National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-03-27
THE GEORGE LBdRK.



About halfpast Ave o'clock yesterday after
noon tho new steamer George Leary, lately
purchased by the Washington and Norfolk
Steamboat Company, steamed up the Potomac
River, and, casting out her lines was soon
safely moored at the Seventh.strcet wharf
The new vessel was viewed by largo crowd
from the wharf, and when the order TO come
aboard" was given all present avaled them.
selves Of the invitation, and the decks were
soon thronged with delighted sightseers. All
was hustle and confusion aboard, but repre-.
sentative of THE REPUBLICAN CLEANED the
following facts regarding the new vessel aud
her latest trip:
The Lcary left Wilmington last Tuesday
afternoon at $50 o'clock and arrived in Wash
ington at $3.50 o'clock yesterday afternoon, hav-
ing made the trip In twenty. hours. The
passengers and officers on the boat speak in
the highest terms of the manner In which the
boat behaved. She not only justified her repu-
tation as a remarkably fast boat but also as a
thorough gong and staunch vessel for heavy
seas. Her bows sat high up in the water and
the usual rocking motion was almost impcr-
ccptiblc. The George Leary was originally
built IN 1864 for the Bay Line of steamers of
Baltimore, and was usel for carrying the
United States mails, passengers, aud freight
between that city and Norfolk VIZ. She has
always been noted for her speed, and passengers
felt safe if they had borths on the Lcary.
Last October Mr.. George IL. Plant of this
city, was informed that the Bay Line intended
to build another boat and probably could DO
induced to sell the Leary He opened ncgo-
tiations aud was fortunate enough TO secure
the coveted craft He sent the boat to Mcssrs.
Harlan & Hollingsworth, of Wilmington, Del,
with instructions to fit ii up in first. class style
for his company, aud also to raise the bows aud
lengthen the boat If possible. Acting under
his instructions, the builders spared no pains
Or expense to carry out his ORDERS and yester-
day afternoon formally delivered to him a
craft 237 feet long 80 feet beam, 10 feet depth
of hold, and drawing feet of water, capable of
making Is miles per hour, and measurement
OF $40 tons. The boat has been rebuilt from
the keel up of Delaware oak, has u new shaft,
new wheels, new boilers, and the bottom newly
coppered. The joiners' work has all been al
tered and moderuized
The furnishings and interior adornments of
the Leary show that consummate taste has
been used, as everything that could conduce to
the comfort of passengers has been provided.
The saloons are carpeted with tapestry Brus-
sells, and the furniture is GARDENERS open work
"A new patent. The staterooms, which line
either side of the decks (man and hurricane),
are also handsomely furnished aud carpeted.
Each contains a stationary washstand, which
is supplied with water from a large tank near
| the cnginc.room. There are four saloons
two aft and two forward. The dining-room is
situated under the lower aft saloon and can ac-
| commOdate sevcnty-two guests at u sitting.
| The tableware is all of the best and new. The
interior of the boat is painted white, with gilt
| trimmings, aud forms very pleasant contrast
| being at once simple but elegant.
| The boat is provided with number of fire
extinguishers, and there is alsOa stean-iire ap
paratus connected with the tngineroom. Life
preservcrs are placed within reach ut almost
every point, aud six lfe-boats are in the davits
on the two decks. The carrying capacity o
the Lcary is estimated at from 1000 to 900
and during the coming summer she will be
used as an excursion boat Her present occu
patton will be to carry the United States mails
passengers, and freight to Norfolk, Va, and
she will make her first trip next Monday after
| noon. She has sleeping accommodations fol
200 persons in state-rooms and open berths. A
feature of the former is Il number of what arr
called family rooms, which Me designed FOL
parties ". tn lots of little folks.
The vessel is heated throughout by steam
coils Of pipes being placed in every saloon ant
cabin. The builders of the new candidate TO
public favor say that she is one of the bes
boats ever launched by them, and that ever.
detail in her construction has been CAREFUL.
attended to. The cost of reftting the Lear
was $4,000. The following are the officers Q
tho new boat: Captain, Joseph White chic
engineer j. O'Donnell; assistant engineer J
Ii. White; first officer, d. Lowe ; second Office
j. II. Beacham steward, II. T. King; baggag
master, Q. Cole purser, j. McManus; quar-
termasters, James Cathell and - Lee.
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