Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-04-29

the steamer beautiful set of colors.
His remarks were rs follows:
Captain Ste,oart;
am requested, in behalf of the
citizens Of Alpena, in consideration
of the compliment and honor that
you and your company have paid our
city, by changing the name Of your
magnificent and popular steamer from
the City of Cleveland to that of the
City Of Alpena, to present to you this
beautiful suit of colors, with their
compliments and wishes that long
may they wave.
Captain Stewart responded as fol-
lows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t is with feelings of pleasure and
thanks that | accept from the citizens
Of Alpena, in behalf of the good
steamer City Of Alpena, her own
ers and officers, these beautiful
colors, with the hope and expec-
tation that this expression of kind
ly feeling may, if possible, warm
into deeper and lasting friend
ship, and being fully alive to the de-
sire on the part of the management
of this line, to foster this friendship
and good will, 1 assure you to this
end my attention and labor shall be
devoted. Thanking you again, ladies
and gentlemen, for the beautiful col
ors, and hoping that you may all live
to see them worn out in this service, /
wish you long life and prosperity.
First officer Grant was then called
for by the captain and ordered to dis
play the colors. They were soon hoist
ed to the top of their various flag
stats. Some one in the cabin pro-
posed three cheers for Captain Stewart
and the cheers were given with will.
The set of colors, nine pieces, cost
about $160, and the amount was rails
ed by donations of the citizens. They
are as follows. At the bow waved
the Union Jack, 109 by IA feet, blue
with white stars. On the main flag
staff was the penant 45 feet long Of
blue with white stars and red and
white. Below it was the burgee 14x
80 feet, which was red with blue,
white and red borders on the red
center were the letters in white "City
of Alpcna," and on the red border
were white stars. On the stern flag
staff waved the cnsign-the stars and
stripes-which is 133 by % feet. The
tive fagstaffs on each side of the
steamer were adorned with side flags,
each being 10x16 feet. Two of them
were white with blue and red borders,
and on the red we're white stars. One
of these side flags bore the name ODE
troit" and the other Cleveland" in
red letters. A third side flag was
red with blue and white borders and
was inscribed "Mackinac," in white
letters the fourth was blue with red |
and white borders, and red stars on |
white border, and bore the name "Che-
boygan." Forward of the smoke
stack was the private signal 10x14
feet. of blue with white center and
was inscribed I'D. & G. S. N. Co."
The various flags are made of the
best bunting by Detroit firm. To
say that the captain and his officers
were pleased with the colors, is almost
unnecessary. The following will pro-
badly state the case. The captain |
was on the wharf looking at the colors
waving from the various Aagstaffs,
and some citizen observed that when |
the new palace steamer City of Cleve-
land, now building, would make her
first trip to Cleveland, that the citi-
zens of that place would present
finer set of colors. "They can't do
it," said the captain.
The "City of Alpena" commenced
running to Alpena in 1882, and this
season will make her fourth season.
She did not miss a trip during the
three seasons. At that time she was
called the "City of Cleveland, which
name was changed this year to "City |
of Alpena." She is, we believe, the
fastest passenger steamer on the lakes,
and can sail eighteen miles per hour.
She was built in 1880. Her hull is
iron; the cabins are large and hand
somely furnished; has 81 state rooms
paddle wheels dining sa-
loon under the main deck four water
tight compartments, and registers
1 ,221 tons. Her rating is A l, and
she is valued at $4,000. Her cap
tain is one of the best navigators on
the lakes.