Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-10-04
The George M. Bibb.

and Sunday morning all hands were
busily engaged in fitting the craft in
readiness for public inspection. When
everything was ready, the great Amer
lean public took possession of their
boat and began very critical inspec-
ton. In order that the many citi-
zens could readily board their craft,
handsome three inch, implanted,
unplaned, and uncarpeted plank was
laid from the wharf to the gangway
on the bulwarks, and over this plank
the public passed one by one. The
engine room was first visited, but
nothing extraordinary was to be seen
there, and especially to those who had
seen the engine rooms of the steam
crs Pearl, City of Cleveland and
Arundel, either of which has more
attractive appearance. The fore
castle was next visited. 1t was large,
cheerful looking, clean and well light
ed. Two swinging tables hung from
the deck, and the crew could thus
take their meals on the swing, and
no matter how sea-sick or unsteady
the sailors got, the cocoa and hard
tack retained its equilibrium and
never got light-headed. On the sides
of the room were arranged the Sara
togas in which the sailors kept their
fine linen and general dunnage, but
the Saratogas in this instance were
round canvass bags, and not those
immense freight cars that fashionable
bellies use to carry their nic-nacs when
on visit to the summer resorts. On
the ceiling are q number of iron
hooks, from which, at night, the sail
ors suspend their hammocks and rock
themselves gently to sleep. The hooks
are numbered, and thus every man
goes on his own hook. On chair in
the center of the forecastle sat col
ored gentleman, and white man with
lather and razor had declared war
of determination against the colored
mans beard. 1t was picture Of
love among the races not often seen,
and many curious eyes gazed at the
scene through the open sky-light on
deck. 1t was a graceful picture in
black with a vigorous splash Of soap
lather.
On the forward deck are the two
civilized bull dogs that would make
Europe howl with dismay if they
opened on her. These formidable
engines of destruction are about four
feet long, weight 500 pounds, and the
diameter of the bore is three inches.
The guns are riAed, and in order that
they might not do some international
mischief unawares, the breech pieces
are taken off and slowed away care
fully somewhere. These guns would
do an immense damage to n yawl
boat--if they fell into it.
The public now inspected the cook
room, the upper deck, the wheel
house, the four yawl boats, and va
rious other parts of the craft. The
officers and sailors were very polite
and accommodating to their many
visitors, and patiently answered the
many questions asked by the numer-
Gus inspectors. All the rooms are
heated by steam pipes, and so care
full of the machinery are they, that
the cylinder is encased with wooden
jacket and the boiler with canvas
one. A chosen few were admitted to
the ward room where all the officers
except the captain, have their. quar-
tiers, and this room occupies all the
after part of the vessel under the
deck. Adjoining this room, which
has very comfortable appearance
is the armory, where are kept mum
Der Of rifles, revolvers and cutlasscs
She's q powerful warrior, and no won
der the citizens of this city slept in
peace while she remained here. Her
officers are rs follows:
Captain.-L. G. Shepherd.
LIST Lieutenant.-H. A. Littlefield.
End Lieutenant.-T. w. Benham
Bird Lieutenant.-J. G. Cantwell.
, Chief Engineer.-D. Kelley.
Assist Engineer.-J. Kelleher.
Pilot.-Capt. McGaw.
The crew consists of twenty-five,
men and some cooks.
The cutter, in addition to the rev
enue flag, carries a long red snt
white streamer, which bears some re
: semblance to BARRIERS pole, but tn,
only shaving done is when some mer
chant captain has not fully compiled
with Uncle Sans orders, and ther
the shaving begins.
!.