The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-11
THE MATTE HAMILTON.
Successful Launching of the New Third
District FerrybOat,

ALI the Inhabitants of Algiers. both old and
young, big and little. were out yesterday even
ing to witness the launching of the hull of the
new ferryboat destined to ply between the head
Of Esplanade street and Algiers. The boat was
built by O. A. Hermanson. a ship carpenter of
Algiers who deserves commentator for the
graceful outline which he has impaired to the
hull. She Is liz feet long, 40 feet beam over all
feet deep, and double hulled; cylinder 14h
inches by ~ feet stroke She will be provided
with a five 6ued steel boiler. A inches In
diameter ard % feet long. Her feet wheel
astern is to be Of the recess pattern, with ~
foot bucket.
Only the hull and the deck frame of the boat
have been completed. yet glance at her model
ing and careful survey of her timbers. stan
chions and rivetngs vouch for the solidty and
seaWorthiness Of the craft. Her cabin will be
aft on the main deck. and COMPRISES two com
partments, one to the right for ladies and one
on the left for gentlemen.
Built OF native cypress, with centre decks Of
yellow pine, strengthened with innumerabl q
rivets and bolts, the boat. which. by the by, is
double huled bids fair to withstand the action
She is called the Matte Hamilton. after Capt.
Hamlton's little daughter. aged seven years.
The fair godmother. We regret to say was un-
able. through Illness to be present at the
launching OF her namesake, but 1t Is to be
hoped that she will BIZ able. by the first Of June
when the Matte makes her first trip. to walk
her decks In the full enjoyment Of health.
THE NEW CRAFT
was built under the orders Of Messrs Hamilton
II Fitzenreiter, lessees of the Third District
Ferry. and will cost when fitted out, about 80. :
900.
Ats o'clock an army Of artisans loosened the
Matte from her fastenngs and with graceful
and swift gliding the slid upon the ways and
gave her first kiss to the swiftly running waters
Of the old Miss issippi. At the very minute she
left the docks. Miss Grace Follett, daughter Of
| J. f. Foliett. Esd. an old citizen Of Agiers.
broke q bottle OF cham payne over the jack taft
| and sprinkling 1t on the deck. christened The
| new Craft Matte Hamilton" Miss Follett was
| assisted by the Misses Fannie and Julia Hedges
| and Miss Virginia Carreras.
After she had drfted some distance down
the stream, the Matte was towed back to her
moorings by n tugboat. and there she will re-
/ ceive her outfit and be fixed no In such way
| as to be- rival Of any fsrryboat that ever piled
the waters Of the N Mississippi.
| Mr.. Nicholas Gasser Is to devote his time to
| the painting of the boat; Mr. Fl. Revin will do
| The joiner work aud Mr. David Sheehan fur
nishes the sheet iron and copper works.
All the workmen who have helped to build the
/ Naite," and those who will fit her out are
native artisans, and should they succeed 1t will
rebound to their credit.
Among the gentlemen present were Messrs.
D. Hamilton. J. II. Warner W. g. Cpyle. Capt.
J. +; Burdeau. Capt, jos Leech. Capt. VIM. Nc
Cook-ey. Capt. VIM. 8. Hubbard. Capt JOS
Averil. Capt. Chas. Burdeck and Capt. Chas
Howard
God speed to the beauteous Matte Hamil-
ton" may she prove worthy of her names Ike
and may she bring success to her big hearted
owners. Messrs. Hamilton and Fitzenrei er.