Walter M. Gibson had himself named secretary of the Navy, among his other titles.
However, the "navy" did not have any ships.
On January 22, 1887, Gibson convinced the government to purchase the Explorer, a 128-foot (39 m) British merchant steamer employed in the copra trade.
The Explorer had been launched as Firebrick in Blyth, Northumberland in 1871.
King Kalākaua bought the ship for $20,000 and added the rigging.
After being refitted at great expense (over budget and behind schedule), the ship was renamed Kaimiloa and came into commission on 28 March 1887 and was ceremonially launched on April 20, 1887.
Henri Berger composed a march in her honor.

Kaimiloa finally set sail on May 18,  to serve as John E. Bush's flagship.
The ship's captain was George E. Gresley Jackson.
Twenty-four of the crew members were young Hawaiians who were enrolled in reform school, and who were placed on the ship's crew with only one month of training.
Due to the music program which was in effect at the reform school, some of these crew members were also members of a military band.
They were led by Charles Palikapu Kaleikoa, who was a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band.
Walter M. Gibson had himself named secretary of the Navy, among his other titles. However, the "navy" did not have any ships. On January 22, 1887, Gibson convinced the government to purchase the Explorer, a 128-foot (39 m) British merchant steamer employed in the copra trade. The Explorer had been launched as Firebrick in Blyth, Northumberland in 1871. King Kalākaua bought the ship for $20,000 and added the rigging. After being refitted at great expense (over budget and behind schedule), the ship was renamed Kaimiloa and came into commission on 28 March 1887 and was ceremonially launched on April 20, 1887. Henri Berger composed a march in her honor. 
Kaimiloa finally set sail on May 18,  to serve as John E. Bush's flagship. The ship's captain was George E. Gresley Jackson. Twenty-four of the crew members were young Hawaiians who were enrolled in reform school, and who were placed on the ship's crew with only one month of training. Due to the music program which was in effect at the reform school, some of these crew members were also members of a military band. They were led by Charles Palikapu Kaleikoa, who was a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band.
Kaimiloa