and submarines operating in the area.”

“In April she sailed for Hawaii where she participated in Fleet Problem XXI, an eight phased operation for the defense of the Hawaiian area. She remained in the Hawaiian area until November when she returned to the west coast for overhaul.”

“Back in the Hawaiian area by mid-February 1941, Shaw operated in those waters until November when she entered the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor for repairs, drydocking in YFD-2. … On 7 December, Shaw was still drydocked.” (Destroyer History)

(USS Shaw was in the old New Orleans floating drydock (YFD2) at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, on the morning of December 7, 1941. The weather was clear, with scattered clouds.”

“Three bombs struck the ship between 0755 and 0915. … The subsequent fire can be ascribed to ruptured oil tanks. The first two … bombs apparently struck the machine gun platform … and penetrated the gun shelter platform, forecastle and main decks. They perhaps exploded in the crew’s mess room on the first platform deck.”

“It appears that all three hits were made at about the same time. Fire broke out at once. Twenty minutes later the forward magazines blew up. This explosion severed the bow at about frame 65 with the exception of some bottom structure.”

“The dock was deliberately flooded to prevent more damage to it. As it sank, the bow of Shaw toppled over to starboard and went down with the dock. The Yard tug Sotoyomo was also in the dock and sank with it.” (Destroyer History)

“The USS Shaw lost 24 crewmen during the Pearl Harbor attack. Temporary repairs were made at Pearl Harbor, with the installation of a new bow and remaining repairs completed in San Francisco in June of 1943.”

“Returning to active duty for the remainder of World War II, the Shaw saw action at Guadalcanal, New Guinea and the Philippines.” (WWII Headquarters)

“Shaw arrived in San Francisco on 19 May. Repairs and alterations took her into August. The work was accomplished on the 20th. She then departed for the east coast.”

“On arrival at Philadelphia, she was routed to New York for deactivation. Decommissioned on 2 October 1945, her name was struck from the Navy list two days later. Her hulk was scrapped in July 1946. Shaw earned eleven battle stars during World War II.” (Destroyer History)

In the attack on Pearl Harbor nineteen US Navy ships, including 8 battleships were destroyed or damaged; there were 2,403 people killed and 1,178 wounded. Among the deceased were 2,008 Navy personnel, 109 Marine, 218 Army and 68 civilians. (navy-mil)

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Shaw-Pearl_Harbor-12-1941-400

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USS Shaw (DD-373)-post-Pearl Harbor attack

USS Shaw (DD-373) post-Pearl Harbor attack

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USS Shaw (DD-373)

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September 3, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Bering

“(A) direct acquaintance of the Russians with the islands occurred only in June 1804, when the ‘Hope’ and ‘Neva’, under the command of IF Krusenstern and Yu. F. Lisyansky, visited the archipelago in during his world tour.”

“Although Lisyansky was in the Hawaiian Islands for less than two weeks (from June 8 to 20, 1804), he managed to compile a very thorough picture of the state of the economy, trade, customs and life of the islanders, as well as the successful activities of the energetic King Kamehameha I.”

“Neva visited Otuwai Island (Kauai), where the Russian ship was visited by the King of Kaumuali‘i (To-Mari), speaking in English, complaining that Europeans seldom visit his possessions.”

“Lisyansky gave him a ‘flannel blanket and many other trifles,’ but the king was interested in the strip iron, paints, and most importantly – in defense from his opponent Kamehameha.”

“‘It was advisable for him,’ wrote Nikolai Korobitsin, the steward of the Russian Cancer Institute, ‘that we land our ship to his island to protect Evo from King Tomiomi, for which reason he even expressed the desire to “agree to act as his island in Russia’s citizenship’”.

“During the stay of the “Neva” in Hawaii, trade ties were established between the team and the islanders. Russian sailors exchanged clothes, axes, and iron for pigs and fruits, fully appreciating the importance of the archipelago as a food base for Kamchatka and Russian America.”

“The participant of the expedition VN Berkh noted later that every autumn it would be expedient to send a ship from Kamchatka to the Hawaiian Islands, where he could stay for the whole winter, and in May he could go back with a load of food.”

“According to contemporaries, Kamehameha had a special passion for the acquisition of naval ships. At his disposal were fifteen different ships, among which were not only small boats and tenders, but even large three-masted ships. He showed a keen interest in establishing trade relations.”

“Having learned that the Russian colonies lack food, the king let know AA. Baranov that he is ready every year to send a merchant ship with the cargo of pigs, salt, sweet potatoes and other food products to Novo-Arkhangelsk, if in exchange they receive ‘skins of sea otters at a reasonable price’”. (Bolkhovitinov)

“In 1813, just after the war between the United States and Great Britain, the governor of the Russian colony at Sitka, Alaska, purchased the Atahualpa, a ship that had been engaged in the naval activities of the war.” (He renamed it the Bering.)

“Previous to the discharge of the American captain and crew the ship was sent by the governor on a voyage to the ‘Sandwich Islands.’ Having sold a goodly portion of her cargo on the other islands, she visited Kauai for the purpose of trading with the natives.” (Mid-Pacific Magazine)

The Bering made its last stop at Waimea, Kauai, on January 30, 1815. At 3 am, the next morning, the ship ran aground in Waimea during a gale. (Mills)

“Most of the cargo on board was saved, and this was taken ashore and committed to the care of Kaumuali‘i, then the reigning chief of Kauai. He stored the goods, raised a little white flag to show that the building and its contents were tabu, and pursued the even tenor of his ways in peace.”

