The Portland daily press., 1884-06-04
A LIVE srEAmBoAT LINE.
improvements of the Forest City Steam
boat Company at Peaks Hsland-A De-
scripfiOn of the New Skating Rink.

boat Company at Peaks, Esland-A De.
scrlpfiOn of the New Skating Rink.
Yesterday afternoon party of newspaper
men from this city started for Peaks Island,
the object in view being to find the truth in
the rumors that have been circulated regard
ing the Forest City Steamboat Company's new
skating rink. At Custom House wharf they
were met by Mr.. B. j. Willard, the popular
and efficient manager of the company, who
placed the little steamer Fannie G. at their dis.
posal, and Mr.. George Whitney who will
manage the rink. The sail down on the little
steamer, which by the way is a most useful
one, as she can be used as water boat, tug
boat, pleasure boat fire boat, having first
class Deane pump, and in fact everything that
steamboat can be used for, was a most de-
lghtful one. At the island the rink vas in
spected, as were also the many improvements
the company have made there. The party was
then invited to the Peaks Island House by its
proprietor, Mr.. E. A. Sawyer, and in companv
with Mr.. G. W. 7. Cooling, of the Forest CITY
line, Master Mechanic Hall of the rink. and
several others, treated TO a collation. that would
do honor to any board. At its close vote of
thanks was extended by the party TO Mr..
Sawyer for his generous entertainments The
following description of the rink may convey
to the reader some idea of what they will see.
but to realize its immensely and the beauty of
its inside appearance nothing short of q visit
to it will suffice.
The building is in the form of one-half of
an immense wooden cylinder placed on its
side. To use an expression of one who saw it
for the first time 'it is all roof" It's founda-
ton consists of 100 wooden posts driven Sc
curely into the ground and the floor is sun
ported by timbers running both ways Its out
side dimensions are 176xS0 feet. 1t is lighted
and ventilated by 80 windows, two rows on
each side and one end, and also by windows
in the monitor roof. In each end, high up,
is large circular window of eolored glass
which throws soft and mellow light on the
surface. The main entrance to the building
Is arranged similar to the one in the rink at
Old Orchard and has wide doorway for exit
In addition to this are two large exits, one on
each side to be used in case of fire. Inside the
rink everything is as light and wellfnished az
one could well imagine although there Is
strength enough in the framework to support q
freight train. Each OF the arches, of which
there are seventeen, are made of boards bolted
securely together and consist of two strips
running two or three feet apart, the whole
curve of the building. The strips are seps-
rated by small pieces of timber and are secured
by strong iron rods. The iron work was all
furnished by Laughlin & Son.
The floor is of the best quality of beech and
contains 10,290 square feet. 1t is enclosed bv
low wall or fence, with promenade on all
sides. Outside the promenade and between
the timbers of the arches stationary seats are
made for spectators. Around the surface on
the inside are $50 chairs, which in polo games
can be easily lifted to the promenade and all
skaters can see the game without going into
the gallery. The galleries are arranged so
every one, even in the back seats, can see
nearly all of the surface. They are reached
by broad, hard wood stairs on each side of the
entrance and extend all the way around both
sides aud ends. There are two rows of chairs
all the way round, about 1000 in number,
besides row of Settees at the back, so that
1900 people can be seated in the galleries.
Each row Of seats is raised above the one in
front, so that every part of the floor can be
seen. In polo games there will be large
netting extended from the gallery down, so
that those sitting around the surface will be in
no danger from the ball. The band stand will be
octagonal in form, regular Chinese pagoda,
and will be suspended from the centre of the
rink and directly over the Dkaters. Some idea of
the size of the skating surface may be obtoined
when it is said that it only requires eleven
times round to make mile.
The ante-room5, &C., in the front part of the
building are perfect models. In the corner to
the right of the entrance is the ladies' room, q
large airy room with tinted walls and
BRUSSELS carpet Next to that is the coat
room with 200 large boxes which sill be in
charge of Mr.. Fred Kelsey. Between that
and the entrance is the ticket Office with every
convenience for the rapid sale of tickets an
skate checks. The first room to the left of the
entrance is the skate room with numerors
boxes for private skates and two delivery wis
dows through which Mr.. Walter Orne will
pass out the skates. Next to this is the private
room OF Manager whitney which will also be
used as a polo room. The last is the gents
room, inside Of which is parted off another
polo room. The floor between these rooms
and the skating surface is Southern pine
The building is piped throughout for gas,
which ia made from gasoline, the tank being
rink. The surface will be lighted by four
chandeliers, and all the rooms will be- lighted
by JETS Three flag poles will display the ma
| tional colors from the roof
The building was commenced March 1st
and was built by men hired by he Forest CITY
Company, under the direction of Mr.. John
Carr OF Bath. who was also the architect. 1t
will cost, when completed, from $4,000 to
$lS,0oO. Already there are several improve
ments IN contemplation, among which is
ho ~ fiat ide 81
promenade and smoking room. The rink ia
one OF the finest in the country, and while
there may be larger ones it is safe to say that
there are but few that is SO nicely furnished
and made with such view to the comfort of
its patrons 1t will be managed by Mr. Gen
FL. Whitney, who will conduct it in the able
manner he has done the two Kinks he has had
charge of in this city. Chandler will furnish
band OF seven pieces, which will be led by
Mr.. Frank L. Collins. The skates used will
De the vineyard A, 525 pairs of which have
been ordered. A first-class polo team will be
organized from the best players of this city and
1t will be one thai will without doubt secure
the championship of the summer league soon
to be organized.
The low rates Of fare will be continued dur
ing the season for the trip down and back.
Tickets will be sold at the last season prices
Tor trip to the islands aud return and into
either the rink or theatre, which will be
opened about the same time as the rink.
Neltner VIII De opened Tor several weeks as
the company wish to have everything COM
plete before the opening. Not before the 21st,
and possibly not then, will the event occur.
1t must not be understood that the Forest
City Company have devoted all their time to
the rink for on every hand can be seen the
result OF their iabors Their wharf has been
widened thirty feet and substantial building
erected on 1t to be used as waiting room
This will be grand thing In case of showers
while waiting for the boat. New stairways up
the embankment have been made and under
tho direction of MAnager Willard touch has
been made here and there and the island looks
like new place. Many new cottages are being
erected and restaurants have sprung up on
every side. The improvements OF the steam
boat company have put new life into the
jewellers of the island and the coming season
will prove the busiest one it has ever seen
Portland Wooden Ware Mills Buraed.
THE mil IL of the Portland Wooden Ware