[HAWAII]. SUMMERS, William H., Captain. Autograph letter signed (“Wm. H. Summers”) during a voyage in the South Pacific, from Peru to Hawaii. [South Pacific Ocean, 20 May 1873].
4 pages, 8vo, double leaf letterhead measuring approximately 203 x 255 mm (unfolded), with a small, embossed image of a colonial building, mild age-toning and tearing at folds.
American merchant, Captain Summers of Honolulu, penned onboard a barque recently purchased by him, as he made his return voyage from Iquique (then part of the Viceroyalty of Peru) to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). A letter of excellent content concerning one Honolulu ship owner’s experience in the sea trade, Captain Summers describes his attempts to obtain cargo at Iquique (now in Chile, then part of Peru), mentioning saltpeter and copper, as well as the high price of fresh water. Finding little success in purchasing goods to resell on the Pacific coast of South America, he makes efforts to earn income by chartering cargo. He rightfully blames the introduction of the steamship for reduced opportunity available to independent merchants such as himself, still using sails to navigate large wooden vessels. Still, he remains optimistic of the opportunity to secure cargo in the Sandwich Islands, possibly owing to his Honolulu connections.