“In 1815 the Russian governor sent an agent, one Doctor Schoof (Schäffer,) to secure the property. He came to the islands as a passenger on the American ship Isabella. Captain Tyler. The Isabella was not bound for Kauai and the doctor landed at Kailua on Hawaii. After some weeks he secured passage to Kauai on the Millwood. Captain Eddes.”

“Kamehameha, then the king of the group, sent a messenger with Doctor (Schäffer,) with orders to Kaumuali‘i to deliver up the Russian property. He had kept it safely and delivered it promptly.”

“Although the bulk of the cargo consisted of powder and shot with some small arms, and notwithstanding that powder was in great demand for the killing of game, Kaumuali‘i held his trust sacred.”

“Shortly thereafter the Discovery, another Russian vessel, arrived with about 30 Kodiack Indians, half of whom were females.”

“The Governor of Alaska had heard there was an island northwest of Kauai, where there were herds of fur seals, and he had sent the Discovery and her crew on a sealing trip.”

“He failed to find either island or seals, and returned to Waimea. The captain had orders to leave the Indians in care of Dr. (Schäffer,) in case he failed to find the island and the seals, and proceeded on his voyage. It is not unreasonable to suppose that some of these Indians intermarried with the Hawaiians.”

“The Russian ship Myrtle, Captain Young, arrived shortly afterward, and also a Russian brig. These anchored at Hanalei. The arrival of these several Russian vessels caused the Hawaiians to believe that the Russians were preparing to seize the islands.”

“This suspicion was strengthened when Dr. (Schäffer) commenced to build a fort at Hanalei, where he had mounted several cannon.”

“(Schäffer) sold some powder to Kaumuali‘i, however, in exchange for sandal wood, and gave him a number of trifling presents.”

“A short time after the Doctor left, another Russian vessel arrived at Waimea. The captain was allowed to secure fresh water and purchase supplies but was advised that the climate of Kauai was not conducive to the health of Russians. He left.” (Mid-Pacific Magazine)

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atahualpa-bering

August 15, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Panama Canal

When US independence closed the colonial trade routes within the British empire, the merchantmen and whalers of New England swarmed around the Horn, in search of new markets and sources of supply.

As trade grew, European and East Coast continental commerce continued to round Cape Horn of South America to get to the Pacific (although the Arctic northern route was shorter and sometimes used, it could mean passage in cold and stormy seas, and in many cases the shorter distance might take longer and cost more than the southern route.)

As trade and commerce expanded across the Pacific, numerous countries were looking for faster passage and many looked to Nicaragua and Panama in Central America for possible dredging of a canal as a shorter, safer passage between the two Oceans.

In 1881, France started construction of a canal through the Panama isthmus. By 1899, after thousands of deaths (primarily due to yellow fever) and millions of dollars, they abandoned the project and sold their interest to the United States.

After Panamanian independence from Columbia in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt announced that the US would complete a canal across the Isthmus of Panama, begun years earlier by a French company.

For a while, starting in 1907, some ships took their freight via the Tehuantepee route, where ships called at Coatzacoalcos in the southern area of the Gulf of Mexico, where their cargo was taken across this narrow part of Mexico via rail to Salina Cruz on the Pacific.

“It is interesting in this connection to compare the gradual movement of freight from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast, across the Isthmus of Panama and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the six years previous to the opening of the canal.”

“In this period coast to coast tonnage increased 446 per cent. In 1907 the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company inaugurated its coast to coast service via the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.”

“In 1911 the California Atlantic Steamship Company inaugurated a line via Panama. Though the distance from San Francisco to New York by the Isthmus routes is over 2,000 miles longer than by rail, the shipments have steadily increased with the advance of each new steamship line.” (Bennet)

Before the Panama Canal was ‘officially’ opened for commerce, “The first commercial business handled by the canal was a shipload of sugar from Hawaii.”

“The American-Hawaiian steam ship Alaskan could not use the Tehuantepec route for the transfer of its cargo, on account of the war in Mexico, so it went to Balboa instead.”

“There it was met by the tug Mariner, with several barges in tow. The tug and its tow left Cristobal at 6 am on May 19th (1914), reaching Balboa at 6:40 that evening.”

“This was the first continuous ocean-to-ocean trip through the Panama Canal by any vessel. The entire 12,300-ton cargo of the Alaskan was thereupon lightered through the canal by the Mariner.”

“On August 15, 1914, the canal officially opened for commerce. On that day at 7:10 am, according to a prearranged schedule, the Ancon, one of the big cement-carrying steamers of construction days, left her berth at Cristobal with about 200 distinguished guests aboard, and in nine hours and forty minutes completed the passage from sea to sea.” (Bennett)

“The first cargo ship passing westward through the Panama Canal to call at Honolulu was the American Hawaiian Steamship Company’s SS Missourian commanded by Captain Wm. Lyons, on September 16, 1914.” (Schmitt)

The Panama Canal is a 51-mile ship canal in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean.

The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. The American Society of Civil Engineers named the Panama Canal one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

The canal would cut 8,000 miles off the distance ships had to travel from the east coast to the west. No canal of this scale had been built before, and many said it could not be done.

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