Series 1 - Correspondence (Box 2)

File of correspondence relating to Hawaii. Digital File see p135 --> archive --> OCR --> Box 2 --> Correspondence --> p135_CO_001 (1 letter from this PDF has been refiled, it is 2 Jan 1899, a handwritten letter of recommendation for H L Mayo, on Spring Valley Water Works headed paper.

Letter from William C Brown to Henry R Worthington responding to an enquiry for electrical driven pumps for the Waialua Plantation. (16 Aug 1899).

Two letters to M M O'Shaughnessy from D [Center] (21 Dec 1899 - 26 Jan 1900). He is writing to O'Shaughnessy from the American Sugar Company, Moloka'i ahead of O'Shaughnessy's departure for Hawaii. Discusses the talents of a new recruit, arrangements ahead of O'Shaughnessy's departure to work on the water irrigation project, specifically the personnel he will need, and a mix up in ordering a transit and a level. Also particulars of the aqueduct to be constructed, a delay with pumps, a note that communication between Honolulu and the Islands has been stopped, and expresses doubt "whether we had the Plague here", in reference the Bubonic Plague which broke out in Honolulu in 1899.

Correspondence relating to the quarantine of M M O'Shaughnessy, J S Malony and A P Boller by the Board of Health in Honolulu as a matter of precaution, following the outbreak of Bubonic Plague. (13 Jan 1900 - 13 Feb 1900. The first is a letter from C B Wood, President of the Board of Health granting permission for the transfer of O'Shaughnessy's luggage from the Steamship Gaelic. A carbon copy of a handwritten letter from Wood to A W Judd in Honolulu (1 Feb 1900) authorising him to act as guard at Hanauma in the quarantine of the men. Guidelines on the terms of their quarantine, including the treatment of their clothing and bathing requirements are outlined. Witnessed and signed by O'Shaughnessy. Letter from Wood (13 Feb 1900) outlining that they have fulfilled a satisfactory quarantine, bringing it to an end.

Letter from C E Moore in Santa Clara, California to O'Shaughnessy then in Honolulu (31 Jan 1900) on matters concerning office rent and mail.

Letter from Edward P Decker of the C W Hunt Company on the subject of their Industrial Railway Catalogue. 9 Feb 1900.

Letter from A M Hunt of San Francisco to O'Shaughnessy in Honolulu (10 Feb 1900) hoping he has not "gotten tied up in the various quarantines that are in force among the Islands", and wondering how his work is progressing. Updates him on his own work on the Truckee River.

Letter from C F Saylor*** of Pasadena, California (28 Feb 1900) to O'Shaughnessy in Honolulu following up on data on the cost of pumping at various elevations. Handwritten report from O'Shaughnessy to Saylor and Captain Frank Walley Perkins (US Coast and Geodetic Survey, Commander of the Str. Pathfinder), outlining statistics on the sugar product of the Hawaiian Islands, attributing its increase over the previous 20 years to improved systems of cultivation "the main feature of which is systematic irrigation of the growing sugar cane". He outlines the early water supply, natural streams flowing in the mountains, diverted by means of long ditches, and mentions Claus Spreckels as being a pioneer in this field, with the Haiku Ditch. In Honolulu, there is a supply of fresh water underground, and the owners of the Ewa Plantation began exploring this 12 years previous. The report describes the wells constructed by the Ewa Plantation, its elevation, dependency on soil and climate conditions, and proximity to Pearl Harbour. The report includes costings for coal and irrigation. He describes the general character of the rock, local topography. His report concludes with a recommendation that a geological and stratigraphical survey of the islands is badly needed, to enable accurate study of the conditions governing the underground water reservoirs. "A large amount of money is thrown away each year on haphazard and unintelligent water exploration". Report dated 23 Mar 1900. A letter from Frank Walley Perkins thanking him for the report, and advising he would be forwarding it to Washington. (28 Mar 1900).

Invitation to O'Shaughnessy extending the privileges of the Pacific Club to him (5 May 1900).

Handwritten letter to Major W J Collins written by O'Shaughnessy on board the Steamship Gaelic. (5 Jun 1900). Expresses happiness to make his acquaintance through his cousin Jack Shaughnessy and outlines the nature of his career to date. O'Shaughnessy is 36 at the time of writing.

Four letters to O'Shaughnessy (addressed to Mick), from J S Malony (who was in quarantine with him in Honolulu) from Kaunakakai (8 Jun 1900 - 19 Jun 1990). Updating him on the work on the site, a delay with pumps meaning that the parts of the project are slow moving. Some difficulties arising due to the lack of a Japanese interpreter. Some language in letters is nowadays considered racially offensive.***

Letters to O'Shaughnessy requesting that he meet with the Manager of the Hutchinson Sugar Co., George C Hewitt on the subject of hiring a hydraulic engineer to look for water. (30 Jun 1900 - 22 Jul 1900).

Letter to O'Shaughnessy from E J Cacton*** (10 Jul 1900) on Cotton Bros and Co note paper, outlining a delay in finishing maps.

Handwritten letter in O'Shaughnessy's hand, but appears to have been written in haste, and possibly a draft letter. (20 Jul 1900). To Healy, written on 'The Hawaiian Hotel, Honolulu' headed paper. Refers to a delay in payment.

The material is accessible to all bone fide researchers, and subject to the conditions of access governing the consultation of archival material at the James Hardiman Library.
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08/02/2017
29/07/2025