The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-13
PORTLAND STEAM PACKET 60.
The Improvements They Have Made at
India Wharf, Boston.

The PRESS few weeks ago spoke OF the
lease of India wharf, Boston, by the Portland
Steam Packet Co., and stated that great i'm
provements would.be made by the company in
the property.
Yesterdays Boston Globe says: "The old
popular and thoroughly reliable line of steam
boats which has been in such successful exis-
tence for about forty years, running between
this city and Portland, and which has carried
millions of passengers between the two cities
without the loss of steamer or the life OF
single passenger, is now entering upon new
lease of prosperous existence. There has for
some fifty years been line of steam naviga-
ton between Boston and Portland, but the
present line originated with the propeller
boats, the General Warren and Commodore
Preble about forty years ago, and they nave
run for some fifteen years from the head OF
Central wharf. The side-wheel steamer John
Marshall as next added by purchase and run
in connection with one Of the above named
boats AS the company prospered, and the
public travel demanded, the side-wheel steam
ers Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Forest City, Lew
iston, Montreal and Falmouth were built and
safely run, but all these have now been dis
posed of except the Forest City. The Lewiston
runs on the Mount Desert route from Portland
and the Falmouth il chartered by the Interna-
tional line between Boston and st. John, N.
b. The fms steamer John Brooks was pur-
chased some years ago and now runs conjoint-
ly with the Forest City, one boat leaving Bos-
ton and Portland every night.
This line has run from the north side OF In
dia wharf for twenty years, and owing to the
expiration of their lease, and some contem-
plated improvements already in progress the
company has recently effected a long lease OF
the entire south side Of the same pier. A new
passenger station and fine freight shed have
Just been built and are now very nearly COM
pleted. The head house on the corner OF At
lantic Avenue and India wharf contains on the
ground floor the ofiice of the agent, Mr.. Will
liam Weeks, with large baggage room adj
joining. In the second story reception room
for passengers, and another especially for
ladies, is now being fitted up: also a room for
the night watchmen. The freight shed extends
the whole length OF the pier, about 600 feet,
with width Of 40 feet, for the most part,
and IS feet at the lower end.
The extreme end of the wharf is used in the
summer season as the landing place of the Ma
liant steamer and the Governor Andrew run
ming to Hull, bingham and Downer Landing
but in the winter season the Portland Steam
Packet Co. will occupy the entire south side
aud end of the wharf, and the steamers have
already changed their berth. Three drops have
been built, two for freight and one for passen-
gers, and portions of the shed are divided off
by high open fences with slide gates. The
sidewalk on Atlantic Avenue, between India
and Rowe's wharves, has been raised and re-
laid, and new protection guard built at the
head of the dock.
The policy OF this company has always been
a conservative one, preferring the safety OF
passengers and property to any risk Except
that by fre), as no marine insurance has ever
been effected upon their boats. And perfect
system of civil service, too, is carried out as to
all the employees, as they are kept in position
during good behavior and the ability to dis
charge their duties satisfactorily.
Several of the officers have now been in Off
cal position for about forty years, while others
lave directly succeeded their fathers in the
same positions. Mr. Weeks the agent, has
been in office in one position or another for 26
years; Mr.. Albert G. Whiting, the Chief Clerk
in the agents Office for 80 years; Capt. Dono-
van of the John Brooks for % years. Mr.. john
Spencer. the Steward of the same steamer. for
80 years or more; Mr.. Melvin B. Williams,
chief of tho freight department., with his IA
thor before him, Capt. G. f. Williams, togeth-
er have served for some 40 years. Several
others might be mentioned who have also per-
formed like long and faithful service"