Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-05
ESPECIAL TrIreRAM TO THE D1srArcH.l

BOSTON, November Ain the basement
of the big Mechanics building is a huge Sec
tion of the Erie Canal; at least it has that
appearance on its surface, with its float
models of every known craft on the face of
the globe. In other parts of the building are
massed all the different inventions that have
brought about such wonderful progress in
the maritime world. To-day the doors were
thrown open and the public was permitted to
see the first international maritime exhibi-
tion that has been given in this country. 1t
was unique and highly interesting e1-
hibit and Bostonians rallied in large num-
bers to show their appreciation of the honor
of having such show in their midst.
The opening ceremonies were elaborate.
Lieutenant Governor Bracket paused long
enough in his race for the Governorship to
start the ball a-rolliDg,. and Mayor Hart,
Hon. Orlando B. Potter and Senior A. M.
Coteldo, Minister from Venezuela to the
United States, helped it along.
MUSIC FOR THE MARINES.
The Seventh Regiment Band, of New
York, played jolly sea airs from the deck of
a full-slzed model of the Burgess schooner
Quickstep, which loomed up in the center
OF the main hall. 1t Is an exact reproduc-
ton of the yacht IS 1t appears above the
water line. The deck and its appointments,
the masts, rigging, etc., are all Of the same
kind and quality used in the yacht. She is
135 feet from tip to tip, or from iibboom to
end of main boom, and 80 feet to topmast
head. The hull is IS feet over all, and in
the construction of this craft alone 18 diff
ferent exhibitors are represented.
The Navy Department exhibits models of
naval ships, from that of the 'fOld Iron
sides" down to those of the steel cruisers
lately built for the Government, and there
is a complete illustration of the fisheries
marine of the United States Government,
from the earliest period down to the pres
ent time.
The United States Lighthouse Board has
a comprehensive exhibit of apparatus and
appliances for lighthouses and lighthouse
service, and the photographic Office has a
fine exhibit OF coast survey work, sailing
charts, etc.
ALL KINDS OF LIFE SAVERS.
There can also be seen large exhibit of
life-saving apparatus such as mortars, life
lines. belts. lileboats, etc., arranged by the
Massachusetts, Humane Society, as well as
steam launches, pleasure boats, canoes. and
equipment. Models of all the fine ships and
yachts built at various American ship Yards
are shown, and much space is devoted to
steam and other appliances for steamships,
together with models of the ocean steam
ships (racers) Of the various popular trans
Atlantic lines.
Heavy ordnance machinery and appli-
ances show what the United States is doing
in that direction. The United States Light
house Board has also an exhibit of one each
of every variety of buoys in use at the pres
ent time. Among the liie-saVing appliances
can be seen the Phillips life car, made of
iron and rigged so as to ply between wreck
and shore on life line, with those to be
saved slowed safely inside General Gree
ley's department is we'll represented By an
apparatus in working order.
WHAT THE CANAL IS LIKE.
One of the most attractive features of the
is the grand canal in the center
of the hall. This canal, which is quadri-
lateral in shape, is 565 feet in length, IL feet
in width at the sides, and % feet wide at the
ends. 1t has general depth of 4 feet of
water in it. This canal will, during the
of the fair be occupied by
small craft of all sizes, from the Venetian
gondola, reminding one of the old-time
water carrier of Eastern Europe, to the
naphtha and electric yacht of the present
day.
Among the curiosit1es in Machinery Hall
is Captain Slocum's South American boat |
or craft. La Libsrdade, which he built him
self in that section of America, and in
which, with his family, he sailed to the
United States.
The art gallery is place of unusual at |
traction, for here the walls are well covered |
with perhaps the finest collection of marine |
ever grouped in one exhibition in |
the country. Nearly, if not quite, every
thing in this exhibition Of marine art is |
good, while many are Of the highest order |
of the painters art, each being a marine |
study in itself.