Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-08-15

the interest manifested in her. The
general supposition was that she was
TO be another City of Cleveland, large
handsome, safe, commodious, a swift
sailer, and able to steam against any
ordinary gale and not get much be-
hind time.
When il was announced that the
City of Mackinac was to arrive at
this port on Sunday evening, the 18th,
there seemed to be Il general desire
among the citizens to turn out and
greet her, and when her whistle was
heard, which announced that she was
going to make her inaugural visit,
hundreds Of citizens began to wend
there way to her landing at the Ma
son wharf, and that wharf was pack
ed with citizens, who had assembled
to greet the new craft and bid her
welcome to Alpena. The tug Ralph
was the first to salute, and her greet
ing was answered by the Mackinac.
AS the steamer began to emerge from
the darkness and get into the circle of
light thrown from the electric light
on the wharf, the enthusiasm began
to boil, and lusty cheer went ring
ing in the air. it was answered by
the passengers ON the steamer, whose
forward deck was full of excursionists.
The cheering then became general
and enthusiastic until the Mackinac
got to her landing. Before she was
tied to the spiles, a stream of men
and boys began to pour in her for
ward gangway, and in short time
she was in possession of the visitors.
Her cabins were packed full, the stair
way and passages were crowded, while
the engine room, main deck and din
ing room were alive with people, and
hundreds remained on the wharf
About 1000 people were present.
The city band then came down and
rendered musical greeting.
Every person had appointed him
self an inspection committee to in
spect the steamer, cabins, state rooms,
dining room, engine room and the
machinery, and the self imposed task
appeared to be thoroughly done.-
Very few seemed anxious to make
public the result of their investiga-
tons. "What do you think of her?"
was the usual question. There was
nothing wonderful about the boat,
either as regarded size or magnif-
cence that would impel the observer
to testify his delight and admiration.
He did not like to confess his disap-
pointment he desired to think we'll
of her, and as there was doubt con-
corning her, he wanted to hear ia
vorable verdict. A few expressed
their admiration, and others stated
that they couldn't see anything to be
amazed at. The boat was but medium
sized, the cabins narrow, and the ex-
pected magnifcence had gone on a
visit. Only one expected quality
appeared-her appearance gave un-
doubted evidence of possessing speed.
Sharp as a knife, to use nautical
phrase, long and narrow, and if she
only has the power TO drive her feath-
ering paddles at full speed, she need
not be afraid of any steamer on the
lakes. How does she compare with
the City of Cleveland? Well, there
is no comparison to be made that can
be favorable to the Mackinac, speed
alone excepted. She registers only
564l tons, and her cabins can not be
compared to the City of Cleveland
either in size, comfort or elegance.
The officers are as follows:
Captain-Alex. j. Mckay.
LIST officer-Kenneth Finlayson.
End officer-Frank Stewart.
Clerk-Chas. +. Bideman.
Assistant-Robert Ramsay.
Steward-James Gildey.
LIST engineer-Robt. Stage.
End engineer-John Gray.
The dimensions of the City of
Mackinac are as follows: Length of
hull, POI feet; extreme length, 215
feet; breadth of hull, 80 feet; depth,
II! feet. The main deck, including
the extensions on each side of the
hull, has an extreme breadth of 60
feet. The frames are of 3! (d 81
angle iron, with a reverse iron in
every frame, and are % inches apart.
Floor plates are 16 inches deep, and
there is an eight inch deck beam to
every second frame. The outside
plating is from GIG to of an inch
in thickness. The keel is 6x2l in
ches and the main deck planking,
three inches thick, is fastened from
below with screws. The hull is d.
vided into four water tight compart-
ments, the two aft being connected by
doors. She has 6S state rooms, con-
tanning 1874 berths, and is allowed to
carry 202 first class passengers and
14S stearage passengers. The dining
saloon is below the main deck, in the
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