The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-21
A FINE STEAMSHIP.
Transformation oftheWallawalla
for Passenger Service.


The steamship Taiia EalIa. Cspt.
blackburn from San Francisco. came
into port yesterday and arrived along
side the ocean dock at I2:i5 m She
left san Francisco Friday morning al
10 O'Clock with 9cabin and a steersge
passengers. and had fine passage IN
I'll Monday morning about / O'Clock
when she encountered = gale and 8
heavy head sea. which, in addition 70
thick fog prevailing. compelled the
vessel to lie TO for six hours. This de-
/ lay heightened her voyage Just 50
many hours. Victoria. b. c.. was
reached Monday evening at O'Clock,
and Port Townsend at 1 80 O'Clock
Tuesday morning sixty tons of
Alaskan freight was discharged at the
latter port which delayed her arrival
at Seattle.
The walla Walla was built 1t Ches-
ter, Pa. in ISL. for the Oregon Inn
provement Company. and was
intended for use on this
coast as collier. She is
$40 Zee, In length, 40 feet beam with =
feet depth OF hold and a a collier was
registered at 2140 tons. About eight
months ago, it was determined 70 alter
the vessel into passenger boat, the
contract being let to the Union Iron
Works OF San Francisco. Al the Old
deck houses and bulwarks were cut
away. the frames and shell plating
being extended upwards ) feet and s
inches, to carry new deck. The Old
wooden rnasts were replaced by new
steel ones, while the engine was lined
up and the boilers provided with new
furnaces and saddles.
While these transformations were
being effected the steamer was lying
ia the dry dock, where a new wheel
was attached. and bilge, or rolling
keels for $50 feet Of her length. Ex-
perts who examined the vessel pro-
nouneed that she Is the steadiest
steamer going out OF the
Golden Gate. Passengers who came
up on her this trip, on being ques-
toned. replied that she is very easy
ship az sea, and behaves remarkably
wei in a gale. She has nov carrying
capacity OF $50 tons, besides ample ac-
commodations for 156 cabin, $50 steer
age passengers, and crew OF % men.
Her rate OF speed Is Is knots per
hour. The dining saloon, which VIII
seat 100 persons, IS situated on the
main deck, and with its elegant APP
pointments Is highly attractive. The
cabin stateroorns are placed immeii-
ately abaft the dining saloon, and are
provided with all the modern equip
ments which condgce to ease and com
I The tnfipf-
rooms adjoining, and further
OF. are lifted with all the
latest improvements. The pan
| try and gallery are..located amidships,
with womens' Storage apartments
and crew quarters further forward.
| The steerage for TSten IS separate, ami
/ is placed below the main deck forward.
On the new deck are the deck state
rooms, social hall, smoking room, brl-
! dial chambers, captain : room and plot
house. with rooms for the deck officers,
purser and freight clerk. A fine prom
enade Is afforded by deck awning
which extends nearly the whole length
of the vessel, and serving as shelter
I from both sun and rain. The steamer
I is lighted By electricity, so lights be-
I ing employed, in ALL The saloons are
/ finished in highly polished mahogany,
sycamore, cherry. white holly, maple
and primavera, while borders of
! bronxed iinerusta walton are used, the
whole blending with he rich carpets,
curtains and upholstery. The ceilings
are beautifully decorated with gold
| leaf and flower paintings. In general.
the vessel has all the requirements OF
first-class coast steamship and no ex-
pense has been spared 20 ensure
The comfort and safety OF the passen-
gers
The Walla Walla takes the place OF
the steamship Mexico and the substi-
tuition will be viewed with pleasure by
all who travel between this port and
San Francisco.
The steamer brought the following
freight from San francisco: Seattle,
GA tons: Tacoma, 20 tons; Port
Townsend. l0l tons. Alaska, 81 tons;
! Victoria. H. c., ia tons; Vancouver,
u. c., i25 tons total, 1891 tons:
She left for Tacoma last night at ii
o'clock aud viii return this evening to
| coal when she will go to Vancouver.
Il. e., 10 discharge freight and load
c. r. Il. Il. freight for San Francisco.