’s ", E d w in N . M c C l e l l a n

FIRST AMERICAN NAVAL OFFICER AT WAIKIKI (In Memory of Navy Day, 27-October-1954)

By E d w in N o r t h M c C l e l l a n

Jonathan Thorn of New York, Navy Lieutenant, was commanding officer of ’s Tonquin (Tonking) when that ship dropped anchor in Waikiki Bay on February 21, 1811, one day before George Washington’s birth­ day. Lieutenant Thorn was on leave of absence from his regular Navy duties to make this cruise, transporting an expedi­ tion to establish Astoria in . Court and other Hawaiians. Lieutenant Thorn was entertained on FIRST U.S. NAVAL OFFICER TO SAIL PACIFIC The American , shore at Waikiki by King Kamehameha headed by Astor, required a strong com­ with a repast consisting of, among other manding officer for the Tonquin. Lieu­ things, yams, , , pork, bread­ tenant Thorn “was selected by Astor fruit and "orrack.” no less for his courage and habits of KAMEHAMEHA ABOARD THE "TONQUIN" discipline, than for the prestige a govern­ On Washington’s Birthday, Lieuten­ ment officer would give to the adven­ ant Thorn honored the First Kameha­ ture,” explained H. H. Bancroft. Wash­ meha on board the Tonquin. The Royal) ington Irving wrote that Thorn “was a Party arrived alongside the American man of courage and firmness, who had ship in a double canoe paddled by Chiefs distinguished himself in our Tripolitan who remained in the craft during the War.” entire visit. Lieutenant Thorn was the first officer King Kamehameha, his three Queens of the to visit Ha­ (probably Keopuolani, Kaahumanu and waii and Waikiki Beach. Indeed, he was one other) and High Chiefs, were re­ the first of Our Navy to sail the Pacific ceived by Thorn with royal honors. The Ocean. American Flag was displayed and a gun- The Harbor Master demanded and re­ salute fired. The King was conducted to ceived five Spanish dollars lor services as Lieutenant Thorn’s cabin, closely ac­ pilot at Waikiki Bay. companied by his valet who held a spit- THORN ENTERTAINED ASHORE ting-box. This receptacle, called Ipu BY KAMEHAMEHA Kuha, was of great importance to the The week spent at Waikiki and Ho­ King for if a hostile kahuna secured nolulu was full of interest to Lieutenant the King’s spittle or any other part of Thorn, his officers, crew and passengers. his body, it might be used as a basis for Also to Kamehameha the Great, his praying him to death.

[8] NAKED QUEENS SPORT IN WATER cated on Templar Channel, Clayoquot The Queens preferred to remain on Sound, , not far from deck. While there, they disrobed very un­ the old Indian Village of Echatchet. In ceremoniously and plunged overboard. July or August of 1811 the Indians at­ After swimming and disporting in Wai­ tacked the Tonquin. Seeing all was lost. kiki waters, they returned aboard and Lieutenant Thorn, mortally wounded, dressed. Then, they joined- the King in deliberately blew up his ship with all the cabin where they did ample justice, aboard. The date and information con­ even while observing the tabus, to an ex­ cerning this American Tragedy are un­ cellent collation, drank two bottles of known today. wine, all of which they apparently en­ joyed. MOVIE MECCA The Royal Party left the Tonquin well W ith several movies being made in or pleased with the hospitality of the first near our islands, Hawaii has become the American Naval Officer to visit their mecca for stars, actors, directors, mechan­ realm. Royal honors, including a gun- ics and producers. Some here to play, salute, were accorded the King as he others to work, are the following: Lana passed over the side with his Queens and Turner, Mickey Rooney, Samuel Gold- High Chiefs and entered the double wyn, John Wayne, Pilar Weldy, Van Hef­ canoe. The Chiefs paddled them back to lin, John Ford, Tony Curtis, Frank Love- the Beach at Waikiki. joy, Arthur Franz, "Steamboat” Moku- HAWAIIANS ENLISTED BY THORN ahi, William Powell, Henry Fonda, Le- A dozen Hawaiians were taken as Iand Hayward, Ward Bond, Tab Hunter, volunteers aboard the Tonquin for the Lyle Bettger, Richard Davalos, James service of the intended commercial es­ Arness, Gypsy Rose Lee, and many tablishment of John Jacob Astor at As­ others. All have had fine days at Waikiki toria, Oregon. Their term of engagement and many enjoyed surfing and canoeing. was three years during which they were to be fed, clothed and to receive, at the expiration of the term, one hundred dol­ lars in merchandise. Lieutenant Thorn shipped another dozen Islanders as hands for the voyage.

ASTORIA FOUNDED The Tonquin weighed anchor on Feb­ ruary 28, 1811 and sailed on a direct course to the mouth of the Columbia 'f'trPo' (River, where she arrived March 22, 1811. NOW! After several disastrous boating trips in which lives were lost, the ship was an­ Showing a fine line of greeting cards— chored. The site of Astoria was selected formal, informal/ Hawaiian. Or we will and the expedition, including the Hawai­ design one to suit you. Order now while ians, landed in April of 1811. lines ore complete. On June 1, 1811, the Tonquin left We Print the "FORECAST" Astoria on a cruise for furs. On-board were about twenty-nine souls including Commercial Printing Lieutenant Thom and some Hawaiians. Division She crossed the bar on the fifth. STAR-BULLETIN INDIANS ATTACK) THORN BLOWS UP "TONQUIN" When the Tonquin anchored off a 119 Merchant St. * Honolulu village which Indians called New-Etta, Newity or Neweatee, trouble started with Tolophono 5-7911 the Indians. This village probably was lo­

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