Arrival in Honolulu: 10 May 1883
The Steamship, Abergeldie, under the command of Captain Watson, arrived in Honolulu port Thursday, 10 May 1883, 62 days from St. Michael, Azores, having on board nearly a thousand Portuguese immigrants. A visit to the vessel yesterday showed them to be in good health and for their general appearance, we judge, they will be a valuable addition to the population of the Islands. Notwithstanding the fact that a thousand souls had been confined to the limits of the steamers deck for more than 2 months (62 days). They look cheerful, healthy and in fact as though they had a good time. Leaving St. Michael’s on the 2nd of March, 1883 at 5:45 a.m., they reached the Straits of Magellan on the 28th of March and passed through it at 5 p.m. on the 30th.
Good weather was met crossing the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Coronal Harbor was reached on 4 April 1883 at 11:25 a.m. Coronal Harbor is in the coast of Chile. Here the steamer coaled, but being delayed in getting a full quantity required, the vessel did not get away until 9:30 p.m. on 9 April. The voyage thence to Honolulu was a delightful one, notwithstanding, which the Islands of Hawaii Nei were hailed with delight by the passengers. The vessel carried on board 945 passengers all told. There were 15 births and 9 deaths, the latter all children. There were 140 cases of measles, but no deaths from that disease. The Captain and doctors had the pleasure to report a clean bill of health, upon the arrival of the vessel, Abergeldie; the measles which had quite a run during the voyage, having disappeared, and the deaths which had taken place having being comparatively few and confined to the young children of whom there is a large number on board.
The passengers spoke in the highest terms of the treatment they received during the voyage. They all joined in signing flattering testimonial to the Captain and its officers, also to the Medical Officers, Chief Steward, storekeeper and to Mr. John C. Halbert, the supercharge, through whom they have requested that their expressions of gratification should be conveyed to their friends and relatives at home. They report that the provisions furnished them have been of the best quality, and abundant in quantity. Particular pains were taken by Colonel G.W. MacFarlance, especially arrangements be made to give the immigrants enough and the best foods for the trip.
Consul Senor Coravarro congratulated Colonel MacFarlance for his successful carrying out of this instructions to Messr. Hoffrung & Co. The trip by the British steamship Abergeldie took 62 days from St. Michael to Honolulu. Many employers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the steamship Abergeldie with the Portuguese immigrants on board. There is now a decided opinion sitting down in favor of the Portuguese immigrants as the best for population and the various industries of these Islands. Germans, Norwegians and other northern European immigrants are now regarded as of very doubtful value in the way of promoting population or subserving industrial enterprise in these Islands. They are uncertain about their stay and look to the broad public lands of America and Australia for new homes; whereas the inhabitants of the Islands of the Azores Archipelago, Madeira and the Cape Verde Group find here a perfectly congenially settling place, and one thoroughly adapted to their previous habits and conditions.
THE PORTUGUESE AT THE DEPOT
The Portuguese immigrants, as they pass to and fro, or loiter about in the Depot presents some curious aspects both of individuality and dress. The men is generally well-built for labor and clothed in rough, oddly-cut serviceable material. Most of the women are strongly formed and dressed in unornamental but convenient cottons. Some of them, however, are quite delicate and not a few are really handsome. Several of the younger females also make some pretentions to fashionable dress and certainly look very neat. The children are very sprightly and keep their eyes wide open, and their ears alert to see and hear all that transpires. All of the immigrants, both the old and young, may be seen at best advantage about noon when the lunch is served to them. Then they sit about their respective cottages in picturesque groups and eat with an eagerness that surely indicates a splendid appetite. By and by, as they begin to finish their meals, each seeks a comfortable position either half reclining or sometimes even wholly stretched out upon a mat or blanket in the shade for sort of after-dinner rest which all seem to enjoy thoroughly. Yet, during this interval of reposing, quiet, the immigrants are not stupid or sluggish, but they keep up a vivacious conversation in reference to their bright hopes for the future, the incident of their voyage, or the friends and acquaintances left behind whom they wish again and again the best of good fortune.
THE PORTUGUESE IMMIGRANTS OF S.S. ABERGELDIE
A thorough inspection of the large number of Portuguese immigrants which are now quartered in the Immigration Depot show them to be in a healthful condition, contented and happy. They have been engaged in washing up since their arrival and now presents a very clean appearance. An abundance of wholesome and substantial food is provided for them from day to day, and they seem hearty and pleased with their prospects.
Owing to the failure of the orange and grape crops in the Azores Archipelago, where they came from, the whole population of those Islands are anxious to emigrate to Hawaii. Thus, what is a loss to Azores is a gain for us. These Portuguese are likely to prove the most reliable and valuable immigrants that can be obtained for purpose of repopulation and industrial enterprises. They are docile and accustomed to a climate very similar to ours. There women are prolific, shorter and used to toil. Besides, the Portuguese are not given, as a loss, to intemperance or sedition. They are contented with a fair living and are saving and thrifty. Beyond a doubt these immigrants will prove a very valuable acquisition, both as laborers and inhabitants of the country. It would be well to take advantage of the crop failure in the Azores, and the present consequent inclination of the people there to emigrate to the Islands by providing passage for as many more as can be readily employed here.
THE PLANTERS MONTHLY ON PORTUGUESE IMMIGRANTS
The letter of F.A. Schaefer Esq. on the subject of Italian immigrants reads before the Planters Labor and Supply Co. is published in full. The gentleman gave as his opinion, that the Portuguese immigrants from the Azores are the preferable to laborers of any nation on the Continent of Europe, and experience have already proved to be a fact.
Excerpts from The Pacific Commercial Advertiser Weekly, Hawaii State Library (Micro-film)
http://www.yourislandroutes.com/ships/abergeldie.shtml