The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-06-22
THE SEASON HAS OPENED.

z
is that Americans, even though they
have the time, do not know how to
enjoy themselves. A shadow of truth
may, years ago, have hung about this
rather tame piece of sarcasm, but since
then the Americans have made such
decided progress in the "science" of
enjoyment that to them pleasure is no
longer an anxiety. 1t is true that
they have not learned to turn funeral
into hilarious spree, or to drink to
the health and prosperity of dead
friend, but they know how to throw
aside the sweaty garment of toll and
to put on the white linen of recreation.
On the ninth day of this month, the
Detroit and Cleveland Steam Naviga-
ton Co., opened formally their pleas
ure line of steamers, plying between
Chicago, Benton Harbor and st. Jo-
seph. A party of newspaper men, in
charge of Mr.. B. A. johnson "a we'll
known newspaper man and the press
agent for the company, boarded the
"City of Detroit" and were taken
across the lake. A village reporter,
who eloquently asserted that it was
the "most enjoyable event of the sea-
son." blew the breath of truth into a
trite declaration. We make no apol-
ogy for giving, in detail, description
of the steamer
This vessel was built in 1873 by the
Detroit Dry Dock company, and until
very recently, when their business be-
tween Detroit and Cleveland demanded
radical enlargements in the service,
was the flagship of the company's
fleet. She is of the composite type,
with iron frame throughout and five
inch oak sheathing, thus securing all
the strength and stability of the iron
hull with the we'll known advantages
still accredited to the wooden cover
ing. Her important work on the
Cleveland line has required that she be
kept fully up to the latest improve
ments in steam craft and it is highly
probable that no vessel ever received
such excellent care or so expensive
betterments as have been lavished
upon her from time to time. Among
these we may mention the displace-
ment, about two years ago, of the reg
ulation radial wheels for those of the
ieathering pattern, now in universal
use on the company's feet. This ex-
pense was over $25, 900, but fully JUS
titled by the additional comforts and
speed secured. Later on, the incan-
descent electric system of lighting was
placed throughout the ship and in her
staterooms. This winter the dining
room and kitchens have been placed
below the main deck according to the
company's policy, and the after main
deck converted into social hall and
spacious day cabin. The wooden
sheathing of the hull, originally of
southern pine, has just been removed,
and white oak substituted through
out, 80 that she is practically as good
as new, as the iron frames, when built
as solidly and heavily as hers, may be
said to be indestructible.
BY the most competent marine
judges she Is now pronounced to be
better boat by far than when first
launched, and Is appraised at ster-
ling valuation of 500, 900. We give
her dimensions below:
The hull-Length of keel, 235 feet
over all, $50 feet; nodded beam, SO
feet; over all, 65 feet /; nodded depth,
IA feet; draft light, 8 feet 6 inches;
loaded, IL feet. The frame of the hull
il of iron, diagonally strapped and
sheathed with oak. There are
six water tight compartments, used
as follows: Collision compartment,